updated 8/26 -@ end

I told Robin I had a good used axle for her CRX.

I had checked my parts car and it looked like the driver's axle was good... it turns out the outer boot was split in a way undetectable by the casual glance of a professional.

oops

Luckily I also had an extra driver's side axle with a known good outer boot. But it had a sliced inner boot incurred during removal or storage (I acquired this axle with a transmission I purchased).

I must've had that in mind before the casual check ;)

The lacerated boots are not so bad as the aftermath they cause.

Anyway, I used the axle with the good outer parts and installed all the good inner parts from the other.

A new axle is cheap, but it's cheap she ain't got.

I assembled an axle with known good inner and outer joints and boots.

And she can drive her car.

I spent all kinds of time making this axle but it was kind of fun.

And she can drive her car.

I probably should cash the check even though I don't want to.

no pics. I'll snap a pic of an axle for reference. Updated soon.

8/26 Update... I ain't got no pic.
Here's a howstuffworks page. This axle used a Rzeppa joint on the outside (hers was bad/torn/making noise) and a tripod (plunging) joint on the inner. There were snap ring pliers, new grease, and many shop towels involved.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constant-velocity_joint

Most or all of that info stuff is lodged in my brain pretty good... somewhere...
How can i increase my brain RAM? If it's brussels sprouts I'll pass.

Anyway, CV axles make for good robot-bear parts ;)

Posted by Scott Korb at 11:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I'm about finished with Miss Fuller's car.

I had a bit of a head scratcher with it.

It turns out I was sold the wrong thermostat. The part stores specify 190*F as the correct opening temperature for the T'stat in this car.

I looked up the Mazda spec, found the correct 180*F thermostat, and installed it.

Lo and behold the radiator cooling fan now cycles normally.

All that is left is to drive it.

Posted by Scott Korb at 1:21 AM | Permalink

This engine is confused, hence the title. Where I expect to find oil I find antifreeze. Where I expect to find antifreeze there is oil. Where I expect to find nothing but air there is antifreeze (almost took a bath in it).

But this is Miss Fuller's car. I'm putting in a used engine because a rebuilt one is prohibitively expensive, and a new one costs not much more. Think "buy another car" expensive, and she only just bought this car.

I could go on.

pic after jump

Notice the mop bucket (upper center). I used it frequently.

Posted by Scott Korb at 11:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)