Paul & Sabrina's Cheap EV Conversion

[MPaulHolmes]

Originally Posted by Tango Charlie

Sounds like you've entered the 'Adjust/Tweak/Tie Up Loose Ends phase.

That's a very positive way to think about it! I suppose you are right! Just having a few things all go wrong at the same time when I was just about out of time for working on it was sort of depressing, but there really isn't that much left to do! And it really drives nicely!

[MPaulHolmes]

I took the brakes apart and installed a new e-brake cable to the right back wheel. The brakes feel like they have more travel now, so maybe the back brakes can be adjusted in some more I guess. I don't get it. Also, when I got to like 35 mph, the front of the car started to shake side to side a little bit. How do you fix something like that?

I commuted to Sylvan today. It was about a 6 mile commute. No major problems other than the shaking side to side.

[Johnny Mullet]

You may have a bad tire with a broken belt.

[MPaulHolmes]

The tires are new from Les Schwab. I did run over a piece of metal, but the outside of the tire looks good still. Could the tire still be bad, even if it looks good? Could there be a little play between the steering wheel and how the front wheels move? I don't really notice any.

[Johnny Mullet]

Since I suspect you are not a mechanic, I will help you out if you don't mind.

Jack up one front wheel so it's off the ground.
Grab the tire at 9:00 and 3:00 and shake it.
Grab the tire at 12:00 and 6:00 and give it another good shake.
There should be no play or looseness felt in either direction. Some slight bearing play is OK.
Now give the wheel a good, fast spin and look at the tire from the side and the front as it spins.
Repeat on the other side.
If there is looseness felt, get Sabrina on her knees with a flashlight to inspect and then switch places so you can both verify the troubled part.

[MPaulHolmes]

Originally Posted by Johnny Mullet

Since I suspect you are not a mechanic, I will help you out if you don't mind.

I DON'T MIND!!!!! It's dark now, but we'll take your advice tomorrow. Thank you!!!

[MPaulHolmes]

I had a miraculous experience today of fixing the windshield wipers. I took off the metal case that had the magnets inside, and also took off the metal plates with all the coils of copper. That thing had been filled with water for like 5 years (is my guess). There was a distinct waterline! I emptied a pile of rusted crap out of the metal case. It looked like I should throw it away. It was hopeless! But I started scraping rust off of the metal plates (is that thing the commutator?) with a screwdriver. I scraped and scraped! Then, I had to get all the iron rust dust that was heaped inside of and stuck to the magnets. I used a super strong and big Neodymium magnet to suck some of it away! I then had a horrible time getting the stupid carbon brushes back up inside a weird thing. The springs kept shooting them out! Well, I got it back together, and it worked the first time! hahaha!

Weird!

[bennelson]

Wow - I think you just did a total rebuild on your wiper motor and didn't even realize it!

Now start doing that with forklift motors for other people!!!

[Tango Charlie]

Originally Posted by bennelson

Now start doing that with forklift motors for other people!!!

I call dibs on the first one!

[MPaulHolmes]

So, I haven't done anything to fix the shaking side to side issue yet. That one idiot VW book said that it might be a steering damper I think. I forgot.