2005 Clio 182 FF - Occasional track car
Discussion
Well that's all done and dusted, some £600 later. It does sound better, not squeak and pulls smoothers too. I am assuming it's the dephaser clutch, rather than a placebo!
Windscreen has a crack from passenger side to the middle, as I managed to crack it taking the wiper arms off. I also managed to put the wiper on incorrectly, so it goes off the screen and makes a nasty noice.
Tonight I will fix the seating for the wiper arm, and I've booked the windscreen in to be done next week, which means I am very close to booking a track day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11!!1111!1
Windscreen has a crack from passenger side to the middle, as I managed to crack it taking the wiper arms off. I also managed to put the wiper on incorrectly, so it goes off the screen and makes a nasty noice.
Tonight I will fix the seating for the wiper arm, and I've booked the windscreen in to be done next week, which means I am very close to booking a track day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11!!1111!1
Windscreen done and within 3 days a massive rock t
ts the screen and leaves a mark, very lucky there!
As someone has hit the Z4, I'm not using that until it's fixed. So I want the clio to remain in 1 piece. I've spotted a track day at silverstone for £199, pricey for this time of year, but cheap for silverstone! (always wanted to have a go). May do a last minute booking, if not, it's going to be a while
Anyway, it's sometimes the small details that make a big difference. This was getting annoying on my commute, so £20 later...
ts the screen and leaves a mark, very lucky there! As someone has hit the Z4, I'm not using that until it's fixed. So I want the clio to remain in 1 piece. I've spotted a track day at silverstone for £199, pricey for this time of year, but cheap for silverstone! (always wanted to have a go). May do a last minute booking, if not, it's going to be a while
Anyway, it's sometimes the small details that make a big difference. This was getting annoying on my commute, so £20 later...
illmonkey said:
Windscreen done and within 3 days a massive rock tts the screen and leaves a mark, very lucky there!
As someone has hit the Z4, I'm not using that until it's fixed. So I want the clio to remain in 1 piece. I've spotted a track day at silverstone for £199, pricey for this time of year, but cheap for silverstone! (always wanted to have a go). May do a last minute booking, if not, it's going to be a while
Was very close to a Whiteline ARB the other day, £25 off somewhere and had to stop myself. I just want to drive it as is, it's great, why waste a track days cost!?
Anyway, it's sometimes the small details that make a big difference. This was getting annoying on my commute, so £20 later...
ts the screen and leaves a mark, very lucky there! As someone has hit the Z4, I'm not using that until it's fixed. So I want the clio to remain in 1 piece. I've spotted a track day at silverstone for £199, pricey for this time of year, but cheap for silverstone! (always wanted to have a go). May do a last minute booking, if not, it's going to be a while
Was very close to a Whiteline ARB the other day, £25 off somewhere and had to stop myself. I just want to drive it as is, it's great, why waste a track days cost!?
Anyway, it's sometimes the small details that make a big difference. This was getting annoying on my commute, so £20 later...
Can't seem to stop spending money on it. Although this time it's mainly fixes...
Front right caliper's bleed nipple won't undo, and I believe the piston to be a little stuck. So, 2 new calipers and slider kits ordered for this weekends work. I may have also ordered a stud conversion kit and a fancy deep socket set for them, as the wheels will be off for brakes, I may as well...
Something I bought close to 5 months ago, is brake ducting, but I was hesitant in fitting as I had to remove the carbon canister. So, I done plenty of research and got around to ordering the parts required to blank it off and remove. Bonus is, all of these jobs require front wheels off and on stands, so I will 'save' time doing it all at once. Stud's should help with the swapping of wheels when I get to track.
Still yet to book a trackday! But I wanted calipers to be done first. Pedal is a little spongy, as when I fitted new pads before, I couldn't bleed 1 of the calipers due to the bleed nipple. It's fine on road, but on track I imagine it'll cause problems.
Front right caliper's bleed nipple won't undo, and I believe the piston to be a little stuck. So, 2 new calipers and slider kits ordered for this weekends work. I may have also ordered a stud conversion kit and a fancy deep socket set for them, as the wheels will be off for brakes, I may as well...
