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| New Metro Owner; Not so new wrench turner | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Jun 24 2011, 09:32 PM (706 Views) | |
| steviebv | Jun 24 2011, 09:32 PM Post #1 |
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SteveN
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Hi, I’m so glad to have found this forum. I’ve had my 91 vert for … I guess a few months now and have had lots of help already on this site. This is my first Metro and first convertible. I think I’ll keep it. So far I’ve replaced all four struts, upgraded to the stronger springs with sway bars from a 97 Metro from a salvage yard. Replaced one lower front a-frame. I guess they don’t call them a-frames anymore with struts but rubber from the bushings was falling out and I did not like that. While doing this I pulled the right axle and replaced the outer CV joint boot after cleaning and packing the joint. Boy was that a long and hot weekend. I’ve also been working under the hood and a few other places. The previous owner had wired the cooling fan to run any time the ignition was on. I removed the extra wire and let her warm up watching the temp gage and when the temp got about right the fan came on. What a stupid a$$ to wire this up like this. I know a rocket scientist had to have been a previous owner of the car with fixes like this. I decided to check all wiring and vacuum lines under the hood but the hood had been replaced and did not have the sticker any more. What a surprise. Sometime during all this I bought used, the official GM repair books with the revised section 6E so I had most of the info I needed to figure it all out myself with the books (and some advice and pictures from this site) I wanted to start checking everything so I checked the distributor and did not feel any centrifugal advance. Either it was stuck or it did not have one so I timed it like it was - according to the book. It was way advanced so I rolled it back to about 6-8 before TDC from where it was running at about 20. Needles to say it ran like a different car. It ran like molasses in the winter time and hesitated from take off. I checked the book and it said I did have an advance so I pulled the distributor. Removed a few screws and other items and sure nuff, it did have one. Everything was there but the rotor shaft was stuck to the distributor shaft. After stripping everything out I took it to the vice where I gently tightened the two ears on the bottom of the shaft and started trying to twist the rotor shaft. With some WD-40 and patience it finally came off. I cleaned everything up, lubed her up good and put it all back together. Now the rotor turns and snaps back as it should. Put the distributor back in, timed it and now I really had a new car. Runs much MUCH better. I still have lots of stuff to check under the hood before I’ll be happy but working long hours during the week sort of limits my time. Happy Metro-ing to all Steve |
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| dayle1960 | Jun 24 2011, 09:42 PM Post #2 |
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Fastest Hampster EVER
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What an opening get acquainted story you have told. Reminds me of 100MPG when he first came onto the scene. Does my heart good to see someone who can turn a wrench and at the same time show us a new trick. Thanks for the writeup on the dizzy. Hope you stay a while and share some of your knowledge with the rest of us. BTW, how are the new struts working out for you? Have you noticed an improvement in the ride quality? Terry |
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| Memphis metro | Jun 24 2011, 09:47 PM Post #3 |
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Welcome to the forum. |
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| Jittney | Jun 25 2011, 01:57 AM Post #4 |
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Anchorage 92 XFi
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Welcome to the forum, steviebv ![]() Your car in the little picture looks sharp. Nice write up. ![]() I am curious as to what you meant by "Replaced one lower front a-frame" If you have pictures of the repairs, we'd appreciate you posting them. ![]() |
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| Woodie | Jun 25 2011, 06:53 AM Post #5 |
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He means control arm Jittney, they kinda look like an "A", that used to be a common term for them. Welcome steviebv! It's great getting a car and fixing all the stupid little crap just by setting it right. Such a feeling of accomplishment, isn't it? Look around, those under hood vacuum line stickers are on here somewhere. |
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| TheKid | Jun 25 2011, 07:30 AM Post #6 |
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Welcome steviebv... nice to see a newbie so smart and savy. Happy trails |
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| steviebv | Jun 25 2011, 07:41 AM Post #7 |
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SteveN
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The KYB struts I put on are great! No more bouncy bouncy. The car has oversized tires from the previous owner so I had to do something to stop the rubbing when rounding corners and exiting the street so I added the newer model springs and sway bars to keep the car flat. Rides a bit rough but what can you expect from a car with such a short wheel base. I didn't take pictures because it was about 100 degrees here in the south and one of my fans kept stopping and I'm a bit slower than I used to be so getting out the camera never crossed my mind. Here is my first post about the struts that helped me with the decisions I made: http://geometroforum.com/topic/4301643/1/ I guess I should have called it a control arm but old habits die hard and sometimes I forget what new item is called sitting at a keyboard. Cars from the 70's and earlier had a-frames before struts came out. Good to be here with all of yall Steve |
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| steviebv | Jun 25 2011, 07:43 AM Post #8 |
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SteveN
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I'm sure there is a FAQ on how to post pictures here so when I find it I'll post a few. Steviebv |
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| bogs | Jun 25 2011, 12:22 PM Post #9 |
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Duct tape heals all wounds
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Search no more (posting pics ) -> http://geometroforum.com/topic/1322668/1/ <- I call em a-arms too, don't sweat it, us ol farts have to have something to cling to
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| Bad Bent | Jun 26 2011, 12:59 AM Post #10 |
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Facetious Educated Donkey
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Welcome to the forum, steviebv! Great story and diagnosis!
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