Car 0.5 Me 2

[GOT_BOOST]

Well after many many hours I have finally accomplished a few of the things that I set out to to! My mission was simple. My objectives were to replace the drive axles, and do the timing belt in one day. I have successfully replaced the drivers side one, the timing belt, but the passanger side drive axle has won the battle. It appears the the axle bearing guides are rusted into the support bracket. With many thanks to Glenn, Barry, Jarrod, Dave and a few others we had tried to fight this beast but lost. Tomorrow the car is going in to Toy Tech on the southside to have them replace the passanger drive axle. :D I had taken the car for a quick test drive after reinstalling everything however I had noticed the car seems a little sluggish and when I jump on it it will accelerate but then "loose power" I am attributing this to the fact that perhaps the passanger side drive axle is not fully inserted into the transmission or properly seated. I do not think this is attributed to the timing belt replacement as none of the cam gears nor crank pulley were disturbed during the removal and installation of the new belt. It turns out that the Haynes manual for this car is less than satisfactory as the instructions for removing the belt and covers installing them are completely in the wrong order. After locating a TSRM online I was able to quickly and efficiently reinstall the covers in the correct order in less than what it took to even follow the haynes manual. :D

I will post my review on Toyotech tomorrow. I will be there at 8:00 am to watch these boys work! :D

Mike Nikolai

[Deep_Blue]

I'm not surprised that your Haynes manual proved useless. I have had similar experience with all of their import manuals. That's why I now live by the TSRM. It is a harsh but fair mistress.

Too bad you couldn't make it out to the meet though Mike.

Cheers,

Tim

[supra_man89]

nice hope that all works out for you mike

Corey :toast:

[dogstar]

i told you, the axle wouldnt come out cause we had no truck... pull firmly = hook it to the space shuttle on lift off.

[GOT_BOOST]

i told you, the axle wouldnt come out cause we had no truck... pull firmly = hook it to the space shuttle on lift off.

Hi Barry,

I agree. LOL. It turns out that the axles I had ordered were the wrong ones. They are right for a 1997, but wrong for my car. Even though my car is classified as a 1997 My production date was 08/1996 there for still using the 1996 style axles. They have 6 allen key style bolts holding on to the inner CV joint. Turns out that the axle shafts do not need to be removed from the transmission. Toy Tech did an amazing job installing the RH side of the drive shaft. Now the car runs more smoothly and it actually feels like it has gained a few HP. :D I think with the worn and exposed outer CV joints I was loosing some power due to to everything not operating smoothly.

To make a long story short, I need to replace the drivers side one with the correct axle (now purchased) and attach to the CV drive shaft. Then I can return the new "old" ones.

The timing belt was a success. Now the car runs, after the drivers side axle replacement there is nothing more to do except the struts. I am thinking of lowering and installing KYB GR2's on all 4 corners. Some how this Avalon is reminding me alot like my Supra project. :lol:

Mike Nikolai

[James Earl]

Good to here it is working out for you. Sorry to here that it is starting to feel like a Supra project....well you liked the car for awhile. :D

A tint, lower and "upsize" the rims and you will be pretty P.I.M.P. 8)

Url

[Deep_Blue]

Mike,

That car will be a pimp one day I tell you. Unlike your supra project, you haven't blown any turbos on this one yet. Don't worry- there's still time! :P

Also, I thought I'd let you know that for all models (with some minor exceptions) the year changes over at September, so your car just missed the cut.

Suspension and pimp tires would be sweet for that pseudo Lexus of yours.

Cheers,

Tim

P.S. You forgot to call me last night.

[GOT_BOOST]

Mike,

That car will be a pimp one day I tell you. Unlike your supra project, you haven't blown any turbos on this one yet. Don't worry- there's still time! :P

Also, I thought I'd let you know that for all models (with some minor exceptions) the year changes over at September, so your car just missed the cut.

Suspension and pimp tires would be sweet for that pseudo Lexus of yours.

Cheers,

Tim

P.S. You forgot to call me last night.

Hi Tim,

You are partially correct with your statement about the model change over at in September. Most new models are released in September but are produced earlier than that. Usually in August, sometimes late July. The Avalon was ordered brand new from the factory as a 97 and was coded as a 97 from Toyota. The car is registered as a 97. The car was ordered in August 1996 arrived Sept 1996. It could have been one of the odd ones that was assembled with some left over 96 parts. IE. The axles :?


I will not be turbocharging the Avalon, maybe super charging it! :D. But I need to knock off the "Must Do" maintainence items first. Nest step is the winter tires, then I will look at the Injen Intake and suspension. :D

I got tied up last night and did not get a chance to call. You can send me a PM with particulars and I will look it over.

Mike Nikolai