Something I bought close to 5 months ago, is brake ducting, but I was hesitant in fitting as I had to remove the carbon canister. So, I done plenty of research and got around to ordering the parts required to blank it off and remove. Bonus is, all of these jobs require front wheels off and on stands, so I will 'save' time doing it all at once. Stud's should help with the swapping of wheels when I get to track.
Still yet to book a trackday! But I wanted calipers to be done first. Pedal is a little spongy, as when I fitted new pads before, I couldn't bleed 1 of the calipers due to the bleed nipple. It's fine on road, but on track I imagine it'll cause problems.
Saturday was a bit of a disaster, long story short;
Studs didn't hold so back to bolts - Reckon they need a good clean so will purchase a thread cleaner kit
Brake ducts are fitted, but part of the chassis is in the way for 1 of them, so it needs to be removed and cut back
On the above job I broke a washer jet for the headlights
On the ducts, I had to remove the horn, it's now just in the bonnet resting on something. So need to find a place to reallocate it
Carbon canister removed, easier than I thought!
The website selling the studs gives the wrong size for the nuts, so I have purchased a useless socket piece
Polished the headlights a bit, but really it needs an orbital, so going to see if anyones got one I can pinch for a weekend.
On the positive, I cancelled the calipers from ECP as I found a chap selling everything I need to convert to 4-pot brembo brakes for not a long more dosh. Very excited to get them fitted, they are not the best, MTEC discs & Brembo pads, but it'll do, those bits are easy to change.
Dry stud fitting & finished brake ducts. Although on the brake ducts, I'd like to get them to point at the caliper, but ran out of time!
Studs didn't hold so back to bolts - Reckon they need a good clean so will purchase a thread cleaner kit
Brake ducts are fitted, but part of the chassis is in the way for 1 of them, so it needs to be removed and cut back
On the above job I broke a washer jet for the headlights
On the ducts, I had to remove the horn, it's now just in the bonnet resting on something. So need to find a place to reallocate it
Carbon canister removed, easier than I thought!
The website selling the studs gives the wrong size for the nuts, so I have purchased a useless socket piece
Polished the headlights a bit, but really it needs an orbital, so going to see if anyones got one I can pinch for a weekend.
On the positive, I cancelled the calipers from ECP as I found a chap selling everything I need to convert to 4-pot brembo brakes for not a long more dosh. Very excited to get them fitted, they are not the best, MTEC discs & Brembo pads, but it'll do, those bits are easy to change.
Dry stud fitting & finished brake ducts. Although on the brake ducts, I'd like to get them to point at the caliper, but ran out of time!
BenLowden said:
Test fitting is always progress, even if it's frustrating you can't get it right first time. I put the 4 pots on my 172 Cup and had to test fit three times I think to work out what spacers I'd need for my wheels. You may need spacers for the OEM wheels so worth looking into.
I'd recommend the Autoglym headlight restorer kit, worked a treat on mine using a cordless drill. Before and after photos on my thread here.
And also on the headlights, I think you could just fit washer blanks for ease now. Pretty sure the MOT changes last year only require headlight washers for cars with Xenons made post 2008; although I may have made that up so you might want to double check!
True, but obviously want it to work first time! I have 10mm spacers on the front, have been told they are enough, also running OEM 16"'s, which again I've seen are fine with these brakes. I'd recommend the Autoglym headlight restorer kit, worked a treat on mine using a cordless drill. Before and after photos on my thread here.
And also on the headlights, I think you could just fit washer blanks for ease now. Pretty sure the MOT changes last year only require headlight washers for cars with Xenons made post 2008; although I may have made that up so you might want to double check!
I've seen people knock that kit for the price, so ended up buying laods of wet and dry, but honestly, £20 for it to come with the drill attachment and take no effort sounds worth it!
Blanks is an idea, I'll look into MOT. I broke them the last time the bumper was off, so the jets are only 4 months old, can't be spending £30 every time I take the bumper off!
I thought of a 'cleaver' way to do the blanks, rather than the £50 for CF covers. I spent £1.50 on 2 rubber grommits things and popped them in the hole. Not perfect, but it's a fix.
