Ball joint problems

A closer look reveled a crack in the ball joint ring. It’s a nylon piece that centers the ball joint. My first thought was to call Eric, he still has many spares for the Lola 190/192. Talked to him last night and he has what I need. He’s getting it out in the mail today.


You can just see the crack



Location of ball joint

The culprit?......Maybe

I was starting to lean more toward the idea that the past problem I had was more of a steering problem, not brakes.

While checking the front wheel bearings for play I noticed a lot of play in the right front wheel. The play wasn’t coming from the bearings, but the ball joint. Measuring the toe-in, toe-out with a dial indicator gave me a total of .060th play. This needs further investigating.


Starting at 000 and moving the wheel .060^th without moving the steering wheel. Really should be almost no movement at all.



Unloaded and in the shop

Unloaded the car yesterday and took a quick look at the rear suspension. Everything looked tight and no movement in the joints. All the wheels are on tight. Once I get the car off the ground I’ll check the brakes. I do have my eye on a suspicious area of the front suspension. Again when the car is elevated I’ll have a better idea.

Road America Recap

It was certainly nice to be with the F5000 group again. We had a great showing of cars and hope to carry the momentum to Austin later this year.

The Lola.

This was only the second time I was unable to finish a race, the first being at Road Atlanta in 2010. The down side is I just completed only 20 laps in 3 days, or about 80 miles. A long drive for very little seat time. This is always the problem at large events. I did discover a problem with the rain tires. I used them for the Friday evening parade and realized I had a bent front rim. So for now, no rain tires.

We arrived Wednesday which afforded us a great parking spot for the car and truck. The truck was just 20ft from the car. Last time we came on Thursday and we’re ½ mile from the truck. Talking about the truck, ran perfect the entire trip(for once).

So, what did I learn. I was very lucky with spare parts, had one and borrowed one. The engine ran well, the dyno sheet says less HP but I don’t really notice any loss. My first run on the Avon tires, don’t like them. Not much I can do about it. Had Chris check toe-in, toe-out. Set the car a little toe-out, felt better.

This past weekend consists of a 18 minute race encompassed by a 4 day event. I was very glad for the 4 day event, cause the racing wasn’t there for me.

Home

Arrived home around 5am this morning.  Unpacking and will remove the race car tomorrow.  Very interested to see that the problem was with the car.
I've added a few photos to the album Road America.

Fremont,Oh

Today is a much better day for travel.

The race

Spent Sunday morning working on the car.  Repaired all that was needed to return to the track.  By the time I was done it was time to get into my race attire.  I was ready, I think.

Qualified 3rd in class(not sure overall)  just behind Tony.  The first 4 laps I stayed with Tony and Mark in his Surtees remaining in 3rd .  The suddenly under hard braking something broke or I'm not sure what.  But, the back end of the car started moving left and right and I was was just able to keep it under control and exit the track.  When I get it home I'll get a better look.

The results we're not what I was looking for, but still had a great weekend.   Left the track around 4pm and overnighted in Porter, IN.  Going to visit the dunes in Indiana then head home.

Eric's new car

 Not fun

Chicago

Qualifying Saturday

Saturday morning qualifying was ok.  The afternoon qualifying race did not go as smooth.  The top front nose brackets came loose and caused the nose to drop a couple of inches.  This action went in different directions.  First, the nose started to hit the road, second it pushed the water cooling line into my oil pump drive belt.  Thrid, the oil drive belt cut into my radiator hose causing a water leak.  By now I was off the track and waiting for the tow truck.  The nose support can be repaired with just a little work.  The drive belt was no good, Chris, who takes care of Jim's car had one in a box of spares.  The radaitor hose was special, it had different sizes at each end.  That one I was very lucky to have as a spare.  I had been using it as a pencil holder on the top of my tool box for the last 3 years.
So have a little work this morning.  Our race happens at 2:15, should be plenty of time.  Oh, guess who arrived yesterday afternoon.  Eric and has Lola T300.

Friday night race car parade

First, the car is running well.  No more oil leaks, and that says time just in cleanup.  Today is qualifying in the morning and a qualifying race in the afternoon.





Seb broke his engine and getting it replaced.  Had it back on the track Friday afternoon.

Track day

Today I get on the track.  9:15 is practice, this afternoon is qualifying.  Made a lot of changes to the car, interested to see if there in the right direction.   I think the weather will be more likely to rain mid-day, I hope.
 

Thursday night party

David Hobbs and Brian Redman

The f5000 group

Sheboygan,WI

Made it to Road America around 3pm yesterday.  We thought we beat the NJ heat.  But at was 95 with a heat index of 115 here yesterday.  Unloaded the car and will finish the rest today.  Tomorrow will be our first pratice session.

Fremont, IN

Just arrived in Fremont, Indiana.  Tomorrow it's onward to Elkhart Lake, WI

Electric has returned

Electic service was return last night.  Doing the final packing and leaving around 9am.  Our overnight stop is Indiana.

No electric

We might not have power from the electric co, but we do have a generator. Decided back in March it was time to purchase a larger generator, sure glad we did. We’re leaving tomorrow morning and it would not have be fun getting ready for the trip in the dark.

Packing

The goal was to have the car, parts and support equipment loaded yesterday. Almost made it. Another hour today and it will be done.

Rain tire rims

Just completed the polishing of the rain tire rims. Not sure if I would race in the rain at Road America, but good to have spare rims anyway.

Car's done

Car's ready, now packing boxes of parts and tools. A quick trip to Geneva today and then Saturday I'll go over the truck. Everything is on schedule.

Car setup

Just about done with the car setup.

Goodbye Goodyears

Finished polishing up the rims for the slicks. Ordered new tires for RA(Avons). And now will start the alignment.

A week to go



The car is just about ready to be placed back on the ground.  Just need to polish the rims.





Final engine run-up

Completed the engine run-up to check clutch operation, leaks and that the gearbox shifts in all gears.  Everything looks good.

Dog rings?

Won't need to replace the dog rings before RA.  Only have a few laps on them from Watkins Glen last year.  But did need to install new gear ratios for Road America.

Starting to get all the little odds & ends finished.

Road America

A few months ago I didn't think I was going to RA.  Anyway, planning on it now.  Have 2 weeks to get ready.  

Truck is ready.



The new springs are here(blue).  

Back to the Lola

With the antique show over and in the books, it's back to the car.  I ordered 4 new springs for the car and they should arrive today. 

Time to empty the truck of antiques and show equipment and return it to a race car hauler.