Road Trippin'

corsair · Post by **corsair** » Sat Jun 24, 2006 1:33 am

.... with my two favorite allies

I'm fixing to head up to the Windy City (Chichago, IL) with a couple of friends to visit a friend who goes to Northwestern.

Aside from changing my oil and pre-trip maintenence on my car, anything I should know about? Cool sights/people along the way? I know Vikash and Jared are in Ohio these days. We're taking I-80 from PA so we should be rolling across a couple of states along the way.

0perose · Post by **0perose** » Sat Jun 24, 2006 2:46 am

fullly loaded we got snacks and supplies...

let's go get lost, let's go get lost....

I'm trippin over to VT tomorrow to pick up some old ass subaru parts

good luck in your travels

vrg3 · Post by **vrg3** » Sat Jun 24, 2006 2:54 am

Will's around here, too. You should come visit. When will you be passing through here? You and your friends are welcome to stay at my place if I'm in town.

corsair · Post by **corsair** » Sat Jun 24, 2006 3:06 am

Awesome!!! Thanks V, they're some cool dudes. My biggest concern though is something important breaking on my car though. A few hundred miles of I-80 is making me worry.

Will, if you see this, I'm sorry I forgot you, please don't hate me. Heh.

vrg3 · Post by **vrg3** » Sat Jun 24, 2006 7:19 am

Oh, okay... well...

How old are your alternator, fuel pump, and starter? Alternator/PS belt? Battery?

Do you have a spare ignitor and/or coil pack you can bring? They're not common failure parts, but your car won't run without them.

It couldn't hurt to have some random pieces of hose and some hose clamps handy.

Check your brakes; if they're getting close to marginal, fix it before the trip.

Check all the fluids, of course -- brake fluid, power steering fluid, transmission fluid, engine oil, engine coolant, and so forth. Bring a bottle of each just in case.

Check all struts, springs, and mounts to make sure they're behaving and not rotted or rusted through.

CV boots still intact?

Tire tread depth okay? Do they hold air? If there's a slow leak, bring an inflator of some kind.

If you haven't yet had to bypass the fuel pump ground wire under the passenger side of the rear seat, do it before you go. You may well find that the plastic around it is already scorched. I'm convinced there was a manufacturing defect.

What in particular are you worried about on your car? Is there something that's given you reason to distrust it?

Oh -- I somehow have your hat. You'll have to come get it. =)

corsair · Post by **corsair** » Sat Jun 24, 2006 8:06 pm

ok so the post looks really funny

summary - will do what Vikash recommended, anyone know where I can get a good deal on new brakes?

vrg3 wrote: How old are your alternator, fuel pump, and starter? Alternator/PS belt? Battery?

Alt & Starter checked out this last December, not sure on age but W&L said they were ok. No clue on fuel pump, still looking at records.

vrg3 wrote: Do you have a spare ignitor and/or coil pack you can bring? They're not common failure parts, but your car won't run without them.

Ignitor and coil pack eh? I'll check with Frank when he gets back, pick up extras.

vrg3 wrote: It couldn't hurt to have some random pieces of hose and some hose clamps handy.

I'll stop off at NAPA before I leave.

vrg3 wrote: Check your brakes; if they're getting close to marginal, fix it before the trip.

Oops. They're pretty far gone. Anyone have any recommendations for NA brakes on a small budget?

vrg3 wrote: Check all the fluids, of course -- brake fluid, power steering fluid, transmission fluid, engine oil, engine coolant, and so forth. Bring a bottle of each just in case.

No problem there, although I plan on changing the oil before I go.

vrg3 wrote: Check all struts, springs, and mounts to make sure they're behaving and not rotted or rusted through.

Not rusted through or rotted but fairly old and worn.

vrg3 wrote: CV boots still intact?

Replaced 30,000 miles ago. Look good.

vrg3 wrote: Tire tread depth okay? Do they hold air? If there's a slow leak, bring an inflator of some kind.

Worn a bit unevenly on outside of tread, when they were first mounted they were mounted poorly.

vrg3 wrote: If you haven't yet had to bypass the fuel pump ground wire under the passenger side of the rear seat, do it before you go. You may well find that the plastic around it is already scorched. I'm convinced there was a manufacturing defect.

I'll look for a thread on this, shouldn't be too hard but I don't want to do it incorrectly.

vrg3 wrote: What in particular are you worried about on your car? Is there something that's given you reason to distrust it?

About 268,000 of them. It's not like it's an unreliable car but it's well past a quarter of a million miles. My parents seem to think there'll be catastrophic suspension failure or something and a control arm or something will break.

vrg3 wrote: Oh -- I somehow have your hat. You'll have to come get it. =)

I think we're going to stop by on the trip back, I'll let you know for sure.

corsair · Post by **corsair** » Sat Jun 24, 2006 8:13 pm

0perose wrote:fullly loaded we got snacks and supplies...

let's go get lost, let's go get lost....

heh thanks

Tleg93 · Post by **Tleg93** » Sun Jun 25, 2006 12:09 am

That's cool, someone else is traveling. It's cool you generated some interest here on the bbs. How long will you be in Chicago? I'll be going throught there in less than a week. Who knows, maybe we can meet up. Either way, good luck.

corsair · Post by **corsair** » Sun Jun 25, 2006 3:43 am

Thanks Scott!

I'll be up there July 6th-11th. I just wanted to plan out the trip.

Anyone know of cool places on the way, aside from V's, that we oughta check out?

Manarius · Post by **Manarius** » Sun Jun 25, 2006 3:32 pm

I took my car on a minor road trip to NJ and back...put on a total of around 500 miles during a week (170 miles one way with 150 miles of driving during the week). I pretty much went over all those things vikash mentioned..except the fuel pump grounding thing. Now, granted, I think I should have done that because my car kind of started acting funny while we were down there.

