| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Kraut | I want to thank JJProwler for the stabilizer link bushing repair he posted. I said that mine were shot, and boy they were. Using the chair leg tips to replace the original boot seals works and is a cheap fix. Someone said they would like to see more pictures, so I shot some while making the repair. Here goes: Pictures of the links, or tie rods, after I pulled them from the car: 
More to follow.
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| Kraut | After cleaning the parts in Kerosine: 
More still:
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| Kraut | Making the new seals out of chair leg tips (what a great idea): 
Still more to come:
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| Kraut |  
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| Kraut | The finished product before installation: 
Almost done:
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| Kraut | After installation on car: 
Last picture. I wanted to get black leg tips, but they only had white. So there you have it. Easy ......... NO, but doable ......... YES. |
| jjprowler | WOW great pics Kraut I have yet to see any as bad as yours,tops yes bottoms no.Just did edsup kat and he`s got 80000+ miles on his and the back side was fine so we installed the seals the other way.Just ck out two cars with less than 6000 miles both shot ??? Just sent a set to kolkat so if anyone needs a set PM me |
| ed monahan | Great explanation and pics Kraut, but we expect nothing less from you. If I had a million dollars worth of machine tools I would make some for myself. lol
The talent on this site is phenomenal. I wish I had some talent.
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| Kraut | My equipment is hardly worth a million bucks, but it does the job. I am planning to sell most of it this summer to get ready for a move to Florida as our primary residence. We won't have near as big a place down there, so this big stuff has to go. If anyone is interested, let me know. I have the following: Cincinnati 17" X 30" tool room lathe - asking $3500
Index vertical milling machine - $2500
24" sheet metal brake - $200
48" sheet metal shear - $300
Small lathe/mill combination machine - $350
Horizontal/vertical metal band saw - $450
Miller Arc Welder - $75
Assorted tooling for above - ask for specifics I also have a bunch of other stuff I'll be selling this Summer, so if you're interested I can send you pics and more info.
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| BeWare | I last checked ours at approximately 32,000 miles and they were fine. This was last year. I now have over 36,000 miles and they are totally shot. The bushing cups on the bottom are completely gone and the parts are pretty rusty. The top bushing caps are still there but two are split and another one is half gone on the bottom side(it looks fine from the top). I don't have to tools that you have nor do I either have the desire to put that much effort into making them. So I just ordered new stabilizer link assemblies from Jeff Hunter. He had two in stock. He is shipping them to me. Cost me $61.50 each. Part # 4786592AB |
| quincy | Kraut you never ever cease to amaze me! (PS - your battery cable is looking a little rusted up. Please clean it up for a good connection) LOL  ------------------
Current modifications: Dean's performance final drive gears, Front bumper turn signal relocation kit, 'Wonder Bar', trunk hinge protectors, original 'Yeller Cat' CNC machined aluminum billet upper frame brace, ceramic front brake pads, super hood struts, F & R mud flaps, engine shimmer dress up kit, rear bumper shimmer, trunk lid paint protector, Original "Kraut" permanent fix for window regulators. Dr. Ru custom pin striping. Etched and lighted wind supressor. |
| Kraut | Rich, if I could have bought new links for that kind of money, I wouldn't have gone to all the trouble. Quincy, our neighborhood is having a garage sale this Saturday. I'll be putting a bunch of my stuff out for sale. Stop by for a beer, if you're in the neighborhood. That goes for anyone else as well.
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| Cal Kid | I've been told by two different front-end shops that the vertical sway bars on the Prowler aren't even needed. Any input from the experts out there in Prowler land???????? |
| Kraut | kco, You are absolutely right for normal driving. I drove the car for about 30 miles without the sway bar in place and couldn't tell any difference. It is only when you run the Tail of the Dragon at racing speeds that the sway bar comes into play. It basically keeps the car from diving into the corners and allows it to run more flat, keeping all wheels on the ground. Most of us will never use it.
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| 2000Cat | Kraut, you illustrations are fantastic, you put as much work into illustrations and photos as fixing the stabilizer. I'm with a few others, don't have your talent. The idea for the table leg caps is very cool. Are you for hire??......Dan |
| Kraut | I am in the process of preparing for a move to Florida. I have my machinery on the auction block, so I can clean up the place for sale. Right now, I'm really busy with the whole business of scaling down and selling off just about everything. Sorry, but maybe in another year or so, I will be back in the business of making stuff. It will hopefully be in Florida though. |
| spoons | Kraut, Where are you moving to in Florida? You'll love the guys in the Florida Kat Pack. |
| jjprowler | He knows the Fl kat pack.....DQ run 07 |
| Kraut | As JJ mentioned, I met a lot of the guys in the Kat Pac last Fall in Naples. Our plan is to get a house somewhere near Vero Beach, but nothing is cast in stone yet. We currently have a place in Haines City, but the wife wants to be closer to the ocean. First order of business is to sell off all of our big stuff here in Michigan including the house, so we can downsize to a condo. After that we'll be looking for the new place in Florida. I'm thinking some time around late Fall, early Winter '08.
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| spoons | I agree this option will work, but after time the rubber will degrade like last time and you'll be back right back at the same place. PS - Nice work with the lathe. |
| LAwil | The illustration was AMAZING!!!! Never scratch my head soooo much. WOW!! ------------------
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| spoons | Looking for a permanent fix over the OEM part: CLICK HERE |
