The Kraken - A Restoration & Modification Diary
06-15-2011, 01:19 PM
#31
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Thread Starter
Considering fitting these 19s; the rears are SO close to fitting. As pictured, they have a 4mm spacer on the rear. They JUST clear the inside suspension and look pretty damn close to hitting the fender well on the outside. And that's without tires! I have a 12mm spacer I am going to try as well, but I fear that will rub the outside. They're 62mm offsets for the rears, 19 x 11. The fronts will fit without issue. 54mm offset, I believe. 19 x 8.5
I had to hold off on mounting tires to them until some issues related to the transaction were resolved (the one thing that went right yesterday), so the tires will go on (and thus the wheels on the car) hopefully Friday; if not Friday, then over the weekend probably.
I had to hold off on mounting tires to them until some issues related to the transaction were resolved (the one thing that went right yesterday), so the tires will go on (and thus the wheels on the car) hopefully Friday; if not Friday, then over the weekend probably.
06-15-2011, 01:30 PM
#32
Rennlist Member
Considering fitting these 19s; the rears are SO close to fitting. As pictured, they have a 4mm spacer on the rear. They JUST clear the inside suspension and look pretty damn close to hitting the fender well on the outside. And that's without tires! I have a 12mm spacer I am going to try as well, but I fear that will rub the outside. They're 62mm offsets for the rears, 19 x 11. The fronts will fit without issue. 54mm offset, I believe. 19 x 8.5
I had to hold off on mounting tires to them until some issues related to the transaction were resolved (the one thing that went right yesterday), so the tires will go on (and thus the wheels on the car) hopefully Friday; if not Friday, then over the weekend probably.
I had to hold off on mounting tires to them until some issues related to the transaction were resolved (the one thing that went right yesterday), so the tires will go on (and thus the wheels on the car) hopefully Friday; if not Friday, then over the weekend probably.
And when you have the body and paint work done, work in some flare and shape.
06-15-2011, 01:33 PM
#33
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Thread Starter
06-16-2011, 02:16 AM
#34
Rennlist Member
Man, That car is really looking good. I am starting to get "brother envy". In my family it goes the other way around. I am always working on his car. I know you are anxious as heck to be driving that thing.
Best of luck,
Best of luck,
07-01-2011, 09:41 AM
#36
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
Been busy since my last post in this thread.
Power steering continues to be a battle. I think I need a new pump. The rack was replaced, as was the pressure line. The PO's mechanic used the wrong fluid once, so that may have killed the pump. The filter in the reservoir was completely blocked and crumbling, so I took out the filter entirely (recent Saabs use an almost identical reservoir with different inlets and outlets, and no filter). That stopped the cavitating noise. There's pressure from the pump, as fluid pumps out both the pressure and return lines when open while running. But there's still no power assist. Stay tuned there. Requires much brute force to turn in small spaces!!!
The shifter also decided to go a little nuts; the wobbly lower bushing or spring or both is causing the shift arm not to be able to disengage the gear sometimes, most often when trying to shift out of 4th. Short shifter is on the way, so I won't be driving the car much until that's in (two weeks)
Tried to install the 19" Cup 4s. The 285s look a little silly and the fitment is just too damn tight. They're 19x11s. I think they will fit, but the 285s look over stretched. They would look much better on a 19x10, so I will be looking for those; I found a set of the modular performance wheels I've got in 19 x 10, so I may go that route. Love the lok of the Cup 4s, though.
Otherwise installed/fixed:
AC (control head)
18" wheels
replaced tail light
replaced fog lens
front LED stripes (separate thread coming)
Momo steering wheel
hatch release (two nickels)
Power steering continues to be a battle. I think I need a new pump. The rack was replaced, as was the pressure line. The PO's mechanic used the wrong fluid once, so that may have killed the pump. The filter in the reservoir was completely blocked and crumbling, so I took out the filter entirely (recent Saabs use an almost identical reservoir with different inlets and outlets, and no filter). That stopped the cavitating noise. There's pressure from the pump, as fluid pumps out both the pressure and return lines when open while running. But there's still no power assist. Stay tuned there. Requires much brute force to turn in small spaces!!!
The shifter also decided to go a little nuts; the wobbly lower bushing or spring or both is causing the shift arm not to be able to disengage the gear sometimes, most often when trying to shift out of 4th. Short shifter is on the way, so I won't be driving the car much until that's in (two weeks)
Tried to install the 19" Cup 4s. The 285s look a little silly and the fitment is just too damn tight. They're 19x11s. I think they will fit, but the 285s look over stretched. They would look much better on a 19x10, so I will be looking for those; I found a set of the modular performance wheels I've got in 19 x 10, so I may go that route. Love the lok of the Cup 4s, though.
