Adventures in METROing

[Will]

I had them check it out when they did the alignment, and the unibody is not bent. That is just fine. The arms monting the wheel to the vehicle are bent. I will have to replace the whole assembly to fix it. I will someday, but it only vibrates over 60, and that is faster than my 55 mph takes me.

[Will]

I decided that my Metro did not need a passenger mirror, afterall, it's not like I spend any time in the hammer lane. Removal was easy.

1. Pull trim piece off on inside
2. Unscrew mirror
3. Pull the mirror off
4. cut something and put in it's place to cover the hole

I used an old top from a storage bin. I cut out the shape using a utility knife. I spray painted it black and glued it to the car using black RTV sealant.

<<I will update with pic later>>

[Johnny Mullet]

Glad you can share the info on your mods.

[whitevette]

Originally Posted by Will

I did this on regular gas using normal driving habits. I would also get a little more aggressive at times. The thought behind this was that the engine would run how I broke it in. I do not know if that is true, but it made sense to me.

This is old wive's tale # 37 ! From a machine's view, it makes little sense. All the lapped seals between the various metals depend on three things - 1) Do not over-heat or over-load. 2) Always provide a clean ( not "clear") lubricant. And 3) Do not abuse ( like your break-in procedure ). There is a definite difference between "lap-in" and "BREAK-in".
Have one of them "nice days."

[93Cobra#2771]

Very cool, and hello from a fellow Tennessean! East Tennessee, actually - Sweetwater to be exact.

[Will]

Originally Posted by whitevette

This is old wive's tale # 37 ! From a machine's view, it makes little sense. All the lapped seals between the various metals depend on three things - 1) Do not over-heat or over-load. 2) Always provide a clean ( not "clear") lubricant. And 3) Do not abuse ( like your break-in procedure ). There is a definite difference between "lap-in" and "BREAK-in".
Have one of them "nice days."

Hmmm... I don't think you understand my idea of "more aggressive". You should check out my mpg log. My idea of more aggressive is most people's idea of normal. Thank you for your input, though.

[Will]

Originally Posted by 93Cobra#2771

Very cool, and hello from a fellow Tennessean! East Tennessee, actually - Sweetwater to be exact.

Wow... That is some serious mpgs given the terrain in that part of the state.

[MetroMPG]

So, on your 2008-10-28 fill in your fuel log, you got 61 mpg - nice! But you say "This is cool, but too much like work!". Details?

(Sorry if you already talked about this somewhere else.)

[Will]

Getting 61.33 with just a vac. gauge was a lot of work. I would be going 55 down hills, and 25-35 up hills. I spent my all time above 15 in. of vac.

It made the drivers around me a lot more aggressive, and almost got me in two wrecks from people passing me across the double yellow. I guess I have become a little more gun shy behind the wheel than I used to be. It was really nerve racking.

I was really glad to hit that mark, but I guess lately I have begun to be a little more worried on the road. I think maybe time will fix that.

[Funny]

You just have to stick to it, man. That is the hardest part is ignoring the jerk behind you that thinks he/she is running late and you are the one holding them up . It is a skill that is quite difficult to hone.