Status Update

[Velociraptor82]

Hey all,

I know I've been out of it for a little while with house hunting and such but sadly things have gone from bad to worse and as such looks like I'm not going to be participating in any events for a while.

As many of you know, I went up to Sydney for the Eastern Creek All Ford Day to display my car with the EuroFordClub. However on the night before the show I was in an accident. The accident was nothing more than driving on poorly designed roads combined with been unfamiliar with the area and driving at night. Basicly I hit a concrete island sperating me from tjhe oncomming traffic in Blacktown at 60km/h.

One of my wheels and brand new tyres have been destroyed and I know the RH tie rod has been badly bent. I limped to the show but I had lost all enthusiasium of winning anythign as you can imaging and then visited Jim Hunter's Susspension the next day to try to repair the alignment just enough so that I could drive it home. Jim was a great bloke and I highly applaude the results considering what he had to work with cos the car was quite stright driving home. Although there is a knock when turning hard left since the accident.

I got home and took the car straight to Ford adivsed them of teh problem and the likelihood that there are probably other components that I can't see are bent.

I recieved it back yesturday after Ford replaced the tie rod and advised that the tie rod on the left has a slight bend in it (not replaced yet). However sadly the car still has alot of camber on it and Ford can't find out why. They have suggested that i take the car to a good steering specilist tho I don't really know any in the area. Also the knock in the steering is still there. Looks like it is going to be one of those things that will never be trully right again. My father is telling me to sell the car even. :(

Anyway I'll keep working on it even if it means completely replacing the whole front end. I've got a new tyre ready to go but have not been able to source a wheel. My rims are not made anymore and I spent all day yesturday calling different places around the country trying to find somone who still has one in stock. I've also looked up ebay and such and althrough I have found some for sale, they are all drilled to fit different cars particually bombadores.

None of the wheel places I've spoken to will touch me inregards to fitting different rims because of my brakes, however I've wondered if there is such a thing as a spacer that will fit between the rotor and the wheel to give the wheel more clearence on the calipers. This will allow me to be able to fit a different type of wheel.

Now with the camber out and not knowing when I'll get it fixed, im considering putting the original brakes back on so that I can fit the original zetec wheels. That way the tyres are alot cheeper if I ruin them due to the camber and I'll be able to fit the original spare if needed.