CitroJim's AX, C3 Picasso, Cycling and Running Tales

[CitroJim]

Thanks Mick and Skull No servicing needed after 9000 miles but lots of fuel and consumables consumed

I did need to undergo a large repair though

One good thing about 2020 was my return to this forum... Ever since my first tentative visit I've been thoroughly enjoying being active on here again

[CitroJim]

There is a Dog, sorry, I meant God

Today is auspicious... I finally got Daffodil's front bleed nipples moving without shearing them or otherwise damaging them

Happy nipples

Plus Gas and the same technique as I've used with great success in the past to undo Xantia rear brake caliper through-bolts worked

The technique is to use a big breaker bar on them and apply a lot of torque in a very controlled way... It sounds crazy to use a breaker bar on a bleed nipple but by gosh, it worked!

In a lovely bit of synergy today Sian asked if she could take Pix back to London with her for a few weeks... In doing so that's freed a space on my drive so that I can wheel Daffodil out of the garage to work on her

Driveshaft, wheel bearing and brake replacement work may now commence I'll wait until Storm Bella has blown through first though...

Daffodil's brake fluid is a bit (very) manky and will need changing... I'm unsure of what to use so will ask in a separate post...

I drove the MX-5 today... Urrgh... Not a car for one who suffers claustrophobia It's like being in a cocoon that's a size too small and with the roof down it's so black... The footwell is tiny and generally, I'm just too tall for it...

I'm fit, lithe and flexible and I find it bloody difficult to get in and out of It's so low!!!

Apart from that, it drives utterly beautifully but sadly all of the above puts me right off of it... I think I'd like it more with the top down as I'd not feel so claustrophobic in it...

[KennyW]

Jim,

The brake fluid will probably be DOT 4.

When I was driving for BMW specialist near me I hated getting in and out of the Z1, Z3 and the i8 electric car. I too am reasonably fit but the low height made it an 'experience' to enter and exist gracefully.

Kenny

[CitroJim]

When I was driving for BMW specialist near me I hated getting in and out of the Z1, Z3 and the i8 electric car. I too am reasonably fit but the low height made it an 'experience' to enter and exist gracefully.

And those aren't such small cars Kenny!

I was amazed at how small the MX-5 really is... I parked it where my Saxo was parked earlier and find the MX-5 and Saxo have about the same 'footprint'

It looks bigger than it actually is...

[Michel]

I was amazed at how small the MX-5 really is... I parked it where my Saxo was parked earlier and find the MX-5 and Saxo have about the same 'footprint'

It looks bigger than it actually is...

I loved the MX-5s I had, the MK2 1.8 with an LSD was the best. I didn’t actually find it too bad to get in or out of. Hmm. Reading this has made me want another

[bobins]

I'm about 6' tall and.... erm..... not slim, fit nor lithe and can get in and out of my hairdryer without issue. You sure you're not trying to get in and out of a Lego version of an MX5 - Jim ? One of the delights of them is that they are so fixable. Loads of spares around for the Mk1 / 2 / 2.5 and they're nicely simple to fix as long as you get one that's had the rust done or has spent all its life in the Sahara desert going nowhere

[mickthemaverick]

I'm 5' 11" and well proportioned ahem! and have no difficulty in getting in or out of the MX3 or Ken's MX5, not that I've been in that since March, so I think the problem must be being too fit Jim!!

[Michel]

I'm about 6' tall and.... erm..... not slim, fit nor lithe and can get in and out of my hairdryer without issue.

I’m similarly proportioned, and I don’t recall having any issues. I found it quite comfortable and ache-free on long journeys if I remember rightly. I think I’m going to buy another!

[myglaren]

I find my daughter's MX5 easier to get in to than my Civic.

[CitroJim]

Obviously me. I can only speak as I find

[mickthemaverick]

Jim, I hope you don't mind me posting this link here but I couldn't find the 'old radio and bits' thread I thought was around, so this seems the best place where you, Peter and Zel will see it and of course anyone else that is interested. I was browsing an auction catalogue and came across this lot which may interest you chaps :

https://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/auct ... 8000cd5509

[CitroJim]

Not at all Mick, always happy to see stuff like that

The AVO and the Taylor multimeter are particularly desirable...

I've been very busy with Daffodil today. Much progress made. I'll post up more when I'm on my laptop My phone is not the best tool for the job...

[NewcastleFalcon]

'old radio and bits' thread

Not at all Mick, always happy to see stuff like that
The AVO and the Taylor multimeter are particularly desirable...

This was the thread Lockdown Vintage Audio Activities

Got off to a decent start too, and I managed to marginally off topic in this little shop



Regards Neil

[mickthemaverick]

Thanks Neil, I've added a link to that thread!!

[CitroJim]

Thanks Neil, I've added a link to that thread!!

And thanks from me too Neil, I'd forgotten about that thread as it's been a while since I've done much in that direction as all the vintage electronic stuff, touch wood, is all working well and there's been no projects awaiting attention for a while...

I'm sure that'll soon change!

I've had an excellent day of work on Daffodil today

Her LH side came apart a lot easier than her RH side and even the hub nut declined to fight Remember the epic battle I had with the RH side

I'm not tight on this side!

In no time at all both struts were out and ready for their bearing changes

Strutting their stuff...

Bearings aside, both struts are in remarkably good and clean condition... In so many areas Daffodil really does not look her age at all

The bearings are rough though...

The RH driveshaft is very tired with a lot of play in the outer CV joint, no wonder there was a distinct clunk on taking up drive!

I guess the boot let go at some point and dirt and grit got in before a new boot was fitted...

Worn out...

I have a brand new driveshaft ready to fit...

The old brake fluid was really atrocious! Black

I'm not supposed to be this colour!

That lot came out of the calipers when I retracted their pistons...

I've treated myself to a vacuum brake bleeding kit to make the fluid change easier...

I drained the gearbox oil so that I could pull the driveshafts out and was pleased to see the oil looking clean and good

The drain plug has grown a very impressive 'hedgehog' Maybe it was Daffodil's pet

Daffodil's pet hedgehog

And here's Daffodil having to rough it outside tonight Poor girl, I'll have her back in her cosy garage as soon as I can...

Brrrrr...

I'm delighted at Daffodils overall condition, she's very clean underneath and so far, I've found nothing during my activities on her to give me any concern

Tomorrow I'll be doing the wheel bearings... Currently the bearing housings and circlips are soaking in Plus Gas...