Otherwise installed/fixed:
AC (control head)
18" wheels
replaced tail light
replaced fog lens
front LED stripes (separate thread coming)
Momo steering wheel
hatch release (two nickels)
07-01-2011, 09:50 AM
#37
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07-01-2011, 09:54 AM
#38
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
Have you tried the rebuild kit (www.rennbay.com)?
Still trying to decide what to do; will of course post here when I figure that out!
07-01-2011, 10:11 AM
#39
Race Car
I've not, but I'm considering it. New pumps are pretty cheap, though, and with this one's already questionable past, I'm not sure I want to mess with trying a rebuild. I also saw another thread in my searching where the guy went through three "new" pumps before finding one that worked properly. That might drive me over the edge.
Still trying to decide what to do; will of course post here when I figure that out!
Still trying to decide what to do; will of course post here when I figure that out!
07-06-2011, 12:38 AM
#40
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
7/4+5/11 update:
Finally got the time to seriously wash & detail the car. This is when you really discover all of the paint and body defects. And there are many. This car has been resprayed, and poorly. Going to try some Griots the next time around.
Did the interior today (7/5); gutted the carpet and tried various spot cleaners to remove what had to be years of dirt and whatever else accumulates on car carpet. The best result was using my Spot Bot carpet cleaner with Resolve laundry stain remover in the tank. Required much scrubbing after letting the stain remover sit on the carpet for about 5 minutes, but it looks MUCH better. Like new? Er, no. Better? Hells yes.
The passenger seat switches (12 way seats; rear two switches) are wonky, so those will need to be replaced.
Took the car out after all of this... and it responded by developing a crazy clunking sound from the left front wheel. Could be the wheel hitting the big red caliper; could be a loose brake pad, since it goes away undr braking. Not really sure. Too tired to investigate further right now. Gee thanks, Kraken!
Finally got the time to seriously wash & detail the car. This is when you really discover all of the paint and body defects. And there are many. This car has been resprayed, and poorly. Going to try some Griots the next time around.
Did the interior today (7/5); gutted the carpet and tried various spot cleaners to remove what had to be years of dirt and whatever else accumulates on car carpet. The best result was using my Spot Bot carpet cleaner with Resolve laundry stain remover in the tank. Required much scrubbing after letting the stain remover sit on the carpet for about 5 minutes, but it looks MUCH better. Like new? Er, no. Better? Hells yes.
The passenger seat switches (12 way seats; rear two switches) are wonky, so those will need to be replaced.
Took the car out after all of this... and it responded by developing a crazy clunking sound from the left front wheel. Could be the wheel hitting the big red caliper; could be a loose brake pad, since it goes away undr braking. Not really sure. Too tired to investigate further right now. Gee thanks, Kraken!
10-07-2011, 03:43 PM
#41
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
Wow, three months since my last update. Been busy with other things, I suppose, and out of town quite a bit. Right now, the car is immobile awaiting the return of my rear shift coupler from getting replacement bushings pressed in. Apparently this is an incredibly difficult and lengthy process. 
Once said process is complete, a short shift kit will be installed, hopefully sometime before 2012.
I bit the bullet and ordered the 19x10 rears of the Sport Edition Cup 4s last week, though because the car is immobile I haven't been able to see if they fit yet.
Also awaiting install: Roger's EIS; looks fantastic in the box. I also picked up a replacement power steering reservoir and pump rebuild kit.
The crazy clunking sound mentioned above turned out to be a loose lug nut. I always triple check whether I've tightened all the lugs, so hopefully it didn't work itself loose somehow.
Plus the passenger seat switches work... only with a passenger sitting in them! Neat.
Once said process is complete, a short shift kit will be installed, hopefully sometime before 2012.I bit the bullet and ordered the 19x10 rears of the Sport Edition Cup 4s last week, though because the car is immobile I haven't been able to see if they fit yet.
Also awaiting install: Roger's EIS; looks fantastic in the box. I also picked up a replacement power steering reservoir and pump rebuild kit.
The crazy clunking sound mentioned above turned out to be a loose lug nut. I always triple check whether I've tightened all the lugs, so hopefully it didn't work itself loose somehow.
Plus the passenger seat switches work... only with a passenger sitting in them! Neat.
10-08-2011, 12:55 AM
#43
Rennlist Member
Wow, three months since my last update. Been busy with other things, I suppose, and out of town quite a bit. Right now, the car is immobile awaiting the return of my rear shift coupler from getting replacement bushings pressed in. Apparently this is an incredibly difficult and lengthy process. Once said process is complete, a short shift kit will be installed, hopefully sometime before 2012.
...
Once said process is complete, a short shift kit will be installed, hopefully sometime before 2012....
George: You're giving me the "it's not you, it's me" routine? I invented "it's not you, it's me". Nobody tells me it's them not me, if it's anybody it's me.
Gwen: All right, George, it's you.
George: You're *damn* right it's me.
10-11-2011, 01:05 PM
#44
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Thread Starter
