Rover 75 CDTi Tourer
Discussion
The list of little jobs had grown to be a big one on the 75, and some hard miles added the last two years by my wife's outdoor workprompted a visit to Jules in North Wales. This time my wife came with me, as there was a delightful AirBnb next door to Jules now open.
Of course, a hardworking car is never the cleanest to work on...after a midnight arrival from the South, the patient was looking... agricultural.
As always, the local wildlife was reassuringly MG Rover shaped.
First job - rear shocks. These were boucing unevenly and the MOT tester commented on 'misting', so I decided a new pair was in order.
A fair bit of trim has to come out for access in the Tourer, including bolsters, plastic mouldings, the rear hatch carrier. One design specification for the 75 was no visible screws, so a lot of covers and hatches were moved aside with needle nosed pliers and their ilk.
One item of note - the little coat hooks in the rear load area have this 'soft close' gearing. Delightful.
After that little Torx adventure, we had a hilarious time trying to get wheel nuts off. Looking at the history, the usually outstanding Micheldever tyre had torqued these up to the nth degree. Thank goodness we hadn't had any roadside puncture this past year, as we had to deploy jacks, wood and breaker bars to unscrew them. Tedious.
Finally, the shocks were accessible with two top 13mm nuts. The RH rear was a Delphi replacement, quite solid, while the LH was, incredibly, the original Rover item. 190k and still vaguely working. Amazing.
The tops were... slightly pastrified...nothing an angle grinder wouldn't sort out.
Note the part worn rear left disc. We examined and Jules said the caliper likely sticking. Pads on that side were well down too. He removed it and sure enough decrepit seals and various crusty bits signalled some work required. Derustification, sanding of the piston and disassembly followed. Jules had everything in stock, so with new seals, correct grease and a fair bit of fettling the caliper went back together, new pads went in on both sides.
New shocks on, Jules re-cali'per'ated the brakes, handbrake and bled the rears. I held the torch. Rear went back together, wheels on, this time not torued to a different time zone, and it was beer time.
The next day, the fronts gave us a similar battle.
I decided to make myself scarce as the swearing began, and fortunately GT85 and a fair few implemented got them off without a broken locking wheel nut. I will be more careful in observing torqueness in future by Micheldever. First time I've had a problem like that in 20 years!
Wheels off, front discs off and replaced, fortunately all bolts and bits came off without drama.
As Jules tackled that, I replaced the bottom rear engine mount, a common failure on the diesels that provides a noticeable damping effect when setting off or braking. A few easy bolts, NOS part from the stores and it was done in a few minutes. Amazingly, this was also the original.
Next up, an embarrasing moment - the cause of the oil misting around the front left was my doing. I had incorrectly mounted the viton seals from above for the hard intercooler pipe. We remove the front bumper and confirmed - I did bad 6 years ago:
Reaseating and cleaning completed, we also replaced the lower intercooler hose as it was lookign decidedly sluglike and porous.
The reversing switch had given up, which explained the lack of rear parkign sensors and reversing lights in one go. Luckily this was a simple, cheap part that just screws into the gearbox.
Jules also decided it was the ideal time to clean up our headlights, and I was instructed to buy the correct lacquer, which I promise is on its way and will be applied immediately.
In a final flurry of activity, front brake discs and pads were changed, fluid bled, air con checked and regassed, and a few trim clips replaced to solve various rattles and creaks.
We made it to the local pumpkin festival....
...and ticked over 190k as we left Colwyn Bay. A top trip and theraupeatic few days, as always, that ensures the 75 is set for the impending winter.
Of course, a hardworking car is never the cleanest to work on...after a midnight arrival from the South, the patient was looking... agricultural.
As always, the local wildlife was reassuringly MG Rover shaped.
First job - rear shocks. These were boucing unevenly and the MOT tester commented on 'misting', so I decided a new pair was in order.
A fair bit of trim has to come out for access in the Tourer, including bolsters, plastic mouldings, the rear hatch carrier. One design specification for the 75 was no visible screws, so a lot of covers and hatches were moved aside with needle nosed pliers and their ilk.
One item of note - the little coat hooks in the rear load area have this 'soft close' gearing. Delightful.
After that little Torx adventure, we had a hilarious time trying to get wheel nuts off. Looking at the history, the usually outstanding Micheldever tyre had torqued these up to the nth degree. Thank goodness we hadn't had any roadside puncture this past year, as we had to deploy jacks, wood and breaker bars to unscrew them. Tedious.
Finally, the shocks were accessible with two top 13mm nuts. The RH rear was a Delphi replacement, quite solid, while the LH was, incredibly, the original Rover item. 190k and still vaguely working. Amazing.
The tops were... slightly pastrified...nothing an angle grinder wouldn't sort out.
