• From: Atlanta
  • Registered: 2011-01-22
  • Posts: 507

Re: Kurrent "K" Kar Komitments

NSF wrote:

The axles may be too long and the limited travel is causing them to bottom out and stress the knuckle.   

The way to know would be to jack the arm and watch the travel and limit the movement of the travel to stop prior to the binding of the axle.    You may need someone to sit on the front to have full effect of the car cornering.

I looks to me that the left side boots tear. Both the inner & outer boots would not retain the "bellows" shape and were torn. It could be that the boots are expanding at higher speeds.  The "trick" racing CVs are vented to release the air pressure as the CVs heat up and expand the air inside the boot.  Another trick is to add zip ties to the valley of the CV boot bellows to keep them from expanding too much.  If I get a chance I'll take a look to see if there is anything that can nick the boots if/when it expands.

Or the easy button - just get a new (free replacement) CV from O'Reillys before each race as the axle is very easy to install...

Mike
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Re: Kurrent "K" Kar Komitments

I hate to tell y'all this, but crap getting past a torn boot isn't going to make a CV joint fail in just one race. Something more, you know, traumatic is happening to kill axles, and blaming boot failure is the exact type of magical thinking that has hovered around the K-car all year, like popper fumes at Studio 54 circa 1979. But it's true, half-shafts are cheap!

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228 Reply by autoxmike (edited by autoxmike 2013-11-17 07:38 PM)

  • From: Atlanta
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Re: Kurrent "K" Kar Komitments

Judge Phil wrote:

I hate to tell y'all this, but crap getting past a torn boot isn't going to make a CV joint fail in just one race. Something more, you know, traumatic is happening to kill axles, and blaming boot failure is the exact type of magical thinking that has hovered around the K-car all year, like popper fumes at Studio 54 circa 1979. But it's true, half-shafts are FREE!


FTFY. Free replacement from O'Reillys. Receipt is in the envelope of K papers.

BTW - Even tough the boot was torn badly and grease was everywhere the CV was not making noises but replaced it anyway as I didn't want it to go bad during the trip  - and it was free and only took a few hours from start to finish including tracking down one in stock at the Calumet City store...

Mike
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229 Reply by autoxmike (edited by autoxmike 2013-11-17 07:52 PM)

  • From: Atlanta
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Re: Kurrent "K" Kar Komitments

We had this discussion on another racing forum recently.  One guy had these problems and put a GoPro under the car for a race.  As the race went on the CV boot blew up like a balloon.  The car was an Integra IIRC that had been lowered.  The combination of running hard for a long time, and probably a CV at a sharper angle, put heat into the CV, which heated the grease & air inside the CV boot.  The CV boot is airtight so the boot expanded like a balloon until the started rubbing on a bracket that one would have never expected would have come in contact with the boot.  This is why some serious road race guys use CVs with vented boots.

Mike
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#39 TRON Gray/Orange MX-3, aka "Sumbich"
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Re: Kurrent "K" Kar Komitments

Are you going to try to vent or do the zip tie trick?

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Re: Kurrent "K" Kar Komitments

I'd say that venting the boot is great if you want to lengthen boot life, but all that heat is probably the thing that is killing the joints themselves. Perhaps the K isn't happy being 6" lower than factory ride height?

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  • From: Atlanta
  • Registered: 2011-01-22
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Re: Kurrent "K" Kar Komitments

Judge Phil wrote:

I'd say that venting the boot is great if you want to lengthen boot life, but all that heat is probably the thing that is killing the joints themselves. Perhaps the K isn't happy being 6" lower than factory ride height?

^^ Bingo ^^

Mike
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  • From: Atlanta
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Re: Kurrent "K" Kar Komitments

Team Infinniti wrote:

Are you going to try to vent or do the zip tie trick?

I'll take a look when I get back to Chicago after this coming week in Minneapolis.  I didn't look specifically to see if there was anything close by that the boot can expand into.

