Happy birthday to the Original Gerald! Thanks for your instrumental role in starting this thing that we all now know so fondly as MM. I hope you get to shred some rubber today, bet it on two (cold) wheels or four.

Peter

Registration is open for the first Verona autocross of the year for BRR-SCCA. For those of you not attending the GForce Karting event on the 16th, you may opt to participate in the test and tune that day. The first points event is the 17th, so don't fret if you can't make it out Saturday.

Saturday: $25
Sunday: $25
Both days: $40
Weekend membership (for anyone who is not yet a SCCA member): $10

Register here: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.motorsportreg.com/index.cfm/event/event.advert/uidEvent/C02FD5A2-0AC5-2461-5075BA9A65CCA409#.UR798KW2ajI">http://www.motorsportreg.com/index.cfm/ ... R798KW2ajI</a><!-- m -->

Hope to see some old friends and fresh faces! :thumbup: Free rides in the Corolla! :twisted:

Hey all,

My brother has been having a little trouble with his 1997 Ford Expedition. The column shifter for the automatic has been sloppy for a long time now but its finally reached to point of being a problem. When you try and put the truck in park, the shifter's position and the indicator by the gauge cluster show that it is in "P" but the transmission brake is not engaged and the engine will not crank if you are trying to start it (because of a safety feature that does not allow the car to be started unless it is in park). He has a technique of slamming the column shifter with force into park until it does engage and not parking on hills (just in case). From what I can tell, there is nothing wrong with the transmission and it is just the column shift linkage that is the problem.

Anyone have any experience with Ford trucks? It seems like a simple fix to me, probably just some broken or loose parts in the column, (F150 forums mention a couple of Torx head screws that easily come loose), but I'm tentative about messing around in the steering column for fear of setting off the theft sensors or something like that. Any suggestions, MM?

Forgive me if this has been brought up in another thread... just looking to get some input on the future suspension refresh on my 96 BMW 328is. I want a basic, relatively stock setup that keeps about the same ride comfort and ride height- basically how I imagine the car was new. I've just crossed 100k so it needs some updating. Here are my potential plans, if these combinations are possible:

1. Ideal setup (I think)- Bilstein Sport front and rear shocks with H&R OE Sport springs. The sport shocks say they should be matched with stiffer springs and a lower suspension- how true is this? The OE sport springs I just came across tonight (maybe these are considered the BMW sport package type springs??). I only thought Bilstein made the more aggressive sport springs. The OE sport springs lower the front about 1 inch and the rear about .5 inches- not bad I suppose- realistic for daily driving?. The sport springs lower the car 1.5" front/1" rear- probably too much for my daily use.

Parts here:
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.pelicanparts.com/BMW/catalog/shopcart/BE36/POR_BE36_SUSshk_pg1.htm#item0">http://www.pelicanparts.com/BMW/catalog ... .htm#item0</a><!-- m -->

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.pelicanparts.com/BMW/catalog/shopcart/BE36/POR_BE36_SUSprf_pg2.htm#item6">http://www.pelicanparts.com/BMW/catalog ... .htm#item6</a><!-- m -->

2. Another option is to go with Bilstein Heavy Duty shocks and either these OE sport springs or basic OEM springs. I don't want to keep my current (original) springs- they need to be replaced.

Anyone have experience with these for a daily driver? The only application I've done before are Bilstein sport shocks and H&R race springs on my e30. Thanks!!

50/50 mix of ATF + Acetone, and it far outperformed the likes of PB Blaster/etc.

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://bbs.homeshopmachinist.net/threads/27429-Please-confirm-MW-article-on-Penetrating-Oil?highlight=atf%20acetone%20torque">http://bbs.homeshopmachinist.net/thread ... e%20torque</a><!-- m -->

Hello all,

So, as the title indicates, that blizzard that hit my area did an absolute number on my town. There are still several of my friends who have yet to have their street plowed and many of the roads around here still are caked with about 1-2 inches worth of compacted snow. By my rough measurements and those around me we saw about 28-30 inches with snow drifts around 3-4 feet.

Naturally, since no storm can hit here without some kind of middle of the storm antics for me, my house last half power. Of course, the half with the heating system. So in the middle of the blizzard i decided to try and head out to see if Home Depot or anything was open so i could get a electric heater. Car handled everything just fine; aside from me not being able to see (due to whiteout conditions) that a plow had cleared a parking lot and i drove into a snow pile the height of my hood. Went through it just fine but discovered the next day that it had pushed one of my foglights into the car. Didn't help that to get around i was driving around in about 6-8 inches worth of snow at some times. Once the weather warms up i'm going to have to tackle that little project.

Left Saturday to see the GF in North Jersey, wasn't nearly as bad there, but the roads were still shit around here. Just got back home now and they aren't much better. I honestly have never seen anything like it, there is just nowhere to put all this damn snow. I took only a couple pictures, but they really don't do it justice. Hoping to upload those later.

So our honda started flashing the dash display lights. Tach and speedometer are not moving while driving, and night dash lights on radio/hvac are out.
Headlights are fine, and car starts/drives fine outside of practically giving me a seizure with the flashing tach/speedo.

battery tested fine, fuses looked good, and I'm about to take the radio out to check for coins in the cd (per interwebs) but curious if anyone has other possible ideas? Or knows a good way to try finding a short?

Car has 120k, and had an aftermarket remote start when we bought it. That has worked fine for us so far though.

Tried to put a short video of the symptoms here. https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/QF...feat=email

I figured since there was a thread for cordless impacts, I would start one about hand tools. Some of our newer members do not have the "collection" of tools that I have, and NO ONE has the collection of tools Kaan has :lol:

Harbor Freight's 301PC tool set is a screaming deal on sale right now for $189.99
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.harborfreight.com/professional-301-piece-mechanics-tool-kit-45951.html">http://www.harborfreight.com/profession ... 45951.html</a><!-- m -->

I can attest this kit is very good! Includes 99% of tools you would ever need. Torx, Hex, 1/4, 3/8, 1/2, allen keys, extensions, swivels, screwdrivers. The only thing that is missing from the kit is a decent set of ratcheting wrenches. I used to bring a ton of tools to the track, since I picked this up, I just bring this tool set alone (aside from bmw special tools) and I always have what I need.

Hey guys!

My posts are some of the most rare (need to change that...), but generally include something related to drifting. Welp, here's another:

The drift group I'm part of will be hosting five events this year at Shenandoah Speedway - about 25 min from JMU. The first event will be March 30th, and just wanted to spread the word to anyone interested in coming by. It's a pretty laid-back day. We run it as a practice day, and there is not a competition. I'd encourage those interested in spinning some wheels to check out the track - it's a great space to play a little without too much to worry about.

Facebook Event to come shortly.

Footage of the track: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="https://vimeo.com/51333786">https://vimeo.com/51333786</a><!-- m -->

Thanks for reading! I'll post more info as things get a little closer. I'd love to give some folks a drift ride if you come out. If I can't give rides personally, I can get you in a car with someone if you desire. My turbo swap should be done before this event, just not sure how it'll take me to tune so we'll see.

Went to All Sports Grand Prix today for the first time and had a blast! Who else has been before?

I took a screenshot of my ranking for today.

Racer Name: Flaak Attack