First Generation Firebird-L Mailing List ......................................................................... One issue with a pipe wrench is that it gets it's "Grip" by a viselike action. Since the sleeves are split that means that as you squeeze them in this "vise" you are making it harder for them to turn, i.e. you wind up working against yourself. One thing you can do to try and loosen them up is to completely loosen the clamps and put a large screwdriver in the split and try and open up the split just as you might with a very tight battery terminal. The special tool that is used to turn the sleeves is designed so that it pulls the split apart as you tug on it to turn the sleeve. Do NOT pull the steering wheel to get it back on "straight". You'll wind up with the steering box itself off center internally and you don't want that. If you get the toe correct and the wheel is not centered you need to center it by adjusting BOTH sleeves an equal amount in the proper direction to center the wheel. If you want to be a perfectionist and make sure someone before you has not uncentered the steering box you need to verify that the box is centered when the steering wheel is straight before starting in on the toe adjustment. If it's not, then center the box and pull and reset the steering wheel.
----- Original Message ---- From: landis rogers <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: First Generation Firebird-L <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, September 30, 2008 12:30:59 PM Subject: Re: [FGF] shocks & toe First Generation Firebird-L Mailing List ......................................................................... I currently KYB shocks. They are a very old technology and rather stiff. I have just swapped my front springs from eaton stock springs to hotchkis front springs. The difference in the car is amazing. I finally have the ride height I want so I don't want to change my eaton monoleaf to the hotchis rear leaf (1.75" drop) as it will mess up my ride height. I currently have 3/4" nose down attitude when measured at the front and rear of the rocker panel pinch weld. I was considering the hotchis blistien shock but like Hugo says the are kinda expensive. I would prefer a set of koni or vogland shock (better street shocks). The Koni's are about the same price as the bilstien. As far as turning the adjusters I was considering using a pipe wrench on them. Is it OK to use a pipe wrench on them? Also the procedure I was going to use is: first turn the steering wheel to set the steering box in the center: Second set the wheels equal distance from the frame: Third then set the toe: and fourth pull the steering wheel and put it back on straight. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Submissions to Firebird-L: <[email protected]> Unsubscribe from Firebird-L: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Help: <http://FirstGenFirebird.org/firebird/Firebird-L.html> Classifieds: <http://FirstGenFirebird.org/ubb/> Owner Pictures: <http://FirstGenFirebird.org/show/> Donations: <http://FirstGenFirebird.org/store/cart.mv?999999> FGF Merchandise: <http://FirstGenFirebird.org/store>
