Safety first.

This broke while coming out of the sweeper at ESN. Thanks to NSP for letting me borrow a wheel off their show car. And to Chad for letting me use his extra Momo wheel until I can get a new one.
Note to self: Stop buying cheap shit!

Popularity: 3% [?]

Crazy Finns Crashing 2

Live by Sisu. Die by Sisu.

Popularity: 10% [?]

UnF-ck The Gulf

BP’s oil spill has really f–ked up the gulf. Birds, fish, dolphins & sea turtles are f–ked. Whole communities are f–ked. Together we can hold big oil accountable. Together we can unf–k the Gulf.

Popularity: 2% [?]

In the passenger seat at Ebisu.

Amazing.

Popularity: 24% [?]

Ken Block’s Gymkhana THREE: Part 1

I want those 3 minutes 59 seconds of my life back.

Popularity: 6% [?]

Ken Block’s Gymkhana THREE drops tomorrow

Ken Block’s Gymkhana THREE drops tomorrow. There doesn’t seem to be as much hype around this one. Not sure if thats a good thing or not. I hope he has better luck with the video than he did in WRC Rally Germany this past weekend. …

Popularity: 9% [?]

Cody Wellons’ S13 For Sale in Atlanta

Cody is looking to sell or trade his S13 hatch and move on to a new project. I’d really like to trade for a 1J/2J swapped SC300 with a manual transmission, although I may be interested in other RWD cars as well (350Z, GS300, etc).

Popularity: 20% [?]

Rhoad Rash at ESN

The shocks in the Corolla have been fighting a losing battle every since I bought the car. They finally gave out at the Elite Summer Nationals event.

Popularity: 8% [?]

A less-shitty DIY Home Depot lip option

Most “Home Depot” lips looks terrible. Here’s a better (cheap) alternative.

Popularity: 7% [?]

Resurrection is a beautiful thing.

For every end, there is a new beginning. The new DMGG2 Hood.

Popularity: 23% [?]

New England Forest Rally vid

New England Forest Rally Promo

Popularity: 6% [?]

Elite Summer Nationals this weekend

Yep. Thats where I’ll be this weekend. We are providing them with event insurance so I’ll be there doing the ’safety’ thing, but it should still be fun. If you are in the area, come say h

Popularity: 26% [?]

I got the last laugh.

Getting the USDM bumper brackets off this damn car have seriously been the vein of my existence but I finally got the last laugh.

Popularity: 13% [?]

Shotgun on The Dragon

Blevins stopped by this past weekend to help me finalize the D680. Afterward we jumped in his B16 powered CRX and headed to The Dragon.

Popularity: 18% [?]

Sisu Xbox

Popularity: 9% [?]

WRC Game launches Oct. 8th

WRC Game launches Oct. 8th and I, for one, CANNOT WAIT.

Popularity: 9% [?]

Time to upgrade my toolbox.

Posted 13 Nov 2009 in The Machine

CIMG3002

Ever start a job and realize you dont have the right tools? Of course you have. As have I… especially last night while trying to put on the Kouki front bumper. The rear bumper wasn’t really a problem although I did break a ratchet. The front on the other hand, was an absolute pain in the ass. And, ultimately, it won the battle.

CIMG3006

In order for the Kouki bumper to fit, you have to remove the USDM bumper support. Easy right? Wrong. The 6 bolts holding the support on are 25 years old and have become VERY stubborn during those 25 years. Even after acquiring a new set of stronger sockets, breaker bar and dousing them in PB Blaster, the bolts still would not come out. So that leaves me with two options. Get a hold of a impact wrench or just drill/cut them out. I will win this battle one way or another “Mr. PITA” bolt.

There was an upside to this fiasco though. While taking the headlight out, I noticed a slight wiring issue. All three were exposed and touching.
CIMG3007

CIMG3008

Hopefully I can get a hold of some tools this weekend and get the bumper support off.

Popularity: 11% [?]

Posted by Chris
http://www.chrisrhoad.com/bio/

3 Comments

  1. mikeW (16 Nov 2009, 9:03)

    Nice wiring man; That sucks. Time to re-crimp it! I hear ya on the creaky hard to break 25 year old bolt problems…my 240 was probably one of the hardest 240’s to work on, every bolt was just like the bolt you described just about. My AE86 wasn’t this bad! lol. Hope you have better lucky.

  2. tclhenstra (03 Dec 2009, 16:46)

    dude, i need to SERIOUSLY come visit. maybe i could lend a proverbial hand? lol who knows. but that does blow about the whole, “not getting the bolts lose” thing. :P

  3. Chris (03 Dec 2009, 16:50)

    For real man. You really do.



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