I got a tap to clean the wheels, loads of brake cleaning fluid and they came up a treat, they were filthy before though, so not surprised it didn't stick!
The horn was a bd job, once refitted (as mentioned above) it made a horrible noise, probably resting on something. Weirdly, either side of my steering wheel made a different noise! Anyway, I worked on the car on Sunday and found a much better place for it after I removed the acoustic valve. The intake pipes were broken anyway, so I decided to order a 'induction kit' for the sum of £60, they've messed me about loads (wrong items shipped etc), but I finally have it all now, so will fit this weekend and can lose the airbox.
Onto the brembos. Honestly a very easy job, it's just time, not even a lot to be fair. Once fitted I done a bleed of the system, using some pressued header tank tool, which ended up with it forcing so much liquid into it, it pissed everywhere onto the drive! Due to this I panicked and rushed the fronts. Although the stopping power was much better, I was sure I'd not done a good job. But I needed more fluid so it'd have to do.
We ended up at a car event, that happened to have a store selling racing brake fluid! So a litre was purchased, when I got home I cracked on and involved the other half to pump the brakes rather than use the pressure bottle. Managed to do the whole job in under 60 minutes. Brakes feel much firmer and stop on a dime! I'm sure the rear wheels are coming off the ground sometimes
Managed to flog the old calipers, discs and pads for £150, so the upgrade has only cost £150. I still have the braided hoses to sell too!
Also thought the rear pads looked low, got a set of brembos for £13 delivered same day! so whipped them on.
Then had a little issue with the 'weekend car'... and the bearing has started making a racket on the clio
I got a tap to clean the wheels, loads of brake cleaning fluid and they came up a treat, they were filthy before though, so not surprised it didn't stick!
The horn was a b
d job, once refitted (as mentioned above) it made a horrible noise, probably resting on something. Weirdly, either side of my steering wheel made a different noise! Anyway, I worked on the car on Sunday and found a much better place for it after I removed the acoustic valve. The intake pipes were broken anyway, so I decided to order a 'induction kit' for the sum of £60, they've messed me about loads (wrong items shipped etc), but I finally have it all now, so will fit this weekend and can lose the airbox.Onto the brembos. Honestly a very easy job, it's just time, not even a lot to be fair. Once fitted I done a bleed of the system, using some pressued header tank tool, which ended up with it forcing so much liquid into it, it pissed everywhere onto the drive! Due to this I panicked and rushed the fronts. Although the stopping power was much better, I was sure I'd not done a good job. But I needed more fluid so it'd have to do.
We ended up at a car event, that happened to have a store selling racing brake fluid! So a litre was purchased, when I got home I cracked on and involved the other half to pump the brakes rather than use the pressure bottle. Managed to do the whole job in under 60 minutes. Brakes feel much firmer and stop on a dime! I'm sure the rear wheels are coming off the ground sometimes
Managed to flog the old calipers, discs and pads for £150, so the upgrade has only cost £150. I still have the braided hoses to sell too! Also thought the rear pads looked low, got a set of brembos for £13 delivered same day! so whipped them on.
Then had a little issue with the 'weekend car'... and the bearing has started making a racket on the clio
Krikkit said:
One thing I would say with Mr Clutch is go back through as much as possible of it for finger trouble - the techs are really pressed for time and occasionally slip up with routing of pipework/wiring etc that they had to move to do the job.
If I ever have a Clio again I'll drop the whole front end and engine/box and do the cambelt, clutch, water pump etc etc all in one go to make it easy.
Cam belt was done in Feb! Should have just done the clutch at the time. But that'd have been £900 in total. Seems steep for a car worth £1200!If I ever have a Clio again I'll drop the whole front end and engine/box and do the cambelt, clutch, water pump etc etc all in one go to make it easy.
They don't seem rushed there, the car is in overnight as they didn't finish it in time, I'd rather that than get it out by 5 with finger tight bolts.
Well, got a call at 10, collected all happy. Chap was nice, seemed like he knew his stuff.
Drove to work, fine. Drove home, weird, brake pedal goes to the floor, then works on 2nd push. Get it home, do some checks, wheels seems to move about 20mm back and forth rocking at 12 and 6!
