Drove the Z for the first time since April :vuvuzela:

Blurred proof attached :driving:

So, how did it feel to be behind the wheel again? :driving:

Amazing. Mostly the same as before, except lighter :D

I am whole again :driving:

So I'm in the process of removing my door handles to send to paint and I realized.. What do I do while they're at the body shop for a few days? I obviously won't be driving the car but it does stay outside with a car cover. Will I be able to open and shut the doors if I have to move the car at least lol? Or should I just purchase another set of door handles?

If its a problem: Buy another set and have those painted. Then swap.

out for the night

http://i63.tinypic.com/339jdsi.jpg

Got e-tuned this weekend with EcuTek software. My car feels more natural if that makes sense.

Still trying to figure out how my pops and bangs mapping works.

Had a tire go low in pressure yesterday while at car wash. Aired it up and today looked ok. Went by dealer to have oil changed w a $20 coupon offer. Had them check the tire and they found a small crack about 1/2 long on the inside of the rim. Suggested a new rim but, one of the techs knows of a shop that can weld it before buying a new rim. Called them and dropped off the rim, its $125 and will get it back in 1-2 days. While they had the car up, they found my front left control arm is broken and needs replacing, the one on the right is fine. They recommended replacing both for $1k and then doing an alignment.
They also recommended to have the differential fluid replaced since the car has 103k miles.

Told him to write it up for me to review and have Kevin at Austin Z Clinic inspect it and give me a quote for the work.

Any feedback is appreciated.

Ian B

Rim repair is typical price. If you are replacing control arms, I recommend upgrading as it will give you more alignment flexibility and it’ll handle better. Labor should be three hours or less plus alignment, so $350-400 plus cost of parts.

Which control is broken. Upper or lower? And if it's broken, how are you driving the car?

Car is driving fine. I believe its the lower one. Here is a picture of it.

Ian B

Ok, lower ball joint is going bad. With the Z. You have to buy the whole lower arm to get the ball joint. You just can't get the ball joint.

Thanks for the info, any idea on price for oem lower arm and labor hours??

Tia,

Ian B

To replace the lower control arm. Remove one bolt and pop the ball joint stud out of the steering knuckle. Remove 2 bolts in the front bushing. Remove 2 bolts in the rear bushing. Arm falls out. Figure about an hour for the swap if the guy doing is half good. No idea on price for labor and parts.

Thanks for info, that will give me a start.

Ian B