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

[CitroJim]

This weekend I planned to replace the front brake flexi hoses on Jodie the Ka but the weather was just too bad

The weather was good today so after returning from work I cracked on and got the job done...

It's a lovely, easy job on the Ka as all the unions are exposed and all, including the bleed nipples, freed off without issue...

I was glad I did the job as the old ones, an advisory on the last MoT, were in a sad state...

Own Work

This is one of the new ones all nicely fitted

Own Work

The new ones had a feature I've never seen before, the caliper end was essentially a shot length of rigid pipe with a union and this helped enormously with aligning the new pipe and would, it it was necessary, make the caliper very easy to remove without straining the pipe...

Own Work

The only slight problem was that I've mislaid my one-person bleeding kit but it was not too much of an issue as I could more-or-less bleed them by virtue of how much fluid was dripping from the end of the rigid pipe at the top of the flexi - allowing that drip to fill the new pipe and run out of the bleed nipple seems to have done the trick. Finally I attached a length of pipe to the bleed nipple, submerged the other end in a jar of brake fluid and pressed the pedal once for each caliper...

I will get assistance in the next few days to bleed them properly... I'll also be investing in a new one-person kit too

I'll let Jodie go for an MoT next week despite being sure some welding will be needed; I'll then know if there are any other issues that need to be addressed... Her future may rest upon what the MoT man says...

Fingers crossed there are no show-stoppers hiding from me...

I've surely enjoyed my little spannering session today

[Pug_XUD_KeenAmateur]

I'm mostly posting so that I've got a reference point where I've read to.

I'm only an 'occasional' blog reader, and the 'Unread Posts' function doesn't seem to take me to the page (is it me?)

Do buy a reading lamp similar to one of these to assist with welding, they're absolutely invaluable, lighting up the job enough to see properly where you're putting the torch, but not enough to fool the mask into Auto-Darkening, mine cost me £6 new. (I tried a Desk Lamp first, they're no good, the light isn't sufficiently 'directional')

...and don't buy a Joddler, they're useless

[van ordinaire]

I've not found the "Unread Posts" to be much, if any, use.

Jim, I'd not come across those flexis you describe - 'til I got a Cadillac! must be a "Detroit" thing; perhaps Kas are more Dearborn dumpsters than Dagenham dustbins.

[xantia_v6]

When using the special search buttons like "Active topics" or "Unread posts" click on the pink (or grey) roundel icon at the left of the search results, and that should take you to first unread post (or the last post where appropriate).

You can also bookmark the last post that you read, and you can be sure of finding it again.

[CitroJim]

Jim, I' not come across those flexis you describe - 'til I got a Cadillac! ust be a "Detroit" thing; perhaps Kas are more Dearborn dumpsters than Dagebham dustbins.

As I understand it Van, the original Ka is a British designed Ford... The fuel filler being on the nearside (the opposite of all other Fords bar the very British Fiesta) suggest that is the case...

It's far too tiny to be a Yank and has far too few cylinders in the engine even if the engine is made of the Yanks favourite metal - cast iron

[van ordinaire]

When using the special search buttons like "Active topics" or "Unread posts" click on the pink (or grey) roundel icon at the left of the search results, and that should take you to first unread post (or the last post where appropriate).
You can also bookmark the last post that you read, and you can be sure of finding it again.

Be that as it may - it sounds far too complicated for my simple mind.

[Michel]

I always just click on the New Posts link..

[CitroJim]

I always just click on the New Posts link..

Yes, that and 'Unread Posts' link work very well for me... Saves trawling through all the individual forums looking for new posts...

Those links work just as well on my 'phone as they do on the laptops...

[xantia_v6]

The thing that confuses some people is that those searches return a list of topics (not strictly posts), and you need to click the icon, not the title, to get to where you expect to be.

[CitroJim]

No car work for a while I'm sidelined with a duff knee and I am under very strict orders to rest it until it's better...

I've booked the Ka in for an MoT next week... I don't expect a pass but the fail sheet will doubtless make interesting reading...

I'm currently using the Pixo. It has an advantage that with a duff knee it is perhaps the easiest of all my cars to get into and out of without too much pain and discomfort... That's a big plus-point at the moment and somewhat trumps the fact it's not a very inspiring drive...

In fact, my cars are now going to see a lot of use for a while as I can't walk far at all at the moment

I'll be going stir-crazy soon as I can't run, cycle or even swim

[Michel]

You need to get to work on those abs and upper body Jim. There's loads you can do without using your legs, or at least without pressuring your knee

[demag]

Have you seen those professional cyclists on the tele? Legs like young oak trees and chests like an asthmatic.

[CitroJim]

Have you seen those professional cyclists on the tele? Legs like young oak trees and chests like an asthmatic.

yes, it does make them look a bit odd! Sparrow-chested i think it's described as...

You need to get to work on those abs and upper body Jim. There's loads you can do without using your legs, or at least without pressuring your knee

I've dusted off my weights Mike

[Michel]

I'd have thought a TRX suspension trainer or similar would be right up your street Jim...

[CitroJim]

I'd have thought a TRX suspension trainer or similar would be right up your street Jim...

Good thinking Mike I'll likely pop into Decathlon and pick one up later...