First steps to Aspire brakes

[fastivaca]

Lucked out at PnP this morning. Found a ,96 Aspire with only 129,000km (80,000 miles) on it with everything still there. The brake pads even look fairly new on the front. Didn't get the rear axle but will go back for that shortly.

Almost screwed up though... took the cotter pin out of the tie rod and then said OK that should pop out now. Started beating on it with the hammer and couldn't figure out why it was coming apart. It was then I had my "DUH" moment and realized I forgot to undo the nut! I was fortunate that the nut came off at all with the amount I had beaten on the tie rod.

Hope to have everything together in the next few days along with the new inner and out tie rods. I'm hoping that my front end problems will be solved with all this work.

Will be keeping you posted.

[1988festivazoom]

Shouldint hit it on the threads anyways, your supposed to tap the side of the actual mount and the vibration will break it lose. It will prevent any damage to the threads and mushrooming of the end.

[Damkid]

If he gets new tie rods, who cares about screwing up the old ones

[fastivaca]

It was -18°C this morning (0°F) while I was pulling things so I wasn't concerned about saving the old ones, speed was more of an issue. I have the new tie rods sitting on the shelf ready to go! New boots for them too.

[JPT]

^ Where did you get the boots? I'm about to do the swap too. I have the major parts, now I'm looking for all the little stuff.

[fastivaca]

^^ The boots came in a package from FMS with all the tie rod stuff. bought quite a while ago and don't remember the price.

Ian

[Aspire]

^^ The boots came in a package from FMS with all the tie rod stuff.

Just curious, what is the quality like of the FMS parts? Just curious, because I'm hearing conflicting reviews

[fastivaca]

Just curious, what is the quality like of the FMS parts? Just curious, because I'm hearing conflicting reviews

I haven't had a close look at them in a while. They seem to be alright though. I guess I'll find out in a little while

Ian

[fastivaca]

Update

Decided not to install the inner tie rods for now as everything looked OK. I had the alignment shop check everything and they had nothing bad to report. Can't really "test" the brakes right now as most streets here in Calgary are like skating rinks! Once it warms up I'm sure the improvement will be quite noticeable.

Next step... head to PnP and pick up the back half