Mike
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Re: Kurrent "K" Kar Komitments

So it looks like I won't make it to Colorado for the K Donner-Party adventure if I want to have a car of my own to race- new builds are always full of surprises and the Cavalier is making it a challenge.

I'll probably spend the week before the race under the damn car...

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  • From: Colorado Springs Co.
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Re: Kurrent "K" Kar Komitments

Bummer dude! Was hoping to share one hella adventure! But get that car going! Been there. Bob and I slept about 20 hours total in the week before the Marlin's first race. I think RichVS slept about 3 hours in the same week while doing his Renault....Can always catch up on sleep while getting to the race.....

Captain of the Speedholes Wrenching #365 1965 Rambler Marlin and owner of the "Cockroach 454 Chevy Bigblock". Collector Emeritus of awful crapcans.
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Re: Kurrent "K" Kar Komitments

Paging Rockford Brodie...

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

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  • From: Arvada, CO
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Re: Kurrent "K" Kar Komitments

So, does this mean that the K needs a driver?  Either from Denver to Sonoma, or in the race?  I'm very tempted to join in the buffoonery.

If it ain't broken, fix it 'til it is.

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  • From: Colorado Springs Co.
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Re: Kurrent "K" Kar Komitments

I'm just going to mention here that Cadillac bob has a Chrysler Pentastar Tattooed on his arm. Just sayin......

Captain of the Speedholes Wrenching #365 1965 Rambler Marlin and owner of the "Cockroach 454 Chevy Bigblock". Collector Emeritus of awful crapcans.
Earned every finish with Blood, Sweat, Tears,  Smoked brakes,dead wheelbearings, two blower explosions, and a never-ending thirst for more fuel. Finished em all! Currently hiding in a secret base in the shadow of the "Race to the Clouds".
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Re: Kurrent "K" Kar Komitments

http://autoweek.com/storyimage/CW/20130927/CARNEWS01/130929839/V9/0/Fire-extinguisher-shower-at-Bonneville-Salt-Flats.jpg&maxW=630

Yeah, Cadillac Bob is perfect for the K.

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240 Reply by autoxmike (edited by autoxmike 2013-11-18 11:33 AM)

  • From: Atlanta
  • Registered: 2011-01-22
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Re: Kurrent "K" Kar Komitments

BTW - The K does not have a passenger seat or belts.  If someone has a spare seat of some type we can fab up some mounts and throw it in along with some belts in Denver. Not sure if Adam has a spare seat in his pile-o-stuff that we can put in before leaving Chicago

Mike
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#39 TRON Gray/Orange MX-3, aka "Sumbich"
  • From: Colorado Springs Co.
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Re: Kurrent "K" Kar Komitments

What???? No more milk crate? I got a Jeep Cherokee seat. Probly a milk crate too. Or we just blaze down to the U-try-N-Save.

Captain of the Speedholes Wrenching #365 1965 Rambler Marlin and owner of the "Cockroach 454 Chevy Bigblock". Collector Emeritus of awful crapcans.
Earned every finish with Blood, Sweat, Tears,  Smoked brakes,dead wheelbearings, two blower explosions, and a never-ending thirst for more fuel. Finished em all! Currently hiding in a secret base in the shadow of the "Race to the Clouds".

242 Reply by EyeMWing (edited by EyeMWing 2013-11-18 06:28 PM)

  • From: Baltimore, MD
  • Registered: 2010-05-20
  • Posts: 1,745

Re: Kurrent "K" Kar Komitments

Judge Phil wrote:

I'd say that venting the boot is great if you want to lengthen boot life, but all that heat is probably the thing that is killing the joints themselves. Perhaps the K isn't happy being 6" lower than factory ride height?

Yeah, really. Surely someone has thought of shortening the shaft. Cut in the middle, taper, weld, sleeve. It's not like it's a racecar or something....

Or if the thing is hollow (are axle shafts hollow? I never really paid attention) cut it and whack a plug coupler inside with some heat, drill some holes and plug weld it up. And then sleeve it.

