Millipede Monaro (it's a bit leggy!)
Discussion
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I've reduced my usage substantially the last few months and been using my winter wheels quite a bit instead.
Should be posting up a pic of the odo passing 220k fairly soon though...
I've reduced my usage substantially the last few months and been using my winter wheels quite a bit instead.
Should be posting up a pic of the odo passing 220k fairly soon though...
Well the first year of ownership has flown by and been pretty much trouble free - the air con rebuild aside, which was optional rather than essential.
Before renewing my insurance, I decided the time had come to refresh the front suspension, so the old girl is on SORN for now. Distinct "boinging" sounds when going from lock to lock, combined with a temporary pull to whichever side lock had been applied told me that all was not well with the top mounts, and various other bushes look pretty tired too.
The initial strip down was straight forward, wheels and brakes quickly and easily removed. Then things went downhill quickly. Firstly one of the drop links sheared at the top, and refused point blank to undo from the anti-roll bar, although it quickly succumbed to the angle grinder.
Then the bolts securing the offside strut to the steering knuckle were absolute pigs to remove, needing my full weight plus much bouncing on a long breaker bar just to crack off, and then requiring continued huge amounts of effort to undo the nuts whilst trying to stop the bolt from rotating.
The top mount nut was easy enough though, and the first strut was off and looking a bit crusty...
Then I turned it over
Yes that is the upper spring seat that is corroded through and completely distorted around half its circumference - the rusty remains being the only thing stopping the spring making a bid for freedom. I'm naturally nervous around compressed springs anyway, so this definitely made me pucker a tad!! Got some spring compressors on it very quickly to take the load off.
The next hurdle was the retaining nut which absolutely refused to loosen. The curved top washer prevented me getting a nut splitter onto it, so had to resort to the grinder again to remove the washer before splitting the nut off. Managed to do so without damaging the strut or the Pedders top mount which looks to be in decent condition.
Finally apart. The bearing had already self-destructed in-situ and most of the ball bearings were loose inside the gaiter.
Remains of the upper spring seat.
Really rather nervous about removing the nearside strut now as, if anything, it looks even more crusty from underneath!!
Before renewing my insurance, I decided the time had come to refresh the front suspension, so the old girl is on SORN for now. Distinct "boinging" sounds when going from lock to lock, combined with a temporary pull to whichever side lock had been applied told me that all was not well with the top mounts, and various other bushes look pretty tired too.
The initial strip down was straight forward, wheels and brakes quickly and easily removed. Then things went downhill quickly. Firstly one of the drop links sheared at the top, and refused point blank to undo from the anti-roll bar, although it quickly succumbed to the angle grinder.
Then the bolts securing the offside strut to the steering knuckle were absolute pigs to remove, needing my full weight plus much bouncing on a long breaker bar just to crack off, and then requiring continued huge amounts of effort to undo the nuts whilst trying to stop the bolt from rotating.
The top mount nut was easy enough though, and the first strut was off and looking a bit crusty...
Then I turned it over
Yes that is the upper spring seat that is corroded through and completely distorted around half its circumference - the rusty remains being the only thing stopping the spring making a bid for freedom. I'm naturally nervous around compressed springs anyway, so this definitely made me pucker a tad!! Got some spring compressors on it very quickly to take the load off.The next hurdle was the retaining nut which absolutely refused to loosen. The curved top washer prevented me getting a nut splitter onto it, so had to resort to the grinder again to remove the washer before splitting the nut off. Managed to do so without damaging the strut or the Pedders top mount which looks to be in decent condition.
Finally apart. The bearing had already self-destructed in-situ and most of the ball bearings were loose inside the gaiter.
Remains of the upper spring seat.
Really rather nervous about removing the nearside strut now as, if anything, it looks even more crusty from underneath!!
Ok, the nearside strut is now off and if anything it all came apart slightly more easily then the offside. Just as crusty as the first mind you.
The dampers, despite being original, aren't leaking and feel extremely firm in both directions when operated by hand. Not the most scientific test, granted, but allied with the fact that the front end didn't feel floaty or under-damped on the road and I think they are still good to reuse.
Started stripping out the lower arm support rods now and guess what - the nuts on those are absolutely solid too!!
