Think we found the problem
I noticed a bit of a leak before the Camaro Club event (mentioned in my post on the 7th). Before what I was planning to be my last run anyway, I noticed the barrel of the wheel was shiny. Climbed under and noticed a drip of oil on the bottom of the rotor, and a pretty moist housing end.
The last time we rode this merry-go-round, it had just shucked the inner seal piece on the bearing. We're never ones to let up, though, and I think we got all of it this time. New Moser axles with tapered rollers came in yesterday, and dad got them swapped out last night.
We'll put them to the test Sunday, as we're heading right back to Lone Star Park, where I assume the last one got broken.
I've also noticed some pretty significant brake pad kickback the last few trips out, I'm hoping this will help in that area, too. Nothing like having a manual pedal that requires a ton of pressure, but not being sure if the free travel is going to be nothing or an inch or two as you're approaching a turn..
Thanks again for the tips, Lance, that simplified this process greatly.
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As the end of summer approaches, I've started a winter 'to-do' list. This year was always a "work on me, get on the level of the car" campaign in my mind, and I'd like to travel a bit and hit it hard with some improvements next year. Right now it includes:
Needs:
- Adapters to use a standard coilover spring up front so we can bump the rates; possible bump in rear rate as well, need to put pen to paper to see
- Install the new brake and clutch master cylinders we already received from Wilwood. This includes a size change for the fronts to get a little more travel and lighter pressure requirement at the pedal, and hopefully a much better feel overall
- Bigger, dual-pass radiator to help with summertime and road course running; ducting to the grill openings and blockoffs around the rad to clean up airflow up there
- Airbox that fits to the cowl to keep the heat off the carburetor
Wants:
- Stiffer front swaybar (likely a splined Speedway unit or something similar of our own design)
- Adjustability for the rear bar - right now it's fixed and way too stiff for everything else in our current combo. Either way, being able to tune it is a must in my book
- Fuel injection (big ? at this point)
- Air dam/splitter
- Stock look fiberglass dash and some more interior pieces including an insulated headliner to (a) chase a few more points at Optima events and (b) not roast quite so bad in the summer
And I'm sure there will be more..