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Re: Kurrent "K" Kar Komitments

SeldomSeen wrote:

What???? No more milk crate? I got a Jeep Cherokee seat. Probly a milk crate too. Or we just blaze down to the U-try-N-Save.

What happened to the 914 seat?

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Re: Kurrent "K" Kar Komitments

EyeMWing wrote:
Judge Phil wrote:

I'd say that venting the boot is great if you want to lengthen boot life, but all that heat is probably the thing that is killing the joints themselves. Perhaps the K isn't happy being 6" lower than factory ride height?

Yeah, really. Surely someone has thought of shortening the shaft. Cut in the middle, taper, weld, sleeve. It's not like it's a racecar or something....

Or if the thing is hollow (are axle shafts hollow? I never really paid attention) cut it and whack a plug coupler inside with some heat, drill some holes and plug weld it up. And then sleeve it.

Are you sure the shaft is too long? Just curious. I remember the White Trash Racing guys had a problem with the driver side on their Neon when they added more camber. Using a Shadow axle that was a little shorter solved their problem which was a serious vibration in right hand turns.

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245 Reply by NSF

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Re: Kurrent "K" Kar Komitments

How is K getting from Denver to Sonoma?  Is there someone willing to make that trip? 

I just can't keep up..

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  • From: Atlanta
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Re: Kurrent "K" Kar Komitments

NSF wrote:

How is K getting from Denver to Sonoma?  Is there someone willing to make that trip? 

I just can't keep up..

Im doing the entire Milwaukee to Denver to Sonoma gig. Then driving Balto at Sonoma

Mike
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  • From: Colorado Springs Co.
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Re: Kurrent "K" Kar Komitments

Cool! Good to know It'll be makin the trip! Let me know how I can help.

Captain of the Speedholes Wrenching #365 1965 Rambler Marlin and owner of the "Cockroach 454 Chevy Bigblock". Collector Emeritus of awful crapcans.
Earned every finish with Blood, Sweat, Tears,  Smoked brakes,dead wheelbearings, two blower explosions, and a never-ending thirst for more fuel. Finished em all! Currently hiding in a secret base in the shadow of the "Race to the Clouds".
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Re: Kurrent "K" Kar Komitments

Sorry For(Being Late To The) Party, but I've gotten time off approved and can help with getting the K to Sonoma if need be.  Of course, I haven't really driven anything with a manual since I ran my Dad's lawn tractor into a fence when I was a teenager...

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  • From: Atlanta
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Re: Kurrent "K" Kar Komitments

Rockford Brodie wrote:

Sorry For(Being Late To The) Party, but I've gotten time off approved and can help with getting the K to Sonoma if need be.  Of course, I haven't really driven anything with a manual since I ran my Dad's lawn tractor into a fence when I was a teenager...

If someone wants to spell me on the leg from Denver to Sonoma I wouldn't complain.  If not then I'll be OK either way. The convoy from Denver to Sonoma will make things much easier and less worrysome than the solo leg from Chicago to Denver.

Mike
Hong Norrth
#39 TRON Gray/Orange MX-3, aka "Sumbich"
  • From: Colorado Springs Co.
  • Registered: 2013-09-24
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Re: Kurrent "K" Kar Komitments

Sweet! Bring on the madness! What better to learn stick on than something with fragile drive axles! Dude, Come over and I'll teach ya in a old jeep with low range. Makes it a mess easier to get the basics. It just takes a little bit to figure out. Then, when ya think ya got it, We will fire up the ol '56 International dumptruck. 15 gears. No synchros. Two levers to figure out. 549 cubes of fury. Somehow still slower than a Mercedes 240D.

Captain of the Speedholes Wrenching #365 1965 Rambler Marlin and owner of the "Cockroach 454 Chevy Bigblock". Collector Emeritus of awful crapcans.
Earned every finish with Blood, Sweat, Tears,  Smoked brakes,dead wheelbearings, two blower explosions, and a never-ending thirst for more fuel. Finished em all! Currently hiding in a secret base in the shadow of the "Race to the Clouds".