Project 91 "SS" 3400/5spd

[Cliff8928]

Cliff, glad to hear all is well - and the failure was a fluke due to a defective part. When I spoke to Frank months ago, he had said he NEVER had to warranty a GM FWD axle before.
.

Yeah, if you know how the outer joint is held on, there was literally no groove in the shaft for the ring to lock in to. I took pics of it. It's a silly manufacturing error that should've never happened!

I pulled the axle out tonight and there were needle bearings everywhere! One of the wheels inside the inner joint was off the 3-way stud and jammed into the back of the cage limiting the travel. So the axle shaft itself is indeed the correct length. I was wondering how an alignment could make that much difference. I'm thinking I screwed it up somehow when I pulled it out to drop the trans and fix the fork.

So I just temporarily assembled the inner axle joint and it's good to go length-wise! No shipping that sucker back now, just have to grab some CV grease and a clip for the end of that 3-stud snout (one was broken)

The car is at my house for the first time tonight since my dad needed his garage. I miss the level concrete already... uneven grass FTMFL!!!

That sucks it came apart, but at least the length is good...

Whats the turn around time? By the time you get this "drivable" you will have 1 day to break in you clutch, and that will be on its way to NE.

Mine was about 4 days if I remember right...

[woody90gtz]

DSS is sending me a new "tripod snout" as they called it. Apparently the end is not supposed to be rebuildable, and they cant get me a PN for just the clip that is busted. I was hoping to get that stuff local and be driving tonight, but it will probably be Monday or Tuesday when I get the package.

[3X00-Modified]

Lets not break it this time

[woody90gtz]

He said there is no way it should have broken. That clip is supposed to hold the wheels on the "tripod legs" even if they do come out of the bucket.

[woody90gtz]

According to UPS the axle snout will be here tomorrow and I should be able to install it after work. Then it just needs inspection & alignment.

I worked on my back seat upholstery yesterday and got it all done, except... the fold down portions of the rear seatback are backwards. The center section for the arm rest is on the wrong one. So that is being sent back to Michigan to Softtrim Concepts today. It's an easy fix, but I probably wont have it in time for NE, even if he fixed & shipped same day. Balls.

[woody90gtz]

Tripod snout is installed. I'll take it for a spin tomorrow to make sure everything is kosher. It was too late tonight to be driving an uninspected car around that is as loud as it is, and frankly I'm dead tired right now. No pics for you. I'll upload some time later.

Bad news: I cant get an inspection or alignment before NE anywhere local. I've been trying for days to get one lined up with no luck. Tmo I'm going to call around the surrounding towns to see if I can get lucky. If not, I'll be doing some more eyeball adjusting to the alignment and praying I dont get pulled over in Albany. haha

[3X00-Modified]

Eyeball, WTF, use a level and then two plates and two tape measures (you can also use two beer cans if necessary, really anything of the same height so you can duplicate where you measure front to rear on the tire)... I can guarantee you'll get it close enough to where it will be fine for the trip.

[woody90gtz]

I'll have to get my dad's POS Impala out of the garage and do that. It wandered all over this morning. The axle is good though.

I'm quickly running out of time AGAIN to get everything done in time. Need a good day of thrashing in the garage to see if I can make it happen.

If not, I'll just have to take the fast car again.

[woody90gtz]

This piece of fucking crap is not going to Albany. I think the steering rack is where the issue is. But I'm sick of dicking around with it, so I'm going to have the local shop (that is decent) diagnose the problem for me. I've got to back away from it for a little while... I'm too annoyed to be working on it myself.

In semi-related news... today while I was driving the clutch master rod came off the pedal. Where can I source the little plastic clip that holds it on. Mine is cracked/broken and no longer functioning.

[3X00-Modified]

What issue are you having that you think its the steering rack?

[woody90gtz]

It makes noises when you turn and it wanders. I'm sure the alignment was part of the problem, but probably not all... it has to be something in the steering itself, too. I've checked all the tie rods and they feel pretty good and I cant see any issues with them. It sounds like there is a clunk coming from the rack area when you wiggle the steering wheel, and it is not from any kind of clearance issue either. Nothing is hitting anything where all the steering linkage is, but that's what it sounds like.

[3X00-Modified]

You never changed that rack did you?

[woody90gtz]

Nope. It would have been cheap insurance.

Saving money rarely ever saves you money.

[Asylum]

It would have been alot easier with the engine out!

But I know what you mean.

My Quad clunks a bit when it's cold, but settles down when warmed up.

I'll get to it over the winter,,,,,maybe.

And it's easy compared to a V6.

(Hoping to leave for Albany by noon Friday.) Maybe! But Marc has the trophies and Jamie is picking up the canopy this afternoon.

[Barry]

Your worried about a noise? Haha!

Wait till you hear my car! It clunks and clicks and makes all kind of noises.

Ive been through every part and everything is tight, balljoints are new, tie rod ends new, bushings new, everything is replaced.

I think its just the 175,000 body that creaks and groans.

Dont let a noise hold you back! Wait till you hear my tranny too!