Wednesday, September 19, 2007

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

Fresh P245/50ZR16 tires mounted on the correct 16x8 inch factory aluminum wheels are installed.  Combined with the suspension rebuild, the car rides and drives like it was brand new.

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

The suspension parts are scheduled to be installed.  This includes a complete front end rebuild kit from PST along with all the other front end and steering geometry pieces, KYB shocks and struts, Hotchkiss performance lowering coil springs, and PST weld-in subframe connectors.

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

The suspension parts are scheduled to be installed.  This includes a complete front end rebuild kit from PST along with all the other front end and steering geometry pieces, KYB shocks and struts, Hotchkiss performance lowering coil springs, and PST weld-in subframe connectors.

Thursday, September 6, 2007

Thursday, September 6, 2007

The "rattle" under the hood appears to be the smog pump having given up the ghost.  I purchased a new smog pump from Discount Auto Parts for $50 and the new belt brought the total to just over $60 tax and all.  I took my Gerber EZ-Out folder and sliced the old belt.  No more rattle under the hood.  I'll replace the smog pump and new belt the first chance I get.

Tuesday, September 4, 2007

Tuesday, September 4, 2007

 I've developed a rather annoying rattle under the hood.  It could be a bearing in the alternator or another accessory.  The rattle starts at idle and sounds like someone sticking a playing card in the spokes of a bicycle.  If you give the TA gas, the rattle goes away at anything above 1800 RPM or during the adding of power / throttle.  Once the engine RPM falls below 1800 RPM, the rattle returns.  Since the rattle doesn't increase with engine RPM, I believe that the problem is either something loose under the hood or an accessory / belt about to give up the ghost.  I'll look at it Saturday morning.  I still need to look for one or two pieces of the rear interior panels as mine have been faded and destroyed by the sun (the carpet has faded as well which is why I'm going to go ahead and redo the interior).  I've got a line on a few sets of replacement panels (the one behind the driver's side seat can literally be scraped apart with your fingernail, it has become that brittle with UV exposure over the last two decades.