Monday, August 09, 2010 - 07:12 pm, by: Jack Driver(Jacko)
Hi. Very healthy community here. Looks like lots of people like these cars as much as I do. Just got a 96 31 V8 and really like it. Only one problem, the front ball joints and possibly the rear thrust bushes are stuffed. Toyota quoted $1500.00 a side!!!! What the heck am I going to do here? Is there a cheaper way out? I'm a past classics driver and I really really like this car. Have not got long to get this sorted as car is from interstate and wanting to re register. And help greatly appreciated. Jack.
Monday, August 09, 2010 - 09:22 pm, by: Mike Beck(Gold_40gt)
Welcome jack, heck another later model V8! There have been a few appear here on SC which is quite rare being far less where made than the early ones.
Pretty sure you don't need to spend that much. I haven't ever replaced that part on my previous Soarers but do some searching around the forum, you should find the answers.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010 - 09:53 am, by: Matthew Sharpe(Madmatt)
Depending on what model V8 you have, you may use the equvalent JZA80 supra arms for the front which are a fair bit cheaper I'm told (not the '96 alloy ones as these are even more expensive than the correct Soarer parts) - if you have a UZZ31 Soarer then I think you have to fit at least one of the correct arms (upper I think?) as it requires an attachement for the height controller - or so I recall reading. If you have a UZZ32 then I have no idea sorry.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010 - 11:23 am, by: Jack Driver(Jacko)
To Mike Matthew and Clarke. Thanks fellas for all you replies. So much appreciated in a situation like this. The car Clarke has supposedly 115000 on it with the dash being replace 15000 ago. Books say in handwriting that it was imported 2003 with 46000 on the clock. Is there and official importing register that i could confirm this on? Must admit it does drive like it but I don't know for sure. They feel like a very well made car and I don't doubt they'd go the distance. Unfortunately from the emotional side it's my exact favorite color and trim so I'm smitten. That's the way I've always been with my cars. Hopefully in the future I can get into some more fun posts regarding exploring the car and it's systems. I've already had a thrill with the TEMS, it being switched off when I got the car and drove it back from NSW to Vic. (surely this would not hurt it?)Was sure it was stuffed until I found the "on" switch in the boot, thanks to this forum already! So I'm off sourcing lower control arms. Thanks again and I'll get back later once I've sorted this out. J.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010 - 11:57 am, by: Clarke Traeger(Clarke)
Jack - don't know how well you know your mechanic but I think I'd be getting a second opinion on the ball joints and thrust bushes - maybe the car has had a really hard life but it's seems premature to me !!
Thursday, August 12, 2010 - 08:35 pm, by: Jack Driver(Jacko)
Oh Bugger! You know what that means if the ball joints are dodgy, It's done 215 instead of 115!! Must admit the leather inside does not look like it though. One thing about what the mechanic said did seem strange to me. He said the movement in the ball joints was up and down. Not side to side as you normally would be able to get when you rock a worn ball joint. It does drive well but i've not driven many so I'm a bit short on experience with these. A garaged and careful driven car can go on for years. Whats the best ware indicator of high milage in a car like these?
Friday, August 13, 2010 - 08:24 am, by: Matthew Sharpe(Madmatt)
Steering wheel is often a good indication on Soarers, assuming it hasn't been replaced or repaired. Mine is just starting to get a bit tatty now - 100,000km's ago when I got the car at 80,000km's it was still in very good condition. My UZZ30 had done over 250,000km's and its steering wheel was well nackered. (Interestingly it seemed to have the original suspension arms too, and while I had to replace some of the bushes, again there was no excess movement in the ball joints even at that mileage.) Of course if the wheel is in good condition then like I said, its possible its just been sorted at some point - and of course, different drivers put different stresses on the wheel.
Friday, August 13, 2010 - 12:53 pm, by: Jack Driver(Jacko)
Hey Matthew My steering wheel has two little spots of missing finish on the top of it but otherwise it's good. I've got another rwc place booked next week so we'll see about the Ball joints. When you drive your cars does the steering self center when you take your hands off the wheel? Is it slightly camber sensitive? Cheers J.
Saturday, August 14, 2010 - 09:32 am, by: Matthew Sharpe(Madmatt)
Yup, the Soarer's Castor angle brings it back to centre fairly smoothly. Both my cars were good like this - not too much "snap back" like a lot of modern cars - but no Jaguar style "you need to do it all yourself"
Tuesday, August 17, 2010 - 12:07 pm, by: Jack Driver(Jacko)
Speaking of Soarers I'm very pleased to announce that I had a stroke of luck with my detective work into the history of my new Pearl White 96 31 V8. Small piece of paper under the drivers seat- Auto electrical company in Ulladulla, remembered the car from Janurary, "Oh I have the original owners number if you want" Me: YEEEESSS Rang him, retired aircraft engineer, loved the car,very happy to hear from me, was the original importer, has done the promised 115k instead of lots more ( replaced dash show 15k). Mainly country miles. Got a full set of repair manuals including one for the air suss that he's going to send me for nicks! So I did get a good one and I go from here. Just got to remember to eat when I'm around it. Cheers J.
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