"mazda616" (mazda616)
04/04/2020 at 16:25 • Filed to: Jolene the Sunbird
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"mazda616" (mazda616)
04/04/2020 at 16:25 • Filed to: Jolene the Sunbird | 6
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COVID-19 be damned, my friend and I did some Sunbird work today.
Jolene the Sunbird came out of storage and got some TLC today. She’s at 58,250 miles. We changed the oil and filter (and put in a new drain plug) and replaced the dashboard speakers with some from a ‘94 Cavalier with 23,000 miles that my friend found in a junkyard.
The front speakers were COMPLETELY blown. Probably from never being used until I got the car and then me using them all the time. I also found that all four shocks/struts are leaking. That explains the handling like a wet noodle and bouncing down the highway. I drive it 2,000 miles a year maximum, so I’m not going to worry about that for a while.
So far, since buying the car in August 2018 for $1,800 (with 56,000 miles), I’ve done two oil changes, a new amp for the factory radio, a new coolant tank reservoir, new A/C and serpentine belts, a new cassette player, new front speakers, tinted windows, and a new valve cover gasket.
Also pictured is my wife’s 2019 Toyota Highlander Limited AWD. It’s a good “mom-mobile.”
She needs a wash, but I quite frankly don’t feel like it right now. It’s just too nice out to do anything but relax.
boredalways
> mazda616
04/04/2020 at 16:35 |
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I just dig the fact that you have a Historic plate for the Sunbird
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mazda616
> boredalways
04/04/2020 at 16:46 |
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She’s quite historic!
Cars just have to be 25+ years old and not daily driven. They don’t enforce that, but even if they did, I’m good because I drive this once or twice a month at most.
daender
> mazda616
04/04/2020 at 17:12 |
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I also found that all four shocks/struts are leaking. That explains the handling like a wet noodle and bouncing down the highway. I drive it 2,000 miles a year maximum, so I’m not going to worry about that for a while.
I don’t recommend this AT ALL. The previous owner of my pop’s ‘01 Ranger and the company I bought my ‘00 Tacoma work truck from both neglected to address the leaking (in the case of the Ranger, one was bent) shocks that lead to more issues such as damaged/worn-out wheel bearings. Especially since you drive it on the highways, you want a composed ride as much as possible in the event of evasive maneuvers . You don’t have to buy expensive shocks like Konis , a set of Monroe shocks will do you fine for under $200.
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mazda616
> daender
04/04/2020 at 17:21 |
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I’m going to fix it. Just not right now. It’ll be 1,000 miles max before I fix it all.
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mazda616
> daender
04/04/2020 at 18:21 |
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I just found an entire suspension kit on RockAuto for $263. Looks like I’ll be doing it sooner rather than later since it isn’t as expensive as I thought.
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daender
> mazda616
04/04/2020 at 21:04 |
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Springs and shocks for under $300? Heck yes!