Microracer

Replaced both sides lower ball joints recently and all is well with the world. I never knew worn ball joints could cause that kind of racket. Now if I could get rid of the TOD I'd be in great shape! Anyone know if I can get to the "Mickey Mouse" gasket without yanking the engine? Thanks all....

ECM Code Update: 3 codes found 1. Code 34 EGR valve 2. Code 35: Purge Control 3. Code 42: Idle Switch I'm guessing that the EGR is what set off the CEL, I can't imagine all happening at once, but... So does any of this have to do with my pinging problems? Or is it all a seperate issue. Thanks for the comments!

This is an SPFI system. As far as the codes...look above, thanks

Thats exactly what it does. :-\ If I've been running for like 20 min and stop for gas, when I get back on the road ping city. I will go away mostly if I floor it then coast, but that is not a solution. I checked AutoZone and they want $100 for a new sensor...! I tried cleaning the contacts today and no difference. Anybody got one out there? Would one out a j-yard be OK? Oh and I tried to check the codes and couldn't find the right connectors to disconnect /connect to get into diagnostic mode. Help!?! Thanks all...

OK, Ive been fighting a ping for the past few months now and it is starting to annoy me. I've retarded the timing back to 18deg and put in new plugs. Next up for replacement is cap/rotor & Wires. What's got me baffled is that it only lasts 10-15 min then it goes away. Water temp usually hovers around 1/4 up on the needle. I have noticed it more if the HLA's are sewing me a quilt under the hood, but I don't know if that is a coincidence or not. Now today, I was waiting to cross a busy road and floored it. A little sputter the it picks up, slowly. I look down and the CEL is on. Haven't checked to codes yet, but I suspect an o2 sensor and wonder if the o2 sensor is causing the ping. Sometimes after stopping, just after accelleration it will hiccup then get going again. Not sure if all these are related or not??!! Even with the ping and other problems it still gets 28-30mpg on the 3AT and thats usually scooting down the interstate @ 3900-4200rpm. Anyone out there have a ping/problems like this? What's the cause/solution? Thanks! p.s. I have tried all octanes of gas and run 2 cans of seafoam through the tank and no difference...

OK board members, Here are the symptoms...When shifting from Park into Drive after starting the car I get a thumping sound. BUT, if I try it again no thumping sound. If I jump on the gas quickly I can hear a thumping sound. Also sometimes if I am hard on the gas then let off I hear a thump. I know my lower ball joints need replacing, but I think the DOJ is causing this sound. Are my suspicions correct? I only have 10K miles on these reman axles can they be failing already? And if the DOJ fails, what happens? Will it lock up the wheel and cause a crash or just fall into a bunch of pieces then I will have a OWD (one wheel drive) instead of FWD :-\ . As always ... thanks for the help!

Is that the bar under the spare tire? If it is, I tightened those bolts as well. If not could you point me in the right direction? Would worn stabilizer bar bushings cause this thumping to occur? Thanks all...

UPDATE: I got under the car and tightened the 3 bolts where the radius rod attaches to the frame. Nothing was really loose. I did tighten up the sway bar bolts where it attaches to the lower control arm. That seemed to help a little. Now it dosent always thump on accel. but only once an awhile. What's really strange is that it does it more in the afternoon than in the mornings? As far as the DOJ I squeezed the boot to see if there were any parts laying around in the boot...nope. I would think if it were the DOJ the problem would always be there since it is always rotating. Man, I sure hope it isn't something in the trans! Are there any other possibilities out there? thanks again for the help!

Miles...when crusing, if I let off the gas nothing, BUT if I jump on the gas(like stab at it), I hear a thud. If I ease into the gas slowly, nothing. I will check the radius arm bolts suggested by presslab. Anyone else? Thanks!

I've been trying to figure this one out for the past few weeks. When I step on the gas from a stop I get this thump sound from the left wheel and usually the steering wheel will jerk to the left when it thumps. I've tightened the axle nut and lug nuts. Not sure what else could be causing this sound. Oddly if I accel really slow it will not make the sound or jerk the wheel. Anyone had this happen to their EA82? I hope it is something simple. CV's are only 3mo old, so I'm thinking it is suspension related. Any thoughts, thanks!

Yes first thing I checked...they are tight...found a spindle for $35 at a yard so out woth the old and in with the older (from an 87) and we will see if that fixes the prob. I'll rebuild the other spindle when it gets warmer. I'm gonna try retorquing the nut and see if that helps. I'll post when done. Any other thoughts welcome...

Just started this morning...a loud clunking noise from the wheel. I've had a strange buzzing noise since I bought the car a few months ago. CVs are brand new. I'm suspecting a wheel bearing. Clunking goes away under load or at fast highway speeds (50+mph) but clunks like mad when slowing down to stop. How safe is this thing to drive? What damage could be done by driving it this way to the garage? JY wants $75 for a hub so I'd rather not go that way. Also how far back in years was the same hub part used? I'm thinking late 80's, but don't know. Thank you!

How do you actually change the timing? Do you twist the dist? And if so which direction? Really pinging bad under load and want to try a timing adjustment to fix it, thanks!

Raven... The hole you tapped for the hard line...is it already there or did you have to drill & tap? Thanks guys! I've got a mech. gauge in the shed. I'll wait till I have some time and run some oil lines...Anyone else with $.02?