A lil update on my Safari

[ianjpage]

Been a while since i posted on here since asking for help re all the issues i had!!

OK well in no particular order:

"Vauge Steering"
Spent some time with a mate checking it all out and we worked out what needed replacing so have just spent a shed load of money on:
New Inner & Outer Track rod ends (totally shot!)
Moog Idler Arms (both are worn and loose)
Plus other brake parts (Rear drums, Shoes & springs and front pads)
Hopefully means once it all fitted it be a bit better!

"Fluid Change Query"
Well its been several weeks and lots of mixed miles (normal town driving, cruising and towing) and it all seems good, nice and smooth changes, no hesitation and no slippage, will prob give it another change the end of this year just to keep ontop of it and try to prevent any further damage from happening.

"Driver Side Mirror"
Managed to find one that fitted over here so all good again now

"Engine Flat"
This was an interesting one - wayed up the options of breaking the cat up vs the cost of a new one and cos im so skint lately we decided to break the innnards of the cat up - that was a fun job - who the heck decided the CAT and "Y" pipe should be one bit AND have to come out BACKWARDS!!
When we broke he innards up - you couldn't see through it at all - was really chocked up.....
Have to say the van sounded sweeeeeeeeet running with just the "Y" pipe and cat on it (well come on we had to!) bit too noisy to use daily bt nice anyhow!
Got the cat punchyed through and back together - all wokring perfectly - the engine is back to full power, goes like a bullet now and as an added bonus it sounds a little bit better with no cat restricting it hehe - oh and uber bonues - not a single error code!!!!!!!!!!

So finally getting ontop of the problems with the van - the next few purchases are going to be
Rear Shocks
Wheel bearings
Ignition barrel

Anyone have recommendations, both good and bad for shocks please??

Cheers all

[Mr_Bowtie]

Sounds like you have been as busy with your Van as I have with mine. At least your getting things figured out and getting her running good again. My rear shocks are so bad they leaked out their fluid. So, I wouldn't mind hearing some recommendations too. Good work!!!

[astro355]

I use Monroe Sensatracs on mine. But...

The problem with our rearends is the design that GM used. GM alternated the shocks (one in front of the rear while the other behind it) to help control the roll of the axle during acceleration and help maintain proper pinion angles. Unfortunately, my sensatracs, which are 6 months old, are done because I have a heavy foot. I had to make some customs ladder bars (traction bars) just to keep the movement of the rearend from ruining the shocks. And then once the 9" goes in, I will fix everything.

But in all honesty, I would have to suggest a coilover. I just don't know which ones are better than others.

[Leeann_93]

I put the Monroe Load Adjusting (coilover) shocks on mine - and they're really, really nice. A little firm, but better cornering and anytime I've got a load or am towing.

[Matrixx]

Hi ianjpage

You have been a busy bee for sure. I will have to get caught up with my front end stuff as well.

As for shocks, it really depends on your driving habits and the loads you carry. I use mine for long drives with light loads up very windy roads.

I have been using the Sensa-Tracs for about 8 or 9 years now, and I am very pleased (personally) with the comfort level and handling capabilities they have to them.

When I travel, I get down to business, so I don't "baby" it through corners (actually, I'm very pleased with them).

Just my opinions and comments on the subject. I'm sure others will chime in to help answer your question as well.

[ianjpage]

Been a while since i posted on here since asking for help re all the issues i had!!

OK well in no particular order:

"Vauge Steering"
Spent some time with a mate checking it all out and we worked out what needed replacing so have just spent a shed load of money on:
New Inner & Outer Track rod ends (totally shot!)
Moog Idler Arms (both are worn and loose)
Plus other brake parts (Rear drums, Shoes & springs and front pads)
Hopefully means once it all fitted it be a bit better!

"Fluid Change Query"
Well its been several weeks and lots of mixed miles (normal town driving, cruising and towing) and it all seems good, nice and smooth changes, no hesitation and no slippage, will prob give it another change the end of this year just to keep ontop of it and try to prevent any further damage from happening.

"Driver Side Mirror"
Managed to find one that fitted over here so all good again now

"Engine Flat"
This was an interesting one - wayed up the options of breaking the cat up vs the cost of a new one and cos im so skint lately we decided to break the innnards of the cat up - that was a fun job - who the heck decided the CAT and "Y" pipe should be one bit AND have to come out BACKWARDS!!
When we broke he innards up - you couldn't see through it at all - was really chocked up.....
Have to say the van sounded sweeeeeeeeet running with just the "Y" pipe and cat on it (well come on we had to!) bit too noisy to use daily bt nice anyhow!
Got the cat punchyed through and back together - all wokring perfectly - the engine is back to full power, goes like a bullet now and as an added bonus it sounds a little bit better with no cat restricting it hehe - oh and uber bonues - not a single error code!!!!!!!!!!

So finally getting ontop of the problems with the van - the next few purchases are going to be
Rear Shocks
Wheel bearings
Ignition barrel

Anyone have recommendations, both good and bad for shocks please??

Cheers all

Wow didn't realise it soooo long since i been on here....well further update....

Steering is all now sorted - fitted all the new parts and it now feels soooo much better - less slack and clunking - ended up replacing the lower ball joints as well as they were totally worn and shot - they were grinding away !!!

Fitted all the brake parts but still been having issues with the rear brakes rubbing on one side and binding on the other - have just this weekend fitted a new pair of slave cylinders so hopefully that resolve that (we belive the old ones were so coroded they were not sliding in/out properly).

Gearbox still seems to be fine (touch wood!) - changes no problems, no slippage or odd noises so hopefully all ok for a few moer miles now

Engine flat - well this is still a bit of an issue - its now not flat persay but is really not happy again - started misfiring etc - what i am planning on doing now is changing out the coil (already bought), fitting a new cat back in, changing all the O2 and Lambda sensors, clean the plugs (they are sub 4 months old platinum ones!) and see whats what then...

Ignition barrel - still to sort.
Shocks - same, still got to sort these
Wheel bearings - fronts were fine (checked when doing the other bits), rears ... not sure think they OK.

The only MAJOR problem i have now is my diff -- just going to post yup about that...

[ianjpage]

Well it had to end - the gearbox seems to be dead now - 215k aint bad though as i am pretty sure it's the original one!

will post a thread in the trans section re that now, other than that - the rest of the van aint changed much - just been driving it around a lot!!

[astroturf]

Well it had to end - the gearbox seems to be dead now - 215k aint bad though as i am pretty sure it's the original one!

will post a thread in the trans section re that now, other than that - the rest of the van aint changed much - just been driving it around a lot!!

Thanks for the update Ian. Good to hear from OLE members every now and again. How has your flat motor turned out? Thanks again, Jim

[ianjpage]

Well it had to end - the gearbox seems to be dead now - 215k aint bad though as i am pretty sure it's the original one!

will post a thread in the trans section re that now, other than that - the rest of the van aint changed much - just been driving it around a lot!!

Thanks for the update Ian. Good to hear from OLE members every now and again. How has your flat motor turned out? Thanks again, Jim

Hi Jim

Yeah must post more regular :slapped hands for me lol:

Hmm well it was 'better' than it had been but recently (last few months) it been getting worse again...i'm very much in the mindset of 1 of 2 things will happen:

1 - the van gets sold as is..

2 - i repair the trans, axle, engine etc etc and do a mini (or not so mini lol) restoration on it..

Not sure which way to go yet...gunna depend on cost and timeframe...

cheers

ian