Update and suspension sorted
Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2012 4:36 am
Hi all, have been a bit slack in posting anything about progress. Am just back from Philippines and spent Saturday, with help from youngest son, Patrick, replacing my worn shock absorbers with some new stock billsteins.
So here are some photos taken today - at bottom of post.
Some of you may remember my issues with the bush and washers where sway bar meets the control arm. You can see my solution in one of the photos - I left the washer out, even a new one with rubber on it still left a sizeable gap, so I used in on the other side and now the bush does what it is supposed to do.
Now the car handles and performs. Cost? - heaps - new tie rods, control arms, sway bushes, strut inserts, spring pads, top mounts. Rear is all new too, with only the H and R lowering springs reused. For height at front, I ended up using strock springs from my donor car (boy has that car saved me money!!) which I cut 1.5 links off. I know this will be a weak point, but for the type of driving I do, it won't matter. Parts alone are close to $1,200.
Have also replaced all the rubbers and seals with new ones. With new carpet stuck into the boot and in the cabin (under rear seat for example), wind noise is back to original spec and engine and exhaust noise much reduced in cabin - particularly since I had the valves adjusted.
H4 conversions in front now give good lighting and look part. Highs are H3 100W halogens - could go HID projectors etc, but doesn't seem to suit this grand old car.
Car is nearly as clean as I like it and have just put in stereo (all solid state, no discs) - so starting to feel comfortable - except for seats.
But there's always a new thing to do on the car, isn't there?
So here are some photos taken today - at bottom of post.
Some of you may remember my issues with the bush and washers where sway bar meets the control arm. You can see my solution in one of the photos - I left the washer out, even a new one with rubber on it still left a sizeable gap, so I used in on the other side and now the bush does what it is supposed to do.
Now the car handles and performs. Cost? - heaps - new tie rods, control arms, sway bushes, strut inserts, spring pads, top mounts. Rear is all new too, with only the H and R lowering springs reused. For height at front, I ended up using strock springs from my donor car (boy has that car saved me money!!) which I cut 1.5 links off. I know this will be a weak point, but for the type of driving I do, it won't matter. Parts alone are close to $1,200.
Have also replaced all the rubbers and seals with new ones. With new carpet stuck into the boot and in the cabin (under rear seat for example), wind noise is back to original spec and engine and exhaust noise much reduced in cabin - particularly since I had the valves adjusted.
H4 conversions in front now give good lighting and look part. Highs are H3 100W halogens - could go HID projectors etc, but doesn't seem to suit this grand old car.
Car is nearly as clean as I like it and have just put in stereo (all solid state, no discs) - so starting to feel comfortable - except for seats.
But there's always a new thing to do on the car, isn't there?
