B3NN3TT
04-04-2005, 12:11 AM
So all last week my wheel bearing kept getting LOUDER and LOUDER. So I had to replace it on Saturday.
And that's a small nightmare, make no mistake.
Now I know why they sell the entire hub assembly as a unit, in addition to the bearing alone. I bought the bearing alone, since nowhere in town had a hub assembly in stock. But it was only $24.88, which was pretty awesome for this car. I was expecting to pay WAY more than that.
Regardless, the pressing of the bearing is AWFUL. It is TOTALLY hard to do, and unless you have a bearing press (luckily my dad did) and an impact wrench on an air compressor, you are SCREWED. But we did it.
And while I was in there tearing stuff apart, I decided to replace the tie rod end as well, which was also a very non-Cougar-like $25. And let me tell you - the thing drives like a TOTALLY NEW CAR. I'm so stoked to drive this thing again. I hadn't realized how sloppy the front end had become until now. I think I'm going to replace the other tie rod end as well, just to finish shoring this thing up. And Mike - I'm pretty sure my half-shafts are okay. I suspected them because of all the vibration in the front end, but judging from how tight it is now, they are fine. But thanks for thinking of me.
So my checklist for CougarFest:
1: New TIRES. My current ones are unbearable, and are beginning to show cords.
2. Complete my exhaust. The tips I want are on perpetual back-order at Summit. I may have to settle for something else. But do you know how hard it is to find resonated tips that aren't some kind of Godawful 4" size!?!? I gotta buy a muffler, too; all I have is pre-bent pipe with hangers right now.
3: New struts and Roush springs installed (if it comes down to it, I may just use the old struts; I gotta be dropped by 'Fest...)
4: If the group buy comes through, the Aussie rear sway bar. Can't wait for this one...
The Cougar is almost done, as far as doing what I want to do with it. Unless I get really ambitious with cams or something. Even though it costs me a small fortune every month, the car never gets old. I still just love LOOKING at it. Not to mention driving it. I had it down at my parents' house this weekend, blazing through the curvy country roads of southern Ohio, having a blast. As often as I get mad at it, I simply cannot help but love it.
And that's a small nightmare, make no mistake.
Now I know why they sell the entire hub assembly as a unit, in addition to the bearing alone. I bought the bearing alone, since nowhere in town had a hub assembly in stock. But it was only $24.88, which was pretty awesome for this car. I was expecting to pay WAY more than that.
Regardless, the pressing of the bearing is AWFUL. It is TOTALLY hard to do, and unless you have a bearing press (luckily my dad did) and an impact wrench on an air compressor, you are SCREWED. But we did it.
And while I was in there tearing stuff apart, I decided to replace the tie rod end as well, which was also a very non-Cougar-like $25. And let me tell you - the thing drives like a TOTALLY NEW CAR. I'm so stoked to drive this thing again. I hadn't realized how sloppy the front end had become until now. I think I'm going to replace the other tie rod end as well, just to finish shoring this thing up. And Mike - I'm pretty sure my half-shafts are okay. I suspected them because of all the vibration in the front end, but judging from how tight it is now, they are fine. But thanks for thinking of me.
So my checklist for CougarFest:
1: New TIRES. My current ones are unbearable, and are beginning to show cords.
2. Complete my exhaust. The tips I want are on perpetual back-order at Summit. I may have to settle for something else. But do you know how hard it is to find resonated tips that aren't some kind of Godawful 4" size!?!? I gotta buy a muffler, too; all I have is pre-bent pipe with hangers right now.
3: New struts and Roush springs installed (if it comes down to it, I may just use the old struts; I gotta be dropped by 'Fest...)
4: If the group buy comes through, the Aussie rear sway bar. Can't wait for this one...
The Cougar is almost done, as far as doing what I want to do with it. Unless I get really ambitious with cams or something. Even though it costs me a small fortune every month, the car never gets old. I still just love LOOKING at it. Not to mention driving it. I had it down at my parents' house this weekend, blazing through the curvy country roads of southern Ohio, having a blast. As often as I get mad at it, I simply cannot help but love it.