12 April 2014
I had a 4 man golf scramble to attend near Lake of the Ozarks. I hadn’t taken our 80 on a road trip, without the kids, since we have owned it. I thought this would be a good opportunity to hear its shakes rattles and noises before we head to Yellowstone at the end of June.
I left Odessa heading east on I-70. No radio, all windows up, listening for sounds. I got to about 65 MPH and everything was rolling just fine. As I worked up to 70 a vibration developed. Nothing major. Just enough to make my mind race. I relaxed the throttle. The vibration subsided. I worked the speed back up to 75 this time and the vibration picked back up at 70 and continued to 75 mph.
This cycle continued to Boonville, Hwy 5 exit. I pulled into a parking lot, crawled under the 80 to make sure the U-joints and drive shafts were tight. All was well there. I checked the tire pressures and they were all between 38 and 40 psi. I did notice some uneven tire wear though.
18 April 2014
I took a day off work to get some time in with the family. I also took the 80 to a tire shop to get the tires balanced. They did confirm that the tires were warn, cupping, the cause of the vibration. They said to balance them now could help but would eventually need to be replaced, balanced and aligned. They also pointed out the front brake pads needed changing and the front tires have a wobble indicating axle bearing or trunion bearings needed replaced.
What to do?
The 80 is very seldom used. I think we have put about 5,000 miles on it over the past year and three months. However, we are planning a family trip to Yellowstone at the end of June. With a road trip like that I do have some concerns. The biggest concern is the brakes, then the bearings, followed by the tires. Each of those items do affect the other in some way shape or form.
For those that know me, if I tear into something to do maintenance and it can be improved, might as well do it. With that in mind;
1. Are there any improvements that can be made to the break system of a 1997 LC? I have heard of using break stuff from a 100 series LC but I don’t recall enough details to start buying parts.
2. Is there a preferred outer front axle rebuild kit? On 40 axles there is a preferred inner axle seal I got when I rebuilt my axles. I’m sure there are items of the same for the 80 axles.
3. Tires? I was thinking a 285 75 r16. Maybe going with Tread Wright, if time allows.
I had a 4 man golf scramble to attend near Lake of the Ozarks. I hadn’t taken our 80 on a road trip, without the kids, since we have owned it. I thought this would be a good opportunity to hear its shakes rattles and noises before we head to Yellowstone at the end of June.
I left Odessa heading east on I-70. No radio, all windows up, listening for sounds. I got to about 65 MPH and everything was rolling just fine. As I worked up to 70 a vibration developed. Nothing major. Just enough to make my mind race. I relaxed the throttle. The vibration subsided. I worked the speed back up to 75 this time and the vibration picked back up at 70 and continued to 75 mph.
This cycle continued to Boonville, Hwy 5 exit. I pulled into a parking lot, crawled under the 80 to make sure the U-joints and drive shafts were tight. All was well there. I checked the tire pressures and they were all between 38 and 40 psi. I did notice some uneven tire wear though.
18 April 2014
I took a day off work to get some time in with the family. I also took the 80 to a tire shop to get the tires balanced. They did confirm that the tires were warn, cupping, the cause of the vibration. They said to balance them now could help but would eventually need to be replaced, balanced and aligned. They also pointed out the front brake pads needed changing and the front tires have a wobble indicating axle bearing or trunion bearings needed replaced.
What to do?
The 80 is very seldom used. I think we have put about 5,000 miles on it over the past year and three months. However, we are planning a family trip to Yellowstone at the end of June. With a road trip like that I do have some concerns. The biggest concern is the brakes, then the bearings, followed by the tires. Each of those items do affect the other in some way shape or form.
For those that know me, if I tear into something to do maintenance and it can be improved, might as well do it. With that in mind;
1. Are there any improvements that can be made to the break system of a 1997 LC? I have heard of using break stuff from a 100 series LC but I don’t recall enough details to start buying parts.
2. Is there a preferred outer front axle rebuild kit? On 40 axles there is a preferred inner axle seal I got when I rebuilt my axles. I’m sure there are items of the same for the 80 axles.
3. Tires? I was thinking a 285 75 r16. Maybe going with Tread Wright, if time allows.
