Project Tickman's stuff. Tidy* up time.

[Tickman]

So after yesterdays tinkering I had to get back to the workshop without a car so off to the bus stop.

The bus arrived about 6 minutes late but the driver was making up time all the way so I arrived early in Forfar.

I strolled to the shop and collected my bearing.

 

 

Some time later it was in and I needed to attend to the other bits needed on the rear arm.

There is a plastic shield that stops the abs sensor connection getting everything thrown at it as expected the screws that hold this on had to be removed by force. I ground off the rest of the screws and drilled and tapped the arms.

 

 

Some time later with the help of ratchet straps and spring compressors I was here.

 

 

Connecting back up all the bits I had to remove. You can see I spent a little time cleaning up the arm and gave it some paint too.

 

 

The last bit needed reconnecting was a brake line support which I had cut through as I wasn't going to bleed the brakes yet again so this got a bit of weld on it.

 

 

 

 

Then it was test drive time and I had the ABS light on straight away so back up in the air and the connector wasn't fully home and I needed some water pump pliers to actually get it seated properly.

 

That done I went home and it is parked outside. Clean up can wait!

[Tickman]

Well after my successful* spannering session I discovered that somehow I had fucked up fitting the bearing and last night on the 160 mile round trip for food with some like minded individuals it decided to become worse than the one I had replaced.

 

I think (know) I didn't quite get the tightening up bit correct so I had over tightened it.

So I will just count the previous attempt as a practice!

 

So at 12:30 this morning before I went to bed I ordered a bearing from ECP and collected it this morning.

 

Into the workshop and I had the arm off and the old bearing stripped within the hour.

 

Next was to get the new bearing pushed in and the place that did it last time couldn't do it today so I had to carry what became by the time I got there the heaviest piece of car 20 minutes to another garage that was likely to help.

 

Half hour wait where I went and had a great bacon roll and £10 later and it was fitted.

 

Carried the bloody thing back in the rain and it took about an hour and a half to refit and adjust the handbrake back up.

 

Test drive and it is as it should be (for now at least)

 

Lessons learnt are:

Read the instructions properly and then check again.

Buy a bloody press so I don't have to carry stuff to other places.

Buy another car that works and leave it at the workshop (or fix something that is already there)

 

 

It is getting a good run this weekend with a trip to Manchester with a full complement of people and dogs so if I hate it by Sunday night it will be for sale!

 

 

In Meg's Clio news after the neighbour crashed into it and the quote of £815 was submitted it has been written off.

Settlement figure of £650, get to keep it and it gets a U category against it.

Last night I picked up two headlights and a grill from someone on Facebook that Split_pin had pointed me in the direction of so fixing time should be next week hopefully.

[dome]

 

Buy another car that works and leave it at the workshop

Something small would be ideal, that way it won't take up too much space.

 

Maybe a mid engined, rwd convertible?

 

If only we knew someone currently overstocked in such vehicles...

[Tickman]

Something small would be ideal, that way it won't take up too much space.

 

Maybe a mid engined, rwd convertible?

 

If only we knew someone currently overstocked in such vehicles...

 

Can't find anything in a colour that really cannot be seen though

[The Moog]

 

 

Something classic would be ideal, that way it won't ever go out of date

 

Maybe a front engined, Swedish and can be put on classic insurance?

 

If only we knew someone currently overstocked in such vehicles...

Efhs

[Tickman]

It is getting a good run this weekend with a trip to Manchester with a full complement of people and dogs so if I hate it by Sunday night it will be for sale!

 

It did the 600 miles with no bother so it can hopefully work its way into my good books and stay put for a while

[320touring]

Glad to hear it was an uneventful trip!

[dome]

It did the 600 miles with no bother so it can hopefully work its way into my good books and stay put for a while

Good good. Nothing like getting some miles on a car to build a bit of confidence in it

[Exiled_Tat_Gatherer]

It did the 600 miles with no bother so it can hopefully work its way into my good books and stay put for a while

 

 

Glad to hear it - as I screamed dibs on this and have just collected the BMW estate - so need a tiny bit of breathing space before I pry this from your fingers fella 

Of course - I'll still have a fucked knee and not be able to drive manual properly for awhile yet..... 

 

Good to know it clocked up a decent run without causing embarrassment - you cleaned it inside yet? 

[Tickman]

Inside all clean (to my standards) and no smell especially with the new pollen filter fitted last week.

 

Dibs remembered

[Tickman]

So after next door's Audi attacked Meg's car I got the quote and sent all the details to the insurance.

They came back with the obvious decision that it was uneconomical to repair.

 

They sent a cheque and that was banked.

We kept the car and I set about getting the bits needed.

 

As soon as it had happened Split_pin had sent me a link to some headlights on Facebook. when it was settled I contacted the seller and took the lights and a grill from him for £35 for the lot!

