CheeseHelmet
Member
That's great, I'll get the starter kit then, thanks mang.
Lewis7789 2002 Protege5 build thread (tons of pics)
- Thread starter Lewis7789
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That's great, I'll get the starter kit then, thanks mang.
Well, looks like I lied about the tie rods fixing that clunking. They certainly helped though, but it's back. So I'm thinking perhaps it's the ball joints? I saw a thread a while back about "Hardrace" lower control arms and found some more listed on eBay for $315 shipped. Here's the thread about them . I might pick some up next week.
In other news, I changed my oil today (Castrol 10w-30 synthetic and K&N filter, as usual) and checked all the fluids in preperation for the short 25min stint at Mid-Ohio this weekend. Everything looks good under the hood. I finished painting my ASA's with the last coat of clear. Honestly, they look like crap. Something happened to the paint during drying and the got wrinkled. Maybe the humidity and cold temps. But my winter tires are just killing me. I want to try out the new Parada rubber badly, but I'll probably refinish them this summer. I wish I could mount the RPF1's with the track rubber for s**** and giggles but it's supposed to rain tomorrow.
In other news, I changed my oil today (Castrol 10w-30 synthetic and K&N filter, as usual) and checked all the fluids in preperation for the short 25min stint at Mid-Ohio this weekend. Everything looks good under the hood. I finished painting my ASA's with the last coat of clear. Honestly, they look like crap. Something happened to the paint during drying and the got wrinkled. Maybe the humidity and cold temps. But my winter tires are just killing me. I want to try out the new Parada rubber badly, but I'll probably refinish them this summer. I wish I could mount the RPF1's with the track rubber for s**** and giggles but it's supposed to rain tomorrow.
PrinceValorum
Member
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- 95 626 FS, 89 Toyota Derux 4x4
Evan, I did my ball joint (so now I'm a pro at them) and it wasn't hard to press it out and put the new one in. Rented the press for free at autozone. Ball joint was 26$, came with two of them in the box, can't ask for much more, lol. I dunno, I mean it's not fancy with the bushings and stuff, but it's way cheaper.
I may just replace the ball joints with OEM ones, but I usually upgrade if things break. So I'm weighing my options, mate. And if new tie-rods made the steering feel much better I can only imagine what new bushings would do. And my car will eventually be a track car so I'd like to upgrade now than later. Ya know?
CheeseHelmet
Member
I'd go with whatever's cheaper (hardrace or OEM), the hardrace ones are probably exactly like the OEM ones except for the different bushings. There aren't many companies making those LCAs...
CheeseHelmet
Member
I think his ball joints are shot
PrinceValorum
Member
- :
- 95 626 FS, 89 Toyota Derux 4x4
Yeah, I totally got you, there. I started thinking about that while working on my car and got kinda depressed because now my car is not as good (especially since I know it happened, lol) with the bad autozone chinese parts on it. Maybe I'll change it out for real stuff during the KL swap.. That kind of stuff eats at us.
What about just putting new bushings from Energy Suspension in your existing LCA's, unless they're trashed or bent or something. I always hear good stuff about Energy.
Yeah, I put some Energy Suspension parts in my friends Honda a few years back and they are great pieces. But we had a huge press, I don't want to take them to a shop to be pressed in/out simply because I don't trust people working on my own parts. This you know, haha. So that's why the HardRace LCA are appealing. They have upgraded, stiffer bushings already installed. But the more parts I buy the more the swap gets pushed back. But this is a little more of a priority. I still plan on buying the headers next week. Yay for quarterly bonuses. 
Then I just nee to camp out in the basement with my wiring harnesses and do work.
Then I just nee to camp out in the basement with my wiring harnesses and do work.PrinceValorum
Member
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- 95 626 FS, 89 Toyota Derux 4x4
One day.. LMS will be fully stocked!
http://www.harborfreight.com/12-ton-a-frame-industrial-heavy-duty-floor-shop-press-1667.html
http://www.harborfreight.com/12-ton-a-frame-industrial-heavy-duty-floor-shop-press-1667.html
PrinceValorum
Member
- :
- 95 626 FS, 89 Toyota Derux 4x4
Not to plant too many ideas in your head, but..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vwacbaOXjU
I saw where another guy said that periodically the 20 ton press goes on sale for 159$ and then you use the 20% coupon from a magazine, and it's only 127$. That kit that the guy makes opens the door to a lot of possibilities...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vwacbaOXjU
I saw where another guy said that periodically the 20 ton press goes on sale for 159$ and then you use the 20% coupon from a magazine, and it's only 127$. That kit that the guy makes opens the door to a lot of possibilities...
Ooooooh... Nice. I don't see where I would be making brackets anytime soon but it would be nice to have just in case. I'll need to make radiator brackets but I'm sure i can do that with the bench vise. But thanks for the heads up, Wes. I'll certainly have to keep an eye out for the press to go on sale.
PrinceValorum
Member
- :
- 95 626 FS, 89 Toyota Derux 4x4
I have to say, the black wheels looked much better than I was expecting. Honestly black wheels with a polished lip are one of my least favorite, but they look alright on your car. Hopefully the paint turns out better next time, I'm betting it was just the temperature!
Well I had a blast at MidOhio this past weekend. I only ran the Hyperdrive event (1 hour classroom time/25mins track time) again. And it was too cold to run the Nitto's/Enkei's but the ASA's and Paradas did really well on the track. I was pleasantly surprised. My car did well and I think I could've pushed her harder but I was more focused on hitting all the lines and apexes. Here are some pics;
All in all, my instructor once again, was awesome and very helpful. I wish I could've used my car a little harder, pushed the tires more in the corners and brake later, but it's completely understandable for my instructor to be cautious with a new driver. But next time in July I plan on signing up for HPDE1 for the whole weekend with the track tires and the KL in the engine bay.
All in all, my instructor once again, was awesome and very helpful. I wish I could've used my car a little harder, pushed the tires more in the corners and brake later, but it's completely understandable for my instructor to be cautious with a new driver. But next time in July I plan on signing up for HPDE1 for the whole weekend with the track tires and the KL in the engine bay.
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