[s-cars] Fwd: more on heim links

[bill mahoney]

random thoughts in no particular order~
And so it was 50+ degrees here yesterday which had my Alfresco
Performance Center (aka driveway) in full swing.   The mission was to
replace the broken heim joint bracket, investigate HRSB fitments and
finally reinstall the rear street brake pads.
Just to say it to myself one more time, proper tools sure make any job
way easier.  Over the years I have accumulated tools of both known and
unknown origin, but henceforth, any new wrench I purchase will surely
be forged.  Way worth it as these elegant audi nutz and bolts often
demand a precisely engineered tool.   That said, when you misplace the
Craftsman19mm box wrench you require, nothing will help you.
But I digress.... The reason to even mention tooling is that the
suspension hardware really takes a beating which creates great
difficulties in bolt removal.   Heating with a propain torch surely
helped.
I could not adjust the heim joint drop links at all as they were
corroded too much and I will be replacing them with better ones soon
anyway.  What better ones?  Probably Dave Stone ones, but whilst
searching I did come across the ones used on the Carrera GT ... very
nice!
http://www.hirschmanngmbh.com/GKPorsche_e.htm
Nice graphic huh?
Those could not be more than $300 each right?
Long story short I wound up at least getting the one broken bracket
replaced and the street pads installed before it was New Years party
time.   Once I accumulate the all the new parts I will revisit the
sway bar fitment issues.  Brian B said that his heim joints were six
inches, center hole to center hole but mine was only five.. (could be
an irish thing?)  When I get new drop links I will try this possible
six inch fitment cure.
Besides forged tools, I would also recommend the $39 Harbor Freight
Tools brake caliper adjustment tool.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=40732
Makes pushing the caliper pistons back very easy.
Finally, since my ABS light is still on, how can I make sure that the
sensor is properly seated?  Or how is it removed to be cleaned?  Does
it just push in or does it screw in?  I may have broken a wire but
that's a horse of a different feather.
Thanks!
Bill M ~