Before and After
New Tires (April 27, 2002)
If you've kept up with the discussion, you'll know that I've felt this thing wasn't safe at speed. Trying to use it to commute I ended up holding up traffic because I didn't want to drive 55, or even 45 or 40...
Well my local mechanic said it was the tires, because nothing in the front suspension was anywhere near worn bad enough to cause the trouble I was having. Today I bought new tires.
First a free plug. I got the tires at Discount Tire Co. Inc in Bremerton. Not only did they have the best deal on the tires I wanted, which is why I went there, but the service they gave was fantastic. You'll understand why I say that as I proceed.
Discount Tire is probably 25 or 30 miles from here. Driving down was an adventure. When I crossed the Agate Pass bridge off the island, I stopped at the park and ride to let cars pass me. Must have been at least 15 cars, and it turns out a bunch of them were people from church who all know me. One of them even wondered if I'd broken down, but he didn't stop to ask.
When I finally arrived it only took a few minutes to get started. They got it up on jacks, and were friendly as I took pictures. When they were balancing the tires one of them wobbled. Wobbled badly. That's why it was so difficult to drive. So we checked the spare, and not only is that wheel a little different, but it was just as bad, if not worse.
Donovan, the guy helping me took me on a tour of used wheels but found nothing that would fit. Not even ugly ones I wouldn't want. So back to the computer, he discovered a single new chrome spoker that was the right size. Apparently this wheel had been inventoried five times (that's what he said) therefore he was willing to make a deal on it. He didn't have a full set so I didn't have to struggle with that decision today.
With four new tires, one new wheel, and two bent spare wheels, one with a tire on it, I was able to drive home at speed. At truly amazing speed. I discovered that the speedometer was sticking at 58 mph. Up till this morning I'd never been close to 58, and just didn't want to. I slowed down and sped up watching the tach and speedometer together, and sure enough the tach kept going up, but the speedometer didn't.
Then it did. It went instantly from 58 to nearly 75. I quickly retreated to 60, which is the speed limit on that particular piece of road. Not only did I 'fix' the speedometer, but driving at that speed was just fine. Well okay it rattles a bit, and the drag link is a little loose, but at 70+ I was not terrified like I had been at 50 before. This was a BREAKTHROUGH! I'll be driving the sub to work regularly now. I even drove it to Seattle this afternoon, but that's another story. And I'll tell it next.
I was very pleased with Discount Tire. Chris is the manager and he arranged everything for me. Craig was the guy at the counter, and he smiled and made sure I got what I needed. Donovan was the guy managing the project, and he was great. He's the reason I'm saying all this about them, and the reason I'll buy my next set of tires at Discount Tire (and no they are not paying me for this).
Leather Seats!
I've been looking for replacement seats. Knowing junk yards want buckets of money for nice seats, I'd been watching eBay hoping to find something friendlier.
Now eBay is great for small stuff that's not hard to ship, but getting something larger presents some challenges. My friend Jeff bought a car on eBay. He ended up having it delivered part way, and flying down and driving it the rest. I was fearful of shipping seats.
Then I found an auction for a pair of power leather seats from a Honda Accord. Sounded perfect. And they were in Seattle. To shorten the story, I won the auction last night (for a very reasonable sum) and today I met the guy in Seattle and traded green money for seats.
Right now they are sitting in the sub about where a second row of seats should be. Soon I expect to mount them in front. Anyone know how to make 12-volt power seats work in a 6-volt car?
A last thought
A couple of people have asked what kind of mileage it gets. I don't know yet, but today I filled the tank, and noted the mileage Next time I put gas in it I'll be able to answer that question. Right now I fear its not too good. I'm thinking tune-up, but the 4.11 gears in the rear may be the real issue...