Racing season may be done for us

[MurrayPeterson]

Got the car back today -- new clutch and flywheel installed.  Old clutch was down to the rivets and the flywheel was cracked.  The good news is that the clutch works wonderfully.  The bad news is that the car still shudders uncontrollably under acceleration

My guess (and hope) is the inner CV joints on the rear axles (known problem with AP1s).  One can do a short term hack by swapping the CV joint shells to present a new load surface to the bearings, but the proper fix is to replace both rear axle assemblies (individual parts not available).

So, lots more money and lots more delay.  It's not looking good for any more racing this year

[Reijo]

But it wasn't shaking just before the clutch went right?  I'm thinking there might be something loose in the drivetrain from doing the clutch ... Might be worth checking all the bolts etc. of the drivetrain ... transmission mounts, etc. etc.

R

[MurrayPeterson]

No, it was shaking before the clutch got changed.  I hoped that it was the clutch, but that didn't fix the problem.

[Stuart]

Avoid one of my favourite mistakes.  If you are thinking of changing cars don't throw too much money at fixing this one (I did this with the RX8 a number of times and could have saved a ton of money if I didn't)

[NickST]

You and Jo are more than welcome to codrive the Fiesta if you want Murray. I just threw on a brand new set of tires.

[MurrayPeterson]

Avoid one of my favourite mistakes.  If you are thinking of changing cars don't throw too much money at fixing this one (I did this with the RX8 a number of times and could have saved a ton of money if I didn't)

I hear ya, but I can't sell the car until it is in running condition.  The clutch was well and truly shot, and this vibration would turn off any potential buyer.  It doesn't even feel safe to drive at the moment.

[MurrayPeterson]

You and Jo are more than welcome to codrive the Fiesta if you want Murray. I just threw on a brand new set of tires.

Thanks!  We may take you up on that -- we'll see if I can get this issue sorted out.

[Reijo]

Those half-shafts are cheap in the 'States ... Autozone used to sell them for less than $100 a pop ... get some when in Lincoln!!!!   

[MurrayPeterson]

Two new half shafts, and the vibration is gone.  Sadly, not enough time off from work and racing to source cheap ones   It's been an expensive month.

Anyway, looks like we can make it to next weekend's event in Red Deer.  Perhaps it will make me feel better after the Lincoln debacle.

[Stuart]

Anyway, looks like we can make it to next weekend's event in Red Deer.  Perhaps it will make me feel better after the Lincoln debacle.

Next weekend (19th and 20th) is Fort Macleod, the 26th and 27th are in Red Deer (don't want you heading the wrong way)

[MurrayPeterson]

Thanks for the reminder.  We still haven't decided if we are going to Helena to the Coneheads or to Fort Macleod.

[MurrayPeterson]

Turns out that going to Fort Macleod was a *great* decision.  Fourth run and one of the new half-axles snapped off at launch -- but our AMA gold card took us home for free.  Taxi ride home from the shop was the biggest expense.

Lesson learned -- OEM "equivalent" is no such thing

FML...

[nnywg]

Today was full of challenges 

I didn't even see you guys.

[MurrayPeterson]

I didn't even see you guys.

That's because we got a ride home in the tow truck yesterday

[nnywg]

I didn't even see you guys.

That's because we got a ride home in the tow truck yesterday

OH!  You broke on practice day.  Today was rough.  Wind was blowing cones and timing trigger around.  Timing trigger got crunched early in second group runs...