Millipede Monaro (it's a bit leggy!)
Discussion
Managed to clatter a huge pot hole this morning, covered by a puddle on a single track road. Was only crawling along as the surface was terrible anyway but it was still a violent impact (nearly hit my head on the side window!!)
Tyres were still up when I reached the client's premises half a mile further on, so thought I'd got away with it.
Tiptoed back to proper roads where it became apparent that I haven't. Massive vibration at 50mph and at least one wheel (feels like it might be a rear) feels decidedly less than round when moving slowly on a smooth surface.
Not crawled underneath as a) I'm in a suit and b) it's piddling down but guessing one or both offside wheels are buckled on the inside.
Tyres were still up when I reached the client's premises half a mile further on, so thought I'd got away with it.
Tiptoed back to proper roads where it became apparent that I haven't. Massive vibration at 50mph and at least one wheel (feels like it might be a rear) feels decidedly less than round when moving slowly on a smooth surface.
Not crawled underneath as a) I'm in a suit and b) it's piddling down but guessing one or both offside wheels are buckled on the inside.
Hope the damage isn't too bad and can be fixed easily.99t said:
Massive vibration at 50mph and at least one wheel (feels like it might be a rear) feels decidedly less than round when moving slowly on a smooth surface...guessing one or both offside wheels are buckled on the inside.
Got the wheels off this afternoon.Front not too bad, slight damage to inner sidewall but not through to cords and a slight mark on the rim.
My MOT man had a look and said the tyre is ok so will get it re-balanced and see how it goes.
The rear though...
Yup, that's pretty f
dWill see if the local wheel repairer can do anything with it...
Five years of Monaro ownership today! Time really does fly when you're having fun!
Thanks to a very decent PH member who contacted me asking if I needed a wheel, Millie is now roadworthy again. Cheers mate, just the job
Stuck another pair of Ovation VI388s on the back - they lasted 12k in the end and wore totally evenly which gives me some confidence that the rear suspension isn't actually in too bad condition.
I've purchased an oil analysis kit (i.e. a plastic tub and SAE x 2) for amusement value - now at 233k it will be interesting to see how much of the engine's innards are finding their way into the sump...
Thanks to a very decent PH member who contacted me asking if I needed a wheel, Millie is now roadworthy again. Cheers mate, just the job
Stuck another pair of Ovation VI388s on the back - they lasted 12k in the end and wore totally evenly which gives me some confidence that the rear suspension isn't actually in too bad condition.
I've purchased an oil analysis kit (i.e. a plastic tub and SAE x 2) for amusement value - now at 233k it will be interesting to see how much of the engine's innards are finding their way into the sump...
And yet again the big blue heap has passed its MOT (without any prep. whatsoever 
)
Couple of advisories but the only one that raised an eyebrow was an imbalance on the front brakes - I've not been aware of anything whilst driving and having swapped both front calipers for lower mileage examples (split seals had resulted in at least one seized piston on each of the originals) the brakes have actually been feeling better than they ever have!!
) Couple of advisories but the only one that raised an eyebrow was an imbalance on the front brakes - I've not been aware of anything whilst driving and having swapped both front calipers for lower mileage examples (split seals had resulted in at least one seized piston on each of the originals) the brakes have actually been feeling better than they ever have!!
E36Dan said:
Glad to see you've still got this, and that it's going strong. The rear tyres are raising eyebrows though, is this a case of you've found a "budget" that works for you, and you don't give a toss what anyone else thinks? 
I am pleased to say that I am reaching an age now where I really don't give a monkey's what anyone thinks of my vehicular decision making! I'm sure that some of my friends and colleagues genuinely believe I am certifiable!That said, the Ovation VI388 is a budget tyre that I genuinely rate as punching well above its price. They wouldn't suit everything though.
The Monaro originally came with a pair on the front, but the loadings through the front end were too much for them, resulting in rapid shoulder wear. I swapped them to the rear where they were much happier, wearing evenly whilst providing plenty of grip in all conditions.
When they finally died I replaced them with another pair a few years ago and got about 11k out of them. For the price it seemed rude not to do the same again this time!
It is quite possible that other, more expensive tyres would provide more ultimate grip, but I find these nice and progressive and they certainly never feel like ditchfinders!
Plus, of course, they are cheap enough that if I feel the need for the odd hooligan moment now and then, the moths in my wallet don't get upset!
99t said:
I've purchased an oil analysis kit (i.e. a plastic tub and SAE x 2) for amusement value - now at 234k it will be interesting to see how much of the engine's innards are finding their way into the sump...
