97 TSi AWD :: MitsuStyle Rookie :: Up in Duluth
 

I know... The iPhone photo is awful. Anyways, the car is good from about 10 feet away, but in decent shape. Pretty well maintained and documented. Lots of miles, but runs really well considering. Going to be a great little beater. If I avg 25 mpg, the car will pay for itself in 20,000 miles in gas savings alone.
Plans... keep it as stock as possible. Debadge the stupid purple lettering. As things fall apart, maybe upgrade. No drops, it has to get over snow drifts in the winter.

What it needs... Stock Headlight Assemblies
Spare Tire Mounting Hardare
Drivers Side interior door plastic
Some 3M tape for exterior side plastic (It moves a little. Time to be re taped.)
New Stereo head unit with iPod jack
New Floormats. (yeah, those things are AWFUL)
EVO, Eclipse, 3KGT Wheels
A good once over by someone that knows DSM's inside and out to make sure it is healthy and get it there if need be. Thinking about just taking it in to Archer for an extended oil change.

What it is / has... fully loaded AWD TSi. Leather, Sunroof, power seat, oh and some special half repaired strut tower rust.
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a2...5C/photo-5.jpg

Re: 97 TSi AWD :: MitsuStyle Rookie :: Up in Duluth
 

Alrighty. Finally got the beast detailed and it really comes out pretty clean for a car this old. I reinstalled the stock infiniti amp and the stereo is listenable. Can't get the CD Player to play burned discs... but really, I want an iPod hook up anyways. Will probably be ordering something to replace this with. I need a drivers side door handle bucket for it. Haven't taken the time to debadge the purple letters yet, but obviously the previous owner pulled the Turbo lettering off and said F it. I will finish the job. I need to get it out on the road for a couple trips to burn some gas through it and see how it runs over a longer period of time. Anyways, On to the pics:

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a2...1/IMG_0457.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a2...1/IMG_0451.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a2...1/IMG_0449.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a2...1/IMG_0447.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a2...1/IMG_0446.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a2...1/IMG_0445.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a2...1/IMG_0444.jpg

Re: 97 TSi AWD :: MitsuStyle Rookie :: Up in Duluth
 

Welcome to style! Is that rust repair on the strut tower? The floor mats has to go. Otherwise clean car.

Re: 97 TSi AWD :: MitsuStyle Rookie :: Up in Duluth
 

Yeah, previous owner "tried" fixing it himself. Will have to go to a shop on this one. And yeah, at this point... I have just pulled the mats out of the car. I don't even like looking at them.

Re: 97 TSi AWD :: MitsuStyle Rookie :: Up in Duluth
 

lovin' that wide angle shot of the interior. clean tsi!

EDIT:
Didn't notice your screen name till I looked at the pictures again. Welcome to the site! There's plenty of people here willing to help out :D Very nice DD.

Re: 97 TSi AWD :: MitsuStyle Rookie :: Up in Duluth
 

Welcome, sir! Glad you decided to join up.

Re: 97 TSi AWD :: MitsuStyle Rookie :: Up in Duluth
 

Went to take the brakes apart because I'm pretty sure that my driver's side caliper is froze up. Of course the freaking bolts are seized to shit. Such a pain in the ass. Rest of the components look pretty good.

Also spent a little time with the interior. Glued the spare tire cover brakets back together with a little Gorilla Epoxy. Replace all the missing clips and tabs in the car. And did a makeshift fix for the drivers door handle. Turned out pretty nice. Piece by little piece I plan to get this thing as original as possible. I need to get about 24-30k out of it.

I also think I am getting an inordinate amount of fuel dump. Looks like I am at about 10-12 mpg. I have a few holes in the exhaust and have a feeling that the O2 sensors are telling the ECU to throw more fuel than it needs. Not sure. Either that or moybe I am getting a ton of blow by... Or... or... or...

Re: 97 TSi AWD :: MitsuStyle Rookie :: Up in Duluth
 

Very clean car! Welcome and keep us updated on your progress!

Re: 97 TSi AWD :: MitsuStyle Rookie :: Up in Duluth
 

Got the 16V DOHC Purple lettering removed tonight and went to pull the wiper arms off to repaint them and... Take a guess... Seized. Seriously. Nothing frustrates me more as an amateur than parts that are stuck together. Drives me nuts. May as well buy stock in the company that makes pbBlaster, because I alone will increase their sales.

Re: 97 TSi AWD :: MitsuStyle Rookie :: Up in Duluth
 

Welcome!

