Parts finally came in for the RX-7 ABS delete project (Non ABS lines, and the coolant pipe to replace a leak). Since the ABS pump was leaking fluid, and new ones cost about 1800 bucks, we decided to convert the entire system to non ABS. The ABS had been disconnected previously for other reasons anyway, lol. While Wes and Richard were plugging away at the chump car, I tackled this one. The leaking abs pump is on the passenger side, …

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Jan 12 2012 porschedoc BMW No Comments

This was a quick in and out project that came by the other day. Car lost all power and wouldn’t take throttle. Turns out the bushing in the gas pedal had rotted out and the cable slipped out of the lever. A new bushing and we were back in business. Driver under panel removed to get at the bushing. Hard to see, but the cable is just kind of flopping around in the hole. And the rotten bushing.

Jan 12 2012 porschedoc BMW No Comments

Richard came by today to start the install of a roll cage for his future BMW chump car. With the benders, notchers, and welder out, the guys went right to work. Interior gutted and ready for the cage install. Wes bending steel by hand…….. Ok maybe he had some hydraulic help. The rear main hoop bent to shape and size. From there the diagonal bar was mocked up for the rear hoop and cut to fit. The tubing notcher in …

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Finished painting the front struts in our 951 project yesterday and got everything assembled with the weltmeister lowering springs. It’s lowwwww.

Jan 11 2012 wes Editorial 2 Comments

So a big issue with Miatas is the rear suspension. The throughbolt in the rear carrier is exposed and becomes siezed. Also the rear axle splines sieze into the hub. After destroying the axle, chopping the bolts into pieces, leaving it under 24,000lbs pressure overnight, and finally putting a cheater bar (allegedly) on the press, the carrier was finally free. This had to be done since the frozen lower carrier to control arm bolts would have caused some crazy handling …

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This is one I haven’t seen before actually. Customer came through with the complaint that the outer door handle wouldn’t open the door and felt crunchy. Typically we see the window drop issues or lack there of, but never a jammed door handle. I was eager to figure this one out. Once I got into the interior of the door, I immediately saw the issue. There is a retaining pin that attaches the door handle to an intermediate arm that …

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This low mileage 951 suffered what all 25 year old cars do….worn out shocks and struts. Most people don’t notice the effects of weak shock absorbers. I notice it right away when getting in the car and the car feels overly floaty on the road. Not how a Porsche should feel. So it was time to ditch the junk Sachs/Boge shocks and upgrade to some Koni’s. Shiny new Koni’s 🙂 Old front struts. The old dust bellows and bump stops …

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One of the most commonly overlooked belts on the 964/993 is the one that you can’t see (other than the 993 PS belt, lol). The twin plug distributors use an internal belt to time both ignition rotors together, allowing the cylinder to fire on both the top and bottom spark plug. If this breaks, the secondary ignition rotor stops spinning, thus no spark to half of the spark plugs. If you are lucky, the rotor stops in a position between …

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Brought this 996 in this week to start an intermediate shaft bearing upgrade as preventative maintenance. I wrote an article for the KCRPCA newsletter this past month, so here is the actual procedure in a little more depth. Up in the air ready to rock. Awolnation provided the beats, and I started tearing out the parts. A lot of stuff needs to be removed including the lower suspension carriers, transaxle, and clutch assembly. The side skirts have taken a little …

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964 Alternator

Still trying to chase down a slow drain in this 964. Stereo shop said alternator wasn’t putting out (insert joke here) enough voltage, which I disagreed with, but we decided to replace the alternator anyway…….now we get to chase a constant awd light on the dash. Great. Making a big mess. Pushing out the old fan bearing and spacer sleeve.