DIY Car Maintenance with function over finesse!!

[mickthemaverick]

Well I am impressed, having got the part number from Marc on Thursday for the armrest box I found one on ebay priced at £18. I offered £15 or £20 if he could get it to me from the midlands by today!! Need I say more?

Ready for installation after close of play at the test match!

[MattBLancs]

... things that 'will do the job'

On that note:

(from eBay - the first link)

I hate these things! They always seem so half hearted and inspiring no confidence!

I'm actively going out of my way not to use them and find other means each time I come across them!

[mickthemaverick]

I used them on the undercover as all the parts were brand new and once I got the hang of inserting the 'keeps' I found them very secure. Have to see what they are like to remove if I still have the car then!!

[Sloppysod]

I agree with Matt, they would be a regular service item that would have to be replaced at every service, as they would go missing!
I ended uo converting the positions to accept self-tappers into a smalll plastic inserts.

[MattBLancs]

I agree with Matt, they would be a regular service item that would have to be replaced at every service, as they would go missing!
I ended uo converting the positions to accept self-tappers into a smalll plastic inserts.

Yes, guess if treated as single use them maybe just about ok.

I've gone for M6 rivet nuts (then M6 bolts and penny washers) as my go to alternate

[mickthemaverick]

I opened my pile of parcels today and immediately had to decide whether to install the front undertray, the parking sensor or attack the dent. I only had an hour so I settled on the parking sensor. Fortunately the car has a superb reversing camera so I do not need working sensors even though the other three work ok. The only reason for getting the secondhand cheap one off ebay was to use it to fill the hole left by the missing sensor. As such all I needed to do was remove the central lens part from the reclaimed one and insert it into the rim holder which I took off the bumper to see if the sensor was laying behind, which it wasn't. That also meant I had no need to get behind and so the bumper could remain as it was leaving me the simple job of putting the lens into the rim and pushing it back into place, secured by adhesive to prevent a repeat loss. It now looks fine from the outside which is all I wanted so, true to the thread title, job done!!

[Rp0thejester]

I'm actually peed off but happy at the same time.... I can't ask about your Jap crap anymore....

[mickthemaverick]

Can't be sure about that yet Ryan, a lot depends on the next 10 days!!

So having sorted the parking sensor yesterday I decided to tackle the undertray today. I'm afraid there are no pictures until the end because I simply forgot to take any!!

First job was to remove the two side pieces remaining from the original cover involving much twisting, cutting, unscrewing and yanking but eventually they both resigned and took the first part of their journey to the bin, I dumped them on the drive!!

Then it was a matter of holding up the new undercover to check fit and fixing points and I was impressed to find that it fitted perfectly with all the mounting holes lining up perfectly with their corresponding fixing points. Then came much frustration as I tried to hold it in place and secure a fixing to start from, but it proved unwieldy so it was out with the clamps. I have about 14 or so but this job only needed five to hold it securely so I could install the 12 mounting bolts/screws/pegs to complete the job. This is what the new super ground effect floor looks like now:

My special fixings from the stock pack

The new streamline bottom

[mickthemaverick]

Having got a bit fed up with jacking the car up and down recently I thought about mechanising the process. Has anybody got something like this:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/186228675486
and if so what do you think of it?

[CitroJim]

Having got a bit fed up with jacking the car up and down recently I thought about mechanising the process. Has anybody got something like this:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/186228675486
and if so what do you think of it?

I'd like to know too - having seen them being advertised on social media and thinking they look like they might be useful. The one thing that immediately concerns me is how low they go knowing both your C4 and my C3 need quite a low-rise trolley jack to get under and jack up in the right places.

I recall years ago it was possible to buy an inflatable ball to use as a jack. The inflation being provided by the exhaust. Or was I imagining such a product?

[bobins]

You're not imagining it, Jim, they do (still) exist They're used - amongst other ways - for offroad recovery. Also, giant ones are used for HGV recovery when a lorry has fallen over.

[CitroJim]

You're not imagining it, Jim, they do (still) exist They're used - amongst other ways - for offroad recovery. Also, giant ones are used for HGV recovery when a lorry has fallen over.

Excellent! I can see their advantage for off-road as they will mould themselves to any old uneven surface - something a standard jack is not good at...

[bobins]

They're not really recommended for working underneath a vehicle though as they're not overly stable.

[mickthemaverick]

They are available but twice the price of the one I listed:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/384224999415 ... jZA&edge=1

Obviously not to be used for actually working but fine for getting the car up onto stands!! I just liked the multi purpose of the original one

[mickthemaverick]

I'd like to know too - having seen them being advertised on social media and thinking they look like they might be useful. The one thing that immediately concerns me is how low they go knowing both your C4 and my C3 need quite a low-rise trolley jack to get under and jack up in the right places.

Here are the specs suggesting the jack starts at 6" or 152.4mm if you prefer!

Powerful Hydraulic Jack
Max. Loading Weight: 5 Ton
Lifting Range: 6 inch-17.7 inch
Power Cable: 3.5 m(11.5 feet)
Control Method: Wire
Voltage: DC 12 V or Vehicle battery
Rated Current: 13 A , Fuse:15 A
Rated Power: 150 W
Working Temperature: -25~50℃

Built-in Inflator Pump
Input Voltage:DC 12 V
Inflating Speed: 35 L/min
Working Current: 10 A
Pressure:10 BAR/150 PSI
Length of Air Hose: 0.6 m
Cylinder Diameter: 25 mm