Re: 97 TSi AWD :: MitsuStyle Rookie :: Up in Duluth
 

looks like a nice car. I'd pull the plugs and look at them for an idea of how rich it is. Boost leak test, etc. But i'm guessing the real issue was the dragging brakes, that'll reduce fuel economy pretty quick.

GOOD LUCK!

Re: 97 TSi AWD :: MitsuStyle Rookie :: Up in Duluth
 

^
Possible. Bit by bit. Slowly going to get through the car. Plugs actually look pretty good. I was thinking about replacing them (and the wires) anyway because I have no idea their age.

Re: 97 TSi AWD :: MitsuStyle Rookie :: Up in Duluth
 

Car got new plugs, plug wires and valve cover gaskets today. Plugs had a little oily residue on them which worries me a little. But it was nice to get under the hood a little. Really need to the the caliper bolts off so I can drive the thing. Just a bitch... things WILL NOT BUDGE.

Re: 97 TSi AWD :: MitsuStyle Rookie :: Up in Duluth
 

http://www.harborfreight.com/12-driv...bar-67933.html

I have one they use to make, which is 36". If it doesn't break 'em loose it will definitely break them haha. At least you're getting somewhere one way or another.

Re: 97 TSi AWD :: MitsuStyle Rookie :: Up in Duluth
 

^ And if that starts rounding them off get a set of stud removers and pound one on.

And if that doesn't work... Sawzall the bolts off through the boot and get new calipers. Been there, done that.

Re: 97 TSi AWD :: MitsuStyle Rookie :: Up in Duluth
 

Welcome to the Mitsu world!! A little different than the Infiniti world. ;)

Re: 97 TSi AWD :: MitsuStyle Rookie :: Up in Duluth
 

Well. I've made progress... Or at least I think I have.

Dug through my tools and found that I have a 18" breaker bar. But it was a 1/2" drive and most of my sockets are 3/8". So I went and picked up an adapter, some liquid wrenches and came back home.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a2...s/IMG_0108.jpg
Ahhh RUSTY!

I was able to remove the bolts...
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a2...s/IMG_0110.jpg

but also pulled this off in the process :(
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a2...s/IMG_0109.jpg

Nice... So the rest of the bolts came off with a little work, but relatively easy. Now I'm left with a rotor that is seized to the freaking hub. Gonna try the bolt through the back trick later this evening or tomorrow. Any other suggestions?

Also found that the caliper is DEFINATELY stuck. One of the piston seals is shot and doesn't move. The other doesn't retract. The back side pad was down to almost nothing.
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a2...s/IMG_0112.jpg

Anyways... progress was made!

Re: 97 TSi AWD :: MitsuStyle Rookie :: Up in Duluth
 

If you don't care about the rotors, use a sledge hammer. You my want to buy some 14, 17, 19, 21mm half inch sockets for the future.

Re: 97 TSi AWD :: MitsuStyle Rookie :: Up in Duluth
 

No other suggestions than the bolt / nut trick need to be made.

I've pulled apart a bearing doing it. It'll work, just maybe not how you expected.

Re: 97 TSi AWD :: MitsuStyle Rookie :: Up in Duluth
 

Yeah, I'm half thinking that I shoudl just leave the rotors. Other than the rust, they aren't worn that bad... But now that I have everything apart... I may as well just do it right? No sense in revisiting this a year from now.

Re: 97 TSi AWD :: MitsuStyle Rookie :: Up in Duluth
 

Exactly. Just do it. I'd even have them turned, a lot of DSMers slack on basic maintenance which could get you in trouble.

Even if the same thing happens to you, and you rip apart a bearing; who cares and pull all the bearings out and have them replaced. I bet you don't know the last time they were.

Re: 97 TSi AWD :: MitsuStyle Rookie :: Up in Duluth
 

Yeah, no clue. Although... if I'm honest... Wheel bearing replacement feels beyond my technical ability. Gonna order up the parts today. Hopefully can pick stuff up tomorrow.

Re: 97 TSi AWD :: MitsuStyle Rookie :: Up in Duluth
 

You need a press to do them. Don't worry about it unless it happens (99% of the time it won't.)

Re: 97 TSi AWD :: MitsuStyle Rookie :: Up in Duluth
 

Looks Good!!!

Re: 97 TSi AWD :: MitsuStyle Rookie :: Up in Duluth
 

Meh, Caliper won't be in until Monday or Tuesday. Got one with the bracket bolt that I sheared off. Can't wait to get it back on the road and drive it on a short trip!

Re: 97 TSi AWD :: MitsuStyle Rookie :: Up in Duluth
 

Not if you get the full hub assemblies, you don't.

