I need some advice, steering/frame problems
CanaMark
01-17-2006, 05:39 PM
I just bought a 1991 Mercury Topaz/Ford Tempo for $150 automatic, 4 door, power everything. I think its a V6, but could just as easily be a 4 banger.
Here is the deal. There was a rim on the front passenger side that looked bent bad. When I looked down at the bent tire, it looked like the camber was way off. The bottom was inward. I think the last guy hit a curb really bad. I went to the junk yard and got 2 good wheels. Now the camber looks to have decreased significantly, but the steering wheel has a lot of play in it. I think there might be a sub-frame bent, either where something bolts up to the frame, or towards the rear of the car. I looked at all the rods, that were connected back there, and they did not look bent. I have about a quarter of the wheel in play, which is alot.
How hard is it to do a steering job on these cars? I have done a few frame jobs using a 10,000 lb winch, on a truck. I am going to take it out for a drive and get a better look at it. But everything else on it seems ok.
One minor issue is the drivers power window. When I press the up button, the motor skips and keeps going, and the window does not continuelly move upwards, it slips.
How hard is it to do a starter job on these vehicles? The alternator looks like it has good access. Are the serpentine belts easy to replace? How about the thermostat?
Thank you.
I will add to what I know. When I let go of the steering wheel, it turns to the left by itself quite drastically. And to drive it straight, the steering wheel has to be a quarter turn to the right, and I have to hang on to it, because it does not drive straight down the road. This thing has some issues.
Here is the deal. There was a rim on the front passenger side that looked bent bad. When I looked down at the bent tire, it looked like the camber was way off. The bottom was inward. I think the last guy hit a curb really bad. I went to the junk yard and got 2 good wheels. Now the camber looks to have decreased significantly, but the steering wheel has a lot of play in it. I think there might be a sub-frame bent, either where something bolts up to the frame, or towards the rear of the car. I looked at all the rods, that were connected back there, and they did not look bent. I have about a quarter of the wheel in play, which is alot.
How hard is it to do a steering job on these cars? I have done a few frame jobs using a 10,000 lb winch, on a truck. I am going to take it out for a drive and get a better look at it. But everything else on it seems ok.
One minor issue is the drivers power window. When I press the up button, the motor skips and keeps going, and the window does not continuelly move upwards, it slips.
How hard is it to do a starter job on these vehicles? The alternator looks like it has good access. Are the serpentine belts easy to replace? How about the thermostat?
Thank you.
I will add to what I know. When I let go of the steering wheel, it turns to the left by itself quite drastically. And to drive it straight, the steering wheel has to be a quarter turn to the right, and I have to hang on to it, because it does not drive straight down the road. This thing has some issues.
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