New Old Honda Accord of Autoshite Heritage

[Alanism]

Welcome to the Nohaah update...

 

This is where I will discuss the life and times of the mighty Honda Accord I was fortunate enough to win in an Autoshite Raffle

 

Firstly.. Some pictures.  Because pictures are good...

 

 

 

 

 

Essentially myself and a friend of mine with an unnatural love of LDV vans took to the road at 6.00 from Grimsby with the plan of an easy collection of a Honda Accord.  That is what happened.

 

We drove to RichardK's house.  Loaded up a car.  Checked out some amazing vehicles.  Was introduced to computing technology of yesteryear that was truly magnificent.  Drank coffee.  Changed ownership details.  Drove back to Grimsby.  No problems, bother or shenanigans.  Boring.  But sometimes boring is good.  Sometimes.

 

Upon arriving back in Grimsby car was parked up.

 

First job (Sunday Morning) was to prod the car with a big stick and get the brakes sorted.

 

This was essentially a slow and boring job of stripping each caliper and removing the pistons.  Cleaning, greasing, lubricating and re-assembly.  Some pistons were sealed solid so Mr Compressor helped force the pistons out.  Was not a fun job.  Then some ABS ring cleaning on the front.  Then some brake bleeding...

 

Heres some pictures -

 

 

 

As pictures of calipers are not fun here is a picture of one of my cats.  This is Jasper.  He likes to help

 

 

ABS light now off and car can be pushed in Neutral..

 

MOT Tomorrow - More details of Alan and his magic Honda adventures to follow.

 

Oh... and RichardK is a great host.  Nice meeting you!

[Lukas]

Wow, the suspension-parts look like they were bolted on to the Titanic. 

[Bobthebeard]

After 10+ years of Honda Accord ownership (not the same car btw), most problems have been down to brakes and suspension. Seized calipers and knocking noises from the suspension. All sorted when needed but still a weak spot IMHO.

The current (2007) Accord is now knocking badly from the front O/S and a rear caliper is dragging. Due for sorting on Wednesday. A recurring theme.

[Jim Bell]

Wow, the suspension-parts look like they were bolted on to the Titanic.

I think it's spent most of its life on or very near the sea front. Salty sea air and North Sea wind is good for humans but not for metal I guess.

[Alanism]

Wow, the suspension-parts look like they were bolted on to the Titanic. 

 

I was a little concerned at first sight of the rear suspension components.  They could really do with a clean up.  That might happen.  One day.   The underneath looked magnificent and solid.

 

After 10+ years of Honda Accord ownership (not the same car btw), most problems have been down to brakes and suspension. Seized calipers and knocking noises from the suspension. All sorted when needed but still a weak spot IMHO.

The current (2007) Accord is now knocking badly from the front O/S and a rear caliper is dragging. Due for sorting on Wednesday. A recurring theme.

 

The suspension is unlike anything I have ever encountered on the back.  I was a bit confused at first.  But then I don't tend to do cars of such grandeur.  All 4 corners were jacked up and 3 calipers needed a bit of  love. 

 

I think it's spent most of its life on or very near the sea front. Salty sea air and North Sea wind is good for humans but not for metal I guess.

 

And its back on the coast.  Not so northern though.  Once MOT etc is all sorted I need to do some painting underneath as there is some surface corrosion on inner arches.  Nothing major though.  The car is a credit to its former carers.

[Guest Lord Sward]

Salty sea air and North Sea wind is good for humans .

 

Doesn't feel it.

[Bear]

Sounds pretty much as expected, though the ABS ring cleaning - if that's got rid of the light, awesome! Hadn't got that far, was still grumbling about brakes and distracted by the 406

 

The bolt-on bits underneath are crusty, but a nice coat of your preferred rust-preventing solution should keep them solid enough - TBH I'm amazed how little rust is under the body given Honda's legendarily thin paint and half-assed rust prevention. It'll be lovely to drive - it was pretty pleasant with a sticking caliper or two!

[Alanism]

Well.. The magic Honda is now a MOT'd piece of US-Constructed goodness.

 

Couple of advisories - nothing major.  It actually drives superbly.  The Amy Grant cassette playing on the way to, from and during the MOT added to the overall feel of the vehicle.  This made it an even better experience that I could possibly imagine.

 

Only problem is I cannot find the new keepers slip to tax it.  This is very annoying.  I think due to be so overwhelmed with the on-line change-of-vehicle-ownersip system I did not really pay too much attention to where I put the new keepers slip.  Im sure it will turn up.  Probably when the new logbook arrives.

