Reply to "Installing Brake Kit"

Master Mechanic Mike told me the new bearings will probably be the fix for the 'handling' problem I was having. On a certain stretch of freeway I was getting some steering wheel wobble, and couldn't figure it out. The road surface wasn't that smooth, and my steering wheel would shake side to side. I was always concerned about that happening at 150 mph... like on those Nevada closed highway, open speed limit events I want to do. It's OK with me to 'accidentally' fix that problem.

I'm feeling like after this I'm not going to be ready for another Pantera project for a couple of years. The rear brake lines have two male to male fittings and so forward progress came to a halt until that little connector is located next week. The uprights are installed and it took a big hammer to get the heavy uprights into the lower a-arms, but the good news is the a-arm bushings are in good shape. It's 'looking' great. But the brakes don't work yet. The original 15" Campagnolos fit on the new brakes just fine. So, I can have a stealthy Pantera, looks kind of stock, but....

Another problem is the parking brakes. That extra 1/16" diameter in the rotors rubs the parking brake bracket. My air grinder went thru 2 grinding wheels and it just about clears now, but they are getting the heavy grinding treatment next week too, to get better clearance. The parking brakes add 8 lbs. to the axle weight, but it's not spinning weight. Subtract out the 2 lbs. weight savings on the new rotors and I have 6 extra lbs. on each side in the rear. I'm going to get the nifty parking brakes advertized in POCA and Pantera International by the vendors, at a later time.... That's one of the reasons I pay my dues and am a member, to see what's available, and what's going on in Pantera world.

It takes patience to get results. I won't quit until it's finished and I've got enough time to get it completed before Vegas. But, the problem is, I won't be satisfied until I add 200 more horsepower, gear the ZF for 180 - 200 mph, get ground effects that function and install the white face guages in the cockpit.

And then I'll think of something else I'll have to have for the Pantera.... Or see it on someone else's Pantera. Pantera fever is reaching pitch level for me. To be continued....