04-13-2017, 11:43 AM
It's been a while since I've updated this. The opti-coat is still holding up well and beads off almost like wax. It really does help keep the paint stay clean even without washing for long periods of time. My only real complaint about the car is that I don't like the way the clutch engages at the very top of the throw. That might just be because it's probably the original clutch and it's fairly worn. It still holds well, so I'm not interested in replacing it.
For the most part, this thing has been nice and reliable for me, but my rumble wagon has developed a clunk in the front and maybe rear suspension on the passenger side. I'm thinking it's either the struts themselves going bad or maybe a ball joint. Last night I checked the end links and they were tight and looked fine. There isn't any wobble shaking the wheel with your hands at the top and bottom of the tire. I am able to replicate the clunking noise by putting weight up and down on the fender above the front wheel. I plan on jacking the tire up this evening and seeing if I can actually move the wheel up and down by putting leverage under it to check for another form of ball joint failure. This different than the in and out play that can be noticed by shaking the top and bottom of the tire in and out.
If it's the struts, I'm probably going to go with something as stock like as possible. Right now it's looking like a set of KYB Excel-G for about $300 is my best option. I might try to find a set of used STi springs to throw on at the same time for a little drop in ride height. I'm pretty set on not modding this much at the moment so we'll see.
Any opinions on other brands of struts o whether it's the ball joints or struts?
For the most part, this thing has been nice and reliable for me, but my rumble wagon has developed a clunk in the front and maybe rear suspension on the passenger side. I'm thinking it's either the struts themselves going bad or maybe a ball joint. Last night I checked the end links and they were tight and looked fine. There isn't any wobble shaking the wheel with your hands at the top and bottom of the tire. I am able to replicate the clunking noise by putting weight up and down on the fender above the front wheel. I plan on jacking the tire up this evening and seeing if I can actually move the wheel up and down by putting leverage under it to check for another form of ball joint failure. This different than the in and out play that can be noticed by shaking the top and bottom of the tire in and out.
If it's the struts, I'm probably going to go with something as stock like as possible. Right now it's looking like a set of KYB Excel-G for about $300 is my best option. I might try to find a set of used STi springs to throw on at the same time for a little drop in ride height. I'm pretty set on not modding this much at the moment so we'll see.
Any opinions on other brands of struts o whether it's the ball joints or struts?
2015 VW GTI | 2007 4Runner Sport
SOLD
2010 Nissan 370z | 2003 BMW M3
2005 Subaru WRX | 2010 BMW 135i | 1999 BMW M3
2002 Pontiac Trans Am WS6 | 2006 Mitsubishi Evolution IX SE
1995 Pontiac Firebird Formula | 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX | 1996 Pontiac Firebird
SOLD
2010 Nissan 370z | 2003 BMW M3
2005 Subaru WRX | 2010 BMW 135i | 1999 BMW M3
2002 Pontiac Trans Am WS6 | 2006 Mitsubishi Evolution IX SE
1995 Pontiac Firebird Formula | 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX | 1996 Pontiac Firebird