Note the part worn rear left disc. We examined and Jules said the caliper likely sticking. Pads on that side were well down too. He removed it and sure enough decrepit seals and various crusty bits signalled some work required. Derustification, sanding of the piston and disassembly followed. Jules had everything in stock, so with new seals, correct grease and a fair bit of fettling the caliper went back together, new pads went in on both sides.
New shocks on, Jules re-cali'per'ated the brakes, handbrake and bled the rears. I held the torch. Rear went back together, wheels on, this time not torued to a different time zone, and it was beer time.
The next day, the fronts gave us a similar battle.
I decided to make myself scarce as the swearing began, and fortunately GT85 and a fair few implemented got them off without a broken locking wheel nut. I will be more careful in observing torqueness in future by Micheldever. First time I've had a problem like that in 20 years!
Wheels off, front discs off and replaced, fortunately all bolts and bits came off without drama.
As Jules tackled that, I replaced the bottom rear engine mount, a common failure on the diesels that provides a noticeable damping effect when setting off or braking. A few easy bolts, NOS part from the stores and it was done in a few minutes. Amazingly, this was also the original.
Next up, an embarrasing moment - the cause of the oil misting around the front left was my doing. I had incorrectly mounted the viton seals from above for the hard intercooler pipe. We remove the front bumper and confirmed - I did bad 6 years ago:
Reaseating and cleaning completed, we also replaced the lower intercooler hose as it was lookign decidedly sluglike and porous.
The reversing switch had given up, which explained the lack of rear parkign sensors and reversing lights in one go. Luckily this was a simple, cheap part that just screws into the gearbox.
Jules also decided it was the ideal time to clean up our headlights, and I was instructed to buy the correct lacquer, which I promise is on its way and will be applied immediately.
In a final flurry of activity, front brake discs and pads were changed, fluid bled, air con checked and regassed, and a few trim clips replaced to solve various rattles and creaks.
We made it to the local pumpkin festival....
...and ticked over 190k as we left Colwyn Bay. A top trip and theraupeatic few days, as always, that ensures the 75 is set for the impending winter.
B'stard Child said:
Would it be worth filling the void of that gearbox bush with liquid polyurethane - I did that with a diff mount on a Monza (always a weak point) and it made a big difference with no apparent increase in noise transmission to the shell
Powerflex sell replacement pair of bushes you can pop in instead.Spinakerr said:
Thanks all - this was the first time we completed everything on the to-do list!
Poly mounts are fine for the petrol engines and maybe match a ZT, but the M47 diesel is too much of a rumbling vibratotron - Jules recommends OE rubber as supplied for smooth sailing.
When we bought our 75, the lower one was a poly mount - I replaced it with the commonly modified Mondeo MK3 mount - this still seems fine, but the engine still shunts on takeoff and sometimes on gearchange. I've replaced the hydro mount cone-shaped one too. I'm wondering if is there enough movement in that small bush on the driver's side up top above the hydro to cause this? Wouldn't have thought the gearbox mount where it is situated would cause that sort of movement. Poly mounts are fine for the petrol engines and maybe match a ZT, but the M47 diesel is too much of a rumbling vibratotron - Jules recommends OE rubber as supplied for smooth sailing.
Good to see you sorting her out - ours just passed the test for another twelve months with a wishbone, drop links and back pads - and a little welding, as is de rigueur
Cambs_Stuart said:
An entertaining update as always. As with Phil at alfa craft I'm impressed that you've built up a relationship with these people/firms where they'll let owers into the workshop to help out.
Ah...thanks... it takes many years of not saying or doing anything too silly to be accepted! Deep down, all cantankerous lone wolf savants want to pass on their knowledge.mercedeslimos said:
When we bought our 75, the lower one was a poly mount - I replaced it with the commonly modified Mondeo MK3 mount - this still seems fine, but the engine still shunts on takeoff and sometimes on gearchange. I've replaced the hydro mount cone-shaped one too. I'm wondering if is there enough movement in that small bush on the driver's side up top above the hydro to cause this? Wouldn't have thought the gearbox mount where it is situated would cause that sort of movement.
Good to see you sorting her out - ours just passed the test for another twelve months with a wishbone, drop links and back pads - and a little welding, as is de rigueur
Hmmm I'm no expert but if its the last one standing... worth a try. I can say the last few hundred miles have been some of the smoothest ever in the 75 - smooth set offs are a joy and the rear utters nothing over bumps. The car is more smooth and controlled than it has ever been. Sorting out all the interior trim to remove squeaks, groans and rattles also made a significant difference!Good to see you sorting her out - ours just passed the test for another twelve months with a wishbone, drop links and back pads - and a little welding, as is de rigueur
RazerSauber said:
I have no idea why, I don't have any major interest in Rovers but this is a fantastically entertaining thread. More, please!
Appreciate it - I aim to make the maintenance the focus - it could be any car but the 75 really has become part of our family. The wife has put another few hundred on since the weekend in torrential rain, and the brakes are now bedded in all round. It is stopping perfectly and evenly.Nice update.
