Zel's Fleet Blog - BX, Jag XJ-S, Sinclair C5, Mercedes 208D & 230TE, AC Model 70.

[CitroJim]

Yep, got to agree. As a last resort a hammer and chisel does the business a treat. I start with a chisel until I've raised a lip and then use a big punch...

Has to be bad if a Pleiades tool fails though...

[Zelandeth]

Zel, I'm about this afternoon and in car mode so if you want to pop over have at least have the rears cracked off then please do...

Might just take you up on that, Jim! Sounds like a job where having the correct tools on hand makes a lot of difference.

[CitroJim]

More than welcome Zel... Come this afternoon and you can see an Activa in bits...

[Zelandeth]

Will pop over in a bit then, just need to go dig a couple of things out the garage then should be free.

[CitroJim]

Saw this long after I saw you and car Zel

Pleased to see it's a bit softer now

[Zelandeth]

Isn't it just! Feels like a completely different car now! Still very slightly harsher than I would expect (especially at lower speeds), but I'm well aware that the ride height being too high won't help matters at all, so hope once that's adjusted that it will be spot on. As it is, it's a hundred times better (funny how having 2bar of pressure left in the rear spheres makes a difference...) and is perfectly comfortable.

Given that there may well be another run to Aberdeen on the cards in the not too distant future I'm well glad to have this done, as the perpetual bouncing got rather tiring on the motorway last time.

Just heading out now to do a bit of tidying up in the engine bay as I never got around to replacing cable ties etc that I removed when doing the glow plugs.

Did notice while crawling around underneath the rear brakes need some attention, only looks like the inboard pads are working on about 1/4 of the disc, so think I need to get in there and give everything a clean up and make sure things are able to move nice and freely. Job for tomorrow methinks.

[Hell Razor5543]

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but that sounds like the dreaded Xantia/C5 radius arm/calliper corrosion has struck again;

http://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/v ... =3&t=38467

[CitroJim]

Did notice while crawling around underneath the rear brakes need some attention, only looks like the inboard pads are working on about 1/4 of the disc, so think I need to get in there and give everything a clean up and make sure things are able to move nice and freely. Job for tomorrow methinks.

Ahh, you have the old caliper corrosion problem Zel. It's pushing the calipers out at an angle...

Very common and fraught with a lot of fun to fix..

This thread may help

http://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/v ... =3&t=38467

Great to see you today and as always, if you want to attempt the job here then please do...

EDIT: James, we posted the same link Great minds an all that!

[Zelandeth]

Yeah, was thinking that was likely the case. Will whip.the wheels off and check anyway. I've never touched the brakes since I got this car so a clean up certainly won't hurt. The discs didn't look too clever either so I'd like to get a better look.

Silly bit of design there...really should have been something to keep those surfaces separate.

Given my history of breaking bolts, this is probably going to be a painful experience!

[Hell Razor5543]

Slow, steady and evenly (following CitroJims' instructions) and you will be OK. My cousin suggested using baking parchment as a gasket, as it is very thin, heat resistant, and should keep the two metals separated.

[Zelandeth]

That's not a bad idea, may well do that.

Will start feeding the bolts a regular diet of Plusgas tomorrow I think for a while before attempting anything.

I imagine this may well be the source of the thrumming noise I (very) occasionally get when braking at low speeds that I had always wondered about but kept forgetting to investigate!

[CitroJim]

Yes, lots of Plus Gas will definitely help Zel, as will a wire brush across the exposed ends of the threads...

[Zelandeth]

Just saw another thread which reminded me of my V-Power Nitro diesel blind test. Five tanks in and I've correctly identified whether it was the fancy stuff or not within a few miles of driving. So it seems it does honestly make a difference to the running of the engine. Smoother, less clattery (yes, it did make an XUD a bit quieter!) and generally seeming more "eager" for want of a better word.

I wasn't expecting anything, and was surprised to get a 100% success rate in spotting a difference. Difference in the Saab (which also generally sees a diet of V-Power) is far more subtle, but the biggest difference there is an improvement of a few MPG on the economy.

[Zelandeth]

Okay, water is still getting in. The detective work continues...

[Zelandeth]

Very little been going on car-wise lately. Getting garden in order, yes. Car stuff, not so much. Also, I am officially fed up of painting fences. We have far, far too much fencing around this house!

Gave the 107 a quick scan over this evening as she's going in for the MOT tomorrow, if I have a number plate light out by the time I get there again...

Have barely touched it since last year to be honest save for an oil/filter change and the clutch to be honest! At least the poor thing isn't doing the horrible commute to/from Oxford every day now though!