Project "Payback"

[Vegas69]

I've got a ton of time in this car. Not just rolling around underneath but planning. The car was a super nice start.

The car has been up on jack stands for to long now for 4 link bushing fatigue and brake pad knock back. I have both issues resolved I think. Here is a look at my stock G Bar/Air Ride bushings after 2200 miles and one autocross.

Clearly I have compromised both bushings especially the triangulated bushing. When I ran the Autocross I had no rub in the morning and made some adjustments in the afternoon and developed a rub. The bushing is suspect at best and I think the extra stress forced it's hand.

So I decided to upgrade my end links and upper control arms so adjustment would be a piece of cake. It sucks that I have to basically rebuild my rear end. It's for two specific issues. Let's start with the brake pad knock back. I had .020 and .023 axle end play with the Wilwood retaining plates. Well I have finally got Wilwood to admit there is a problem. There is no preload on the bearings and they have something in the works. (Where is my jack off symbol) Anyway, Currie makes a new retaining plate which you can see in the pics below. Way thicker and a larger lip to compress the bearing. After ripping apart my LR the Wilwood retainer was tweaked. I dont' baby this car but I'm disapointed. I insalled one axle and my end play is down to .006. Very nice.

I also started from scratch on my end links and upper control arms. I decided ot piece together the upper arms and make them stout and more adjustable. I sawed off the lowers, tapped the threads, and installed the new links. (It's more work than it looks like) I ended up repainting them since they had to be in the vice for cutting and tapping. Teh end links are kevlar/teflon mix. I want my **** bullet proof.

[Denvervet]

Nice job on the end links. I saw this coming and replaced mine with a Johnny joint. I had mine cut and threaded by a local machine shop for next to nothing . Did you have to remove the end bearing to get that retaining plate on? I'm going to be in the same boat soon and wondered what it takes to get those pressed bearings off.

[Vegas69]

It takes about $125. LOL If you haven't built your rear end, buy the plates from currie to start with. Scratch that, buy them anyway and press your bearings off and back on. They will need to install new retainer sleeves for the bearings.

[tones2SS]

Seriously Todd, you need to start doing pro-touring builds.
How do you know so much about this stuff? I wish I knew half of what you know. lol

[70rs]

i have never used anything like the g-bar so I have no idea how long those bushings should last.
Is that normal wear? I would think they would last longer than that.

[Spiffav8]

Originally Posted by 70rs

i have never used anything like the g-bar so I have no idea how long those bushings should last.
Is that normal wear? I would think they would last longer than that.

2200 miles...normal wear? I would have to say no. They should last a long long time.

[Vegas69]

Thanks Tone...it's really just experience. I did get a 2 year degree in auto and was a line tech for a couple years. That was a good solid base where I'm pretty capable of anthing from bumper to bumper. Building these things is nothing like working on regular cars. It's all about tweaking and coming up with solutions that look good and work well. For me so far a lot of it has been fixing problems from parts manufacturers and other individuals. Some of the bugs have included:

• Engine builder isntalled wrong distributor gear
  Intake leaked water external
  G bar end links just aren't worthy of the track
  Wilwood brake caliper leak
  Wilwood retainer plate mis engineered
  Axle seal mis installation
  Edelbrock water pump leaked out weep hole
  1/2 height body bushings I wasn't aware of
  Broke two oer emergency cables before I switched to lokar

I'm sure there were other issues. There have been things I've done that needed redesigned or tweaked as well.

• Had to redesign the fuel system with about 5 miles on the car
  Hooked up the rack backwards and blew out the seal(Assumed red was high pressure not yellow)
  Had oil fitting leak at the remote oil filter mount needed tape instead of sealer
  Sure many more.

At the end of the day it's just little stuff and part of the game. I'm sure I've been much luckier than most. Not bitching one bit. Everybody that has actually touched the car did and awesome job...Prodigy Customs, Findlay Customs, ATS

[70rs]

Hi Todd,
For such an incredible car the list of issues does seem short. I can understand the frustration with having to re engineer parts. I have had to re engineer drawings from engineers in the construction arena. And I only installed the stuff. Some things look better on paper huh?

I agree with tone. Open a shop. "If you build it, they will come"

[bigtyme1]

Hey Todd, did you get them shock plates made yet? Also what is you adjustment on the Varishocks Hieght?

[Vegas69]

The car is back on the ground. I'll have pics tomorrow or Sunday. Your going to need to adjust your coil overs about 25 times to dial it in. LOL