Buttoned up the roll bar install this morning and put the interior back together. Feels good to finally have that in!

Started taking out my FM 2.5 suspension, only have one corner left. I was delayed due to some additional issues with my new-to-me Xidas. The other three shocks I was unable to loosen the spring perch locking screw, even after soaking with penetrating oil. Turned two 2.5mm hex keys into pretzels. Have some more robust tools on the way, but won't be here until Saturday.

The one shock I managed to take apart and put back together is still giving me trouble. I was able to clean up the threads enough that the unloaded perch could move up and down the body without too much force, but when the whole assembly is put together it gets stuck pretty good. Using the 6mm hex key for an adjustment tool doesn't seem to give me enough leverage to break through the trouble spot. Installed that one anyway, hopefully Curly has better luck. I'm starting to regret going used as opposed to springing for a new set.

 

We have these for our MCS. Hardened tips give you decent leverage but also prevent over torquing something that's not supposed to get too tight. Proper spanner wrenches still allow more torque.

http://s228.photobucket.com/user/luc...ndgvr.jpg.html

 

Socket hex keys and hand impact tool arrived today. Still couldn't get the perch set screw loose. They aren't stripped per se, but there is definitely some tolerance differences that are working against me now.

How boned am I?

 

Andrew says the motor should be shipping out May 5th. Converting TSE time to actual time means I should have it back soon after my toddler graduates high school.







(Just giving you a hard time!)

 

HANS and firesuit on order?

 

You betcha!

Also ripping out the roll bar I just installed and going to weld in a cage. Can't be too careful for that run on the 21st, sounds like a widow-maker.

 

Wow, talk about quick turn-around. Are you reselling the GT3? It may be difficult given your color choice!

 

Its a bit of a joke regarding some Facebook trolling. Local group doing a run in a few weeks, and kinda made it sound like we'd be courting death.

 

Of the tree perch set screws that were giving me trouble, I think that two of perches will be fine with the new screws I ordered. However, one is properly fucked. I have the screw out, but the threads in the perch are good and mangled. Trying to decide what to do. Listed in order of cost.

1. Order a new perch
2. Get a bottoming tap an hope to clean up the threads
3. Reuse perch as is with no set screw

Damn it, I was hoping to get everything wrapped up today!

 

Definitely not #3.

#2 confuses me, is the perch not off the shock yet? Should be able to ram a tap through the entire perch without requiring a bottoming tap...

 

Perch is off the shock, but the hole is not threaded all the way through. It necks down to the diameter of a little rubber plunger, which is the part you weren't able to fish out when I swung by on Wednesday.

 

Now that I see how the perch is set up, the screws I ordered from McMaster-Carr may not actually work. Might end up needing three new perches at $45 a pop. So help me God I am not buying another used part for the rest of my life, this is frustrating.

 

It was as I feared, screws are a no-go. Three new perches en route. I'll get this suspension on eventually...

 

Hopefully after the torrington bearings and perches it's still a good deal?

 

Well, still less than new at least (even after my presumptive Club Orange discount). With perfect foresight I would have either just bought new to save the time/frustration or negotiated a lower price. Oh well.

By the way, that MCS adjuster tool is great. Thanks to you and Martin for giving me one!

 

Wheels finally back on the ground!

Could use a bath.
Kid tested, father approved!

 

Hmm, you could get a 2 post in there fairly easily...

 

Yeah, for now. Long term we are thinking of turning the wasted vertical space into another room. Wouldn't have the space then.

Wife is already annoyed with how much time I've been spending in the garage, so I don't think a lift will be in the cards.

 

Block should be heading back tomorrow! So ready to have my car back.

 

What about one of those scissor jack lift things?