itraveltoomuch
05-12-2008, 10:24 AM
First I'd like to say thanks to so many on here that have helped me along over the last 12 months, this forum has proven to be priceless as a knowledge base.
So I did some work on the car this weekend and wanted to offer up some notes just in case someone comes along later and has questions on similar topics, keep in mind I am just this side of a novice.
1) Air tools are tits! I had the opportunity to work at a friends shop and they were very well equipped, I HIGHLY suggest if you are working on your car yourself you invest in a set up. I plan to.
2) Auxillary water pump. Mine failed and Pacecar was able to send me one he had lieing around, went in smooth and at this point appears to be working though I am watching my temp gauage like a hawk. As for the coolant I am mixing Zerex G05 with distlled water 1:1 and adding as needed, which takes a bit as the system purges the air. I may or may not be doing that right, others please feel free to correct me.
3) Collar nut on strut inserts (Bilsteins) Took my strut housing apart because I was hearing some noises from the wheel well while driving and had a hunch it was this nut that had come loose, bingo. Since they are Bilsteins I already had the special tool, don't forget that.
4) Lower control arms. I went with Meyle as a cost saver (I'm on a budget) and replaced the left side. Turns out I didn't have all day like I had hoped and was told at 3 I needed to be done by 5. Yep, two hours for one side, that thing kicked my ass. Apparently the bolt is tapered, and even though the orginal nut came off easily it took me over an hour of hammering, cussing, bleeding, and beer drinking to knock that thing out. In the end I re-attached the other side to the under carriage for leverage (I am learning here) and was able to hammer the shit out of a wedged fork at the base of the bolt, then my buddy came along and knocked the crap out of it from the top with a mini-sledge and a ball peen hammer. Now that I know what I am up against the next one should go smoothly, but I'll have to wait until I am back in town.
5) Buy the hand cleaner goup/cream/whatever stuff that smells like oranges, how I waited this long to pick up some is beyond me.
Next up, RH lower control arm, belts, valve cover gaskets, and spark plugs.
This thing needs some wheels too, I am thinking T-stars.:redspot
So I did some work on the car this weekend and wanted to offer up some notes just in case someone comes along later and has questions on similar topics, keep in mind I am just this side of a novice.
1) Air tools are tits! I had the opportunity to work at a friends shop and they were very well equipped, I HIGHLY suggest if you are working on your car yourself you invest in a set up. I plan to.
2) Auxillary water pump. Mine failed and Pacecar was able to send me one he had lieing around, went in smooth and at this point appears to be working though I am watching my temp gauage like a hawk. As for the coolant I am mixing Zerex G05 with distlled water 1:1 and adding as needed, which takes a bit as the system purges the air. I may or may not be doing that right, others please feel free to correct me.
3) Collar nut on strut inserts (Bilsteins) Took my strut housing apart because I was hearing some noises from the wheel well while driving and had a hunch it was this nut that had come loose, bingo. Since they are Bilsteins I already had the special tool, don't forget that.
4) Lower control arms. I went with Meyle as a cost saver (I'm on a budget) and replaced the left side. Turns out I didn't have all day like I had hoped and was told at 3 I needed to be done by 5. Yep, two hours for one side, that thing kicked my ass. Apparently the bolt is tapered, and even though the orginal nut came off easily it took me over an hour of hammering, cussing, bleeding, and beer drinking to knock that thing out. In the end I re-attached the other side to the under carriage for leverage (I am learning here) and was able to hammer the shit out of a wedged fork at the base of the bolt, then my buddy came along and knocked the crap out of it from the top with a mini-sledge and a ball peen hammer. Now that I know what I am up against the next one should go smoothly, but I'll have to wait until I am back in town.
5) Buy the hand cleaner goup/cream/whatever stuff that smells like oranges, how I waited this long to pick up some is beyond me.
Next up, RH lower control arm, belts, valve cover gaskets, and spark plugs.
This thing needs some wheels too, I am thinking T-stars.:redspot