The dampers, despite being original, aren't leaking and feel extremely firm in both directions when operated by hand. Not the most scientific test, granted, but allied with the fact that the front end didn't feel floaty or under-damped on the road and I think they are still good to reuse.
Started stripping out the lower arm support rods now and guess what - the nuts on those are absolutely solid too!!
So, after much swearing and battling with rusty nuts and bolts, I've finally finished the strip down, as far as I'm going anyway. Not much steering or suspension left..
Couple of parcels of bits arrived, mostly from Monkfish but have got the drop links from Rock Auto (Pontiac GTO) as they were cheaper, even including the postage from the US!
Bit of a difference 220k miles makes..
..and the lower arm bushes not much better
Lastly the purchase that made the front end refresh rather more expensive than planned (albeit unavoidable due to badly leaking seals)
Hopefully things will go back together easier than they came apart. Fingers crossed...
Couple of parcels of bits arrived, mostly from Monkfish but have got the drop links from Rock Auto (Pontiac GTO) as they were cheaper, even including the postage from the US!
Bit of a difference 220k miles makes..
..and the lower arm bushes not much better
Lastly the purchase that made the front end refresh rather more expensive than planned (albeit unavoidable due to badly leaking seals)
Hopefully things will go back together easier than they came apart. Fingers crossed...
Edited by 99t on Saturday 12th April 20:39
All back together without any drama. Just a couple of nuts to get to their final torque settings once I get it on a ramp as torquing them on the driveway proved too much for my right shoulder joint, which is now kaput!
Moog GTO drop links look suitably beefy.
Also had one front wheel straightened and refurbished as I needed to replace a tyre for the MOT. Will do the other ones when they need tyres (which isn't far off TBH), but they do look a bit tatty in comparison now!!
Just need to adjust the handbrake and then it'll be MOT time...
Moog GTO drop links look suitably beefy.
Also had one front wheel straightened and refurbished as I needed to replace a tyre for the MOT. Will do the other ones when they need tyres (which isn't far off TBH), but they do look a bit tatty in comparison now!!
Just need to adjust the handbrake and then it'll be MOT time...
Edited by 99t on Friday 9th May 21:32
The last few journeys have been even more enjoyable than usual, given my main objective was to finish off the barely legal rear tyres in style!!
Job done
the rear wheels duly went off for stripping and powder coating and new tyres were ordered from t'internet.
My choice of tyre may be controversial.
To be honest they aren't a tyre I would normally have chosen, BUT they are what have been on the back of Mille since I swapped them from the front after the first week of ownership and I have never once found them to be lacking in any conditions.
And at £108 for a pair including delivery from Germany I simply struggled to justify spending more.
Note that I wouldn't put them on the front though. The reason for swapping them to the rear in the first place was severe outer shoulder wear, so they appear to struggle with the loads imposed by the Monaro's front end. Once moved to the rear the remaining tread has worn evenly.
One wheel left to refurb - can you tell which one?? Actually the pic is very flattering, it's in awful condition!!
Job done
the rear wheels duly went off for stripping and powder coating and new tyres were ordered from t'internet.My choice of tyre may be controversial.
To be honest they aren't a tyre I would normally have chosen, BUT they are what have been on the back of Mille since I swapped them from the front after the first week of ownership and I have never once found them to be lacking in any conditions.
And at £108 for a pair including delivery from Germany I simply struggled to justify spending more.
Note that I wouldn't put them on the front though. The reason for swapping them to the rear in the first place was severe outer shoulder wear, so they appear to struggle with the loads imposed by the Monaro's front end. Once moved to the rear the remaining tread has worn evenly.
One wheel left to refurb - can you tell which one?? Actually the pic is very flattering, it's in awful condition!!
So, next week it's time for a ROAD TRIP!!!
Planning to cover around 700 miles doing a mini tour from Loch Lomond to Mull via Fort William, and then on to Oban and Callander. To be fair, most of the miles are going to be motorway slog just getting there and back!! Still beats being in the office though!!
Thought it might be wise to give the old girl a check over before we set off, dipped the oil and kicked the tyres, all ok. Then thought I'd better peer underneath, only to find the bracket supporting the back box had rusted through
To be honest, there really wasn't much left to weld back on, and trying to do so resulted in some of the nastiest, ugliest and most blobby welding I've ever produced, but strangely it seems to have taken so hopefully it will last the duration.