Changed the oil the other week at 5k miles and around 18 months. Duly sent away and the results just came back
I'm no expert but it looks ok and seemed to compare well with some other LS1 reports I found via Google.
Comments / observations very welcome...
MarvinTPA said:
Confirms my suspicions that at 108k my 04 Cv8 is merely run in.
I would say that's a fair assumption.The LS1 seems to be such solid engine with few foibles in standard form. There were some early oil pump failures (98-01 'Vette and Camaro) but these appear to have been resolved by 2004.
Provided they don't spend their life bouncing off the rev limiter and manage to avoid obvious engine killing events like low oil or overheating they should almost go on forever with just basic maintenance.
In this case I suspect it will comfortably outlast the rest of the car!!
Time for a moan.
I sent a sticky front brake caliper away for repair a little over three weeks ago.
The original quote was £40 for a basic un-seize and repair plus return postage. Any additional work to be advised as necessary once the caliper had been assessed, fair enough.
I then received an email confirming receipt of the caliper and that it was being assessed, at which point it all went quiet.
After seven days, having repeatedly failed to contact them by telephone, I emailed for an update, and was ignored.
A few days later I finally managed to get through by telephone, to be told that both pistons were unsuitable for reuse and NLA, so new stainless ones were in the process of being made. The total cost would be £186 all in...
I thanked them for keeping me advised of the extra costs involved prior to commencing work (slight sarcasm alert), and they were apologetic and offered £20 off the price as a goodwill gesture. Although tempted to tell them to shove the caliper somewhere, in the interests of getting the car back on the road fairly quickly versus having to source a good replacement caliper, I reluctantly agreed and told them to go ahead.
Another week passed before I received an email advising that my caliper was ready and to let them have a contact number to arrange payment. A contact number that they already had. A frustrating few days then passed with me emailing a contact number repeatedly whilst also trying and failing to get through by phone.
Finally managing to get through by phone, I was advised only one new piston was needed - apparently my other piston had magically repaired itself to reusable spec. The bill had dropped to £113 and a long guarantee offered so I paid up.
The caliper arrived safely a couple of days later. I was expecting one new and one used piston. What I received was this
Of course, now I have been unable to make contact again and don't know if the old piston(s) have been refitted in error or whether the whole "new pistons" saga was just a load of bull to justify delays and upselling? Guess I'll find out when I fit the bugger...
I won't name and shame the "brake caliper specialist" involved in this sorry saga as that would be against the rules, I'll just say, if you are thinking of having similar work carried out, make sure you check the recent Facebook reviews of anyone you consider before proceeding. Unfortunately I didn't.
I sent a sticky front brake caliper away for repair a little over three weeks ago.
The original quote was £40 for a basic un-seize and repair plus return postage. Any additional work to be advised as necessary once the caliper had been assessed, fair enough.
I then received an email confirming receipt of the caliper and that it was being assessed, at which point it all went quiet.
After seven days, having repeatedly failed to contact them by telephone, I emailed for an update, and was ignored.
A few days later I finally managed to get through by telephone, to be told that both pistons were unsuitable for reuse and NLA, so new stainless ones were in the process of being made. The total cost would be £186 all in...
I thanked them for keeping me advised of the extra costs involved prior to commencing work (slight sarcasm alert), and they were apologetic and offered £20 off the price as a goodwill gesture. Although tempted to tell them to shove the caliper somewhere, in the interests of getting the car back on the road fairly quickly versus having to source a good replacement caliper, I reluctantly agreed and told them to go ahead.
Another week passed before I received an email advising that my caliper was ready and to let them have a contact number to arrange payment. A contact number that they already had. A frustrating few days then passed with me emailing a contact number repeatedly whilst also trying and failing to get through by phone.
Finally managing to get through by phone, I was advised only one new piston was needed - apparently my other piston had magically repaired itself to reusable spec. The bill had dropped to £113 and a long guarantee offered so I paid up.
The caliper arrived safely a couple of days later. I was expecting one new and one used piston. What I received was this
Of course, now I have been unable to make contact again and don't know if the old piston(s) have been refitted in error or whether the whole "new pistons" saga was just a load of bull to justify delays and upselling? Guess I'll find out when I fit the bugger...
I won't name and shame the "brake caliper specialist" involved in this sorry saga as that would be against the rules, I'll just say, if you are thinking of having similar work carried out, make sure you check the recent Facebook reviews of anyone you consider before proceeding. Unfortunately I didn't.
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