[FWDLK] DCX PT classification

[brians <brians@SPRINGLAKEMI.COM>]

A couple of notable events have occurred recently with our
favorite car manufacturer -

1. Very briefly, the US government this week has responded
to DCX's request to rate the PT Cruiser as a truck by
responding as follows:

a. The PT Cruiser will be rated by the EPA as a pass car for
emission standards

b. The PT will be rated by the NHTSA as a truck for CAFE
fuel economy standards

This is of course great news for DCX since they needed the
fuel economy of the PT to be averaged with the Dodge trucks
for their truck CAFE. These decisions are not cast in
concrete yet and there is still some wiggle room, so stay
tuned. The current Lexus RX300 has also been classified in
this manner since 1998.


2. Tom Gale, EVP of DCX and in charge of vehicle design,
engineering and product development has been elected
"Executive of the Year" by Automotive Industries magazine
and he is pictured on the current February's edition cover
with a nice bio and story of Tom's career inside. The
article states that only 3 previous design executives of the
previous 36 Executives of the Year have been so named
placing Tom in the ranks of Exner, Earl and Mitchell for
setting design standards much like the others had done in
their era. Congrats Tom!

Brian

Wayne Graefen wrote:
>
> Next time put the axle nut back on without the heavy washer only
> far enough to pick up all the threads.  Also this will prevent
> mushrooming the end of the axle when you hit the puller end with
> the hammer.
>
> Wayne
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Terry & Andree Hoeman" <tehoema@MEGAVISION.COM>
> Sent: Thursday, March 16, 2000 2:02 PM
> Subject: Re: Rear Drum Removal
>
> One precaution if you have to put a lot of force on the puller.
>
> STAND CLEAR!!!!
>
> I've had them fly off 3 or 4 feet and don't want to be in the
> way when they
> finally come!
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: <Posti@AOL.COM>
> To: <L-FORWARDLOOK@LISTS.PSU.EDU>
> Sent: Thursday, March 16, 2000 1:01 PM
> Subject: [FWDLK] Rear Drum Removal
>
> > Pulling the rear drums pretty much requires a hub puller and a
> rubber
> mallet
> > - perhaps a propane torch in really bad cases.  The hub puller
> can be
> rented
> > at most parts places.
> >
> > If the hub has been on for a LONG time, try this - loosen the
> retaining
> nut a
> > couple of turns (DO NOT REMOVE IT!!!) and then drive the car
> around the
> > block.  Sometimes this will help loosen the hub.
> >
> > Make sure to back off your brake shoes so that the wheel turns
> freely with
> no
> > drag.  Remove the retainer nut.  Then attach the hub puller to
> the wheel.
> > Make sure to get the arms evenly spaced, and tighten slowly.
> When you get
> > tension on the bolt, turn it about two more turns and then
> pound the drum
> > near the center with the rubber mallet.  Use a small sledge on
> the center
> of
> > the puller.  If nothing happens, use a propane torch to heat
> the drum
> around
> > the hub shaft, and try again while the drum is still hot.
> Tighten slowly,
> > and make sure the arms stay even.
> >
> > Bob
> >