In a moment of pity, I then decided to wash the car for the second time in my ownership! Doing so on old cars is always depressing as it just uncovers new areas of damage and rust of which I was previously happily unaware. The nearside front wing seems to be stone chipping particularly easily...
...whilst the bonnet appears to be attempting to go "rat look" all on its own.
However, stand back far enough (this picture was taken from two miles away with a pap-spec lens) and she still looks to scrub up ok.
Will try to update on the trip daily, subject to the three W's that may interfere with that plan. Wife, Wi-Fi and Whisky!!
p.s. just seen the suitcase the first W is planning on taking and am now glad I got a "big boot" CV8!!
Planning to cover around 700 miles doing a mini tour from Loch Lomond to Mull via Fort William, and then on to Oban and Callander. To be fair, most of the miles are going to be motorway slog just getting there and back!! Still beats being in the office though!!
Thought it might be wise to give the old girl a check over before we set off, dipped the oil and kicked the tyres, all ok. Then thought I'd better peer underneath, only to find the bracket supporting the back box had rusted through
To be honest, there really wasn't much left to weld back on, and trying to do so resulted in some of the nastiest, ugliest and most blobby welding I've ever produced, but strangely it seems to have taken so hopefully it will last the duration.
In a moment of pity, I then decided to wash the car for the second time in my ownership! Doing so on old cars is always depressing as it just uncovers new areas of damage and rust of which I was previously happily unaware. The nearside front wing seems to be stone chipping particularly easily...
...whilst the bonnet appears to be attempting to go "rat look" all on its own.
However, stand back far enough (this picture was taken from two miles away with a pap-spec lens) and she still looks to scrub up ok.
Will try to update on the trip daily, subject to the three W's that may interfere with that plan. Wife, Wi-Fi and Whisky!!
p.s. just seen the suitcase the first W is planning on taking and am now glad I got a "big boot" CV8!!
Essentials packed!
Journey up was smooth and uneventful. I've not done many long journeys in this car and had forgotten how effortlessly the Monaro cruises. Arrived at Loch Lomond fresh and ache free after an easy 3 and half hours from Preston. The exhaust is still in place!!
Roads should get a bit more interesting tomorrow
Journey up was smooth and uneventful. I've not done many long journeys in this car and had forgotten how effortlessly the Monaro cruises. Arrived at Loch Lomond fresh and ache free after an easy 3 and half hours from Preston. The exhaust is still in place!!
Roads should get a bit more interesting tomorrow
Day three was a drive from Corpach to Barrachandroman which is properly out in the sticks on the Isle of Mull. This is a drive of about 78 miles and a high proportion of that is on single track roads. The forecast rains finally arrived too, just to add to the fun!!
Pace was kept sensible, especially as only two miles into the first single track section we were nearly wiped out around a blind bend by a fully laden forestry artic coming the other way.
Plenty of non-motorist locals to watch out for too...
Great roads though
By the time we reached the Lochaline ferry the sun was breaking through and we had pole position for the next boat!!
Once on Mull, the roads to Barrachandroman became increasingly rustic (basically read as cart-track) and the poor exhaust system took quite a battering. Although it still appears to be holding together, I think this holiday will probably finish it off.
After an all too brief 24 hours on Mull it was time to get the ferry to Oban. We arrived just as the 1pm ferry should have just been sailing, but it hadn't started loading yet. The guys managed to squeeze us on, just...
Tonight, great fish and chips on Oban. Tomorrow the A85 to Callander...
Pace was kept sensible, especially as only two miles into the first single track section we were nearly wiped out around a blind bend by a fully laden forestry artic coming the other way.
Plenty of non-motorist locals to watch out for too...
Great roads though
By the time we reached the Lochaline ferry the sun was breaking through and we had pole position for the next boat!!
Once on Mull, the roads to Barrachandroman became increasingly rustic (basically read as cart-track) and the poor exhaust system took quite a battering. Although it still appears to be holding together, I think this holiday will probably finish it off.
After an all too brief 24 hours on Mull it was time to get the ferry to Oban. We arrived just as the 1pm ferry should have just been sailing, but it hadn't started loading yet. The guys managed to squeeze us on, just...
Tonight, great fish and chips on Oban. Tomorrow the A85 to Callander...
