Intrepidation

It was lovely outside today. I got my next project running before work, even if it's pissing gas out of the carburetor. Hopefully tomorrow, my day off, will be just as nice.

Not nearly as bad as I was expecting it to be.

Hey I like the 4-door Wranglers. This is very cool.

Fair enough. In all seriousness, it looks neat, but it's also in pretty poor shape. I'd say $1,500 at the very most, especially for no powertrain and all that rust.

A fine example of the breed. $500

Well what I'm going to do is get a Quick Strut. This is the entire unit, ready to install. However, I'm going to disassemble it and swap out the strut mount for an OEM one, because there's been a lot of issues with aftermarket mounts. Then I'll install it, and probably do the sway bar bushings and links (tie rods look ok). I want to do this for both sides. I just need to save up money...

It's none of those, the hub is actually fine. Brakes make some noise but that's just because the rotors are slightly warped. New pads and turned rotors were in order, but it turns out the problem is quite worse actually. I think a visual aid is in order. This is the driver's side: and this is the passenger side (the one making the noise): What we have here is the spring seat on the strut has rotted through and partially collapsed, the noise has been coming from the tire rubbing on it. I should count myself lucky it hasn't given out. Needless to say its going nowhere until I can get together the money for two front quick struts (might as well do both), OEM mounts and poly isolators (might as well do them right).

Well I can categorically say its not the wheel bearing and until further notice the car is off the road.

From the FSM.

The square-sh badge on the round spot on the grill where a round badge used to be is totally a professional job. NO ONE WOULD BE THE WISER.

The only thing I miss is the Discovery Channel, since they don't really play their shows online. I haven't had cable for like 3 years, don't miss it. Sometimes I want to get a nice TV for movie watching, but I don't own enough movies or the time to justify it.

Didn't get to check it today, though my main problem now is getting a new axle nut. Hopefully the dealer has it and won't cost me an arm and a leg if I end up needing to replace the hub.

Since moving I've never felt the need to flip someone off your urge to yell at them. I've only needed to use my horn a few times. Back where I used to live, using the horn was a daily routine.

Well...I've blasted my horn, flipped people off, and even yelled at them before, but I've never made a vendetta out of it where I feel compelled to chase the person and drive dangerously. Then I'm no better than he is.

I've always liked those.

Actually I was taught a trick that may help. Will try it tomorrow if I have time before work.

Any of you guys had the pleasure of replacing a bearing/hub assembly? It seems I'll be doing that for the first time soon. Recently the car has been making scraping noises coming from the front passenger wheel when turning left near full lock. I thought it might have been the dust shield making contact with the rotor but that's not the case. Had to drive the car 70 miles or so today, 10 of which on the highway and by the end it sounded much worse, especially coming off the highway. By then it would make noise wheel driving straight. The wheel on the side in question was much warmer, basically hit, compared to the other wheels or even the brake caliper. After sitting fr a little while I had to make the short trip home and it had quieted down, I guess because it cooled, but while I haven't lifted the car up to check for play, these symptoms lead me to believe it's the bearing. On the bright side a National (Moog) assembly for my car isn't too expensive, especially compared to many other hub assemblies on other vehicles. It'll work out $72.42 which seems very reasonable for the good brand. Work also has a rental slide hammer which should help. The job itself seems pretty straightforward: Remove wheel Remover caliper Remove rotor Remove axle retaining nut Remove 3 bolts holding the assembly to the knuckle Remove Axle (hopefully its not too hard to remove) Make sure axle is clean Grease new assembly Install 3 bolts, torque to spec Install new retaining nut, tighten but don't torque Install rotor Install caliper Install wheel Lower vehicle Hold brakes and tighten retaining nut to spec (120 ft-lbs in my case) Anything I'm missing? Any tips?

How about a nice juicy steak?

Very handsome dog.

What pleasant dogs you have.

I wouldn't advise seeing it in 3D...your eyes will hurt by the end.

See I've heard that the P Zeros wear very quickly, not sure about the Yokohamas.

We've had a few threads about tire opinions, now its my turn. Getting to be time for tires for my car. Anyone used or know someone who has run Hankook tires? Specifically Hankook Ventus V12 evo K110s. Price seems pretty good for these 245/45ZR18 summer tires ($147 each, set of 4 for $588) and on Tire Rack at least they have good reviews. http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Hankook&tireModel=Ventus+V12+evo+K110&partnum=445YR8K110XL&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes Not planning to buy them right away, it would probably be next year, but nothing like getting a head start on research.

Cruze did well and definitely deserved the win. Impressive mpg numbers + good transmission + nicest interior by a wide margin (the laughably cheap Jetta doesn't even have silver or chrome accents around the gauges!) + being decent to drive all while being the cheapest is a great recipe. I personally would still pick teh Focus, but an impressive showing. As an aside, I like how autoblog photographed each car at the same angle per set of photos so you can really compare them.

You could take it to an animal hospital/shelter. They may put it down, although some places will care for them, but either way its better than the suffering its going through now.