2400 miles in a week, just two minor problems

[Wallace White]

My wife and I took a great trip out to the national parks of Utah over
Thanksgiving, and I thought I'd share how the 5k did. Quite well
overall. I broke my own hard-learned rule ("Never change anything less
than a month before a trip") and replaced the fuel pump beforehand with
a silent Pierburg, and I'm relieved there were no problems with it.

What did go wrong:

(1) Cruise control grommet failed, aka "so is this unintended
acceleration?"

For those who aren't familiar, the cruise control's actuator rod is held
in place with a grommet; if it dies, the rod remains attached to the
throttle while its other end may get lodged somewhere, locking the
throttle in who knows what position.

Luckily I was on a flat stretch of highway with a good shoulder. I just
shut off the engine but left it in gear (to keep the power steering
etc.), pulled over, popped off the rod, and was back on my way a minute
later.

If this hasn't happened to you yet, save yourself the excitement and
replace that little grommet. Or yank the cruise rod.

(2) Trunk latch pin broke off its plate, when luggage got in the way as
the trunk closed. Sad that it broke so easily.

I faced the miserable prospect of tying the trunk shut for the rest of
the trip. Luckily again, I was able to hammer the pin back into its
plate (there was a weld originally but it still had an interference fit)
and close the trunk again.

All in all, not bad for a 2400-mile trip in the wide-open beauty of
Utah. It's still a terrific car for travelling.

- Wallace
   '87 5kcstq 195k