THE GUBBERMINT ALWAYS KNOWS BEST

[r.welfare]

Gearbox oil change. 'Bout time it was done on the Avensis, as I'd say what came out was the original factory fill, certainly based upon how tight the fill and drain plugs were (plus the colour and smell of the old oil). Bought a handpump that fits onto quart bottles which made the job of refilling much easier.

 

Do any manufacturers prescribe a change interval for manual 'boxes these days?

[KruJoe]

There's some good work going on this weekend chaps. All I've managed is to zip-tie the BX's loose nsf wheel trim to its retaining ring (which stays permanently wedged in the wheel). There are no holes at all in the steel rims. Every time I look at it I find more weirdness.

An occasional slight creak, and a tiny hint of negative camber is leading me to suspect the trailing arm bearings; and dampness in the the nsf hub area show a leak there too. Bastard.

It's still a joy to punt about in though.

[dollywobbler]

When the arm bearings start creaking, it's time to get them done (about £140 a side inc labour). Only one of the ones on mine creaked, so I only got the one replaced. Other one became a 'one day' thing, and then I sold the car. Did get an advisory last year for uneven rear tyre wear...(now has new tyres fitted! Sorted)

[Pillock]

Bus turned up on time on every occasion that I've used it, twice on Thursday and then once today. It's not the fastest route, the 28 from Newark to Mansfield, but it takes in some nice little villages. Thursday had a terrible old double-decker that wheezed up hills but today was a much more modern affair. Looking forward to maybe a single-decker on Tuesday.

 

Well, since I flogged the E36 on Wednesday, the day the Leon detonated, buses are all I've got to report on!

[Rover414]

Just a question here hopefully in the right topic. The 75 (which has been of the road since purchase) has a 12 month tax of £245 and it's a 2.0 Diesel with automatic transmission. The same car with manual gearbox is £165 per 12 months. Why is the autobox causing so many extra emissions? I note this is a theme amongst all 2.0 Diesels with manuals being cheaper but to the tune of £85? Comparing 3.0 BMW X5s with auto/manual configs they have the same amount for tax so it's really confusing. Any help understanding this is appreciated!

[barefoot]

Van finally back, new cab & sliding doors fitted - a bit of paint, but check this out

 

 

shut lines are us,

I await the bill with a foreboding whatsisname

[Pillock]

Erm..... what am I meant to be looking at?

[Cavcraft]

There's some good work going on this weekend chaps. All I've managed is to zip-tie the BX's loose nsf wheel trim to its retaining ring (which stays permanently wedged in the wheel). There are no holes at all in the steel rims. Every time I look at it I find more weirdness.

An occasional slight creak, and a tiny hint of negative camber is leading me to suspect the trailing arm bearings; and dampness in the the nsf hub area show a leak there too. Bastard.

It's still a joy to punt about in though.

 

BX suspension creek= small bit of rag steeped in LHM. Wrap around the front strut, perform 'Citroen Aerobics' a few times (i.e suspension on all three setiings and adjust between them all the time) and it should be fine.

[KruJoe]

That's a top tip - or it would be if the creak were at the front. The leak is at the front, the creak is from the back. Two different issues I fear.

I'll try for some pictures. I ought to spend a bit more time on the BX forum too, but I've so much work at the mo.

[Father Ted]

the creak is from the back.

Probably rear arm bearings then, are the wheels leaning in at all at the back.

http://www.bxproject.co.uk or http://www.bxclub.co.uk

 

http://www.bxclub.co.uk/diy/armbearings/

 

http://www.bxclub.co.uk/diy/struts/

[scruff]

Hey I've got my Land Rover back together! Just need to borrow a radiator from a friend as I'm too skint to get mine recored, finish putting the new wiring loom in, machine up a couple of adapters for the rear brake cylinders and I can try and get an MOT

 

[dollywobbler]

Ace news Kev. That looks absolutely superb.

[kinkersaab]

Brought the 3 door 900 out of hibernation, new mot and louvre bodged onto back window. GR8 to have it back on the road.

 

[Cavcraft]

That Land Rover looks fantastic!

 

Right, a few hours with a jetwash, polish, G3, buffer, sponge, car shampoo and water, hoover plus copious amounts of elbow grease and an 8mm spanner have seen a bit of a result with the Astra...

 

Fog light fitted, car gleams almost as good as a new one, interior/exterior have come up superbly. Just needs the door mirror spraying to match the other side and a couple of touch ups in places. Well chuffed with the result even if it was like polishing a turd and probably no one else would be sad enough to spend hours on an old Ashtray.

[Guest Leonard Hatred]

Don't feel so bad Cavette, I've been spending hours on the autoshite favourite* MK3 Golf.

 

 

I'm slowly getting it up to an MOT standard. I replaced the CV boot which went nicely but the strut mount is a wobbly mofo and I can't get the strut off.

 

It has a hex bit in the middle and a 22mm nut. If I turn the 22mm nut on its own the whole strut turns. I tried turning the 22mm nut with a spanner and the allen key in place but it's impossible.

 

How's it supposed to be done?

[Guest Leonard Hatred]

ah - http://clubgti.com/FORUM/showthread.php?t=142386

[Cavcraft]

Looks a fun job that Len. Much more to go before it's MOT ready?

[Guest Leonard Hatred]

Just the strut mount hopefully, what a horrible setup. ALL VOLKSWAGENS R SHIT.

