Ball joint done

Received the necessary parts from Eric the other day. In the photo below the part in the middle is the replacement. I only had to remove .080th from the height to make it fit. Installed it and looks right. Might need a small adjustment at Lime Rock, but that’s easy. Next on the list is move the water line away from the oil pump pulley.

Ball joint parts

Should have the ball joint parts from Eric today or tomorrow. Continue to work on the replacement parts for the drive shaft from the truck. Bigger job than anticipated because everything was very rusty.

A visitor this morning

Lime Rock next

Lime Rock event is coming up fast. In just a little over 3 weeks it will be here. I think Lime Rock will end up being a test session for Austin. I really need to be sure the car is ready for that race. Their was going to be another F5000 car at Lime Rock, but it got damage at Road America a couple of weeks ago.

These are the drive shafts from the truck.  I have been meaning to replace the u-joints and center bearing.  Something that's needed attention for the past couple of years.

Next problem

Next on the list is to move the water line a little more away from the oil pump belt.

My old water line hose, not the first time it made contact with the belt.

I tried to add this photo the other day. 
This is the ball joint spacer, as it pressed down, the crack would open up more.

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.