Good news/bad news

"AestheticsInMotion" (aestheticsinmotion) 05/28/2018 at 22:24 • Filed to: None

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Good news is I had someone bust my stuck nut. Bad news is... I may have put my rear sway bar on upside down.

So last week when removing endlinks one of them absolutely refused to budge. You guys gave me tons of great ideas for removal, and I was on my way to a parking lot to begin attempting “nut removal take two” when on a whim I decided to stop by my local race shop.

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TTwenty minutes before closing, on memorial day, I drive by and ask the owner if he has time to remove a stuck bolt. I was expecting a no, but he agreed (further cementing his place in my heart as THE shop to go to for any and all needs. Took him about thirty minutes to get it off once on the lift, which made me feel a bit better about my failed attempts. In the end, after MAP gas, breaker bars, vice grips, grinders and hammers failed, he grabbed a.... Uh... Shit. I forgot the name. Socket-that-cuts-into-the-bolt-to-grip-it-thingy. Extractor! I think that’s it. Anyways, the extractor was what worked in the end. This dude has gone out of his way many times to help me out, and always provided great service under more normal circumstances too. Stage Auto is the best.

Full service performance shop with a sister body shop sharing the same space. They specialize in S2000's

The bumpers apparently have 12 layers of paint and are a massive pain to respray. The owner probably won’t be backing into his other car any time soon

Did I mention they only charge $60/h, or $70/h if you bring your own parts? That’s insanely low around here

So after bolt removal (at long last!) I went to my favorite wrenching spot. Can you guess why it’s my favorite wrenching spot..?

These two are parked there during the week, and prii take their place on the weekends.

Yep. Totally private, lots of space, and a massive canopy for work in any weather. Coincidentally it seems as if I can drift on dry pavement with winter tires. Huh.

Once I had tools laid out I stuck the rear bar in place and bolted the supports down, then moved on to the endlinks. Now, I’m not positive that I put the bar on backwards, but I feel like something isn’t right. The car drives fine, but the endlinks are at an odd angle, using all the spacers, and there isn’t much room for adjustment. Idk. I’ll figure it out later.

Oh and I almost forgot. In my quest for world domination, I’ve been posting a lot on Google, and my Miata is now the top image for their shop. Nice. Half the places in Kirkland now prominently feature a red Miata in their most popular pictures, which I find hilarious

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > AestheticsInMotion 05/28/2018 at 22:29

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I could use a good nut bust. Send your guy my way.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > AestheticsInMotion 05/28/2018 at 22:32

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Sorry for your troubles, nice guy to pull you in at the last minute though.

That 92(?) Celica is mint

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > AestheticsInMotion 05/28/2018 at 22:34

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How does one install a sway bar upside down? Aren’t they symmetrical?

AestheticsInMotion > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 05/28/2018 at 22:35

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Celica? Where is this Celica

AestheticsInMotion > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 05/28/2018 at 22:35

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Told him to ask for Mr. McBoogerballs. Keep your door unlocked!

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > AestheticsInMotion 05/28/2018 at 22:36

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The blue the thingie on the right is a Celica

My citroen won't start > AestheticsInMotion 05/28/2018 at 22:36

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It’s always great when someone is available to bust your stuck nut. Sounds like a great Monday.

AestheticsInMotion > TheTurbochargedSquirrel 05/28/2018 at 22:38

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The hollow front one was, which is why I didn’t even consider it. The rear bar has twisted arms that can either be outward or inward depending on how you flip it.

Bit hard to tell but the mounting holes are turned outwards about 35 degrees

AestheticsInMotion > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 05/28/2018 at 22:40

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Ohhhhh. Here I was thinking that was a 90's Nissan.

The owner must love it, it’s getting a full engine and suspension refresh

AestheticsInMotion > My citroen won't start 05/28/2018 at 22:40

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It was definitely a load off my mind

Nick Has an Exocet > AestheticsInMotion 05/28/2018 at 22:41

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Are those adjustable end links? I have a mild drop on my car and I certainly don’t have mine set that short. Also, what are your symptoms?

AestheticsInMotion > Nick Has an Exocet 05/28/2018 at 22:44

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Yes, adjustable. If I raised them the bolt wouldn’t line up properly, which is what leads me to believe the bar is on upside down. No symptoms really. Upside down or not, it still stiffened the rear end considerably. But I definitely have a lot of work to do if I want to get my suspension dialed in

M.T. Blake > AestheticsInMotion 05/28/2018 at 22:47

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You had me at busting a [stuck] nut. This article is NSFW.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > AestheticsInMotion 05/28/2018 at 22:48

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It was the last Toyota sold with pop-up headlights. That means something

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > AestheticsInMotion 05/28/2018 at 22:49

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Seeing that now it does look like the bar is in upside down.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > AestheticsInMotion 05/28/2018 at 22:51

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Tell him he can go right upstairs.

Nick Has an Exocet > AestheticsInMotion 05/28/2018 at 23:13

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Gotcha. Yeah, I can’t get under my car at the moment but I think you might be right. That said, I have the Flyin Miata bar which doesn’t has nearly as aggressive an angle. I’m not sure I would be able to tell.

Chariotoflove > AestheticsInMotion 05/28/2018 at 23:47

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Finding a good shop is priceless. It can be kinda like a marriage.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > AestheticsInMotion 05/28/2018 at 23:49

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$60/hr is pretty damn good to bust a nut that is all rounded and rusted in. Usually prices like that get you sketchy service.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 05/28/2018 at 23:52

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I’ve been keeping an eye out for one of those, actually a darn spiffy looking car.