Wedge Drove the Wedge to work today!

[Darrell_Walker]

Well, just a month after getting my new TR8, I took my first real drive.

I decided that before I put it in regular service, I wanted to rebuild the suspension and brakes, so over the last few weeks I installed Woody's full suspension kit, big brake kit, new master cylinder, new rear brake bits, new braided hoses and new ball joints. And new wheels/tires. None was really required, but I decided to get it all done at once. Of course, all new fluids and such. All of that was done a couple of weeks ago, but other things conspired to keep me from really putting it to a test.

I took it in today to get the front end aligned. I had measured it the best I could, but the car is pretty low and you can't get very high up on the tire. Anyway, the fancy computer alignment machine kept crapping out when they manually entered the alignment data (gee, it doesn't have the TR8 in the system?). But since it felt OK, I decided to continue on to work. Worse case I'll lose a few miles off the tires.

Anyway, the drive to work was uneventful. I'm very happy with the new suspension and brake bits. Handling is very solid, but not overly harsh, and it stops when you want it to.

Still lots to do, but most things at this point are small projects. Rumor has it that I'll be getting a new RetroSound unit for Father's Day....

 

[Mickey Richaud]

Congrats, Darrell! Good feeling, ain't it?

As for aligning, you can get a pretty close alignment on your own, at least as far as toe-in is concerned. Check this thread for a discussion. It's for a TR3, but the process is the same.


Mickey

 

[Darrell_Walker]

Congrats, Darrell! Good feeling, ain't it?

Thanks, Mickey. Yes it is. I do have to admit there were a few sleepless nights when I thought "what have I gotten myself into!".

As for aligning, you can get a pretty close alignment on your own, at least as far as toe-in is concerned.

I did align it the best I could, and I've done the alignments on my 4A. But since I plan to put "real" miles on it, I wanted to get an official check. And space around the wheel and under the car is pretty limited, so getting accurate measurements is tough.

Anyway, they are having the tech come out and service the machine, and are going to give me a discount once they can align it.

Toe is the only thing that can be adjusted, but it will also be nice to know if the other settings are in spec

 

[DanB]

Right. Toe-in spec. is 0-.0625 inches. I used a pair of straight boards against each tire and raised them up with another block. Used a square to align the tape measure with the same point on each side, front and back. I got it to about 1/16 on mine.

Dan B

 

[Tom_Lynch]

A bit late here - but Whoo Hoo!

 

[philman]

i drove mine last night (I work the graveyard shift). top down, left the top down because the dew point was low. nice to drive first thing in the morning also.

 

[GBRandy]

I took mine to a car show in Sussex, WI yesterday. 225 miles in one day.

I spent almost 1 full hour in heavy down pours. It saw more rain yesterday than the entire previous 25 years i have owned it. No leaks anywhere...and the wipers worked.

ALIGNMENT:

It may sound corny....but the folks at my local Sears did the alignment on my car after I finished the power steering R&R. They never asked for the manual so I assume they had the specs in the computer. It looked like a spaceship with those big paddles hanging off the wheels. They had no troubles and it tracks perfectly straight. Might be an option.