Figured it’s the hub, got a lift to Halfords, chucked a socket on the hub, could do it up with 1 hand
was under 100Nm!
There will be a phone call on Monday morning...
Drove to work, fine. Drove home, weird, brake pedal goes to the floor, then works on 2nd push. Get it home, do some checks, wheels seems to move about 20mm back and forth rocking at 12 and 6!
Figured it’s the hub, got a lift to Halfords, chucked a socket on the hub, could do it up with 1 hand
was under 100Nm! There will be a phone call on Monday morning...
Seems to have been a while, another topic has prompted me to update.
It passed the MOT with flying colours, but not a lot else has happened over summer to the Clio and I've still not had it on track since May last year. Only recently I have had to refurb the gearbox. Initially, I thought it was linked to the clutch being done badly, but it was not in a good way. On my way home the day before a holiday, it started grinding, badly. I limped it home and forgot about it. Following the break, I had it flat bedded to a specialist for the work.
Main shaft bearings, 3rd and 4th gear, diff bearings and syncros all replaced. Just shy of £1000, that's almost the cost of the car. One good thing from this is the chap confirmed the clutch was all ok (see my other thread for a disputed with the company!).
I've been racking up the miles on the Z4 due to the Clio being off the road for almost 3 weeks, but it's great to finally have it back. Taking it easy for now, mainly as I don't want to bin the car with the recent work!
This was the problem causing the grinding noise
Worn gears
Video of the main bearing
https://youtu.be/85wbeAdG0GI
And the rebuild...
I am gagging to get it on track now. Summer comes with increased costs, and I will be careful, but I need to drive it with vigour soon! It just feels like it's required.
Oh, I also picked up a Whiteline ARB at the weekend. £100, when they are £180 new seemed a bargain. To be fitted soon.
It passed the MOT with flying colours, but not a lot else has happened over summer to the Clio and I've still not had it on track since May last year. Only recently I have had to refurb the gearbox. Initially, I thought it was linked to the clutch being done badly, but it was not in a good way. On my way home the day before a holiday, it started grinding, badly. I limped it home and forgot about it. Following the break, I had it flat bedded to a specialist for the work.
Main shaft bearings, 3rd and 4th gear, diff bearings and syncros all replaced. Just shy of £1000, that's almost the cost of the car. One good thing from this is the chap confirmed the clutch was all ok (see my other thread for a disputed with the company!).
I've been racking up the miles on the Z4 due to the Clio being off the road for almost 3 weeks, but it's great to finally have it back. Taking it easy for now, mainly as I don't want to bin the car with the recent work!
This was the problem causing the grinding noise
Worn gears
Video of the main bearing
https://youtu.be/85wbeAdG0GI
And the rebuild...
I am gagging to get it on track now. Summer comes with increased costs, and I will be careful, but I need to drive it with vigour soon! It just feels like it's required.
Oh, I also picked up a Whiteline ARB at the weekend. £100, when they are £180 new seemed a bargain. To be fitted soon.
ARB fitted, I do think it stiffens the car, even on the 'softest' setting. You'll note the cable ties that are on the exhaust mounts, even with the powerflex mounts, it was still popping out.
I'd got the car back, maybe done 500 miles commuting in it and spotted some oil on the drive. In this photo, you can see it dripping from 3 places. Obviously it hasn't rolled a wheel since I saw this. The guy who fixed it is collecting it Monday, it'll have been a month since it went for the refurb.
I've been driving about in the Z for a bit, and as lovely as it is, I really miss the 182! So I spashed out £5 on a mod I've done before. I'm hoping the car comes back next week all sorted, I can run it for a few days to ensure everything is good and finally book a track day. It's been 18 months since the last one.
It needs 2 new tyres now too. I was happy with the rainsports, so I think I'll get an other set, so they all match, and just go on a cycle to swap 2 at a time.
I'd got the car back, maybe done 500 miles commuting in it and spotted some oil on the drive. In this photo, you can see it dripping from 3 places. Obviously it hasn't rolled a wheel since I saw this. The guy who fixed it is collecting it Monday, it'll have been a month since it went for the refurb.
