demuire

Junior: Actually come to think of it $1000 is pretty darn good for an LSD *disc brake* rear end... What with slotted discs, new bearings and the like... Do you recon you could hook me up with one? :) BTW, what ratio is that running? Cause if I'm not mistaken the R31's came with 3.9's? When I was looking at using one of these before I heard that using Pintara centers you can get 4.1's (which I'd prefer - or higher)

andrew: no idea what time I'll be there yet. Not even 100% sure if I'll be there yet (really depends on how the car goes over the next few days, it isn't even with me at the moment... at the workshop...) But I'd like to go :) And sure, meet there also sounds okay. BTW, If I get those rims off you I'd probably not want those tyres... So if I do decide to get them will have to organise another time to get them obviously.

I think he probably means $1000. The skyline diff is actually longer on one axle (not sure by how much), I'm guessing the longer axle is 130mm longer... Still, that's pretty darn cheap for a pretty much bolt in LSD diff that will be able to take a fair bit of abuse, not to mention the LSD centers aren't too expensive (although I hear they don't last all that long). Escorpse: wanna get 2 done at the same time? :D Alternatively I'm thinking of using a TA22 diff, will just have to get the existing mounts cut off and leaf spring mounts welded on, I can pay in cash or in beer :)

andrew: it's the annual mothers day car show. I've never been to it but I've been told there's some nice machinery on show there every year. Nick: I could possibly have 1 spare seat in the car :)

No no, I can turn the wheel, in fact I can turn each wheel about 5 degrees or so before the other wheel will start turning, not sure if it's meant to have that much slack in it. And yes, that handbrake held the car when I first got it, and when it weighed a lot less than it does now. It has not a chance in hell of holding the car on that driveway now, even after cleaning and re-adjustment (as best I can do it). It hardly even slows the car down on the driveway. Will probably pay someone else to do it, I have no more ideas. After I save up more money, my $500+ suspension bill today has set me back far far in the red...

Anyone going to this? andrew: If I go for this (it's this Sunday) I might pop round to you too to see about these rims, seeing as Jimboomba is the next suburb down... Let me know if this is not so good...

2 revolutions? Wow, even without the drums on the car (ie no brakes) it won't do that... Maybe my diff is stuffed too. Yay :)

Hmm, I think I don't know enough about drums to figure out what is wrong, might have to go to a brake place and pay someone to fix the problem... I've tried everything from adjusting the shoes to adjusting the handbrake, it doesn't matter if I set it at 1 click or 10 clicks, it still won't hold. Same with the shoes, slightly binding or not binding at all, still won't hold. I've roughed up the shoes, cleaned everything, but to no avail :)

I've got silly tiny little jap-spec drums on my AE35, and I must say - they are absolutely pathetic. I thought maybe they needed a bit of adjustment/cleaning, so I did that today, spent half the day in fact. Everything is schmick now (although I do think the drums could use a tad of machining), and the drums are working a lot better than they were before (read: not working at all), but they are still pathetic. They will hold the car on a 15 degree incline, and not much more. Not a chance in hell on my driveway. And definately not a chance in hell of locking up the wheels with the tyres I have on now. I've got the bigger aus-spec drums on my KE55, and while they don't really lock up the wheels with my road tyres (same as the AE35), they do lock up my motorkhana tyres very well, and they will hold my KE55 on a fair incline, even on my driveway if I tug at the handbrake lever hard enough. Are my tiny drums messed up, or is it just the fact that they are so small? Was thinking of buying some bigger aus-spec ones (apparently they bolt on?) but seeing as I have a diff swap in mind, I don't really see the point... Problem is I'd really like to have it all done before the next motorkhana, because as Doug knows, motorkhana with no handbrake is really not a proper motorkhana :)

You can make anything handle, leafs or coils. The main problem with leafs is that the rate isn't linear, so is hard to predict and therefore plan for. Coils are generally a lot easier to work with. Not sure what Craig is running, but they looked like normal rear shocks with an adjustable spring mount sleeve welded on. And yes, he's still using the top leaf to locate the diff (he's using a BW Corolla diff)

