Goody-Goody Drivers Side

Typrus · Post by **Typrus** » Sun Dec 19, 2004 2:52 am

How loverly... I noticed while rotating my tires today that my drivers side front strut is covered in oil-soaked muck. Place of origin for the oil? The top of the cartridge, where the shaft comes out. Wonderful. It feels like I'm driving a 3/4 ton truck whenever I hit a bump.

Today I was doing a nice brisk 80mph run along one of the local backroads and noticed that if I even slightly turned to the right, an immense wobble would occur with the driver side front tire. Not a scraping, like tire against body, but almost as though the lugs were loose (all were checked and found to be quite tight)
I've also noticed a slight grinding/clunking noise coming from the same wheel. Do I have a dead/dying C.V. on my hands?

I couldn't get my drivers side drum off to inspect the brakes today. Just wouldn't release, though it would spin around quite nicely, in other words I did not have the brake on.

I also have a dead steering rack boot on this side.

Don't we all just love these things?

Guess the point of the post is to find out what to do and find out what you all think.

2wagons · Post by **2wagons** » Sun Dec 19, 2004 9:12 am

Typrus,
Your struts may be the original oil-filled type and your strut is leaking and no longer functioning. I have replaced the struts on both my 83 (RIP

) and 87 and both cars had the original oil-filled cartridges. Easy to replace and relatively cheap. Just remember that the cartridges are filled with oil and be prepared for the mess. By the way, I recognize the rock formations behind your house. I attended CSU in another lifetime and miss the west terribly- you are quite lucky B)

3A-C Power · Post by **3A-C Power** » Sun Dec 19, 2004 10:46 am

That wheel wobble sounds like a bad wheel bearing.

Logbear · Post by **Logbear** » Sun Dec 19, 2004 1:28 pm

I had the same symptoms a week or so ago. Greasy gunk all over, clunk-wobble when taking a freeway interchange turning right. I found the CV boot ripped wide open. I picked up a new (rebuilt) axle for $75 and put it on. No more wobble, clunk, or greasy gunk for me now.

Speaking of the strut. I can see shiny silver on the drivers side strut. The passenger side strut is covered by something. Rubber boot or??. I suppose I could strip one of my parts cars for a strut. How critical is it to have that shiny shaft covered?

Typrus · Post by **Typrus** » Sun Dec 19, 2004 2:02 pm

Well, you must've cruised up by Horsetooth Rock a bit then 2wagons. Very beautiful place. How long ago is another life? You an Aggie? Heh. Hughes Stadium (did I spell that right?) is still around with that huge "A" up on the hill.

Well, all my boots are in tact, except my steering rack boot. I have a car I could steal the struts from as well as the axle, if that is indeed the issue. Just how hard is it to do struts? Does it require special tools? How about the axles?

Typrus · Post by **Typrus** » Sun Dec 19, 2004 2:13 pm

Forgot to say- It depends on what material the shaft is made of and covered with as to how crucial it is to keep it covered. Some things will flake off if openly exposed to the elements, other things will keep doing their job. Though it always is a good idea to keep it covered, for safety and longevities sake.

Typrus · Post by **Typrus** » Tue Dec 21, 2004 1:20 pm

Anyone?

GTSSportCoupe · Post by **GTSSportCoupe** » Tue Dec 21, 2004 1:57 pm

I've done struts as well as the steering rack boots on my wagon. I wrote a repair procedure up for the struts, I'm not sure where on the board it is, but with a little searching I'm sure you'll find it. As for the steering rack boot, it is a pain in the ass to do, because you need to disconnect the tie rod. They are generally pretty rusted together. I had to disconnect mine right at the rack, then heat up the entire unit with a torch and dump cold water on it. This broke the threads loose and I was able to get it apart with a vise holding the tie rod end and a 2' pipe wrench on the other end. I got the new boots from NAPA. Make sure your alignment is ok when you are done.

Typrus · Post by **Typrus** » Tue Dec 21, 2004 7:08 pm

Can't find it. Looked for strut but found no writeups?

GTSSportCoupe · Post by **GTSSportCoupe** » Wed Dec 22, 2004 9:38 am

It's a few posts down in this thread:

<a href='http://tercel4wd.com/invision/index.php?act=ST&f=4&t=7' target='_blank'>http://tercel4wd.com/invision/index.php ... f=4&t=7</a>

Typrus · Post by **Typrus** » Wed Dec 22, 2004 7:01 pm

Lol. Well, I just improvised and by George, I've done it. Took me 3.5 hours, but I did it. Here's some pics.

Strut is off

The good and the bad

My improv strut compressor

The war-zone

Typrus · Post by **Typrus** » Wed Dec 22, 2004 7:03 pm

Bit of advice- DO NOT DO THIS IN 10 DEGREE WEATHER! I SPEAK FROM EXPERIENCE! (What is that, -5C? Heck if I know.)