So it's been forever since I updated this. Thought I should at least get caught up.
I got the car finished and drivable for Indy. It made it there, and got a few push starts on the way home, but made it. Since coming back it's just been parked with the cover over it.
Tonight I'll be taking the cover off a bit and removing the one rear wheel. Seems I have a piece of wood shanked in my brand new tire.
Will be taking it into CTire to have them repair it for free.
I'm also going to check the starter to see if it's completely dead, or maybe something has just come loose on the trip? If it's dead I'll be looking into a GrandAM/Prix starter.
I also need to check the frontend to see if I can figure out why it didn't drop any height after installing Rodney's 1" drop ball joints... That is after the shop installed a replacement balljoint after compressing one... which they said they didn't do.
(scratches shop off the trusted list).
So pictures - cause everyone likes pictures more than ramblings.
Somehow I managed to get the upper control arms installed on the wrong sides...
After installing everything back, axles and new fluid I wanted to give it a run through to make sure I got the fluid topped up. When turning the engine over a horrid noise came and followed revs. Thought of possibly exhaust clog(CAT/mouse), cut and pulled the cat down to do a check - all clear.
Turns out I must have hit the already bent flywheel shield, pushing it into the flywheel... oh well, got to fix the leak at the clamps.
A few rainy days had me turning my bench into a tent to get the final steps done.
ON THE GROUND!!
Hmmm.. seems the front is higher, maybe it will settle after driving a bit. 1" difference measured at the rockerpanel front and back.
For comparison of height - check the front rim with the body moulding and wheel centre. A picture from a few years ago... stock height with the same rims. Will have to find/scan the picture I have of the first day in the same spot to show the difference/similarity.
Alignment time - took 3 attempts to get it proper and held in place.
Should have bought camber bolts... oh well, next summer.
The mechanic said I'd be fine to drive to Indy with this setup.... uhh what?! Look at that pigeon toe!
Paid them to remove my 3broken front swaybar bolts. The got 2 out by drilling, and the third they burnt and twisted, but couldn't get it. Why they didn't drill it as well beats me. Then said I should take it to a shop with a welder to have them remove it... why don't they have a welder, they have a torch!?!
Nice that they used vicegrips to adjust my toe... and not even in the proper spot... ass... another shop scratched off the list.
But just look at this clean rust-free trunk!!