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Hunting down new squeaks from the engine/suspension area today since I've been hearing what sounded like upper control arm bushing noise from the passenger side.
Turns out it was the upper engine strut. More specifically, there was a missing bolt! The bolt that holds the big end of the strut to the fender decided to jump ship. Last time I was in there was doing valve cover gaskets a couple of years ago so nothing else has been going there unless the body shop messed with it when I had the front bumper repaired? Unlikely
I wish I could say it was my teenager who was last driving the P!G when this occurred, but that wouldn't be right... right?
So, if you're wondering what the part number is for the 10X70 bolt, it's N 102 902 06
Installed 265/50R-20 Falken Wildpeak A/T Trail XL tires - I wanted a better ride, better off-road / snow handling, and I wanted to get rid of the "roller-skate" look of the stock R275/40-20 tires.
Before:
After:
Clearance
Clearance is tight - about 1cm between the wheel and the bolt. No rubbing issues so far...
Changed the oil today after a long spirited drive. Once I loosen the drain plug, I went upstairs to respond to emails whilst it was draining. Return 30 minutes later to a big $ss spill, almost 3/4 size of piggy footprint. The drain pan mysteriously had a hole in the side 1/2 way up. Thank god it wasn't at the bottom, what ah mess....
Installed 265/50R-20 Falken Wildpeak A/T Trail XL tires - I wanted a better ride, better off-road / snow handling, and I wanted to get rid of the "roller-skate" look of the stock R275/40-20 tires.
Before:
After:
Clearance
Clearance is tight - about 1cm between the wheel and the bolt. No rubbing issues so far...
How would you describe the change in ride quality, noise, handling?
How would you describe the change in ride quality, noise, handling?
Ride does feel much smoother — the roads in Seattle are pretty bad; the new tires help a lot. Very happy with that aspect; I would not go for R275/40-20s again.
It does seem much quieter as well, driving on the same roads — I was pretty surprised at how big of a change it was.
Haven't had a chance to test out the handling yet, but with the limited bit of ...spirited driving on the new tires, the handling feels good. Not *quite* as good as the lower profile, but I'm happy with the trade. I can't imagine your track day lap times would change much...
Overall, a really good improvement; well worth the ~$700.
Installed 265/50R-20 Falken Wildpeak A/T Trail XL tires - I wanted a better ride, better off-road / snow handling, and I wanted to get rid of the "roller-skate" look of the stock R275/40-20 tires.
Before:
I guess I've been in lockdown too darn long... no one else sees the squirrel on the front tire?
Ride does feel much smoother — the roads in Seattle are pretty bad; the new tires help a lot. Very happy with that aspect; I would not go for R275/40-20s again.
It does seem much quieter as well, driving on the same roads — I was pretty surprised at how big of a change it was.
Haven't had a chance to test out the handling yet, but with the limited bit of ...spirited driving on the new tires, the handling feels good. Not *quite* as good as the lower profile, but I'm happy with the trade. I can't imagine your track day lap times would change much...
Overall, a really good improvement; well worth the ~$700.
Good to know. I have the same 20" techno and 275/40s at the moment. With spring suspension, I am thinking a little more sidewall may be nice
12-03-2020, 05:27 AM
...kidding now.....great buy!