My project cars thread. We're now kinda motoring.

[JMotor]

On with the clutch replacement on the Toyota.

I knew the release bearing was knackered.

Didn't expect to see the rest of the clutch to be a state. Never slipped once!

New parts installed and gearbox back in. No pictures of that due to time and having friend to help I didn't want to be messing about. Gearbox wasn't to bad to refit, just need extra lifting power.

Now to order gearbox oil and build the car back up. 

[JMotor]

One picture wonder.

Altezza is all back together now. It will take some getting used to with the lighter flywheel. It's keen for stalling if you're not used to it. 

I got some fresh oil for the gearbox. I had drained it to stop me blood bathing the floor. 

This stuff was recommended and is not "cheap". I wanted something that wouldn't eat the syncros and read it helps smooth the gear changes. 

Glad that job is done and the car all the better for my buggering about.

Corsa is booked into a local car show on the 29th. Few wee jobs to do it. Maestro to MOT and then back to that Astra. 

[JMotor]

Booked an MOT for the Maestro. A fresh test should hopefully help in trying to sell it.

So tidied my bay and on the ramp it went. 

Didn't find anything wrong and it'll fly a test nae bother.

Like hell it would! In the fashion that is usual for a Maestro, one knackered wheel bearing. With a dash of dodgy looking track rod end. Bought two for this reason. 

Something else I discovered about this car. It's bloody solid! The underneath is in lovely condition. Sills are good and those arches really aren't that bad. 

It came apart like a much newer car. Enjoyed working on it again.

Oh...

I now wanna keep it. 

[grogee]

Of course you do, it's a thoroughbred. 

Looks like ABS stepped rings on the end of that driveshaft. I'm not aware of any Maestro having ABS but I suppose Montego may have had it so my guess is that's a replacement driveshaft. 

I did both front bearings on mine using a 2T press, I did have to buy some more bits and bobs to support the hub properly while I was pressing it. 

In case you are tempted to replace bottom ball joints - early cars had a 'symmetrical' foot piece that bolts to lower arm. Later cars like yours have an offset and each BJ is handed - so don't be tempted to buy cheaper early type, as they make the steering even heavier. 

Finally - keep on Maestroing, you are doing the lord's work. 

[JMotor]

Thank you. 

It's a quite a likeable car and it's been very little bother in the year I've owned it. 

Cheers for the heads up on the lower ball joints and you'll be qualified to answer I have. 

The bearing circlips, how did you remove them? See that there is new ones supplied, so I assume by any means I see fit?

I can explain the abs ring. I fitted a new outer CV last year. I just got a J&R special and it was advertised as fitting all Maestro and Montegos. Which it did fit with no issues and it was quite cheap too.

Assumed the higher spec ones could be optioned with said braking system? I certainly couldn't find a complete driveshaft when I looked. Slightly worrying as the inner is similar to a VAG one to fit the VAG drive flange. But it's probably ARG only job due to some suble difference.

 

[grogee]

2 hours ago, JMotor said:

Thank you. 

It's a quite a likeable car and it's been very little bother in the year I've owned it. 

Cheers for the heads up on the lower ball joints and you'll be qualified to answer I have. 

The bearing circlips, how did you remove them? See that there is new ones supplied, so I assume by any means I see fit?

I can explain the abs ring. I fitted a new outer CV last year. I just got a J&R special and it was advertised as fitting all Maestro and Montegos. Which it did fit with no issues and it was quite cheap too.

Assumed the higher spec ones could be optioned with said braking system? I certainly couldn't find a complete driveshaft when I looked. Slightly worrying as the inner is similar to a VAG one to fit the VAG drive flange. But it's probably ARG only job due to some suble difference.

 

Yeah the inner CV is VAG to go with the gearbox, I guess the outer is BL. I hoarded a couple of CV joints when they came up on the bay because you never know when I might need them. I'm assuming 'one size fits all' and they're not special for MG, but I could be wrong. 

The circlips were a bit of a bastard. I think I broke a selection of long pointy tools trying to get them out. Eventually got it to move and lever/pull it out. 

Seem to remember using a wire wheel to clean it all up as best I could then soaking with WD40. I believe I left one of the original circlips in position, seeing as the bearing was pushed out in opposite direction, I didn't actually have to change it. 

[Matty]

3 hours ago, JMotor said:

now wanna keep it

For what it's worth I think you should. Everyone needs a reliable an car. Weirdly for you this is it. Mechanically simple as a spoon, reliable, cheap to keep. And utterly charming whilst doing it.

The upside is if you do sell you've already sold it on here surely. Christ I'd have it if I had use for it.

[JMotor]

@Matty

Pretty much nailed why I do want to keep it.

I'll sort the issues that I've found, MOT and then start looking at improving the car.

 

[Matty]

8 minutes ago, JMotor said:

@Matty

Pretty much nailed why I do want to keep it.

I'll sort the issues that I've found, MOT and then start looking at improving the car.

 

Excellent 🫡

[JMotor]

On 22/09/2024 at 20:58, grogee said:

The circlips were a bit of a bastard. I think I broke a selection of long pointy tools trying to get them out. Eventually got it to move and lever/pull it out. 

How right you were on this!! 

Och tae fuck with taking the second circlip out!

I'll be doing the same as what you did. 

Plan is to have the Maestro built back up and driving again by this weekend. 

[grogee]

Who was it that asked me about shocks and springs for Maestro? Was it @Stinkwheel? 

I have some pics now 

[EyesWeldedShut]

Reminds me of...

