Craikeybaby's VW T5 Bike Van
Discussion
No, that is something that I had been looking out for, as it is a known weakness on the Transporters, but it seemed fine. I expect that the issue is with the slave cylinder, which is inside the bell housing, so if you've stripped it down that far, you may as well replace it all.
I was told that the job would have been done today, but I didn't hear from the garage.
I was told that the job would have been done today, but I didn't hear from the garage.
I have got the van back, it was the slave cylinder that had gone, but given they had to get the gearbox off to fix that they fitted a new clutch/dual mass flywheel. Hopefully that will be good for another 80k+ miles!
Becasue the subframe had to come off, the steering is slightly off-centre. The garage didn't have any alignment kit, so given that they would only be eye balling it, I'll get an alignment done when I take it for an MOT in the coming weeks.
Becasue the subframe had to come off, the steering is slightly off-centre. The garage didn't have any alignment kit, so given that they would only be eye balling it, I'll get an alignment done when I take it for an MOT in the coming weeks.
I had last week off work, so the van got a fair bit of use doing what I bought it for - ferrying me, the kids and our bikes to various trail centres. I have been running it without the seat next to the sliding door, which makes life easier for getting changed in the van and sorting out kit etc. However there are two downsides: if the kids are both in the back they are able to hit each other, but most importantly the only place I have to store the spare seat prevents me from getting my MR2 out of the garage, and I need that for the PH Sunday Service this weekend, so the spare seat is back in the van.
I still need to get the steering sorted, I was waiting for March when the garage said their alignment rig would be up and running, but somehow we are already in April...
I still need to get the steering sorted, I was waiting for March when the garage said their alignment rig would be up and running, but somehow we are already in April...
I had a big day in the van on Saturday - I think I ended up doing 8 hours driving Cotswolds -> Mid Wales -> Cotswolds -> Coventry. The MR2 would probably have been better for most of the driving, except I had to take some furniture to my starting point in the Cotswolds, which is much easier in the van. And I knew there would be some forest roads to navigate, and I figured that the van would be less likely to bottom out than the MR2. The MR2 would have been fine, and smaller size would have helped when doing a 3 point turn on a forest road with a cliff off the side...
I probably need to give it a wash now!
I probably need to give it a wash now!
I still haven’t given the van a wash…
But have treated it to new windscreen wipers, as driving to Wales in rain the other week I noticed that the windscreen wasn’t being cleared as well as it could have been. So with another trip to Wales planned, I thought I had better be prepared for rain.
I have also noticed that the rear sliding door has caught the rear bodywork, so need to investigate that and touch in the paint. Of course I am reluctant to touch in the paint before ensuring that the same thing won’t happen again…
The door has not been adjusted, so I’m not sure why all of a sudden it has been able to hit the van. My only idea is that it was parked nose pointing up hill on my previous trip to Wales.
But have treated it to new windscreen wipers, as driving to Wales in rain the other week I noticed that the windscreen wasn’t being cleared as well as it could have been. So with another trip to Wales planned, I thought I had better be prepared for rain.
I have also noticed that the rear sliding door has caught the rear bodywork, so need to investigate that and touch in the paint. Of course I am reluctant to touch in the paint before ensuring that the same thing won’t happen again…
The door has not been adjusted, so I’m not sure why all of a sudden it has been able to hit the van. My only idea is that it was parked nose pointing up hill on my previous trip to Wales.
That is one downside to having the third rear seat out, however the main one for me is that I don't have anywhere to store it, so it usually only comes out if we are going away etc.
The van had another trip to Wales last weekend, loaded up with bikes this time, and was starting to look a bit dirty, so I treated it to a wash. And a full tank of V Power diesel (I am now poor). Apologies for the vertical photo, but obviously had to share the snow foam photo on Instagram, did you even wash your car if you didn't?
Whilst washing the van I noticed a small patch of rust on the leading edge of the sliding door, so I will need to get that looked at, id addition to the door alignment, as it looks like the rear door has contacted the van bodywork. I also spotted that the front door hinges were rusting slightly, so I put some grease on them.
The van had another trip to Wales last weekend, loaded up with bikes this time, and was starting to look a bit dirty, so I treated it to a wash. And a full tank of V Power diesel (I am now poor). Apologies for the vertical photo, but obviously had to share the snow foam photo on Instagram, did you even wash your car if you didn't?
Whilst washing the van I noticed a small patch of rust on the leading edge of the sliding door, so I will need to get that looked at, id addition to the door alignment, as it looks like the rear door has contacted the van bodywork. I also spotted that the front door hinges were rusting slightly, so I put some grease on them.
My boys have both moved up bike sizes, which means there are now 4 bikes that need to go in the axle clamps, so I bought an extra clamp from Loaded Bikes, and commenced the 3D puzzle to fit them in.
I think/hope I can do better, as there won't be much room for other luggage. I might try putting the two adult bikes on the left, so they can be straighter, but it is a case of balancing space with the ease of being able to get my bike out first for solo rides.
I think/hope I can do better, as there won't be much room for other luggage. I might try putting the two adult bikes on the left, so they can be straighter, but it is a case of balancing space with the ease of being able to get my bike out first for solo rides.
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