 

I to it to the workshop and removed the tape holding the driver's side light in, removed two screws and pulled the bumper forward to enable removal of the grill.

 

 

I did a bit of cleaning up of the area and fitted the new* headlight.

 

 

I fitted the passenger's side one also. The lights were very good but needed a little polish.

 

 

With this.

 

 

This was state of play at the end of polishing.

 

 

Bumper back in place.

 

 

This is the bit that was the worst but has polished up well.

 

 

 

 

That should do her.

[320touring]

Excellent work:)

 

Looks like a new car!

[Split_Pin]

Good save!

[SiC]

That's what so great about Renaults of this era. Almost all the body panels are plastic and just bolt on. Plus any scuff marks don't cause rust.

[Exiled_Tat_Gatherer]

Once again proving - they'll write off anything..... what a waste that would've been..... - looks great. Top job fella

[Tickman]

Since the last fast Clio left I have been on the look out for something suitable for use as a track car.

The main thing that hampered a successful outcome was budget. 

I was looking in the hopeless case end of the market which translates as about £500!

 

Gumtree, facebook and ebay were kept an eye on. 

Eventually something suitable (within budget) came up so I pestered the local resident expert and arranged to have a look.

 

 

Main points of note were it was an MOT failure.

 

I went and had a look and took it round the block. It had a slight* knock from the engine but it could have been something simple.

 

 

 

It wasn't

 

 

Oh look a piggy back ride.

 

 

Finally at the destination.

 

 

 

I had viewed it with an open mind and offered what I knew I could get out of it if I had to break it.

 

 

 

On with plan A

This took quite a bit of time.

 

 

This didn't.

 

 

 

Then some access to get to the engine bits.

 

 

Most helpful spanner of the day.

 

 

End of play today.

 

 

 

 

So far the roof is taken and some panels left today.

 

Any extra funds from the breaking will be rolled into the next wise* decision.

[Fumbler]

Request for softop from Father as his one is going phut. He would rocket up there instantaneously.

 

EDIT: read again. I guess it's the man seeing syndrome kicking me up the arse again.

[Split_Pin]

I thought you had somehow got involved in stripping Brian's black MR2 for him! Confazed!

[dome]

I may* have helped* with this purchase...

 

In my defense, I did tell him to check the engine.

 

You did look under the right bonnet didn't you?

[Tickman]

I may* have helped* with this purchase...

 

In my defense, I did tell him to check the engine.

 

You did look under the right bonnet didn't you?

This buying process and outcome is not my worse, it is actually being quite successful so far.

Even the use of man maths haven't been required!

[Split_Pin]

What actually happened to the engine? Other than dumping its coolant?

[Tickman]

What actually happened to the engine? Other than dumping its coolant?

Made a little noise at time of purchase, this was an omen and fully understood what might happen.

Little noise sent out a party invite to all his friends, it went viral and some big noises gatecrashed the party.

Party got out of hand and by the time the parents came home the house had been trashed.

 

Something like that.

[Split_Pin]

I see.

[Exiled_Tat_Gatherer]

Like - not for the engine detonation - but description and then the impressively speedy parting out that is ongoing....... I've shied away from them myself because of the horror stories..... but thinking about it - this is the only one I know of that has actually gone in spectacular fashion. 

Are they actually any good? Asking for a friend like.....

[dome]

Like - not for the engine detonation - but description and then the impressively speedy parting out that is ongoing....... I've shied away from them myself because of the horror stories..... but thinking about it - this is the only one I know of that has actually gone in spectacular fashion. 

Are they actually any good? Asking for a friend like.....

 

Soooo....

 

You're looking for an MR2, like this one, but with a good engine? 

 

Domes house of small fast Toyotas currently has just such a beast in stock-we're looking to shift on the black 52 plate one we have shortly as the red one will be getting the 2zz engine. See my thread for more details....

 

And yes, they are very good and underated wee cars. Like an MX-5 without the rust.

[Tickman]

...And yes, they are very good and underated wee cars. Like an MX-5 without the rust.

 

Taking this one apart has proved how little rust is on the vehicle.

 

Wings, bumpers and quarters just bolt on.

 

There are a LOT of fixings. 

 

I'm unqualified to give a report on how it drives but being a passenger in Domes at Knockhill wasn't the worst or most terrifying place to be.

[Tickman]

I did a bit more taking apart today.

 

 

 

 

Almost all the wiring is out of the car now and ready for Mr scrap man.

 

 

 

In other scrap man news he is now in possession of the cat and pre cat

[dome]

I'm unqualified to give a report on how it drives but being a passenger in Domes at Knockhill wasn't the worst or most terrifying place to be.

That definetely says more about the car than it does about my driving

[gm]

Can I have another go ?

[320touring]

Can I have another go ?

You need to make an appointment..