Postcards From Myself

Well I left the car up on ramps from yesterday so that I could get under there today with better light and hopefully get something accomplished. I did get back under, but i got nothing accomplished. Well, not absolutely nothing. I did confirm that it is the bushings in the gear shift mount that have gone and caused everything to get sloppy. But, seeing as I had no parts, I got nothing fixed. Hopefully those parts will be in early this week and maybe I can get something done. After getting the parts, the next problem is going to be figuring out how to replace them in the absolute lack of space where they reside.

On another note, Nancy’s 2001 Ford Escape decided to get jealous and demand some attention. So, the driver’s side window mechanism broke. It looks like it will probably cost about $150 for the part and then I will get to spend an hour or so installing it. The fun never stops!

Technorati Tags: BMW, Cars

OK, I didn’t get much chance to do anything today due to family obligations. But I did get a chance to run her up on the ramps and then crawl underneath. I can see how the gear shift is lose, but I still really can’t see how to fix it. I also really need a light under there. Tomorrow when it is warmer and I have more time, I will crawl back underneath her and try to do something about the problems.

The pictures below really give an idea of what I am dealing with - especially the rust. The floorboards will need replacing, but the biggest issue will be that front driver’s side frame rail. It will really have to be dealt with. I also need to figure out about the transmission tunnel. Has it been hacked? Has it just been altered? What is going on with it and does it make any difference. All questions to ponder.

On a positive note, she is still starting up and running strong. Additionally it looks like a good number of wear parts such as the tie rods and flex joint have been replaced. Also the exhaust itself looks good which really points to one of pipe joints being the source of the exhaust leak.

Technorati Tags: BMW

Well, it wasn’t a very long trip, but Roxy did get out. I had a team building retreat from work on Thursday and it took place at Middleton Plantation not too far from my house. So on the way by I dropped off the Sebring, changed clothes, and picked up Roxy. She loved getting out and ran fine!

Seems like everyone really liked her. (By the way, the big guy with no hair in the great sweat jacket in that photo is me.) The most interesting turn of events was that I found out that one of the men I work for, the real head of our company, owns a 1976 automatic ‘02! That was a complete surprise. His mother-in-law bought it new in 1976 and it has been in the family ever since.

Hopefully this weekend I will get some real time to sort out the gear shift and brake lights. Then I can start driving her even more.

Technorati Tags: BMW

Well, I was going to take Roxy to work today. Didn’t pan out though. It was fairly cold this morning and the windows were fogged up. Problem is that the windshield wipers don’t work nor does the defroster fan. So, even though I wiped the dew and fog off, the fogged right back up. This was bad enough driving normally but when I turned into the direct sun I was totally blind! And I do mean totally.

So, I brought her back home after only a few block trip to drop of my son at school. Hopefully tomorrow she will get a real run. Especially since as of today she has even been added to our insurance. She is now totally legitimate.

Oh, and I also ordered a new brake light switch and new bushings for the gear shift lever today. Hopefully they will be here in time for me to install them this weekend.

Technorati Tags: BMW, Cars

Yes, I have officially lost it and for the first time have named a car. Her name is “Roxy”. Why? Well mainly because there is a Roxy surf sticker on her side window that looks really cool. And also because somehow it just felt like this car is a she and that the sticker is her name. Like I said, I have lost it.

Anyway, I spent the day yesterday cleaning her up and getting her registered. Took most of the morning to pay the taxes and get plates from the DMV. Would have taken less time if I hadn’t locked my keys in my wife’s car. DUH! But, at least I spent the afternoon cleaning, getting some wiring sorted out, and that kind of thing. I still need to fix the brake lights and get the gear shift stabilized before she is really useable, but she is getting closer.

And if anyone knows where I can get an an original blue drivers seat for the car, please give me a shout!