team illuminata

Not much URQ action lately though, with the current weather conditions I am tempted to sneak it out for a play. Just have to move too much dead car out of the way to get to it or I believe I would. I did take the dust cover of for a little wheel test fit photo shoot last week though:

IMG_1079 by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr

IMG_1078 by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr

IMG_1077 by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr

IMG_1076 by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr

IMG_1075 by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr

IMG_1074 by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr

IMG_1073 by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr


They look kind of OE don't they? What do you think? Tires are a re a little tall. These are BRAID Winrace A 17x8 with +45 offset. I used some 20mm spacers on here to make them effectively +25, almost stock. They have winter tires on as they are my wife's A3 winter setup. Hope you don't feel too lead astray by the heading for this post now LOL. Before I played with them on the URQ we had them on a friends S4 for a week as he and another friend were kindly tearing around northern Michigan last week spectating at the Sno*Drift rally with their cars resplendent in BRAID wheels and decals. Maybe you saw them.


We also had a four car team and provided one of the lead cars as well as displaying at all the service areas.:












I also received some more inspiration in the mail from ebay. Not quite the right color but way closer than my black one. Anyone want to buy that BTW?

IMG_1021 by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr

IMG_1020 by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr

I also bought all Francois's spare parts after he sold both his URQs earlier this year.

IMG_0949 by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr

I'll have to go through them and see what I can use. Getting excited about getting the car on the hoist to rebuild the front and rear suspension but first I have to work on our Jeep, Sprinter and race car. PHEW!

wanderer

What a nice example. Do you ever get time to enjoy it? I had one very simliar to yours, an 84 however (TR). I am starting to look for another one currently. I you have any suggestions/connections to someone who would like to sell theirs, please let me know. Neil

team illuminata

Thanks Neil. Where are you located?

I don;t have much insight into finding these. Mine kind of fell into my lap. I have a German friend here in Michigan currently on the hunt for one as well. He seems to be trolling te internet.

team illuminata

And so it begins, pre-season refurb. Just a few items to take care of before spring gets going (even more):

*Detail
*heat stuck on
*Ps fluid-replace
*Relay head lights & Main beams
*Ignition rotor arm
*Perished breather hose
*Check timing
*Radio reception
*Radio replace
*Upper strut mounts front & rear
*Rear brake lines
*Replace coolant
*Replce ball joints
*Lower control arm bushings
*Dampers
*Timing belt cover reinstall
*Washer aim/function
*Aim lights-adjusters
*Gear box play, mounts?
*Wipers slow
*Cold starting
*exhaust leak
*oil Leaks

Perhaps I should have gotten started sooner.

394182_2017220606684_1728951275_1002539_776272649_ n by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr


First task, finish putting an original radio in. I found some old style speaker connectors on eBay and spliced them into the aftermarket speaker wires, Works too even with the tape adapter playing from my Iphone but only 80s music comes out. Rear speakers appear to be blown. No bass but front work fine.

535988_2017390170923_1728951275_1002577_1870749776 _n by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr

Next I turned my attention to rebuilding the suspension. Soaked all the fasteners with PB Blaster. Started by removing the front anti-roll bar.

398942_2017496013569_1728951275_1002593_2127909079 _n by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr


Maybe I didn't allow enough time for the PB Blaster to work as I broke one of the end links. Where can I get a new one?

548580_2017497893616_1728951275_1002594_1332508664 _n by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr

I felt this was enough progress for the first evening especially as I am now fully committed to replacing the suspension components rather than driving the car round in its compromised condition. More to follow..........

team illuminata

Slammed it:

556337_2019791670959_1728951275_1003337_575718595_ n by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr


Everything in the front suspension is loose and ready to come off:

536721_2019796911090_1728951275_1003349_313672515_ n by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr


Except this:

561826_2019794351026_1728951275_1003343_135789751_ n by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr

Non of my pullers or presses could get a purchase on it. I tried heat and hammers to no avail. Need more tools.

team illuminata

Something from this box should work

525853_2022384615781_1728951275_1004273_24903482_n by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr


Like this perhaps

545662_2022385615806_1728951275_1004274_1652053372 _n by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr


BINGO!

538244_2022386655832_1728951275_1004275_448465878_ n by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr


All gone

292506_2022387895863_1728951275_1004276_1514658709 _n by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr


Now I have to tear this apart.

523642_2022390055917_1728951275_1004279_930588752_ n by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr


The parts haul so far

560426_2022389095893_1728951275_1004277_1555238133 _n by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr


I also discovered that my right side engine mount is collapsed so that will have to be replaced too. And, my right side hub is very loose in int housing. Is that normal or should I be doing wheel bearings too?

team illuminata

More unbolting today.

I was advised to remove the tie rod ends so I could free up the adjusters as I will need an alignment when I'm done.

380729_2024886078316_1728951275_1005700_1487601036 _n by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr


So I did, then sprayed it with PB Blaster.

533165_2024887158343_1728951275_1005701_1366471932 _n by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr

This is where it bolts to the rack. Interesting arrangement.

532857_2024888798384_1728951275_1005704_594131927_ n by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr


I took a gearbox mount off to change it but it looked new so I bolted it back on and crossed it off my list.

557256_2024891878461_1728951275_1005705_2139682584 _n by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr


Have an exhaust leak from here. Had to cut the bolts with a hacksaw blade. Going to need a new donut.

548215_2024894958538_1728951275_1005707_871728640_ n by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr


Drained the coolant and flushed the system.

537457_2024897278596_1728951275_1005708_807313309_ n by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr


Removed the heater valve as I have constant heat. Seems to close though. I think I will replace it anyway.

532074_2024900358673_1728951275_1005709_372433885_ n by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr


Monday I shop for parts and do my taxes.

team illuminata

Where do I find the UR quattro Blue strut mounts in the US? Can/should I use 034 Motorsport versions?



and wheel bearings? 75mm or 82mm?

How do I make sure my engine mounts are shot? The right one is such a PITA that I really don't want to replace it unless I have too.

team illuminata

Disassembled both front struts today. Wasn't too hard.

554182_2029894723529_1728951275_1007824_816717859_ n by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr


The only problem is the free Bilsteins I have aren't going to fit. They are off a later model. So, I need some inserts. Koni or Bilstein. Can't seem to find them in stock anywhere. Anyone have any sitting around?

Need quite a few parts before I can put this thing back together. namely:

Blue upper mounts
Dampers, Koni preferred
Front 86-2086 sport 2-6 weeks
Rear 86-2087 sport in stock at Koni
Front Strut bellows
End link
Wheel bearings
heater valve
coolant G12 or regular green stuff?
Exhaust donut

team illuminata

Koni inserts are on their way from a fellow URQ owner. Thanks Martin. I've found nice German top mounts and wheel bearings and most of the other parts I need. Still looking for the anti roll bar bushings and I'm not sure if I want to spend over $200 on an OE ball joint.

Took my struts and control arms to see my Freind Mat at MCE Tuning. He pressed out the wheel bearings for me no problem.

557930_2038813346489_250483501_n by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr

458492_2038851347439_1854833606_o by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr

553623_2038854347514_279038517_n by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr

Then cleaned up the wheel bearing housings so the new bearings will go in nicely.

541300_2038858947629_1361300334_n by Team Illuminata Motorsport, on Flickr


Next I start working on getting the control arm bushings out.