Out of sequence but a couple more Mull pics from Mrs 99t's camera:
330hp mobile inflator!
Which eventually led to this... (and note the road surface!)
..and a relaxed paddle around the southern end of Loch Spelve. We remained impressively upright and afloat throughout
Back on the mainland, the run between Oban and Callander saw another mini-mileage milestone passed
Before arriving in Callander we detoured to Go Ape at Aberfoyle, which was great fun but left us running late for our meal reservation in Callander.
The 12 miles between the two locations were thus dispatched at rather closer to 10/10ths than I would have liked on unfamiliar roads, given that it was raining and starting to go dark. Other than one occasion when the ABS was definitely still operating mid-corner (ahem!) I had total confidence leaning hard on the chassis and even the much maligned standard CV8 brakes held up fine (although the wet weather probably helped them).
In Callander, both our B&B and the meal we enjoyed were the best of the holiday, so a special mention to Roslin Cottage B&B and Callander Meadows respectively, they rounded off our time in Scotland in great style.
Final pic, just north of Carlisle on the way home, quick picnic stop
Trip summary:
796 miles, 30.56 gallons of petrol and approximately 27 fairly annoying midge bites.
Mille missed not a single beat during the trip, used no oil or water and even the exhaust stayed attached throughout, although I'm in no doubt I need to start investigating exhaust replacement options.
Fuel consumption worked out at a smidge over 26mpg, which isn't bad considering we were travelling really fairly quickly at times and then very, very slowly in low gear quite a lot of the time on the single track roads. Not that this trip was ever intended to be an economy run, but more to reconnect with the love of driving on some great roads, and there it succeeded completely.
330hp mobile inflator!
Which eventually led to this... (and note the road surface!)
..and a relaxed paddle around the southern end of Loch Spelve. We remained impressively upright and afloat throughout
Back on the mainland, the run between Oban and Callander saw another mini-mileage milestone passed
Before arriving in Callander we detoured to Go Ape at Aberfoyle, which was great fun but left us running late for our meal reservation in Callander.
The 12 miles between the two locations were thus dispatched at rather closer to 10/10ths than I would have liked on unfamiliar roads, given that it was raining and starting to go dark. Other than one occasion when the ABS was definitely still operating mid-corner (ahem!) I had total confidence leaning hard on the chassis and even the much maligned standard CV8 brakes held up fine (although the wet weather probably helped them).
In Callander, both our B&B and the meal we enjoyed were the best of the holiday, so a special mention to Roslin Cottage B&B and Callander Meadows respectively, they rounded off our time in Scotland in great style.
Final pic, just north of Carlisle on the way home, quick picnic stop
Trip summary:
796 miles, 30.56 gallons of petrol and approximately 27 fairly annoying midge bites.
Mille missed not a single beat during the trip, used no oil or water and even the exhaust stayed attached throughout, although I'm in no doubt I need to start investigating exhaust replacement options.
Fuel consumption worked out at a smidge over 26mpg, which isn't bad considering we were travelling really fairly quickly at times and then very, very slowly in low gear quite a lot of the time on the single track roads. Not that this trip was ever intended to be an economy run, but more to reconnect with the love of driving on some great roads, and there it succeeded completely.
Edited by 99t on Sunday 10th August 16:44
shambolic said:
Lochaber said:
Taking your life in your hands parking there for a pic !! right next to a fast bit of the A82 lol
Exactly what I was thinking. Wrong side o the carraigeway there is madness to stop. 
Very quiet at the time and only that one white car passed in the 45 seconds I was stationery there. My wits were kept very much about me whilst out of the car taking the pictures.
Madness is a tad strong perhaps. Calculated risk at worst I think.
No real problems to report, just a couple of minor niggles:-
Still haven't replaced the exhaust and it is rattling quite badly now, although not blowing. At some point I'm going to have to bite the bullet and sort it, but household and future holiday costs are eating into funds right now so it's on the back burner at the moment.
Only other niggle recently was total electrical failure due to a slightly loose positive battery terminal clamp. Fortunately it happened when parked, so no real problem. Clamp needs replacing as it doesn't seem to want to tighten up properly any more.
Still haven't replaced the exhaust and it is rattling quite badly now, although not blowing. At some point I'm going to have to bite the bullet and sort it, but household and future holiday costs are eating into funds right now so it's on the back burner at the moment.