Very nice... We have to go for a cruise sometime :) Although you'll have to drive real slow so that I can keep up :D

Junior: What are those brakes off? And heh, the diff looks sooo stock :) What's with the 2 sets of leaf spring mounts? And I'm guessing that last photo is on the bumpstops :D

So you'd rather have leaves front AND rear? *shudder* :) Should do what Craig did with his turbo Datto1200 and run adjustable coilovers front AND rear :D

I've seen that rear setup before... I recon if you wanted to go that way you'd mod plate your car as a one-off kit car, engineering would be a nightmare otherwise...

Fuel gauge - check connections. Fuel gauge works by grounding, when gauge wire is grounded it will show full, and vice versa. Body shaking check tyre balance, wheel alignment etc. Fuel consumption sounds like you need a tune.

Sounds like a nice setup you have there. And you're close to me too :) I've got a white and black AE35 (that you'll probably see around) and a red KE55.

Yup, pulled everything apart today and have replaced pitman arm, idler arm, and both inner and outer tie rod ends. Car is a lot better now, but wheel alignment is a dodgy home job so isn't fantastic. The new idler arm is so tight (toight loike a toiger) the steering wheel doesn't return anywhere near as quickly anymore, I need more castor :) Still need to replace the top swaybar bushes and then castor bushes, I couldn't undo either. Also flushed radiator and replaced thermostat, temperature seems better now. There's a rattle in the engine bay at idle and certain other speeds, if I push or pull the engine (block) it stops, I'm guessing something is vibrating agaisnt something else, but can't for the life of me figure out what it is... Also replaced wiper blades, they actually work now :D Now I just have to readjust the wiper jets... :D

How does one have pics of a car that has gone? what... an empty space???

Back from Pedders now, they couldn't do the alignment cause all the steering linkages (inner and outer tie rods, idler arm and pitman arm) need replacing. There's like a full 10mm of movement in the left wheel alone! Wow Jamie, how did you drive around with the car like that! Anyways, parts have been ordered ($300+ worth), should be able to replace the tie rod ends but might have to get them to replace the idler and pitman arms... Or... Rob, wanna help? :) *edit* Yay, managed to get all my parts for $221 instead (Good ol Fulcrum), as Pedders couldn't get me the parts till next week. Have pulled half the suspension apart, will hopefully get all the bits in before tonight. Have to wash Pinky sometime too... Car is booked in for wheel alignment again on Tuesday.

Rob: Yes, going to see Brian. Was thinking of popping by to see you after - but don't know if you'll be up and about since you worked last night...

Oh believe me I definately don't WANT to crash, but you never know what happens right?

And oh gawd insurance is SO NOT CHEAP. I'd better not crash this thing... Shannons want me to send them photos, will need to get onto that sometime. Which means I should also take photos... But somehow I don't think they'd be too interested, they are more into collectors cars etc, and my car is rather rough. Just Car Insurance want $311 just for 3rd party, $611 for Fire & Theft, I didn't bother asking about Full Comp. And I can only claim up to market value of the car to a maximum of $3000 (if uninsured driver crashes into me). Mind you, market value of the car is $700. HMM. My access itself is $1200. Doesn't seem very logical to insure it does it? Maybe I'll just not insure it. Would be nice to at least have 3rd party though... Will see what Shannons say. In the meantime, MUST NOT CRASH CAR.

Itch? OH YEAH... but no, still have issues with it. Need to rewire a section of the car cause i'ev blown up 2 circuit breakers already ($60!!!!), engine bay too hot I think. Will reroute to the cabin. At the moment it's running unfused, which isn't really very ideal. Also thermostat is dead I think. And water in radiator is more brown than green. But bloody hell it's FUN TO DRIVE :) Burns my "good rubber" without even thinking. I SO NEED A LOCKER OR AN LSD... Tomorrow get wheel alignment :D YAY.

Car is registered!!! A few things to sort out yet, but it's registered - that's the important bit :)