Re: Repairs

["David Teitelbaum" <jtrealty@xxxx>]

A locksmith CAN remove a broken bit of key without taking the lock
apart. He uses a tool called a key extactor which is a thin wire with
a reverse hook bent on the end. It is slipped up and over the ridges
of the piece of key and "hooked" onto the high ridge. By carefully
lifting the pins as you guide the broken bit out it can be done. It
takes a little experience and "finesse". The moral here is not to use
a worn or "pot metal" key. Get a good blank from brass and if it is
worn get another made BEFORE this happens.
The ignition wires can be done without completely removing the
air/fuel mixture unit but again it takes a little experience. For a
novice the better advice is to remove it and check EVERYTHING while
you do it, it is much easier this way. A shop with more experience can
take some shortcuts that a beginner could not do. This is done
primaraly to save the customer time which is money. Since an owner
working on his own car isn't concerned about time it is always better
to avoid the "shortcuts".
The old injectors can be cleaned and saved so don't throw them away.
You will probably need new seals though.
To check the angle drive remove the front left wheel and turn the
square shaft in the center of the spindle. You should see the inside
piece of the angle drive turn as you turn the square shaft. Check if
the support bracket is missing for the lower cable. If it is missing
or broken you will need to order that too. While you are at the angle
drive loosen it so you can turn it over, remove the small screw on it
and lubricate it. You loosen it with a BIG wrench. Sometimes they are
VERY tight.
David Teitelbaum
vin 10757


--- In dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, "cruznmd" <racuti1@xxxx> wrote:
> This post will cover a varitey of little things so please bear with 
> me:
> 
> 1. As I stated before, I bought my car with one half of the ignition 
> key broken off in the switch. I use the half-key to start the car. I 
> hate this. -IS- it possible for a locksmith to dig that piece out of 
> there? I don't want to replace the switch and have a 2 key system or 
> rekey the whole dang car because of a 1/2 inch long piece of potmetal.
> 
> 2. Mike Cohee and I worked on my fuel system yesterday. Lesson 
> learned: Don't, just don't try to install plug wires on the 
> distributor cap by slightly lifting the air/fuel mixture unit. I've 
> been driving around with 2 wires disconnected. Only by completely 
> removing mine was I able to properly route and attach everything. 
> Also, I swapped my injectors for his old, but serviceble ones. I 
> think I have about as much power as I should. They probably clogged 
> because I waited too long to replace the filter. Finally. I need to 
>