Jeep and bigger wheels

More pictures. Car looks weird so I have tried to put R17 wheel on the front and see what happens. First tire width comparison (stretch vs too narrow wheel). Both tires are 215/40 form factor.R17 clears brakes with just 0.5mm spacer. Which is nice for handling
And more random shots of my jeep :)

Not so bad at all

First let's look at picture of the jeep after settlement of the springs and short ride around the block. It's high, but not so bad. It looks like at launch when torque rises the front :). I don't like it, but see no major reason to panic. It still looks more or less ok. Hope I will be able to fit bigger wheels to compensate this:
Many changes happened in the garage. First - old driveshafts from A80q don't fit, because they are using 108mm inner CV joints and have different lenghts. As my car is from my. 87 - it has 100mm inner CV joints and bit different differential housing. So just another challenge. So as always - whole strut is taken out and disassembled:After quite a while old CV joints taken off the driveshaft (wasn't able to get outer CV joint myself, "outsourced" this operation to local auto repair workshop. And driveshaft with everything necesessary is in place (after "just" two days of work(!)) :
Rear suspension assembled. It is interesting how flash is showing all impurities on the black. I think it's just dust with grease on the wishbone, because that spots were not visible with naked eye.
You have probably noticed, that wheel rim bolted. It's my R17 AZEV's (ATEV) test fit. Seem to clear everything at the rear
Nice. I have no idea how those huge wheels will look with skinny tires (can't get wide tire for cheap, so probably I will go for 215/40 R17, which looks pathetic on this size of rim).

And what awaits me today. Hope I will manage with fitting of struts this week. It's very slow, because every step is literally full of traps. I'm retapping some holes, replacing (sometimes going to buy) necessary parts, loosing tools in the garage, etc.

jeep...

Long story short - after lot of struggling in completelly unbelieveable places, I have managed to finish front suspension. Everything works, however front is way too high (adjustment is at the bottom). So now I have a jeep:Of course springs are not settled, but I don't think they will drop a lot. Here's look at the front (note how tired the car body is :'(, this photo needs little photoshop...)
Rear is still running stock suspension with lowering (blue) springs. Much better situation with height. However it will be no problem, because rear suspension can be dropped very far down (no tie rod fixture, which is in the way of the spring):
And better photo of strut in the car, just before lowering it to max. Stupid me, I have hoped, that this setting will be unacceptable low car :). BTW adjusting of height is really pleasant. Just jack the car, and turn nuts. No need to take off wheel. Nice, however I need to figure out what to do with the springs...

CV joint hunt was successfull

As title says. Search for CV joints was successful. Got new, and good quality (GKN/Loebro, same as OEM) CV joints for good price (not so popular item). Old one:New one - notice, that ABS teeth are missing:
And assembled strut in the car with the wheel on (still hanging in the air). Sorry for picture quality, but camera refused to focus - too dark in the garage with doors closed (because of the rain).
Haven't tried to move the car, as it was raining as hell outside. It feels stiffer, when you push it however not so stiff as I would expected. As new spring is installed car rised about 2cm above normal. Hope spring will settle at night and I will get nice drop :). We'll see what tomorrow will bring.

Hmmm...

As every spring - I try to start working with the car. This is no exception. Suspension struts are primary target for this spring. So - day in the garage, and old strut is out:Comparison old vs refurbished. No essential differences. Rubber in the coil is to rise car nose a bit as those white springs were way too weak. Let's continue with assembly of coil over. Everything fits nicely. Added some engine oil for better thermal contact between strut and shock absorber. I know, that antifreeze is safer and better. But I don't like it. It's sweet, it's hard to wash :(. Engine oil should do this application just fine. Comparison of old and "new" strut assemblies:
Some work, and everything is put in place. Time to tighten CV joint bolt. Few turns and it's no longer turning. WTF? Hub is no longer turning (on gearbox gears free motion). WTF!!!!!. Short inspection revealed the obvious. ABS and non-ABS struts are different not only with sensor mounting. ABS strut has additional groove to fit CV joint teeth, and non-abs - hasn't. See for yourself (rusty one is ABS):Just another FAIL. But now I'm used to it :). It's just another challenge. Now I will search for suitable CV joints. Hope someone has them to seel. Saga continues...

Lost... but not forgotten

I'm still there, car is still there. And it is getting warmer in garage ;). Time to make winter chaos into something where someone can work with a car. Let's hope, that show will go on, and new updates, new toys will follow. Gitars took huge portion of my time, but not all. Some portion is reserved for this special goal, that special audi coupe quattro.

If there's anyone who still reading/subscribed to this stupid blog - thank YOU. For your patience...

Some youtube video for you (from 2008)