Up on the rack today...interesting

January 30, 2007, 07:26:07 PM

So I went by the AF Base today and pulled into the auto shop to put my car on the rack for an underbody inspection. I drove up on a set of ramps to keep the suspension compressed. I found some interesting things out.

First, there is no evidence that the car has ever been wrecked. There are a few odd things going on though.

The right side shock and strut are newer than the left sides, the left shock is leaking fliud, the quad shocks appear to be oem and are also leaking.

The car sits level, but the right rear spring looks like it is weak, the bottom 2 coils are almost touching, the left side spring isnt.

The front sway bar endlinks have been replaced, but the leftside looks new.

There is oil on the pan and front of the tranny, but not on the starter.

The exhaust looks oem all the way back to the ler, thats one big cat.

The rear control arm bushings are shot.

I couldnt tell if the tranny mount is good or not, but there is alot of movement under hard acelleration.

The e-brake cable broke and was repaired with wire rope clips, no wonder it doesnt engage.

So basiclly the whole suspension is shot and in need of replacement, thats to be expected after 21 years and 140,000 miles. Im pleased that things are in as good shape as they are, once rot sets in or you find damage to the pan, it just compounds whatever problems you already have.