>Date: Thu, 8 Nov 2001 19:28:45 EST
>From: CalSpeed@aol.com
>Subject: Torque your nuts...!
>Hello,
>I pulled off the wheels on my Roadster this afternoon to wash the
>undercarraige and brake parts. After all was cleaned and degreased I
>replaced the front wheel. I noticed that it was jiggling alittle. I thought
>it was just alittle play but when I put my hand back to where the jiggling
>parts originated I was shocked to find two loose bolts.
>Yikes! It freaked me out! I pulled off the wheel again and found out that
>two 16mm bolts that are part of the upper portion of the suspension were very
>loose. One was close to coming off. I got out my Craftsman and started
>torquing things back in place. When I was finished I found a total of four
>loose bolts.
>How the heck can this happen? Of course it happens from everyday driving.
>But I also use the 2000 in extreme situations such as at Sears Point Raceway
>and Laguna Seca. It goes without saying that with this type of driving you
>gotta do the extra maintenance.
>Anyway, I did one side and the other side will be done on the wekend. Please
>learn from my discovery and take the hour or two to get in the wheel wells
>and check your nuts and bolts. Whether or not you drive hard. These cars
>are 30+ years old.
>Michael "Calspeed" Carion
><A HREF="http://hometown.aol.com/calspeed1/motorsports.html";>
>http://members.aol.com/calspeed1/motorsports.html</A>
Dear Friends,
And don't forget to check those upper A-arm bolts, the ones that secure the
upper A-arm assembly to the frame: 2 on each side. If oriented as in the
original design, the heads (original are SAE 5/8" heads for a 7/16" fine
thread bolt) are located inside the engine bay just above the frame and
below the body. There are no nuts as the bolts thread into the body of the
A-arm assembly -- unless these have worn and you are using a bolt-through
configuration, as I am on one side. On the driver's side, these bolt heads
are just forward of where the VIN is stamped onto the frame or,
equivalently, just rear of the washer reservoir and in-line with the body
of the alternator -- if yours is still cooking on the engine side.
These bolts have a nasty habit of loosening and, when they do, then any
alignment shims will drop out, creating even more play in the upper A-arm
assembly, threatening to snap the bolt on a sharp turn or rapid start. I
had the misfortune of learning what it is like to have one of those bolts
break. But only at 5 mph. You don't want that experience at any speed!
In any case, Michael is exactly right, as always!
Best wishes,
Teddy
69 2000
Pittsburgh, PA
OROC
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