What I've been doing in the garage today
Discussion
Hi All,
Decided that todays the day to commence with my winter workings and just managed to squeeze her into my workshop.
Started off by draining the coolant and removing the rad, definitely time for a new one, looks like rad welds been used at some point, there was no drain plug on the bottom so it turned into quite a messy job, axle stands will be better placed next time!
I then moved onto dismantling the suspension and after diving in head first realised I probably should have drained the brake fluid so I could remove the hubs and callipers etc. I managed to get the wishbones off without but will do this before tackling the other side. Is it just a case of undoing both bleed nipples and pumping the pedal until it's empty?
As expected, the further you delve the more bits you find could do with replacement, where's the best place to buy track rod ends, lower ball joints and ARB drop links? I guess it's also worth fitting braided brake hoses whilst they're off.
Finally, the wish bones and ARB are looking a bit tatty and I wonder if it's worth having these powder coated whilst I'm at it. I don't have much room either side of the car perhaps 75cm, will it be possible to get the ARB out at this? How much would you expect to pay for powder coating the four wishbones, ARB and rear trailing arms?
Thanks in advance.
Lawrie
Decided that todays the day to commence with my winter workings and just managed to squeeze her into my workshop.
Started off by draining the coolant and removing the rad, definitely time for a new one, looks like rad welds been used at some point, there was no drain plug on the bottom so it turned into quite a messy job, axle stands will be better placed next time!
I then moved onto dismantling the suspension and after diving in head first realised I probably should have drained the brake fluid so I could remove the hubs and callipers etc. I managed to get the wishbones off without but will do this before tackling the other side. Is it just a case of undoing both bleed nipples and pumping the pedal until it's empty?
As expected, the further you delve the more bits you find could do with replacement, where's the best place to buy track rod ends, lower ball joints and ARB drop links? I guess it's also worth fitting braided brake hoses whilst they're off.
Finally, the wish bones and ARB are looking a bit tatty and I wonder if it's worth having these powder coated whilst I'm at it. I don't have much room either side of the car perhaps 75cm, will it be possible to get the ARB out at this? How much would you expect to pay for powder coating the four wishbones, ARB and rear trailing arms?
Thanks in advance.
Lawrie
Quite a worklist there Lawrie, and a lot of questions too!
Firstly, to drain the brake fluid, you shouldn't really have to pump the pedal, if you undo the bleed nipples ( with a drain tube into a jar ), it should drain out ok, albeit slowly. I use a Gunson Eezi-bleed kit which utilises a spare wheel as a pressure vessel and speeds up the whole draining / bleeding procedure with single-handed operation as a bonus.
ARB - not sure how much side clearance you need to slide it out, but I would think 75 cms is enough. If not, you could always knock a brick out of your workshop wall!
Track rod ends & ball joints - any good motor factors should be able to supply them, or search fleabay. Check ' Useful Links - Alternative Parts List on here for part no's. Also use the search facility for useful info on fitment and possible pitfalls.
ARB droplinks - There was a thread on here recently about them. Somebody is supplying rose jointed versions. Again just use the search.
Powdercoating those bits - An industrial powdercoaters that I use would prob charge about £70 at a guess for stripping, blasting & powdercoating. But they would end up with a lot of blasting grit included inside the box sections of the trailing arms ! ( They do NOT get a lot of work from McLaren
. )
Just ask your local friendly company for a quote.
Stainless braided hoses - Go for it!
HTH
Glen
Firstly, to drain the brake fluid, you shouldn't really have to pump the pedal, if you undo the bleed nipples ( with a drain tube into a jar ), it should drain out ok, albeit slowly. I use a Gunson Eezi-bleed kit which utilises a spare wheel as a pressure vessel and speeds up the whole draining / bleeding procedure with single-handed operation as a bonus.
ARB - not sure how much side clearance you need to slide it out, but I would think 75 cms is enough. If not, you could always knock a brick out of your workshop wall!
Track rod ends & ball joints - any good motor factors should be able to supply them, or search fleabay. Check ' Useful Links - Alternative Parts List on here for part no's. Also use the search facility for useful info on fitment and possible pitfalls.
ARB droplinks - There was a thread on here recently about them. Somebody is supplying rose jointed versions. Again just use the search.
Powdercoating those bits - An industrial powdercoaters that I use would prob charge about £70 at a guess for stripping, blasting & powdercoating. But they would end up with a lot of blasting grit included inside the box sections of the trailing arms ! ( They do NOT get a lot of work from McLaren
. )Just ask your local friendly company for a quote.
Stainless braided hoses - Go for it!
HTH
Glen
Edited by glenrobbo on Monday 17th November 11:44
Barkychoc said:
The Eezibleed kit is great in my opinion - but if you have the instructions it tells you to let your spare wheel down to a low pressure - otherwise you'll have brake fluid everywhere.
Yes Chris, that's a fair point. I know that now
About 15 psi should do it. And lots of kitchen wipes to get it off the ceiling. 
When in doubt, as an absolute last resort, read the instructions. Simples.
v8s4me said:
glenrobbo said:
... as an absolute last resort, read the instructions...
Gender traitor! Man up Robbo 
It's better than having a woman read you the instructions in a very sarcastic tone, whilst you are wiping all the brake fluid from your person.
v8s4me said:
glenrobbo said:
....It's better than having a woman ... wiping all the brake fluid from your person.
But I thought you liked having a woman wipe oil over you? Is that what you use Dot 4 Joe?
I reckon brake fluid would bring a bit of colour to your cheeks after a short while.
I heard about those Mazola parties behind closed doors.......
glenrobbo said:
Have you now got to raise the roof on your garage?
Or will you just take the roof off your Chim?
Glenn. This is not fair as I recall seeing Andy and Shirley topless on numerous occasions in Germany. Mind you, they also saw myself and Niiige in a similar state from time to time. Or will you just take the roof off your Chim?
Good evening all, thanks for your responses.
I went for the Eezibleed kit from Gunsons, didn't read the instructions, looks like you guys know the rest...
Do you have a picture of them fitted Shaun? Would be happy to tag them onto my swirl pot order.
Got the rear end on axle stands now, will continue with suspension strip down this weekend.
I'll be sending my brake pipes off to Stevsons so if anyone else wants to take a punt at theirs being the same as mine then now might be a good time to order, they seem to want a set to copy, however, I've seen previously that the kits are five pieces, but I count six, two each side up front and one each side at the rear?
Also discovered that my phone can go places I can't, kind of wish I hadn't bothered to be honest...
You lot will be sick of me if I decide to do a body lift
I went for the Eezibleed kit from Gunsons, didn't read the instructions, looks like you guys know the rest...
Do you have a picture of them fitted Shaun? Would be happy to tag them onto my swirl pot order.
Got the rear end on axle stands now, will continue with suspension strip down this weekend.
I'll be sending my brake pipes off to Stevsons so if anyone else wants to take a punt at theirs being the same as mine then now might be a good time to order, they seem to want a set to copy, however, I've seen previously that the kits are five pieces, but I count six, two each side up front and one each side at the rear?
Also discovered that my phone can go places I can't, kind of wish I hadn't bothered to be honest...
You lot will be sick of me if I decide to do a body lift
LawrieS said:
I've seen previously that the kits are five pieces, but I count six
I think a few suppliers have their Vixen S2's mixed up with their S Series S2's !You should indeed have six hoses but an accepted "improvement" is to use one long hose at the front each side and do away with the fiddly little metal pipe on the hub carrier.
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