by "way2blu does a rev update" (way2blu)
Published 09/23/2017 at 14:26
by "way2blu does a rev update" (way2blu)
Published 09/23/2017 at 14:26
Tags: SW20 Saturday
; Wrenching
STARS: 0
My MR2 still has a number of non-critical mechanical issues that I could fix. With little experience wrenching, what can I reasonably expect to fix? The problems are as follows:
Shocks are pretty dead. Rubber suspension bushings are rock solid and cracking. Calling the ride “bouncy” would be an understatement.
Front suspension could use a full rebuild. Previous owner made questionable repairs that prevent the car from being aligned properly. The car pulls a little to the right under harder braking, noticeable but not dangerous at this time. Overall alignment is 9/10. I’ve decided I have to rebuild the front end before I can do any sort of engine swap or track duty, for safety’s sake.
Trim around the windows is cracking and/or repaired with some kind of glue that clearly wasn’t meant for it. No leaks but it looks ugly.
Missing a center cap for one of the wheels (see above picture.) I guess I could order one and try to fit it.
The current wheel/tire package doesn’t offer much grip. I could install better wheels and tires to attempt to remedy that.
Missing 3 out of 4 fender liners. I can either order new ones, if they exist, and install them, or remove the last one to make things match and reduce weight. Never really found the lack of lining to be a problem from an NVH standpoint though.
I have a floor jack, access to four jackstands (not that I want to use them all at once) and a torque wrench, among other tools. I’m doing my best to keep the “parts budget” as low as possible, but I’d prefer to get the
right
parts for the car rather than the cheapest.
"cluelessk" (cluelessk)
09/23/2017 at 14:31, STARS: 2
Do the fender liners. They keep mud and gravel out and help with slowing down rust.
Order the liners and find the types of clips you need and order from ebay. They’re ridiculously expensive anywhere else.
"f86sabre" (f86sabre)
09/23/2017 at 14:41, STARS: 2
I’d combine that with fixing the window seals. Prevent corrosion at all costs!
"way2blu does a rev update" (way2blu)
09/23/2017 at 14:59, STARS: 1
It never rains in SoCal though. That being said, if the liners and window seals are relatively straightforward to fix, I’ll probably do them anyway to play things safe.
"MM54" (mm54mk2)
09/23/2017 at 15:47, STARS: 0
If you’re going for easiest, I’d say take the wheels off, put in the missing fender liners, then put on new wheels and tires.
If you’re looking for most-improved, I’d say rebuild the front end and do the shocks.
"DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time" (dc3ls-)
09/23/2017 at 16:39, STARS: 0
I imagine the shocks wouldn’t be to bad if you got quick struts. KYB makes them and I’ve heard good things about them.
https://www.kyb.com/products/strut-plus/
Just don’t go Monroe. From what I’ve heard they’re terrible for any kind of performance/sports car application.
"way2blu does a rev update" (way2blu)
09/23/2017 at 18:14, STARS: 0
How much time do you think re-doing the front suspension would take? I’d like to replace the subframe parts and possibly change out components for a wider front track.
"way2blu does a rev update" (way2blu)
09/23/2017 at 18:15, STARS: 0
I definitely need better shocks for autocross, having better bump-response would probably give me better grip.
"Igt" (igt)
09/23/2017 at 18:25, STARS: 0
First thing first is to buy your Bible. Im talking about the official Toyota factory repair manual. Find it on eBay. It is worth every penny up to 130 or so. Having proper torque values and step by step is the best.
Be prepared to be a few weeks with out the car, parts for old cars sometimes take days to find and a week to ship. http://www.toyodiy.com
"Igt" (igt)
09/23/2017 at 18:26, STARS: 0
Stupid mobile. Use toyodiy for parts number lookups then shop around. I’d do the shocks first.
"MM54" (mm54mk2)
09/23/2017 at 19:08, STARS: 0
I’ve not worked on one so I couldn’t say, but I’d estimate it at a full weekend (friday evening & saturday for disassembly, sunday for reassembly) if you have all the parts to do the front suspension/steering & rear shocks. Could be more (if lots of parts are stuck) or less (everything goes well). If you do it on a weekend, schedule the alignment for Tuesday just to be safe.
The CA plates tell me you’re on the other side of the country or I’d offer to lend a hand.