Hello from Seattle
sohawk
Wagonist
I'm James and this is my '91 RT. I've been wanting one of these since I was a kid. I spent the summer away from home in NorCal, but meanwhile I was scanning Craigslist every day for Brats, Colts, and Wagons; anything goofy, Japanese, 30mpg+ and preferably 4WD. When this post came up, I knew I'd have to pull some strings and make it work out. And when I got back in September, there was a wagon in my driveway. Which had me like:
I bought the wagon from the 2nd owner (he and the 1st owner were brothers) with 147,000 on the clock. First things first, gotta change all your fluids: Castrol 75w-90 in the diff, Honda MTF in the tranny, and 5w-30 synthetic in the oil pan. It was grinding hard into 3rd, but I was able to clean up the shifter box with some home-made bushings so it shifted smooth as butter. The PS rack was leaking, and since I dislike power steering, I cleaned up an Si rack and put it in with new front-end hardware. Moog balls all around, Koyo wheel bearings. Urethane bushings for the sway bar. I got it aligned at TruLine Seattle. These guys will make your car drive laser straight!
I took a chance on some Prothane steering rack bushings that claimed to be power steering only. Turns out they fit a manual rack just fine. PN 807-1.
I picked up a set of HX wheels. Here is the wagon in its element, hauling two sets of wheels and tires like it's NBD:
Next, a few minor things like wiper blades, door seals, interior parts, blower resistor, seat latches, thermostat...
Which brings us up to date:
What's next? Fix some bumper sag, replace a missing mudflap, and I've got this squeal coming from under the car that I suspect is a carrier bearing. Other than that, I'll just be enjoying one of the few and ever-dwindling stock wagons.
I bought the wagon from the 2nd owner (he and the 1st owner were brothers) with 147,000 on the clock. First things first, gotta change all your fluids: Castrol 75w-90 in the diff, Honda MTF in the tranny, and 5w-30 synthetic in the oil pan. It was grinding hard into 3rd, but I was able to clean up the shifter box with some home-made bushings so it shifted smooth as butter. The PS rack was leaking, and since I dislike power steering, I cleaned up an Si rack and put it in with new front-end hardware. Moog balls all around, Koyo wheel bearings. Urethane bushings for the sway bar. I got it aligned at TruLine Seattle. These guys will make your car drive laser straight!
I took a chance on some Prothane steering rack bushings that claimed to be power steering only. Turns out they fit a manual rack just fine. PN 807-1.
I picked up a set of HX wheels. Here is the wagon in its element, hauling two sets of wheels and tires like it's NBD:
Next, a few minor things like wiper blades, door seals, interior parts, blower resistor, seat latches, thermostat...
Which brings us up to date:
What's next? Fix some bumper sag, replace a missing mudflap, and I've got this squeal coming from under the car that I suspect is a carrier bearing. Other than that, I'll just be enjoying one of the few and ever-dwindling stock wagons.
Comments
I own a '91 RT too! it just happens to be red and stock too! Its nice to see a stock wagon :smug:
Unfortunately, I've had to neuter the wagon :sorrow:
The squeal was getting pretty bad and I started getting some bad vibration. Must be joints or bearings because the car is steady and silent without the driveshaft. I'm going to keep it in 2WD mode until I feel like getting the work done. Anyone in Seattle done business with Drivelines NW?
Here are some interior pics since I haven't yet posted any:
The driveline is going into Drivelines NW in Everett on Friday for a repair estimate, I'll report back next week with details.
Any leads on a shop that can tackle a driveshaft rebuild would be great. I think I can handle the center bearings and maybe even a VC rebuild, but the ujoints are way out of my wheelhouse.
Your interior is immaculate!!
Alternator decided to die 200 miles from home, so I got to replace it, in a parking lot, in the rain.
I've made the executive decision to roll in 2WD mode until Winter and focus on other stuff. That being said, I replaced my missing mudflap and go the bumper lined up. Snagged a grey ash tray. Also, the front bumper lights look so much better without the ambers.
Then it got real waxy over the weekend.
My arm hurts.
Treats coming soon.
https://www.civicwagon.com/showthread.php?24582-Clean-1991-RT4WD-in-Seattle