I've been driving about in the Z for a bit, and as lovely as it is, I really miss the 182! So I spashed out £5 on a mod I've done before. I'm hoping the car comes back next week all sorted, I can run it for a few days to ensure everything is good and finally book a track day. It's been 18 months since the last one.
It needs 2 new tyres now too. I was happy with the rainsports, so I think I'll get an other set, so they all match, and just go on a cycle to swap 2 at a time.
Krikkit said:
They all trend to leak a little oil, often gearbox oil from the selectors. There's a fix, but tbh I'd just buy the under tray that should be on it, then give it an occasional clean. 
This is wayyyyyyy more than that. I believe it's now dripped dry, as no more is coming out. But when ever I checked previously, it was a drip every 30 seconds. The mechanic said he'd take it back and sort it. I'm not risking driving it with such a leak, after spending £1k on a refurb.
Well, the mechanic kept pushing the collection back and back, so I arranged to get it delivered to him, so he had no excuses. 10 days later he tells me it's done. I spend over 2h 30m getting down to him, for him to tell me it's the drive shaft boot, and he didn't want to replace the whole shaft (Renault only sell them as complete items) so has just put some silicon on it. Apparently that's good enough.
Then had the cheeky to try and charge me, saying it wasn't his work that caused it. Well, I know it wasn't leaking when it originally got to you. I drove away with no payment taking place. Also noticed 3 lights on the dash, which were not there when it was collected from me, usual problems are steering wheel angle sensor or ABS.
I've also noticed fresh oil from under the car, so it's either leaking else where, or his bodge didn't work. Guess I'll be ordering a drive shaft and oil then. I have given up with the guy, he takes forever to action stuff, doesn't fix it and passes blame.
On the plus side, it has fresh rubber on the front, the last set of RainSport3's lasted 9k miles...
Then had the cheeky to try and charge me, saying it wasn't his work that caused it. Well, I know it wasn't leaking when it originally got to you. I drove away with no payment taking place. Also noticed 3 lights on the dash, which were not there when it was collected from me, usual problems are steering wheel angle sensor or ABS.
I've also noticed fresh oil from under the car, so it's either leaking else where, or his bodge didn't work. Guess I'll be ordering a drive shaft and oil then. I have given up with the guy, he takes forever to action stuff, doesn't fix it and passes blame.
On the plus side, it has fresh rubber on the front, the last set of RainSport3's lasted 9k miles...
Woah, October was the last update. Stuff's happened...
The gearbox still leaks. I gave up with him. I keep meaning to check/top it up, but I'm in a short term rent between houses so no space. New place has a garage a big drive, so I'll be back under the car shortly!
I tried to take on fixing the warning lights on the dash, so carefully removed the airbag and set to work
Noooooooooooooo! I've removed too much! This took probably 2 hours to get it back in without fouling anything on steering wheel rotation. That was 11th October, I still have the warning lights on the dash!
With the cold weather, the inside of the windscreen started to freeze, drain holes etc all clear. Changing out the filter did help though...
As per my previous post, I really wanted to get back on track. I found a stonking deal for a saturday at Silverstone, £100! Even to be able to say I've driven around (some) of Silverstone. I came back late friday night from a work trip absolutely knackered, but I wasn't going to miss this! Early December...
We started off well, the ARB and damp track keeping us on our toes with lift off oversteer, but we were having fun. After a few sessions, we decided to check over the brakes and they wern't looking good. Wheel off, pads out...
These were the pads that came with the brembo calipers I bought a few pages back. We started with good meat on them, but clearly not built for track days! So we hopped in my mates car and headed to GSF, they have OE pads in stock, figured even if we burnt through them, we'd get a few sessions each and at £30, there was no question. The longest queue I've ever seen in a GSF, 12 people infront of us, by the time we got back, lunch was over and we'd lost 2 hours.
We pressed on, but things wern't good. Heavy vibration under hard breaking, to a dangerous level. We done a few light sessions to make the most of it, but ultimatly decided to give up. The car is still on the same pads curently and I have no issue road driving, so I'll keep them on for now. Once in the new pad, I'll be doing all brakes and pads, as the rears have seen better days too.
