HEMIWagon Project Log: Update! Everything wrong with it

"JGrabowMSt" (jgrabowmst) 07/28/2016 at 20:45 • Filed to: Everything wrong

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Car was running snow tires at the Hawk’s Nest. That’s very wrong.

Okay, I guess I’ve noticed something about today...

What’s wrong with the HEMIWagon? Where do I begin?

1) K Frame up front is bent from a previous owner hitting something hard. Also the passenger side roof rack and passenger side doors have been very poorly repainted.

2) Fuel pump makes lots of noises.

3) Wavetrac is not broken in yet. About 1000 more miles.

4) It’s an automatic.

5) Power steering has a really inconsistent feel to it. Not sure what to think other than maybe a bad rack. Hoses and the pump has been replaced in the past. Still funky when you push the car.

6) Brakes are iffy, and produce lots of fairy dust when you get on them hard. Not sure if it’s the good fairy dust, but the car stops.

7) Headlight switch needs to be replaced.

8) Both front airbags are under recalls (Thanks Takata!)

9) There’s a weird vibration on the highway. Pulses slightly, but definitely in 3s. I’m very perplexed. Not sure what to think.

10) The windshield needs to be replaced. Not cracked, just pitted everywhere.

11) The front bumper needs to be repainted.

12) The front seats have LED lights on the backs, and those don’t come on because I haven’t wired them yet.

13) The car needs a bigger front sway bar.

14) It’s still an automatic.

15) A bunch of the dash and center console lights don’t come on.

16) Plastic trim pieces are breaking and need to be fixed/replaced

17) The LED brake lights I put in are starting to have individual lights go out. Will replace them with Philips lights soon.

18) Crap I went this far! The driver door weather stripping needs to be replaced because it leaks, but only drips once every so often.

19) Radio antenna hasn’t been working very well, need to find the run and figure out why the reception isn’t so great.

20) My steelies need to get fixed, one wheel leaks air. Hoping to drop the wheel off this weekend to get at least one thing knocked off this list.

I love the car, and plan on taking care of everything in time. The SL is a different can of worms, but it’s not the DD, so I’m just leaving it at this. It’s a hefty list.

Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras > JGrabowMSt 07/28/2016 at 20:49

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There’s a Magum RT that drives by my job everyday, looks EXACTYL like yours, but has some horrid offset on its wheels.

Sweet Trav > JGrabowMSt 07/28/2016 at 21:14

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#9.. MDS solenoid?

JGrabowMSt > Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras 07/28/2016 at 21:21

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That means it’s an AWD with maybe stock wheels. The AWD cars have a completely different offset to compensate for the suspension design.

JGrabowMSt > Sweet Trav 07/28/2016 at 21:23

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They’re all brandy new OEM units. I know because I was the one that installed them super late at night in my work parking lot. Finished up around 10:30am to find that I didn’t tighten the farthest one back, and it was spewing oil a bit. Fixed it with zero issues resulting, but lordy that sucked having to take the intake back off that late at night with only a flashlight and a couple lamps on the side of the building. Did it a couple months ago.

Edit: it also only really started around the diff swap time, so I’m thinking it might be a balance thing with the driveshaft.

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > JGrabowMSt 07/28/2016 at 21:30

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I’ll second the Phillips LED bulbs - I installed 4 in Humdrum (my ‘09 Accent hatch) a few weeks ago and they work great, very bright (especially at night - my brake lights are noticeably brighter big-time when the brakes are on). Normal lights when they are on with the Phillips are about the same brightness as the old incandescents I’d say.

I’ll try and get some pics some evening.

Oh, the light is also a very nice, even ‘redder’ shade than the incandescents too as those were white bulbs behind red lenses and these are red LED bulbs behind red lenses! :)

Sweet Trav > JGrabowMSt 07/28/2016 at 21:32

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rotate the drive shaft 180 on the diff coupling. see if that fixes it.

JGrabowMSt > Sweet Trav 07/28/2016 at 22:08

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It’s a 3 bolt driveshaft. How 180?

AfromanGTO > JGrabowMSt 07/28/2016 at 22:58

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One thing at a time buddy. It will be ok. Just keep on chugging along.

Sweet Trav > JGrabowMSt 07/29/2016 at 08:45

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Oh, well try moving it in 60 degree intervals and see if that helps.

Could it be a worn out flex coupling?

StndIbnz, Drives a MSRT8 > JGrabowMSt 08/31/2016 at 12:40

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Just saw this a few weeks ago. It’s been done!!!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVbdB6…

JGrabowMSt > StndIbnz, Drives a MSRT8 08/31/2016 at 12:50

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Yes, they’re one of my super awesome contacts for my build, but mainly because they did what’s been done before, gutted the car, and replaced the entire wiring harness. I’m looking to not do that, and have a way around it, but I’m going to need a lot of parts.

I’m actually ordering a door from them to fix my dented passenger door next week I hope.

Oh, you’ll also like this, my 18x9 5 spoke steel wheel is finally re-welded, getting re-powdercoated now, and I’m really hoping I can get the wheels put on for this weekend. Really really really hoping.

StndIbnz, Drives a MSRT8 > JGrabowMSt 08/31/2016 at 14:26

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Awesome! Glad to see more progress on your build.

Now then, about that trans swap and how much they want $$$$ to do it......because I need that.

JGrabowMSt > StndIbnz, Drives a MSRT8 08/31/2016 at 14:27

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Technically your car will be similar to mine, so when I get to my trans swap, I’ll certainly give you some of the top secret info as I go.

StndIbnz, Drives a MSRT8 > JGrabowMSt 08/31/2016 at 15:07

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Yes please!!! Its on my wish list down the line.