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Hey All! I've been getting some kicks (and motivation!) out of other people's threads, so here is mine.
131k Miles, one owner. Purchased 12/11/20 for $4700.
My plans for my TL are basically to get everything mechanically sound as possible that I can do myself, like spark plugs, brake pads, etc.
Once she's solid, I'll probably go for some 35% tints and a roof rack.
Then I need to get the LCA compliance bushing swapped, then I can put some fresh tires on it and get an alignment because my wheel currently sits off center to the right about 5-10 degrees. I suspect that has happened over time as a result of the cracked bushing, so hopefully fresh bushings and tires with a new alignment will give me a sense of whether or not to consider Axle work or something else down the line. The steering is just fine right now, and my issues are mostly just accelerating around bends on poor roads (like an idiot). So I'm sure fresh tires will eliminate a lot of the shakiness in the wheel.
I'm currently working on spark plugs, then I'm going to have to make a decision about the front LCA compliance bushings. I'll give it a shot using the clamp method that others have posted on here. I will rent a ball joint clamp from autozone and then see if I can fit the right size sockets onto it. If I can't, I'm not too crazy about the idea of the custom press using two wrenches because I don't know if i trust myself to build the "tool" solidly enough to press the bushings out. On the other hand I do have some PB blaster and that sh*t seems to work wonders, so I think I should give it a shot before I fork out $300 to have it done by a guy I trust.
Headlights when I bought the car Made a quick youtube video about restoring headlights, mostly to force myself to do it properly. Used 600, 1000, 1200, 2000 sandpaper and followed with maguire's plastx on an orbital pad. They came out pretty nice! Wheels when I bought the car Wheels after some baking soda, vinegar, and a wire brush 1st piece of work: Air intake boot replaced as soon as I got her home front 3 Spark plugs replaced 12/31/20
Check to see if your tie rod ends are newer--that could be cause for your steering wheel mis-alignment.
Now do your back three plugs.
lol! Thanks man, those plugs shouldn’t be too bad. Even though I couldn’t even see the coil packs when I did the front 3 LOL
Could you elaborate on the tie rod ends? You’re saying that if someone put new ones in, that’s why it’s misaligned now? Or they may be failing and that’s the issue?
lol! Thanks man, those plugs shouldn’t be too bad. Even though I couldn’t even see the coil packs when I did the front 3 LOL
Could you elaborate on the tie rod ends? You’re saying that if someone put new ones in, that’s why it’s misaligned now? Or they may be failing and that’s the issue?
Thanks Park! Your thread definitely motivated some of the work I've done on mine so far. There's some slight curb rash on each of them, and even more on the front right wheel now, thanks to me
I wanted to paint the wheels black when I first got the car, but the stock wheels are growing on me more and more (until i see a 3G with a spec wheels ). Maybe one day I'll buy some cool black wheels or some type s replicas but to be honest, I smile every time i see the car! I think a light tint will look awesome with the silver though
New Bosch quietcast ceramic brake pads for the back. those old ones were nasty looking! I really only saved about $110 doing this myself, but so happy I did. Just working on up to the day I pop that LCA bushing out.
I'm a REAL mechanic, mom! Pretty proud of this job here. ~3 hours total probably accounting for the snack break, break to bike to target and buy a wrench (thank god i live where i do), and general messing around.
12-31-2020, 02:53 PM
). Maybe one day I'll buy some cool black wheels or some type s replicas but to be honest, I smile every time i see the car! I think a light tint will look awesome with the silver though