1 Other problem arrised when at Silverstone, it wouldn't start, randomly. So we bumped it whenever we needed to go out. It worked out for the day, but I had to get my Z4 back (from storage) and commute as I couldn't trust the Clio to start. I done some basic testing with bridging the startermotor earth, no help. I replaced the earth strap and it seemed better. But still not 100%, so decided I had to do the starter motor. Guess where it is? (not my pic!)
Yep, behind the exhaust manifold. I read it couldn't be done without removing the manifold, but I having none of it. 1 hour over the car on the street and it was done. I was bleeding for a few places too!
That brings us up to date. I am just commuting in it for now, no other work being done until I get my garage.
The gearbox still leaks. I gave up with him. I keep meaning to check/top it up, but I'm in a short term rent between houses so no space. New place has a garage a big drive, so I'll be back under the car shortly!
I tried to take on fixing the warning lights on the dash, so carefully removed the airbag and set to work
Noooooooooooooo! I've removed too much! This took probably 2 hours to get it back in without fouling anything on steering wheel rotation. That was 11th October, I still have the warning lights on the dash!
With the cold weather, the inside of the windscreen started to freeze, drain holes etc all clear. Changing out the filter did help though...
As per my previous post, I really wanted to get back on track. I found a stonking deal for a saturday at Silverstone, £100! Even to be able to say I've driven around (some) of Silverstone. I came back late friday night from a work trip absolutely knackered, but I wasn't going to miss this! Early December...
We started off well, the ARB and damp track keeping us on our toes with lift off oversteer, but we were having fun. After a few sessions, we decided to check over the brakes and they wern't looking good. Wheel off, pads out...
These were the pads that came with the brembo calipers I bought a few pages back. We started with good meat on them, but clearly not built for track days! So we hopped in my mates car and headed to GSF, they have OE pads in stock, figured even if we burnt through them, we'd get a few sessions each and at £30, there was no question. The longest queue I've ever seen in a GSF, 12 people infront of us, by the time we got back, lunch was over and we'd lost 2 hours.
We pressed on, but things wern't good. Heavy vibration under hard breaking, to a dangerous level. We done a few light sessions to make the most of it, but ultimatly decided to give up. The car is still on the same pads curently and I have no issue road driving, so I'll keep them on for now. Once in the new pad, I'll be doing all brakes and pads, as the rears have seen better days too.
1 Other problem arrised when at Silverstone, it wouldn't start, randomly. So we bumped it whenever we needed to go out. It worked out for the day, but I had to get my Z4 back (from storage) and commute as I couldn't trust the Clio to start. I done some basic testing with bridging the startermotor earth, no help. I replaced the earth strap and it seemed better. But still not 100%, so decided I had to do the starter motor. Guess where it is? (not my pic!)
Yep, behind the exhaust manifold. I read it couldn't be done without removing the manifold, but I having none of it. 1 hour over the car on the street and it was done. I was bleeding for a few places too!
That brings us up to date. I am just commuting in it for now, no other work being done until I get my garage.
Cads said:
I really enjoyed reading through this mate. Well done on a nicely written piece.
I’m toying with one of these in the coming months, you do seem to have had a few niggles with it though. I get it’s no garage queen and clearly gets driven as they should.
Have you just been unlucky??
Thanks! Nice to see that people read it. I do it as a 'blog' for myself too, helps me reference when I last done X etc.I’m toying with one of these in the coming months, you do seem to have had a few niggles with it though. I get it’s no garage queen and clearly gets driven as they should.
Have you just been unlucky??
Not sure I'm unluckly, most of this is stuff that just breaks on a 15 year old car (ticked over 118k yesterday). I also drive it everywhere with some spirit shall we say. So the last 19k I've done it in, it's mainly spent above 4k RPM!
Something to shock you, total spend. All this is excluding the car, and I have a detailed list. But headline figures...over the last 3 years.
Trackday £417.00
Fix £2,407.27
Consumable £678.79
Upgrade £1,165.16
Tyres £722.20
Misc £24.98
Brakes £220.67
£5,636.07
It's missing some track days on that too. But that's not running the car.
Fair bit of free time at the moment, so a little update...