Re: 97 TSi AWD :: MitsuStyle Rookie :: Up in Duluth
 

Only the fronts are full hub assemblies, the rears are press in.

Re: 97 TSi AWD :: MitsuStyle Rookie :: Up in Duluth
 

And he's working on the fronts. ;)

I did this once, believe me, I am far more familiar than I want to be with cutting things off of and replacing parts that didn't need to be replaced before you touched them on DSM suspension and brakes.

Re: 97 TSi AWD :: MitsuStyle Rookie :: Up in Duluth
 

Yeah, unless it seizes up... I'm not gonna do the hub assemblys. Just seems like overkill when the part is still good. I'm just not really comfortable messing with it. My luck... I'd replace them... and then I'd be driving down the road and didn't torque them down hard enough and the whole freaking assembly goes rolling down the road.

Re: 97 TSi AWD :: MitsuStyle Rookie :: Up in Duluth
 

Welcome!
I am currently working on the front hub ass. And front suspension, its bulshit.

Re: 97 TSi AWD :: MitsuStyle Rookie :: Up in Duluth
 

Bolt through the back was... in a word.. amazing. Anyways, the new brakes look and work great. No more burning brake fluid smelling up the car either. That's good news!

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a2...C/IMG_0115.jpg

Re: 97 TSi AWD :: MitsuStyle Rookie :: Up in Duluth
 

Well. Today I took her up the road about 70 miles and back for work. Made 24.5mpg. For a heavy, AWD, Automagic, Turbo car with 178k on the odometer... I feel this is VERY good. Today's trip cost me $17. In my truck this same trip is generally $35-40. Saved $17 today! Very, Very happy.

No hiccups, no hesitation, no nothing. Although... I haven't driven a car that you need to turn the lights off... in a LONG while. So of course I left the lights on and of course I needed a jump. But, great car today. So much fun to drive on the highway.

Re: 97 TSi AWD :: MitsuStyle Rookie :: Up in Duluth
 

So i take it the MPG issue was dragging brakes? Looks good, nice to see someone who takes the time to repair and maintain things properly, rather than slapping on a huge turbo and ignoring maintenance.

Re: 97 TSi AWD :: MitsuStyle Rookie :: Up in Duluth
 

:lol: Yeah. Had to of been. Car was also probably working MUCH harder than it needed to. I had an odd smell in the car too and turns out it was brake fluid gushing from the caliper onto the hot rotor. But I got all of that sorted out now.

As counter culture as it sounds I'm thinking it would be nice to find some 16's that clear the calipers and get some fatter rubber on it to soften up the ride a little. But it really is a great cruiser considering its age and mileage!

Re: 97 TSi AWD :: MitsuStyle Rookie :: Up in Duluth
 

More work...

Well, the Alt belt shredded and flew off. Nice. Wtr pump is on the same belt. So... Awesome. Overheated a bit. Hopefully didn't do any damage. Looked into it and the last person to do the timing belt put the outer water pump pulley on backwards. So... I fixed that. Got the belt back on only to find that the tensioner bolt is rusted to the bracket. It is soaking in penetrating oil now. Mean time, Mobil 1 5w-30 going in with a Mobil1 filter. Whew... why can't people just either be competent or not do the work at all???

Re: 97 TSi AWD :: MitsuStyle Rookie :: Up in Duluth
 

If there's one thing I've learned from working in the auto parts industry, it's that somewhere around 90% of people who buy parts with the intent to do their own work shouldn't be allowed anywhere near a wrench.

Re: 97 TSi AWD :: MitsuStyle Rookie :: Up in Duluth
 

Looks like you'll be getting familiar with the 60k service on a DSM. LOL Its not too bad.

You've had a great attitude about it so far.

Re: 97 TSi AWD :: MitsuStyle Rookie :: Up in Duluth
 

^
The car... if it runs... meets everythign that I would like about a small beater / mileage car. But... for fawk sake... I can't get this bolt out. Took ti to a machine shop. They can't get the bolt out. And there isn't enough room to drill it out and tap it.

So I want to buy a new one... problem is... I don't know where to find one. I've tried about every parts site on the net to no avail. Any thoughts?

Re: 97 TSi AWD :: MitsuStyle Rookie :: Up in Duluth
 

Tensioner block-----> /o\ (which bolts onto the alternator)
Bolt---> []-----------|--|------

Looks like this... Anyone have any leads on where a guy can get a new one?

Re: 97 TSi AWD :: MitsuStyle Rookie :: Up in Duluth
 

http://www.jackstransmissions.com/co...stment-bracket


Says it's for a 6 bolt, I do not know if 7 bolts are the same.