Good to see the familiar cobbles, red ramps and assortment of scrap parts by the wall as always! Glad to hear it’s made it to 190k, did the lower mount replacement make a noticeable difference to the vibrations? Mine vibrates on occasion, Jules replaced the hydramount earlier this year, while I replaced the lower mount about 5 years/80k ago… wondering whether I ought to replace it again incase I used a naff part the first time round.
Good to see the familiar cobbles, red ramps and assortment of scrap parts by the wall as always! Glad to hear it’s made it to 190k, did the lower mount replacement make a noticeable difference to the vibrations? Mine vibrates on occasion, Jules replaced the hydramount earlier this year, while I replaced the lower mount about 5 years/80k ago… wondering whether I ought to replace it again incase I used a naff part the first time round.
Muddle238 said:
Nice update.
did the lower mount replacement make a noticeable difference to the vibrations? Mine vibrates on occasion, Jules replaced the hydramount earlier this year, while I replaced the lower mount about 5 years/80k ago… wondering whether I ought to replace it again incase I used a naff part the first time round.
Idling maybe a slight amount, the main impact of the lower change is on setting off/braking. It now resists lurching around, similar to when we replace the front mount in our Saab 900.did the lower mount replacement make a noticeable difference to the vibrations? Mine vibrates on occasion, Jules replaced the hydramount earlier this year, while I replaced the lower mount about 5 years/80k ago… wondering whether I ought to replace it again incase I used a naff part the first time round.
I believe I may have secured Jules' last genuine part from his stock... apologies...!
The 75 continues normal service, just two small items to post - a dipped beam bulb replacement (contortionist routine and experience meant this took only a few minutes and not the 30 minutes it clocked in at years ago) and reinstatement of the missing boot cover hatch.
Here's a picture of the bulb hatch cover - always missing or incorrectly attached for Rovers and MG ZTs. Never, ever let Halfords or equivalent near these items. Learn to do it yourself. It is easy.
This handle had always been missing - we never even thought it would have one until Jules noted it and could be bought new.
The potential extension of the ULEZ in August 2023 will mean the end of this trusty workhorse. I will leave me feelings on sledgehammer politics, the state of useable public transport, the environmental gain of scrappage schemes and the ladling of debt for new cars onto the lowest paid in times of high interest rates and record inflation for another time. Without a cohesive challenge or delay we will sadly be looking for the right owner for YMY in the new year.
Here's a picture of the bulb hatch cover - always missing or incorrectly attached for Rovers and MG ZTs. Never, ever let Halfords or equivalent near these items. Learn to do it yourself. It is easy.
This handle had always been missing - we never even thought it would have one until Jules noted it and could be bought new.
The potential extension of the ULEZ in August 2023 will mean the end of this trusty workhorse. I will leave me feelings on sledgehammer politics, the state of useable public transport, the environmental gain of scrappage schemes and the ladling of debt for new cars onto the lowest paid in times of high interest rates and record inflation for another time. Without a cohesive challenge or delay we will sadly be looking for the right owner for YMY in the new year.
markirl said:
What will you replace with? Why not a 1.8t or 2.5v6 of the same?
See my other thread ... MG ZT-T 260. The only sensible choice.The 75 continues, as expected, to pile on the miles and be our faithful lugger. So far this year several large items moved around a bit, tackled a lot of muddy miles for her work and completed a trip to Cornwall for my wife and her sister.
[url=https://flic.kr/p/2omtmNa]
In Feb it was our reliable airport lugger in the ice & snow for our first holiday in a while.
While visiting friends in Salzburg I was slightly surprised to see a ZT saloon. As it is a town of cobbled streets, beautiful vistas and euro-boxes that absolutely brought to mind Ronin and other 90s/00s thrillers, the ZT looked absolutely perfect in the environment. Time continues to solidify its quiet, neat and slightly sinister presence.
Finally, I see the 75 in daylight for the first time in a while its clear its brought its usual 2kg of Cornwall back, along with the usual winter blarf.
A clean is due this weekend as MOT time next Sat. As if to mock me and the impending test, it blew a H7 dipped beam bulb and turned on the airbag light last week. The airbag light solved as always by a wiggle and clean of the plugs under the seats. The bulb was definitely blown, so I resumed the usual 'arm into the wheel arch' position beloved of all 75/ZT fanatics. I stared blankly into the middle distance as the hatch was removed, rubber bulb cover off and bulb holder rotated ~45 degrees to remove.
Incredibly, I had a headlight bulb in the boot. This never happens.
Faults cleared, a thrumming at speed had been reported. I took a look at the engine bay and major moving parts. Nothign obvious amiss, but some screws were missing for various undertray bits, so I sifted through my box of random old rusty bits to secure it all. We'll see if any noise persists.
Right. I've put it off long enough. Time to give it a proper clean.
Edited by Spinakerr on Saturday 11th March 15:14
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