My dash is still like a christmas tree, with the warning lights from 11th October, due to the squib being bksed. I can't find one at a reasonable price, or without a whole steering column attached. The car still works, so it'll stay like that for a while! If I'm lucky, I get the added bonus of the airbag light coming on, not sure what the problem with that is...
Only things I've done is fitted an undertray as the gearbox STILL leaks, to protect my drive a bit. Decided to tackle the rear wiper and spray not working. Typically upon fixing the new washer pump I noticed the arms that control the wiper was missing a circlip, causing the metal bracket to rub the glass, I worried it'd put enough pressure on the damage it, so it's all in bits for now, until I can find a circlip. Obviously had to order a vernier caliper to measure my shaft...
I also lost the bolt for the rear wiper arm, luckly had some M8 nyloc nuts at the bottom of my toolbox. There is a cover, so you'd never know.
Finally, it likes a drink, frequently!
My dash is still like a christmas tree, with the warning lights from 11th October, due to the squib being b
ksed. I can't find one at a reasonable price, or without a whole steering column attached. The car still works, so it'll stay like that for a while! If I'm lucky, I get the added bonus of the airbag light coming on, not sure what the problem with that is...Only things I've done is fitted an undertray as the gearbox STILL leaks, to protect my drive a bit. Decided to tackle the rear wiper and spray not working. Typically upon fixing the new washer pump I noticed the arms that control the wiper was missing a circlip, causing the metal bracket to rub the glass, I worried it'd put enough pressure on the damage it, so it's all in bits for now, until I can find a circlip. Obviously had to order a vernier caliper to measure my shaft...
I also lost the bolt for the rear wiper arm, luckly had some M8 nyloc nuts at the bottom of my toolbox. There is a cover, so you'd never know.
Finally, it likes a drink, frequently!
Bloody COVID!
Once the wipers were sorted, I really wanted to get rid of the dash lights. I had an eBay alert setup for the squib & steering angle sensor, after a few months one came along 1/3 of the normal price, so without hesitation I purchased it. But, it turned out to not had cruise control. I barely use it, but it'd annoy me.
So I had to pick between dash lights or cruise I left it with lights on but cruise working.
Fast forward a month, I decided to tackle the problem properly. Took it all apart and inspected it all. Measuring 'turns' for both bits and playing about, I decided to put my original squib and the new SAS back on the car in the hope it'd work. BINGO! no lights. about bloody time. Seems the ribbon cable (the exploded cable a page or 2 ago) was not 'centered' (it has a min and max limit of turns), so misreading. As I had a new one to compare, it was obvious.
Still no track time, and it'd not be a 182 post without acknowledging a new issue! It seems a front bearing is on it's way out. constant beady rotational noise when moving, speeds up when I go faster. Annoying they need a press, so I think this job will be outsourced. I've also noticed the brake ducts are disintegrating, I can't imagine they help much now. So I need to buy some proper hoses for this.
Brakes still need doing, but it's a £400 purchase and I'm not using it at all.
Once the wipers were sorted, I really wanted to get rid of the dash lights. I had an eBay alert setup for the squib & steering angle sensor, after a few months one came along 1/3 of the normal price, so without hesitation I purchased it. But, it turned out to not had cruise control. I barely use it, but it'd annoy me.
So I had to pick between dash lights or cruise
I left it with lights on but cruise working.Fast forward a month, I decided to tackle the problem properly. Took it all apart and inspected it all. Measuring 'turns' for both bits and playing about, I decided to put my original squib and the new SAS back on the car in the hope it'd work. BINGO! no lights. about bloody time. Seems the ribbon cable (the exploded cable a page or 2 ago) was not 'centered' (it has a min and max limit of turns), so misreading. As I had a new one to compare, it was obvious.
Still no track time, and it'd not be a 182 post without acknowledging a new issue! It seems a front bearing is on it's way out. constant beady rotational noise when moving, speeds up when I go faster. Annoying they need a press, so I think this job will be outsourced. I've also noticed the brake ducts are disintegrating, I can't imagine they help much now. So I need to buy some proper hoses for this.
Brakes still need doing, but it's a £400 purchase and I'm not using it at all.
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