1) How do I know if my suspension is in need of a partial or full rebuild?
Answer:
The suspension is a dynamic piece of mechanics working together
with the frame and loads of the vehicle. Since there are many
components, sometimes just the worn parts over the years get
replaced, like shocks. However, there are a few things to quickly
check for potential issues:
a) worn wheel bearings/ball joints = loose wheel when jacked
up free
b) worn tires, not from inflation issues
c) inability to maintain car alignment, e.g. sensitive to road hazards
d) "play" in the steering wheel, e.g. it turns an inch or two, but the
wheels do not
e) sag of the vehicle height from factory levels
f) loose ball joints, tie rods, etc.
g) very squeaky original rubber control arm bushings, that are
buldging out and/or dry rotted
h) Knocks/thumps from the front/rear suspension
j) worn down rubber bumper stops/ car bottoms frequently
k) stretched, non-coplanar steering coupler (rag-joint)
m) shocks that won't return when off the car, or allow 2.5-3 bounces
per car corner
2) I have a transmission fluid leak. Don't know if its the pan or what.
How do I best determine the source?
Answer:
Since transmission oil is dyed red, it aides in sourcing leak location.
Most cases fall into three categories:
a) the pan gasket
b) the rear seal
c) the front seal
No matter which category, you must clean the transmission thoroughly
then begin your source inspection. The GM factory manuals give
some guidance here, mostly clean and observe areas
independently, in order not to mis-diagnose. All leaks are fairly
easily to repair, but the most labor intensive is the version (c) of
the common ones. It requires complete transmission removal from
vehicle, replacement of the inexpensive part, then reinstallation of the
transmission. Careful inspection should be made to ensure this front
seal is indeed a major problem before replacing.
3) I have a starting problem when the engine has run for awhile and is
hot. If I let it sit for a few minutes it will finally start. What is the
problem?
Answer:
This is an electrical overheat issue with the solenoid and wiring. This
can be resolved successfully by reworking the system back to factory
like-new conditions: upgrading the solenoid to HD status and ensuring
proper wiring routing and termination. All these conditions and other
items of the starter circuit system must be meet and the problem can
be fixed.
4) My heater box core has a leak and needs replacing. What level of
difficulty is this?
Answer:
Moderate. The challenge is in knowing how to get to the box
detachment screws on the bulkhead (firewall) removed, properly
removing the unit from its container and sealing everything
back. This is one of those perfect examples of not skimping on the
cost of the replacement core. This task is moderate in labor intensity
and no excuse for doing it twice. At ROAR we don't like to fix things
over for the lack of doing it right the first time. Sometimes this may
indeed mean a higher part cost. We follow this practice on our
personal Oldsmobiles.
5) Do you do body and paint work?
Answer:
No. We have sources for referral, but not do these items ourselves,
due to shop limitations. We focus on the suspension, basic
mechanicals and other items listed in our capabilities section we
specialize in.
6) Do you rebuild engines and/or transmissions?
Answer:
No. We have sources for referral, but not do these items ourselves,
due to shop limitations. We focus on the suspension, basic
mechanicals and other items listed in our capabilities section we
specialize in.
7) Do you sell used parts?
Answer:
Sometimes. If we have the part available sure. We can locate most
parts for a service fee through the many established points of
contacts we have. Rare items take time as expected. Today, several
items are available in reproduction form as well today, more so than in
the early 80s.
8) Do you do any interior work or put on convertible/vinyl tops?
Answer:
In regard to installing convertible tops or vinyl tops, no. We utilize
a resource who is extremely good and fanatical about his work. He
has done my personal convertible. For large interior jobs, I use
another resource located in Greensboro, NC that specializes in Olds
interiors. Small interior items, such as sunvisor install, weather
stripping, window felts, steering wheel and other items in the interior
I do on a case-by-case basis. Please call to discuss and also see our
capabilities section.
9) Where do you get your wheel alignments done?
Answer:
8 miles down the road at an Automotive Center, McBride's, owned and
operated by a 20yr+ mechanic specializing in alignments and general
repair, including rotor turning and wheel balancing.
10) How do you decide what to do to a person's car when doing
repairs/work?
Answer:
The big question. I begin with asking the year and model of the Olds
and what the primary or ultimate purpose is for repairing or restoring
the car. Establishing that, I then listen to what the Customer wants to
do and how much they have budgeted. From there, we go over the
vehicle in as much as close an examination as possible regarding
those areas of work I am being requested to quote on. Afterwards, I
will put together an estimated quote of what work/parts are
needed and discuss some possible options, as there always are, and
try to get the quote close to what should be the expected cost of
repairs. Of course, there is a caveat in that not everything will
be discovered from a general review' some items don't show up until
later. For example: cross threaded bolts into the tranny pan from
previous work/owners, unknown cracks in the frame, parts and
bolts that break during dissassembly even with the most ginger of care.
When items like these come up, I tell the Customer immediately,
discuss solutions and request a decision by the Customer to make
before I proceed. All items of work are photographed digitally
before and after and are communicated via email to the owner with a
summary of the progress at that time and as the work progresses. We
keep a physical file on each Customer and everything we do for
their vehicle, as well as an electronic file all photos and emails. If
there is ever a question from the Customer, we can simply review
the files. The goal is to provide quality service, use quality parts
made in the USA and take the time needed to get the job done right to
make a satisfied Oldsmobile Customer. ROAR is not a quick-turn
shop business, in that we value Quality vs. Quantity. We do work our
best to get jobs completed on schedule, but take the time to do the job
correctly. We take pride in our work in order to meet your satisfaction.
