Cluffy's Fleet - Resisting becoming a sheep....

[Matty]

Tbh even though it was one of those wierd daft problems that you found, I'd hundred percent agree that it was worth doing anyway. After all you will have improved the car which is always a plus!

[Cluffy]

I managed to get the shocks swapped over this evening. Some cash in hand to one of my local friendly mechanics... Although he goes off on one when you get him chatting, I managed to give them to him around half three to have him call me that they were done at five. Spot on. 

Doubt I'll have chance tomorrow, so hopefully Thursday evening I'll get a bit of time after work 🤞

I also ordered some crows feet socket adapters that I am hopeful will help with torquing the inner wishbone bolts back in. 

 

[Cluffy]

Progress this evening. Drivers side in. I just hope I've not damaged the brake lines as the hub slipped at the most inconvenient moment and the brake line and track rod took the weight for a few moments. 

It's bolted roughly back in, and aligned at the top. So now I need to hunt out all the torque specs and go round them all properly... And obviously do the passenger side!

[Cluffy]

And copy, paste:

Now both sides all torqued up. Took the load on the ball joint and did up the bushes on the arms. 160NM on your side under a car isn't fun but got there ...

Under tray and wheels back on in the morning and then it's test drive o'clock. Keep everything crossed for me......

[Cluffy]

Well, we have good news!! All seems to be sorted! I'll do a proper shakedown through the week, with the acid test being the devilish speed bumps on my route to work/car park. But from a short blast locally, no knocking from the front and very smooth with the shocks doing nice work. Cheers to @grogee for the words of support and wisdom throughout. 

The only noises now are par for the course with a 21 year old convertible (even if it is a Porsche...).

Let's see if it gets under my skin through the summer... I've had it 3 1/2 months and it's yet to truly fire my systems, given its been problematic since pretty much day one! It does sound mega at full throttle and has a nice amount of grip... I'll get an alignment done and do the tyre pressures after I've been pulling it all apart etc...

Have a couple of pics of it after my first drive in weeks...!

[Matty]

On anything of that age, a bit of a suspension refresh just transforms em. I've done both of ours this year (both 17/18 years old). Neither were noisy or sloppy as such, but new springs, dampers top mounts etc and they're like new cars. Bet you're glad you bothered now!

[Cluffy]

Yeah, I'm very pleased. Just not the easiest strut swap I've ever done (and cone shaped springs need specialist tools/better tools than mine to compress). Booked for an alignment week on Tuesday so hoping that's a further improvement.

Porsche still working but on way back home this morning, the Jag started screaming at me "Low Fuel Warning" and the gauge reading zero. Then normal service back briefly after restarting but then hit zero again. Got back home. Had lunch. Went out again, all back working fine. 

A bit of reading suggests there are two senders. Well done Jaguar. One is more accessible than the other (under seat rather than in tank) so if it's not just a glitch and keeps happening I'll look at the easy option first for any obvious signs of age/rust/damage...

My car job list just never gets smaller..!

[Cluffy]

Went out for a hot dog with my daughter and met up with @grogee for Classics at the local cricket pitch. Pics below for anyone interested. Spoiler alert, m'daughter took them so any complaint on quality, please don't direct at me!

@grogee wanted to buy this thing...

[High Jetter]

She did well. That Alpine, Lewes  reg, any more on it?

[Cluffy]

16 hours ago, High Jetter said:

She did well. That Alpine, Lewes  reg, any more on it?

No one near it when we walked by to chat to. However, I have seen it before so will look out for the owner next time

[Matty]

17 hours ago, High Jetter said:

She did well. That Alpine, Lewes  reg, any more on it?

Yeah it is a nice old thing isn't it

[jonathan_dyane]

Lovely but a shame that old beetle thing was blocking the view of the excellent Renault 18 estate

[Cluffy]

The Porsche is still driving really well (or it was on Friday). Long may it continue as the rest of the fleet is getting bloody annoying. 

I dropped the Jag off for wheel wobble diagnosis confirmation yesterday and they will look at it on Monday. It's now doing the "no fuel" thing all the time. They can look at that too if the wobble is warped disc(s) and therefore not too mad on money. 

The Mini has now decided that opening of the boot is not possible. I've had a tinker for 20 minutes or so and got the panelling clips out, but nothing doing. Probably needs a new latch as I can hear it actuate off the key or external handle. Just physically not undoing. But I need to be able to get at it first...

Any ideas on how to get at it from experience of F56s from anyone?? 

It's times like these I miss the days of the Golf that rarely ever didn't just do "car" to perfection