 

I have to say it drives really super.  Comfy and smooth. 

 

I think this has been a bit of a roller coaster ride of mixed emotion for me.  I tend to consider car purchases over a long period of time and tend to talk myself out it.  I didnt have time with this.. it just kinda happened and its great.

 

Pictures to follow -  I did get some in the MOT station but they are quite dull.  Really it needs a clean and good service so I think I might use this time while it is "off road" to sort a few things on it.  I think this might do me for a few years.

[Honey Badger]

Sounds pretty much as expected, though the ABS ring cleaning - if that's got rid of the light, awesome! Hadn't got that far, was still grumbling about brakes and distracted by the 406

 

The bolt-on bits underneath are crusty, but a nice coat of your preferred rust-preventing solution should keep them solid enough - TBH I'm amazed how little rust is under the body given Honda's legendarily thin paint and half-assed rust prevention. It'll be lovely to drive - it was pretty pleasant with a sticking caliper or two!

 

US Honda have very different rustproofing procedures on this age Accord I'm lead to believe, basically a big sheet hot formed and stuck to the bottom of the body then over painted, my coupe is still mint underneath as well.

 

Pretty much most jap cars have rusty suspension components dont they?  The Lexus RX had an advisory about it on it's last MOT, which I have steadfastly ignored as I really don't like the bloody thing.

 

Great news on the MOT Alan, they certainly drive well, when are you upgrading to a V6 

[Alanism]

Honey Badger - I have already been admiring the V6's.  I never really looked at these Accords until I saw it appearing on threads..  When it first appeared on Autoshite I didn't plan on ever owning it.   I think it does need some love underneath.  I don't know if I feel an urge to remove individual components and paint them.  That sounds rather tiresome but should keep this rolling.  This is actually my first Japanese car (and Im 42) so this is all an interesting experience for me.  It appears to all be surface rust on the components just a bit odd considering the quality of the shell and the interior.

 

It seemed really economical - even with an auto box.  I don't know if that was me in "super slow - going to the MOT centre and never driven this before" mode though.  I do like a V6 though...

 

Here are some more pictures.  -

 

 

 

Just in case you have a Honda Accord and wonder what it would look like with lights on the underside.

 

 

And here is another one of my cats - She came to see the car when it returned with a fresh MOT

 

[Bear]

Well.. The magic Honda is now a MOT'd piece of US-Constructed goodness.

 

Couple of advisories - nothing major.  It actually drives superbly.  The Amy Grant cassette playing on the way to, from and during the MOT added to the overall feel of the vehicle.  This made it an even better experience that I could possibly imagine.

 

Only problem is I cannot find the new keepers slip to tax it.  This is very annoying.  I think due to be so overwhelmed with the on-line change-of-vehicle-ownersip system I did not really pay too much attention to where I put the new keepers slip.  Im sure it will turn up.  Probably when the new logbook arrives.

 

You didn't take the V5 apart, did you? Thought we did it online and then you took the whole thing and put it "somewhere safe", I don't remember you tearing the two bits. Shame my number-memory doesn't extend to recalling the reference number

[Alanism]

Yep.. that's what I did RichardK (somewhere safe).  I even declared it SORN on the way back in the mighty Maxus so I know its all my doing    Somewhere between the van and my house.. Its not in the van.. therefore I have put it somewhere safe.  In all the excitement I have clearly forgotten..

[Bear]

You'll probably have a new one tomorrow given the speed they send them out

[Bear]

So pleased it went through the MOT without any additional headaches, though. IT LIVES AGAIN! Totally worth the original save.

[Alanism]

Thanks Richard.  I was quite surprised with the overall quality of this vehicle.  I am pleased to have won the car (as I said - I have no car (well did not have)) and with a couple of days work it has a fresh MOT.  Because I am post youth the insurance is not too bad either.

 

In a couple of days time (as said - the logbook should be through quite quickly) this will be pressed into daily service.  One of the benefit of not having a car is the desire to put one on the road is strong!  As much as motorcycles can be fun they can become quite bothersome and tiring at this time of year!

 

I will no doubt take pictures of any major adventures in Honda Land...  So far so good though.

[JohnK]

Looking good Alan, glad this has been put back on the road. I was originally interested when WW advertised it for sale last year but Richard pipped me to the post!

[Alanism]

Its a nice car John.  I'm pleased with it.  I am almost tempted to swap it for something older but it seems a reliable car.  Good on fuel too. Swapping for something old and unreliable is probably not wise.