first off---this is an excellent board, keep up the great work!!
secondly, i'm picking up an '87 GXE w/77k as a 1st car and am looking to get it into tip-top shape--which i'm sure will help me to become a regular part of this community.
thus far, here's my list areas to tackle in order to get out on the road safely:
1. strut replacement
2. find and address hole in exhaust system
3. car pulling to the left (hopefully can this be solved with strut replacement)
4. shifter seems a little loose, needs a nudge forward in "P" to start-up and another nugde forward "D" to get going.
5. squeaky brakes (looking to replace brake pads and possibly turn rotors)
I've read nothing but great things about the KYB-GR2s, can anyone point me in the right direction in NYC area for these? I'm hopeful that I can bring the full set to the local mechanic for installation, does this approach generally rub local garages the wrong way? Can anyone recommend a good local garage in the NYC area for a 2nd gen Max?
Easiest way is to shop around at internet parts stores, and try to find them. Ange is another person to go through. Shox.com use to have all of them, but now I hear they only have fronts or something. Also to note some of the stuff you listed:
3. The strut will probably help with the pulling, but you should definately get the car aligned after you do the strut installation.
4. The little shifter bushing has been known to cause the problem your having when they go bad, so you might try replacing that.
5. Good rule of thumb, always turn your rotors when doing brakes....or replace them if you can afford it.
Wound up having the KYB's put in along with an oil change and inspection all for $515, just over two hours of work.
The car's got 78K and rides as smooth as silk. A little bit of a rough idle on the start-up but after warming up it's all good from there.
Next step is a replacement for the O2 sensor, the car hasn't had one in for about two years now and hasn't really had any trouble---any suggestions on what to do about this would be greatly appreciated, what do these usually run and is this something I can replace myself? It's an '87 GXE, btw. I've got my eye on a service manual on eBay.
oh yeah, check the exhaust and it turns out that there's nothing wrong, no holes or leaks---just a deep sounding muffler, i guess.
as for the alignment, the struts really helped to correct left pull.
and the shifter bushing still needs to be looked at, but i gather that it isn't anything too crucial. hopefully the service manual will point me in the right direction.
I got'em from a garage in Flushing------$500 got me all four installed, an oil drain and change and an inspection (that the car passed with flying colors!!).
Flushing is insane for auto repair if you're ever in the NY area. Be sure to visit the exhaust area just behind Shea Stadium.
Funny, I also bought my 87 GXE from a guy in Manhattan, with the same amount of miles, and my car suffers the same exact problems as yours does. I need to find that place in Queens for repairs. My guy does great work, but wants $650 to replace the engine mounts. Using dealer mounts though, so atleast I don't have to worry about them crapping out in a few months.
A-Z Mechanical, 35-03 College Point Blvd, Flushing, NY 11354--718-762-8165.
Not really a performance shop, but if you need to get the car running they'll have you on the road in no time. I got there at 8:30am on Sat. and was second in line! I had all the struts replaced, oil drained and changed, and the inspection done by 10:45am. Not too bad. While I was waiting, two fresh wrecks (Honda's) rolled up needing major front end repair and these guys accessed the damages and had the parts streaming in from a warehouse withou delay, wow! I have no doubt that those cars were out on the road by late afternoon.
So, get there early and bring cash for the best deal!
Linear Mode
