UI Vandal

Are worn splines very obvious? I assume one could look at each of axle but if one was especially lazy...

Subscribed. Have to find one for rmine (missing) at a JY and will need to know wiring.

Sway bar is disconnected as well as steering linakge. Ill try the a arm thing this evening. I also noticed my left rear axle seems to incorrect (outter joint is different, where it meets hub looks different, doesnt look flush at hub, that tire is almost seperated on the inside, but outside has good tread). Ill post pictures of that before I get back to working on the ball joint.

I was replacing the P side ball joint (old one was shot). After buying a pickel fork removal went pretty easy. I followed Nug's pictorial. I got everything back together and got to the "Pry the A-arm down and slip the ball joint in." Just SLIP it in huh? I wish it was so simple for me! I was able to get the the tip of the ball joint in the A Arm but it looks like this (top to bottom: knuckle, ball joint, a arm): | \ ------------ Part of the threaded portion is successfully in the hole of the a arm, it just wont fully seat itself. I tried jacking underneath the a arm and tapping the knuckle, but it just wont go all the way in. I didnt attempt to remove the a arm last night. It was already late and I have early days. When I get home today Ill get right to it (as long as it is not rainigng too hard).

Ill try the A-Arm method. If that doesnt work, I am throwing the tarp on and calling it a night. It is getting chilly outside!

After fighting with rusty bolts, buying a pickel wrench (worth it), and getting grease everywhere I have hit a road block. I have the threads of the ball joint in the hole in the a arm. The rest of it is at an angle and wont slide all the way in. Ive tried jacking up the a arm to attempt to force it through. Nope. I have turned the knuckle with axle evey which way. Any suggestions? I am ready for bed, but the car is on stands outside and rain is coming. Want to go to sleep accomplished.

Yeah, I did a bit of Seafoaming yesterday outside of town. After idling for a bit then adding a bit of throttle to help introduce the liquid, the temp decided to jump up after a while. Not into the red or the top white line, but high enough to worry me a bit. 30 seconds after getting underway again, temp dropped right back down. The JY’s around here are not that great. Most don’t actually let you go into the yard or are just plain unfriendly. Ill try to check out one installed (figure out wiring), then remove it today. I hope to get the car into 70 mile @ 75 MPH shape by the end of next week. Ill tell you what though, this old car is pretty fun to wrench on. That and forums like this have so many great people and SO much information it makes any repair possible (with patience).

I am missing the elecric fan. I dont know about the wiring for the fan yet. I am not DD it, just doing projects on it every afternoon until I feel comfortable driving it to work with 70 mile round trip on 75 MPH interstate. Still need wheel bearings, ball joint, a couple tires, and a fan. It is drivable, but I also want to feel safe aka no more shaking, clanking, and free from chance of overheating. So, look for a daily "Help!" post if I cant find answers from searching

I knew that cars come with extra wiring, this is just the first one with this much! My Miata has the extra dongle for the hard top defroster, but not two bunches of 6-7 wires and a few other here and there. For the green connectors I thought they might be diagnostic ones. I had to connect them on my 9-2x Aero the first time to flash the ECU with a COBB map. Hmm, looks like Ill need to source a fan then, mine is missing. I guess Ill head to the JY and pick one up with all mounting brackets/wires. Anything I need to look for when picking one out? Any specific model have better fans than others that would work on my car?

Okay. Shedding some light! Thanks. Keep the ideas flowing. Would my car come stock with a radiator fan?

Picked up my 88 GL FI wagon yesterday. Going through it today I noticed quite a few wires not connected to anything. 1. This is on the drivers side near the front. 2. Drivers side by firewall. 3. Passenger side by firewall 4. Coming off the alternator Any ideas? Car runs decently (starts first try, idles fine, no stutters) but would like to cure my curiosity.

That is a bummer. I will just have to wait for response from EMPI then. Engine/trans mounts a good idea on a 217k mile car? Since this is a $300 beater (already have 08 Impreza, 05 Saab 9-2x Aero, Supercharged 97 Miata), I don’t plan on throwing money into it to make it perfect. It looks like the mounts are ~$100 new for all. I can better spend that money on the Miata for auto-x. This is going to be hard not spending money on this since I am a perfectionist. Grr. Extremely worth doing? Or just leave the tired ones in?

Still supple just about 3 inches longer and 4 tabs short of original position. Might snip a small section out then reattach with 3m stuff. Does anyone know of national chains that sell EMPI axles?

Just emailed EMPI to see about dealers in my area. Any chains sell them? Bonus Q: Weather stripping is a sag fest on my rear doors. Gorilla glue sufficient? What to stick it back on there? Just go by unviersal weatherstriping do it that way?

Google! Looks like 23 (turbo is 25). So I am looking at $180 for two new EMPI axles. As far as bang for buck, is this the route to go?

What spline count am I: 23 or 25? I am thinking about some new EMPI's for ~$80. Thoughts?

Wagon EA82. Are driver side and passenger side different part #?

Just picked up a running 88 GL D/R 5SP 1.8 FI. All power options still work, goes, stops (needs flush and some new pads wouldn’t be too bad), and turns. For $300 I am pretty happy with the purchase. The car grinds in both directions as well as on heavier acceleration. I figure the CV's are toast on both sides. I plan on just swapping in new two new front axles. I have read through many posts and it looks like people have had okay luck with Ebay cheapies, get autozone/OReilly/Checkers with lifetime warranty, or order elsewhere online. I want to order the right parts the FIRST time. Can anyone post up the PN I will need from their favorite source? PS Ill post pictures later of the engine bay for hints and clues on repairs (there are various unplugged wires, some oily parts).