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snowtrooper1966
06/21/2008, 07:19 PM
Greetings!
Well, I was able to turn some wrenches last night / today and add some paint!
I also repacked the wheel bearings, rotated the tires, replaced the cracked serpintine as well as recharged the AC. Got to do some good crawling around under the Dragon finally. Although it's rusty, everything looks good. No evidence of prior off road abuse. Crawling under the Dragon's rear, it looks like we have a 5 link suspension?
I did have to replace the lower radiatior clamps on the front exhaust O2 sensor heat shields. I noticed the rear O2 sensors did not have shields? It actually looks like there used to be one on the driver's side (rusty weld points right below the O2 sensor) but it is gone. The passenger side rear O2 has no evidence of shield, but interestingly enough, there was a broken radiator clamp rattling around there. Wierd.

Anyway, had alot of fun digging around the Dragon's guts.



Here is a straight on shot of the R1 rotors & painted calipers, front & rear:

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o23/snowtrooper1966/1front.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o23/snowtrooper1966/2rear.jpg


3/4 view:

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o23/snowtrooper1966/3front375.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o23/snowtrooper1966/4rear375.jpg


And front / rear wheel installed:

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o23/snowtrooper1966/5fronttire.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o23/snowtrooper1966/6reartire.jpg

I did not have time (or dough) to get the OEM pads from Merlin...:(
I found OEM replacement Raybestos Professionals for 80 bucks front & back. They seem to grab really well, but I am basing this on previous driving with rear pads pretty much gone...
The fronts did look like they had been replaced recently, but the previous owner neglected to mention that to me a few months ago. I can't imagine why he did not do all 4 at the same time. Probably tired of spending dough on the Dragon, that's why he sold it to me!
I am sure he never wrenched on it himself, so I probably just saved 600 bucks with all the work I did myself!:thumbup:
Thanks to all here for the help and guidence.
Best,
Solitude
06/21/2008, 07:24 PM
good appearance.. let us know how the pads holdup... to include..how much dust they produce.. I think that was one of the main issues with going OEM
snowtrooper1966
06/21/2008, 07:28 PM
Thanks!
From what I could garner, the problem was the thickness of "aftermarket" pads. I spoke with Merlin, and he told me the OEM's were ceramic, so I made sure the replacements were the same.
Best,
MSHardeman
06/23/2008, 07:55 AM
snowtrooper,

When I replaced my rotors and pads it seemed like my front pads had been replaced too. I know that they weren't and at almost 70k miles the front pads still had a LOT of life left in them. I don't know if this is due to the Isuzu composites in the pads, or if a lot of the braking on the VX is done by the rear (the rear pads where pretty worn), but it's good to know that the pads hold up so long.
Ascinder
06/23/2008, 02:13 PM
it looks like we have a 5 link suspension?

This is a five link:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/b/b6/5link3Dtop1.gif/200px-5link3Dtop1.gif

Ours is a three link (shocks don't count, nor does the panhard bar)which is nonetheless extremely capable.;)
snowtrooper1966
06/23/2008, 04:36 PM
Thanks for the diagram, Ascinder!
The panhard bar is the one @ the top of the rear diff?
snowtrooper1966
06/23/2008, 04:39 PM
snowtrooper,

When I replaced my rotors and pads it seemed like my front pads had been replaced too. I know that they weren't and at almost 70k miles the front pads still had a LOT of life left in them. I don't know if this is due to the Isuzu composites in the pads, or if a lot of the braking on the VX is done by the rear (the rear pads where pretty worn), but it's good to know that the pads hold up so long.

I heard that the ratio is something like 70% rear, so that would explain whay our fronts looked so new. I still think someone had been in my fron Dragon paws. There was a bushing/washer missing on the left side, and the diff covers looked beat up:(
Best,
Ascinder
06/23/2008, 05:10 PM
The panhard bar is the one @ the top of the rear diff?

No, the panhard is what keeps the axle located side to side. It should be the horizontal/diagonal rod that goes across the top and just to the rear of the axle and to the frame. Not to be confused with the swaybar which is the one with the bends in it. The panhard doesn't count as a "link " on the suspension either, since four links have them too, plus their four links.:bgwo:
snowtrooper1966
06/23/2008, 06:37 PM
Sweet!
What do you think of the setup?
Have you heard from Clint or Bart?
Best,
Ascinder
06/23/2008, 07:49 PM
Love the setup! Clint is gone till next Saturday on a business trip, and I think Bart just came back from camping today. Can't wait for the 4th!:bgwo:
nfpgasmask
06/24/2008, 08:41 AM
Yeah, I am back...so tired, so many threads to read....looking good James! I can't wait until I can see your VX first hand. I'm heading over to the Mammoth Lakes thread now...

Bart
snowtrooper1966
06/24/2008, 02:14 PM
Thanks!
It's definately a labor of love;)
Best,