Managed to grab a ramp today so cracked on with this lot..
Started with the rear ARB so removed the back box and heatshield
Old 15mm ARB next to new 19mm ARB...
New poly bushes and painted the bush clips too...
Polished the tail pipe of course before refitting lol ;P
Then on to the front... which requires the subframe to be dropped... don't forget to do the Xenon level sensor...
...and we are done
Old 20mm ARB next to the 23mm ARB...
Gave the subframe a little clean...
Using Prawns build thread as a reference (
Prawn and BigAls A3 Track Car - Post 3233)... I fitted the caster bushes...
...then fitted them to the subframe as well as the new ARB...
Next job was to swap the steering rack bush... which was an absolute ball ache to do... and not really that convinced its required but it was inexpensive and worth a punt...
One thing I had forgotten about the last time I fitted R32 ARB's to an S3 was that its next to impossible to get the rack to sit under the ARB while its in place...
So had to undo the bush clamp so the ARB could be lifted out the way...
...which made refitting the rather short bolt pretty much impossible... so fitted a longer one instead...
Time was getting on but thought I would have a look at the rear arm bushes... marked up the carriers position then unbolted it...
...needed to move the brake pipes out the way by unclipping them carefully
Looks like the OE bush is in a traditional plastic carrier but tbh it was getting a little late and this was a major pain in the ass getting this far and didn't fancy trying to get a 12 year old bush out that late in the day so put it all back together (which was just as much fun!) and put the rest of the car back together...
Finished off with a quick check of the tracking...
Discovered that the tie rod lock nuts are pretty tight but managed to get enough adjustment to get the tracking half about for now... will need to get some new locking nuts and persuade the old ones off before I go for a full alignment...
First impressions on the drive home.... car feels flatter though corners, feels very solid and tight... not really had a chance to push her but there is a noticeable improvement on feel...
I have a small issue currently with the new tyres I have fitted to the rear... I now have Hankook V12 Evo's and they seemed fine on the front but since having them on the rear too the back end seems quite loose... not grip wise as they do grip but there is a discernible lurch which is unsettling to say the least... I am not sure if it was bush related of maybe the tyres are softer walled than the FK452's I used to run...
I have upped the pressure to 35psi and things appear better but not pressed the car as yet to really see... if pressures and the rear arm bushes make no difference then they will be going...
All in all though I am well happy with the ways things are progressing... few more bits to sort out of course but a few more things off the list now
<tuffty/>