[Rocket88]

Don't feel so bad Cavette, I've been spending hours on the autoshite favourite* MK3 Golf.

 

 

I'm slowly getting it up to an MOT standard. I replaced the CV boot which went nicely but the strut mount is a wobbly mofo and I can't get the strut off.

 

It has a hex bit in the middle and a 22mm nut. If I turn the 22mm nut on its own the whole strut turns. I tried turning the 22mm nut with a spanner and the allen key in place but it's impossible.

 

How's it supposed to be done?

 

They're a bastard. Try these, [in increasing order of desperation]; 1]Fill the top mount cup with penetrating fluid of your choice [keep topping it up] for at least a day. Stick rattle gun with allen key attachment on the bastard. 2] Weld the nut to the srrounding metal cup. 3] Split the nut [messy] You're supposed to hold the nut, and turn the allen key, which is doable if you have one of those "hollow" socket sets, otherwise, it's a bastard, and you WILL round the bastard off.

[Cavcraft]

Just the strut mount hopefully, what a horrible setup. ALL VOLKSWAGENS R SHIT.

 

Not a bad result though for a relatively old car. If it'll test with just that you can't argue.

[scaryoldcortina]

Oi Len, before you get into strut removal world of pain is the "play" in the top mount apparant with the car on the ground (ie can you induce camber by pulling the top of the wheel...) because they are always wobbly mofos when jacked up - it's a design feature. The MoT check is done with the wheel on the ground

[ashmicro]

Not threadworthy, so I'll chuck 'em in here. Local XR2

 

 

 

This car has been local from new (1988). I remember seeing it when I was walking home from school!

 

Rover

 

 

 

Dunno what was going under the bonnet of this, but the chap got in, and it took off like a bat out of hell. Possible VVC or T series action.

 

 

Pics taken on my BlackBerry, which I got on the recommendation of Trigger's sister. Good advice, it's a brilliant phone!

[Guest Leonard Hatred]

Oi Len, before you get into strut removal world of pain is the "play" in the top mount apparant with the car on the ground (ie can you induce camber by pulling the top of the wheel...) because they are always wobbly mofos when jacked up - it's a design feature. The MoT check is done with the wheel on the ground

 

Ah, good point - I think the wobble is only obvious with the wheel off the ground.

Though there is a bit of 'slop' on that side while driving which feels like the camber changing. I've already ordered the parts so might as well brave it.

[dollywobbler]

Dunno what was going under the bonnet of this, but the chap got in, and it took off like a bat out of hell. Possible VVC or T series action.

 

 

Pics taken on my BlackBerry, which I got on the recommendation of Trigger's sister. Good advice, it's a brilliant phone!

 

Worth remembering that even the 1.4 K-series is pretty lively. Getting on for 100bhp, and I can't imagine they weigh much.

[trigger]

My day has consisted of being in a convoy like this:

 

 

Across the Suffolk countryside to Aldeburgh to park with cars like this.

 

 

I have about 150 odd photos to upload before i can start a thread, I might be a while...

[Timewaster]

Trig, Any pics of the white Renault 12?

Much nostalgia for them as my dad had one for years and years when I was a kid. One of my earliest memories of cars was being in a used car showroom when he was buying it.

Apparently I was hankering after a purple Marina instead.

 

I'd have been about 3. He still had the dam thing when I started secondary school but by then it had red oxide blotches all over and gaffer tape arches.

 

I walked to school!

[trigger]

Trig, Any pics of the white Renault 12?

 

Of course, I have quite a few more but I haven't uploaded them yet, It was my car of the show, only had 28000 on the clock which i bet was original.

 

1973 Renault 12 1300 TS by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr

[Mr_Bo11ox]

GR8 4 ROMANIAN PEASANTS

[cort16]

A very cheap Porsche 928 has came up for sale close by and I've always wanted one. I know someone on here has one but I can't remember who it is.

If you are that 928 owner PLEASE come forth and give advice on what parts costs and availability are like as this one for sale's a right stinker.

[KruJoe]

Hey Scruff! That's well 'ard that is.

 

And Billy, good effort!

 

 

If you were near here, I'd be dropping the BX off for some love! It still hasn't had its first wash since living here. And I think it'll be waiting 'til the day before Cholmondeley.

 

Other things to worry about:

the creak is from the back.

Probably rear arm bearings then, are the wheels leaning in at all at the back.

Yep, that's what I guessed:

An occasional slight creak, and a tiny hint of negative camber is leading me to suspect the trailing arm bearings

Thanks for the links, I'll do more reading. Earlier today:

 

 

This is with the car set high.

 

 

The mudflaps don't help the illusion, but...

 

 

I'm sure they're leaning a bit, esp the near side:

 

 

I can only just get my fingertips between the tyre and the chassis rail there. Off side:

 

 

Did I read there should be about an inch there? Enough to get most of my hand in?

 

...and dampness in the the nsf hub area show a leak there too.

 

Viewed from the front:

 

 

Now there's fluid on the tyre so it must be more than a slight 'weep'.

 

 

 

 

From the splatter pattern, it looks to be coming from the free end of this pipe.

 

 

Viewed over the wheel:

 

 

Bastard.

 

Does anyone have a more informed diagnosis / treatment / prognosis?

Thankyouplease.