Only other niggle recently was total electrical failure due to a slightly loose positive battery terminal clamp. Fortunately it happened when parked, so no real problem. Clamp needs replacing as it doesn't seem to want to tighten up properly any more.
Sometimes being utterly useless does serve a purpose.
Case in point, I wanted to check on the exhaust pre-mot and sort a rattle if possible, so decided to reverse the car onto ramps. I have done this before without issue on our gravel drive so was quite relaxed about doing so again. A little too relaxed as it turned out.
Application of a tad too much torque resulted in both ramps being fired cleanly under the rear wheels with the car landing neatly and squarely on both ramps on the rear of the sills. With quite a bump.
Once the burning in my cheeks had subsided a little I jacked the car up and repositioned the ramps. Other than one sill cover popping off slightly and needing to be thumped back on there appeared to be no damage, other than a rather ominous looking lump of rust which had taken the opportunity to escape from the end of the sill. Hmmm....
Looks ok from the side though..
.. or not!
Hells bells!
Only one thing for it
Having cut back to solid metal, the saving grace is that the inner sill that supports the suspension mounting point is still completely solid despite appearances.
Being useless at reversing onto ramps has at least served the purpose of allowing the repair to be carried out "early" and in a localised manner rather than the rust hiding away behind the sill cover until the integrity of the suspension mounting point and inner sill was severely compromised.. Small mercies and all that!
New flange on the middle section
And then knocked up a repair section for the bottom of the sill and rear wing closure
Rust was treated and painted inside the sill and then the repair welded into place
Pumped full for Dynax internally and smothered in seam sealer externally. Surface rust treated and painted
Needs stonechip and non-chrome screws!
And from the side there is no evidence of my efforts, which is a good thing I think!
I'll book it in for the MOT next week and see if another year's ticket can be obtained...
Case in point, I wanted to check on the exhaust pre-mot and sort a rattle if possible, so decided to reverse the car onto ramps. I have done this before without issue on our gravel drive so was quite relaxed about doing so again. A little too relaxed as it turned out.
Application of a tad too much torque resulted in both ramps being fired cleanly under the rear wheels with the car landing neatly and squarely on both ramps on the rear of the sills. With quite a bump.
Once the burning in my cheeks had subsided a little I jacked the car up and repositioned the ramps. Other than one sill cover popping off slightly and needing to be thumped back on there appeared to be no damage, other than a rather ominous looking lump of rust which had taken the opportunity to escape from the end of the sill. Hmmm....
Looks ok from the side though..
.. or not!
Hells bells!
Only one thing for it
Having cut back to solid metal, the saving grace is that the inner sill that supports the suspension mounting point is still completely solid despite appearances.
Being useless at reversing onto ramps has at least served the purpose of allowing the repair to be carried out "early" and in a localised manner rather than the rust hiding away behind the sill cover until the integrity of the suspension mounting point and inner sill was severely compromised.. Small mercies and all that!
New flange on the middle section
And then knocked up a repair section for the bottom of the sill and rear wing closure
Rust was treated and painted inside the sill and then the repair welded into place
Pumped full for Dynax internally and smothered in seam sealer externally. Surface rust treated and painted
Needs stonechip and non-chrome screws!
And from the side there is no evidence of my efforts, which is a good thing I think!
I'll book it in for the MOT next week and see if another year's ticket can be obtained...
Thanks chaps!
Since my car is an exercise in "advanced bangernomics" (I like that quote from earlier in the thread ) I just used what I had to hand to fix it, reused the fixings etc. I didn't see any tape in evidence when I removed the trim but it has been off before so not necessarily 100 OEM
The other side on mine is fine and there is evidence to support my car having had this rear quarter replaced at some point, early on in its life I would say.
Un-repaired cars are probably fine but maybe just shoot some extra wax in there to be sure...
Since my car is an exercise in "advanced bangernomics" (I like that quote from earlier in the thread
) I just used what I had to hand to fix it, reused the fixings etc. I didn't see any tape in evidence when I removed the trim but it has been off before so not necessarily 100 OEMThe other side on mine is fine and there is evidence to support my car having had this rear quarter replaced at some point, early on in its life I would say.
Un-repaired cars are probably fine but maybe just shoot some extra wax in there to be sure...
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