My car with just freshly turned 150k handled the road just fine. I do need an air filter change though....

My point is: I think you'll be fine. If I can make a trip like that on my car with 150k, you should be fine with 250k.

snowboarded · Post by **snowboarded** » Mon Jun 26, 2006 4:10 pm

When you stop by we can have some good old Ohio fun. The roads aren't as cool here as they are in PA, but there are some gems here if you know where to go.

rallysam · Post by **rallysam** » Mon Jun 26, 2006 4:53 pm

I wouldn't worry about the car dying on the long drive. These cars are pretty solid. I driven 600 miles round trip dozens of times - each time with a rallycross at the destination - and never NOT made it home (knock on wood)

Sure, maybe throw a few spare parts and basic tools in the car, and obviously replace anything that is making horrible noises like it's about to die. But otherwise I say don't sweat it. If you're really worried, then buying the $75-ish AAA gold plan (free 100 mile tow) is more likely to pay off than spending $70 on random scattershot maintenance.

vrg3 · Post by **vrg3** » Mon Jun 26, 2006 7:16 pm

Advance carries or can order some pretty cheap brake parts. I remember a friend replacing the front pads and rotors on his 92 L with Raybestos rotors and Beck/Arnley "premium" pads for a total of something like $75 shipped.

A worn suspension is arguably not as bad a safety hazard as a rusting suspension, but it's still something you should look at replacing.

I don't see why the age of the car would imply that it wouldn't be reliable. Sam abuses his car probably more than any of us

. I like his suggestion about getting some peace of mind with a Gold AAA membership. I'll also add that if you don't have a cell phone and a CB radio, those might be good to pick up before the trip too. You can get prepaid cell phones with a lot less hassle than subscribing, and a cheap CB might help you get in touch with help should you need it in an area without cell reception.

Brat4by4 · Post by **Brat4by4** » Mon Jun 26, 2006 8:12 pm

corsair wrote:Will, if you see this, I'm sorry I forgot you, please don't hate me. Heh.

No hate. Sad you didn't do the track day, though.

corsair · Post by **corsair** » Mon Jun 26, 2006 10:02 pm

V, I went to Advance today, for new pads and rotors it'll be a lttle over $100. They have everything in stock so I might just take care of that tomorrow. Will need to read up, I've read a little bit about doing the ol brake dance and think I can tackle it though.

I happen to have a cell phone, with roadside assistance included on the plan, I had forgotten about this feature. As for the CB, I'll probably check out Wal-Mart tomorrow.

The mileage/age issue isn't my concern as it is my parents'. I've treated my car fairly well since last August so I figure it'll treat me just as well.

Will- I will destroy you. Or at least get you lost in the middle of the Central Pennsylvania wilderness again.

vrg3 · Post by **vrg3** » Mon Jun 26, 2006 10:07 pm

Cool, just make sure you're getting decent pads. I once put a $20 set of "Wearever Silvers" on my car as a stopgap measure for a couple of weeks, and it felt as if I had bars of soap instead of brake pads!

Brat4by4 · Post by **Brat4by4** » Mon Jun 26, 2006 10:07 pm

corsair wrote:Will- I will destroy you. Or at least get you lost in the middle of the Central Pennsylvania wilderness again.

I was never lost. Remember? 10 miles ahead on the highway that took us back to Matt's house.

corsair · Post by **corsair** » Mon Jun 26, 2006 10:15 pm

Vikash- Oh no. That's what they quoted me on. I guess I'll go back there and order some gooduns.

Will- I had forgotten... You must have known that area like the back of your hand.

(The one with the hammer is Matt after I had told him I knew the area like the back of my hand)

vrg3 · Post by **vrg3** » Mon Jun 26, 2006 10:20 pm

Ooh. Yeah. avoid them.

Usually they can get not-normally-stocked parts within a day or two, so have them show you the entire list of options on the computer screen. They probably have cheaper and/or better options than what's in stock.

Or just order online. Many online parts retailers (including Advance) offer free shipping for orders above a certain total, which you might reach.

corsair · Post by **corsair** » Mon Jun 26, 2006 10:48 pm

Beck/Arnley Premium pads and Raybestos rotors front and rear will run me $150. Includes free shipping.

I need to take care of brakes some time, and I can afford that.

vrg3 · Post by **vrg3** » Mon Jun 26, 2006 10:54 pm

That sounds about right -- my friend did just the fronts for about half that.

Do you need both front and rear brakes? Have you checked them both?

corsair · Post by **corsair** » Mon Jun 26, 2006 11:37 pm

Hmm, checking would be a good idea. Heh.

vrg3 · Post by **vrg3** » Tue Jun 27, 2006 12:06 am

Yeah, give 'em a look. The rear brakes last a lot longer than the fronts.

corsair · Post by **corsair** » Tue Jul 04, 2006 8:00 am

so brakes are visibly fine, brake fluid is fine, suspension passes my visual exam, coolant is full and looking good oil is changed....

....and I'm not taking my car anymore? I'm taking my father's Chrysler 300M, meh, it's a bit more comfy though should make the trip easier on the ol posterior (not to mention 255 horses).

Anyway, Will, Vikash, and Jared, if you guys want me to stop by I'll be passing through on the 6th and the 11th so PM me with some info and I'll stop by.

corsair · Post by **corsair** » Thu Jul 06, 2006 4:42 am

well I'm glad I took care of everthing because I forgot the Chrysler was at it's 130,000 mile head gasket blowing service time...

Subaru isn't packed yet but it will be soon, gotta get everything else ready to go and I leave bright and early tomorrow.

Will, V, and Jared: I'm PM-ing you guys my cell number and email, I'd be down with visiting on my return trip.

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Road Trippin'

Road Trippin'