VXAddict's Addiction Therapy Log

[vxaddict]

Well - it looks like all of my new front brake hardware (calipers/rotors/etc) has finally arrived at the garage. I'm dropping her off at the garage in the morning and I hope to get her back in a day or two. Of course my timing is perfect (NOT) - it looks like we might be getting some snow while she's in the shop...argh!

[vxaddict]

So I got the truck back on Friday and have been driving her all weekend.

Front Brake Impressions: The thing stops on a dime. No squeeking, and the pedal travel seems much better. I think there's some break-in period for the pads and cross-drilled rotors, but I'm happy. My mechanic said the originals were rusted onto the hub pretty badly. Happy w/ the new hardware.

Alignment: The truck pulled to the right pretty hard before, particularly when I stomped on the brakes. That's what led to the brakes overhaul. Now that that is taken care of, the only thing I still have is a slight drift to the right when the steering wheel is at dead center. What's odd is when I let go of the wheel, the car tracks straight - so I'm thinking the steering wheel itself needs to be checked? Also, noticed there is still a bit of 'play' when i turn the wheel an inch or two to the right or left and nothing happens...

I'm currently at Best Buy getting the head unit and speakers done. I'll post pics when it's all finished!

[vxaddict]

So the Best Buy guy installed the front speakers and the new Alpine head unit. The system sounds fantastic, and the radio adds a nice bit of 'modern' look to the outdated dash. The IPOD interface is nice too.

There's only one problem (well, lots of small ones)... (sigh)

My turn signals, the hazard light switch, the rear defroster button, (basically any dash button to the right of the gauge cluster) doesn't work. I'm hoping he just accidentally disconnected something as he took off the dash to install the radio, or maybe a fuse blew?

Most everything else electrical works, headlights, gauge cluster lights, windshield wiper, etc.

Going to give him a call tomorrow and tell him to fix this ASAP.

[tom4bren]

Alignment: The truck pulled to the right pretty hard before, particularly when I stomped on the brakes. That's what led to the brakes overhaul. Now that that is taken care of, the only thing I still have is a slight drift to the right when the steering wheel is at dead center. What's odd is when I let go of the wheel, the car tracks straight - so I'm thinking the steering wheel itself needs to be checked? Also, noticed there is still a bit of 'play' when i turn the wheel an inch or two to the right or left and nothing happens...

The alignment shop should have taken care of centering your steering wheel when they did the alignment.

The play in the steering should be able to be adjusted out. There is a set screw on the top of your steering box that adjusts the backlash on the gears in your box. It's an easy process & there should be a thread or 2 on the process.

Edit:

Here's one: http://www.vehicross.info/forums/sho...=steering+play