checklist help

[haggarSHO]

kind of a stupid question but hear me out, im desperate.. here's my situation, I plan on making a road trip from Shreveport, LA to Atlanta, GA, 10 hours 600 miles. and right now, the SHO (it's a 91)is my only means of transportation. all im really asking is for a good list of what i need to inspect before heading out. i have a friend-of-the-family mechanic to help me. i have a small list down in my head, but not close to what it needs to be, so i came crawling to you guys. Input is extremely appreciated, always.

-Justin

 

[93rev2sev]

Just bring an internet connection with you...

 

[johndallara]

maintenance before road trip

the basics are always best....

I commute long distance with my SHOs, and make it a point to check the engine while fueling up.

For a quick check on an unknown car before a long road trip, I would:

1. check the air filter
2. check (at least) or ideally change the oil
3. visually inspect the plugs and lines (as much as you can), feel the rear ones
4. look to see that all of the vacuum hoses are intact
5. check the battery cables and clean them
6. rev the motor with the hood open and listen for any funky noises

7. for the suspension, hand-check at least all of the lug nuts
8. downward pressure on each wheel to get the status of the suspension
9. side-to-side push pressure at front and rear for the same
10. do a hard-brake check at slow speed to ensure that the brakes are functioning under a hard stop

11. work the transmission through all of the gears and make sure it is shifting smoothly
12. work the steering through a few hard pulls to see how tight it is.


This is a basic list but should unmask any major problems that are likely to come up on a long trip.

Best of luck,
JD

 

[1993MTXSHO]

I always change the oil, and depending on the last time I changed tranny, ps and coolant i change them too. Also a huge thing i think people forget is the belts. Make sure there not dry and if they are just change them out, there not expensive and good insurance to have a nice new belt. However you never know, so i always keep my old belts in my trunk to put on on the side of the road if they do break for some reason.

EDIT: TIRE PRESSURE!

 

[haggarSHO]

the basics are always best....

I commute long distance with my SHOs, and make it a point to check the engine while fueling up.

For a quick check on an unknown car before a long road trip, I would:

1. check the air filter - new!
2. check (at least) or ideally change the oil - the guy i got the car from swapped the engine over so the oil is new.
3. visually inspect the plugs and lines (as much as you can), feel the rear ones - new plugs!
4. look to see that all of the vacuum hoses are intact
5. check the battery cables and clean them - they're new too!
6. rev the motor with the hood open and listen for any funky noises

7. for the suspension, hand-check at least all of the lug nuts
8. downward pressure on each wheel to get the status of the suspension
9. side-to-side push pressure at front and rear for the same
10. do a hard-brake check at slow speed to ensure that the brakes are functioning under a hard stop

11. work the transmission through all of the gears and make sure it is shifting smoothly
12. work the steering through a few hard pulls to see how tight it is.


This is a basic list but should unmask any major problems that are likely to come up on a long trip.

Best of luck,
JD

the belts are new too.

Thanks JD.
the car is truly unknown to me. There's no documentation to what's been done to it, maintenance wise and such.
I just dont want to get stranded 5 hours outside of shreveport and 5 hours outside of atlanta.

btw: im honestly more worried about the suspension, when you push down on the rear, it pretty much sounds like metal on metal rubbing. - eh?

 

[johndallara]

checklist

I agree not good. however, might be just worn-out end-links rather than the strut mount. a quick look below could get you a view of the end-links and sway-bar connections.

agree w/ 1993MTX tire pressure check essential.

JD

 

[haggarSHO]

I agree not good. however, might be just worn-out end-links rather than the strut mount. a quick look below could get you a view of the end-links and sway-bar connections.

agree w/ 1993MTX tire pressure check essential.

JD

Yes, i still have yet to been able to personally look underneath the car. But will be able to when i go to inspect it.