[Stinkwheel]

4 hours ago, grogee said:

Who was it that asked me about shocks and springs for Maestro? Was it @Stinkwheel? 

I have some pics now 

Yep, that was me. PM replied to 👍

[grogee]

11 minutes ago, Stinkwheel said:

Yep, that was me. PM replied to 👍

Can't see a reply to PM? 

[Stinkwheel]

I hadn’t actually pressed the send reply bit, doh!!! 

[grogee]

@JMotor did you manage to get it rolling, or are you swearing at a broken fixing? 

[JMotor]

@grogee

We're on the floor now 👌.

Also kicking myself. As you offered me those shocks ages ago and I never did anything.

But I plan to find whole suspension units for mine. Make it easy to swap everything over. 

Oh. I'm also a fucking idiot. I some how flattened the battery! CTEK charger to the rescue. 

[Matty]

5 minutes ago, JMotor said:

@grogee

We're on the floor now 👌.

Also kicking myself. As you offered me those shocks ages ago and I never did anything.

But I plan to find whole suspension units for mine. Make it easy to swap everything over. 

Oh. I'm also a fucking idiot. I some how flattened the battery! CTEK charger to the rescue. 

I know pictures can be deceptive but the old lass does look in fine fettle!

[JMotor]

It's Instagram good! 😆 

For a Maestro that's done 120k miles it's better condition than what it could of been. I'll have to get an underneath shot as it's pretty good nick.

Doors and arches will need seen to soon. The fellow Monstro fellows have recommended rear MK2 Golf arches to repair mine. Doors maybe repaired if I can't find replacements.

[Matty]

13 minutes ago, JMotor said:

It's Instagram good! 😆 

For a Maestro that's done 120k miles it's better condition than what it could of been. I'll have to get an underneath shot as it's pretty good nick.

Doors and arches will need seen to soon. The fellow Monstro fellows have recommended rear MK2 Golf arches to repair mine and I might copy what Vug did with his one and repair the door corners.

Well it's all time dependant isn't it. You have the ability and the car deserves the attention but it's not always easy to find the time on top of everything else!

[JMotor]

13 hours ago, Matty said:

it's not always easy to find the time on top of everything else!

Definitely. 

I've six cars at the moment. Two are for the skip straight away, still thinking four is too much. 

Hate that feeling of been spread too thinly with projects. So the quick and fairly easy wins has helped. 

To change pace from working on cars. Took the Corsa out to a car show yesterday. Just nice to sit and chat nonsense with friends. 

Got there for 9am and left at 1pm. Show wasn't packed as there were a few other shows on the same day.

Then I went back to the workshop and finished off the Maestro. 

[Matty]

Spitting image of my old GTE (manta)

[grogee]

Attn: @JMotor @Stinkwheel I just spotted these on the Bay, they are a bit overpriced but seeing as they never come up for sale I thought I'd let you know. 

Looks like a 'one size fits all' so probably OK for standard-ish spec but I wouldn't use them on my MG. 

[JMotor]

Thank you for the heads up @grogee.

I'm still flip flopping about what to do about the suspension. Because that's what I do. Plus I've found some nice wheels that would suit this in it's lowered form.

Third MOT for the Altezza due today. Forgot all about it and went to check five minutes ago.

Well that shall do me! Clean pass for the third time too.

 

[JMotor]

The weekend came. 

Spares Corsa came to its useful end. Stripped what I wanted from it and sent it away.

Time to remove the steering rack and EPAS column. It's much easier to rip the engine and gearbox out to access the rack. Dashboard was met with full ignorance to liberate the column.

From the get go I knew the shell was rotten beyond saving. But my goodness it was crispy.

I didn't bother removing much more. This pile should of been gone months ago, I blame a heavy dose of CBA'd for the procrastination.

Next weekend I want to do more to the Maestro. Want that wee weapon back in use. 

[Matty]

8 minutes ago, JMotor said:

Next weekend I want to do more to the Maestro. Want that wee weapon back in use.

Fast road cam roller rockers twin hs4s?

[grogee]

On 03/10/2024 at 10:27, JMotor said:

Thank you for the heads up @grogee.

I'm still flip flopping about what to do about the suspension. Because that's what I do. Plus I've found some nice wheels that would suit this in it's lowered form.

Third MOT for the Altezza due today. Forgot all about it and went to check five minutes ago.

Well that shall do me! Clean pass for the third time too.

 

I spotted some NOS rear shocks for Maestro on the bay today, they're Monroe but probably better than knackered old ones. 

[JMotor]

Had a look see just now.

Ended up buying them anyway. I'll keep an eye out for fronts or just take the hit a pay more.

Cheers for the heads up 👍.

[JMotor]

13 hours ago, Matty said:

Fast road cam roller rockers twin hs4s?

Won't lie. 

That would be interesting to see how much the 1275 could be pepped up. 

Runs really well at the moment. So yeah, I'll be the shite bag for now and leave be.

Got a few spare GM engines sat. SU carby on an 1800 twin cam?

[grogee]

22 hours ago, JMotor said:

Won't lie. 

That would be interesting to see how much the 1275 could be pepped up. 

Runs really well at the moment. So yeah, I'll be the shite bag for now and leave be.

Got a few spare GM engines sat. SU carby on an 1800 twin cam?

There was a quite ratty Maestro in the tat thread about a year ago, it had a supercharged A-series with lots of purple anodozed aluminum go-faster bits. 

I have to admit, I'd love to try it.