What a difference!
Discussion
Just completed a few little jobs to get Austin ready for our trip.
Strip, clean & replace rear brake shoes and wheel cylinders both sides.
Clean & inspect front brakes.
Pressure bleed all brakes & change brake fluid.
Replace all front suspension bushes with polyurethane ones.
Remove 22yr old Koni shocks & springs & replace with Gaz GP8 adjustables and springs 450 front, 375 rear. ( Thanks Ragtop! )
Replace offside top balljoint ( not really worn yet, but rubber boot retainers on the way out ).
Set camber to - 1 degree on fronts.
Change engine oil & filter - I used Valvoline VR 1 Racing 20w - 50, recommended for high zddp content.
General check of everything else incl. steering gear, coolant system, fanbelt, fluid levels, tyres - fronts are borderline legal for driving on the continent, so new pair on order for tomorrow! Plus I'll feel more confident on the twisty bits with new boots on instead of worn intermediates.
And so to the test drive........ WOW! This is like a different car!
Sure- footed, stable, firm but supple, it feels brilliant! The handling has been transformed. I never thought my grin could get any wider, but it has.
I am so looking forward to the Eurotour.
Final jobs are to lower the rear ride height ( I've checked the heights 5 times now, but get a different reading each time, difficult to find a nice flat level surface around here!
Also have the front tracking set properly ( I replaced trackrod ends a couple of months ago ).
Then start packing
I'll be tootling down to Essex on Thursday in my new Austin, to stop over at my sister's.
Who knows, I may even see Barry whilst I'm there!
Let's hope there are no last - minute dramas for anyone this year, safe journey to all of you.
All the best,
Glen
Strip, clean & replace rear brake shoes and wheel cylinders both sides.
Clean & inspect front brakes.
Pressure bleed all brakes & change brake fluid.
Replace all front suspension bushes with polyurethane ones.
Remove 22yr old Koni shocks & springs & replace with Gaz GP8 adjustables and springs 450 front, 375 rear. ( Thanks Ragtop! )
Replace offside top balljoint ( not really worn yet, but rubber boot retainers on the way out ).
Set camber to - 1 degree on fronts.
Change engine oil & filter - I used Valvoline VR 1 Racing 20w - 50, recommended for high zddp content.
General check of everything else incl. steering gear, coolant system, fanbelt, fluid levels, tyres - fronts are borderline legal for driving on the continent, so new pair on order for tomorrow! Plus I'll feel more confident on the twisty bits with new boots on instead of worn intermediates.
And so to the test drive........ WOW! This is like a different car!
Sure- footed, stable, firm but supple, it feels brilliant! The handling has been transformed. I never thought my grin could get any wider, but it has.
I am so looking forward to the Eurotour.
Final jobs are to lower the rear ride height ( I've checked the heights 5 times now, but get a different reading each time, difficult to find a nice flat level surface around here!
Also have the front tracking set properly ( I replaced trackrod ends a couple of months ago ).
Then start packing
I'll be tootling down to Essex on Thursday in my new Austin, to stop over at my sister's.
Who knows, I may even see Barry whilst I'm there!
Let's hope there are no last - minute dramas for anyone this year, safe journey to all of you.
All the best,
Glen
Loads of time Stew!
Would have finished earlier but rain kept stopping play.
I blame Wimbledon.
No, not Pirelli Shreddies, Joe, I'm going for the Dunlop SP Sport FastResponse. I was pleased with their performance at Spa.
I thought you were going to tell me to update your suspension Wiki, but I haven't finished playing yet. The improvement is so great I probably never will!
PS, You can't really blame Pirelli.
Gary Anderson was spot on when he showed up that knife edge kerbing at turn 4.
Who would have thought that was acceptable at a premier GP circuit?
Would have finished earlier but rain kept stopping play.
I blame Wimbledon.
No, not Pirelli Shreddies, Joe, I'm going for the Dunlop SP Sport FastResponse. I was pleased with their performance at Spa.
I thought you were going to tell me to update your suspension Wiki, but I haven't finished playing yet. The improvement is so great I probably never will!
PS, You can't really blame Pirelli.
Gary Anderson was spot on when he showed up that knife edge kerbing at turn 4.
Who would have thought that was acceptable at a premier GP circuit?
More on here about tyres for anyone who's interested.
http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2013/7/1474...
http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2013/7/1474...
Longers said:
Good work Glen. I assume you will now be taking on the role of Pace Setter for the GTS?
Unfortunately Ian, my talents are strictly mechanical. All I can do is lead them confidently to the nearest cement works. 
But I have today purchased a map of Europe and have found out where we are going.
Tomorrow I shall buy some petrol.....
You have no idea how much I'm looking forward to being hopelessly lost in Europe
Edited by glenrobbo on Wednesday 3rd July 23:16
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