Bargain Basement Motoring

[NewcastleFalcon]

Needed some bits off the old strut, so had to dismantle it. Would have been nice to preserve the top mount, but did need the gaiter and the rubber bumpstop or whatever it is. Knew there would be difficulties, no change that into impossibilities, of getting the top nut off. Because its recessed it collects water and rust welds the nut to the threaded part of the strut. Yes there is a 6mm allen key slot, you put an allen key in there, and take an 18mm ring spanner and the nut unscrews easily.....only when the car was brand new in 2005 I'm afraid.

Dug out the Lidl/Aldi improvised spring compressors again. Work perfectly.

So here is the carnage, but when the new parts arrive, all the bits required to assemble the new strut will be in place.

Regards Neil

[NewcastleFalcon]

Downside of the ordering of parts with the free delivery option, you can't get on and sort stuff straight away, and you aren't totally sure at the start of the week which day they are going to arrive, although tracking of shipments is pretty good. So mine are arriving today all being well.

Meantime, of course the bolts for the strut had to be destroyed so a visit to the local agricultural engineers Aladdin's cave of stuff has appropriately produced "new bolts for old".

REgards Neil

[NewcastleFalcon]

Micra is in the twilight Zone at the moment. Failed the MOT on the Coil Spring, now replaced, but having to wait until Monday for the MOT all clear. Looked at the DVLA MOT and Tax enquiry and its all green. Taxed and with the original expiry date of the MOT still unchanged (Early test was a week ago yesterday).

All the MOT is is an assessment of the vehicle on a particular date, and the next assessment required is on another date 12 months hence, so the validity of the MOT remains until that date. I have probably confused the system by submitting the Micra for 2 months early one, as the original expiry date has not been updated.

At any point in the year, MOT failure faults can develop whether this be tyre wear, or indeed coil springs breaking. My early MOT test identified the coil spring problem and its now fixed.

I will not take the chance of driving it around this weekend, but were I stopped, a check with the official DVLA records would show

Sat 17th July 2021

It has been just over 5 working days, since the failed test so maybe it would go red sometime next week. Won't be able to test the theory out because its back on Monday to hopefully get the new ticket! and the new expiry date.

More a curiosity than anything else. I do hold the view that if it has failed the test then until you get a test pass certificate, whatever the DVLA website says it shouldn't be driven on the roads other than back to the MOT station.

Regards Neil

[NewcastleFalcon]

There are a number of advantages keeping the Micra road legal, even though its secondary transport now.

One I can use it for the carthorse role...tip visiting, cement/sand/aggregate/timber and various other lugging tasks, shoving the bike in without dismantling anything, or bothering too much about the uphostery.

Another is as the reserve ready and available should it be called on loan it out for a bit of temporary transport while attending to maintenance/repair on other cars in the maintenance fleet.

Also l enjoy full no claims discount on it, as well as the Leaf, so its nice not to let that slip.

....yes its useful for apres dog-walk duties with wet or muddy Labradors too!

The BB Micra now has a new July MOT, ready to resume its useful duties, and it does get the odd day out as reward and literally has a new spring in its step

Regards Neil

[mickthemaverick]

Well done Neil, nothing like an MOT pass to set you up for the week. Let's hope it doesn't 'spring' any more surprises on you!

[NewcastleFalcon]

Thanks MIck. Just a minor adjustment in the MOT dates bringing it forward by a couple of months, so if needed we can still be mobile when the Leaf gets it's turn in September.

Regards Neil

[NewcastleFalcon]

BB Micra MOT celebration day out

and its mile-o-meter turned over to 70,000 exactly on the trip...exactly here. Literally one of Northumberland's Byways.

Regards Neil

[NewcastleFalcon]

The thread kicked off with the purchase of a Renault Clio for six bottles of wine (page1 post1 refers).

Still in the maintenance fleet, although I sub-contracted a coil spring job to the local indy at short notice this week when one pinged and I discovered my less than adequate tool box didn't extend to a 21mm offset spanner and a 6.5mm allen key to remove the top strut nut. (Room 101 thread refers)

All went to plan right up to the point of collection late Friday afternoon, when on a test drive the other front spring decided to ping, and too late to get it done. With the garage being shut over the weekend, I paid them for what they had done and have taken on the replacement of the other spring.

So I have been shopping at the local agricultural engineers after having a drive into civilisation to pick up a new spring and top mount.

Specialist tool and bolts nuts and washers

REgards Neil

[mickthemaverick]

All went to plan right up to the point of collection late Friday afternoon, when on a test drive the other front spring decided to ping, and too late to get it done. With the garage being shut over the weekend, I paid them for what they had done and have taken on the replacement of the other spring.

So I have been shopping at the local agricultural engineers after having a drive into civilisation to pick up a new spring and top mount.



REgards Neil

I bet you're kicking yourself for not taking that approach when the first one went now!! Not a bad thing, I always think suspension components are best replaced in pairs!! Hopefully with the addition of a suitable holder for your specialist tool and some electicity all will be well in no time!!

[NewcastleFalcon]

The original BB Clio, another new spring in its step.

back on the road again

REgards Neil

[NewcastleFalcon]

BB Micra got the nod today for the general rainfest, didn't plug the Leaf in to have it ready to go this morning.

To the right....a ford and an unknown track
To the left......an unknown track with a bit more tarmac on it
No Sat nav/ no map.

Reverse, back through the gate, up the road we had just come down!

REgards Neil

[myglaren]

I think the Ford has washed away or sank.

[NewcastleFalcon]

BB Micra got the nod today, but one of its normal allotted duties collecting timber fresh and wet from the preserver tank at the sawmill.

REgards Neil

[myglaren]

Hot today?

[NewcastleFalcon]

Hot today?

Started off cold, then when the sun came out everything just melted

Regards Neil