
DIY Car Maintenance with function over finesse!!
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- Donor 2024
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Re: DIY Car Maintenance with function over finesse!!
I am considering replacing the shocks and springs on the Subaru simply because I feel they are getting tired being 20 years old and having covered 145000 miles. In order to keep my brain from fading I drew a diagram of the front strut camber setup showing, with green arrows, where I have to mark the old strut before removing it so I can transfer the marks to the new strut before installing to ensure I get the camber correct. I just thought I'd post it here for anyone's general interest as a reminder for me should I mislay the original!!

I used to be indecisive, now I'm not so sure!
I used to ride on two wheels, but now I need all four!
I used to ride on two wheels, but now I need all four!
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- (Donor 2016)
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Re: DIY Car Maintenance with function over finesse!!
Get it wrong and you will have a Scrubaroo
Alasdair
Activa, the Moose Dodger
Activa, the Moose Dodger
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- Donor 2024
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Re: DIY Car Maintenance with function over finesse!!
The first parcel of parts for my next project arrived today, I am ordering the parts monthly to spread the outlay and this is the cheapest parcel:
They look very good quality, so they will live on the shelf until I get the rear shocks.
I suppose you want to see what was inside: 
They look very good quality, so they will live on the shelf until I get the rear shocks.
I used to be indecisive, now I'm not so sure!
I used to ride on two wheels, but now I need all four!
I used to ride on two wheels, but now I need all four!
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- Donor 2024
- Posts: 2738
- Joined: 11 May 2022, 19:54
- x 884
Re: DIY Car Maintenance with function over finesse!!
Oh it can't be for the MX3, everything is super expensive for that car
Ryan
'99 Xsara 1.6 X (Red) with Sunkissed bonnet. T59 SBX
'54 Astra Estate 1.7DTI (Artic White)
'06 C8 2.2Hdi Exclusive (Aster Grey)
Champion of Where's CitroJim
Yes I ask the stupid questions, because normally it is that simple.
'99 Xsara 1.6 X (Red) with Sunkissed bonnet. T59 SBX
'54 Astra Estate 1.7DTI (Artic White)
'06 C8 2.2Hdi Exclusive (Aster Grey)
Champion of Where's CitroJim

Yes I ask the stupid questions, because normally it is that simple.
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- Donor 2024
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- Joined: 11 May 2022, 19:54
- x 884
Re: DIY Car Maintenance with function over finesse!!
Ah I see, it's for the scooby scrappy doo. Have you thought about getting a 4 seat classic? I believe you don't pay ULEZ on classic cars.
Ryan
'99 Xsara 1.6 X (Red) with Sunkissed bonnet. T59 SBX
'54 Astra Estate 1.7DTI (Artic White)
'06 C8 2.2Hdi Exclusive (Aster Grey)
Champion of Where's CitroJim
Yes I ask the stupid questions, because normally it is that simple.
'99 Xsara 1.6 X (Red) with Sunkissed bonnet. T59 SBX
'54 Astra Estate 1.7DTI (Artic White)
'06 C8 2.2Hdi Exclusive (Aster Grey)
Champion of Where's CitroJim

Yes I ask the stupid questions, because normally it is that simple.
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- A very naughty boy
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- Joined: 30 Apr 2005, 23:33
- x 6999
Re: DIY Car Maintenance with function over finesse!!
Ahh, spring is just around the corner 

Jim
Runner, cyclist, duathlete, Citroen AX fan and the CCC Citroenian 'From A to Z' Columnist...
Runner, cyclist, duathlete, Citroen AX fan and the CCC Citroenian 'From A to Z' Columnist...
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- Donor 2024
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Re: DIY Car Maintenance with function over finesse!!
Not sure if the specs are available for your car, Mick, but for my bikes the official workshop manuals show all spring specs, shocks, valves, cam chain tensioner etc. The specs show free length and then length under a specified load. You coulds also measure their free length then put them under the same load and measure again to confirm consistancy.
Pete
Notice the BX is still top the list but sadly gone
Notice the BX is still top the list but sadly gone
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- Donor 2024
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Re: DIY Car Maintenance with function over finesse!!
Thanks Pete, I'll wait till I get the front springs amd struts as well and then take them all up to Jim's to check them out before fitting. It will be a while as the rear shocks are £140 and the front £240 so I'm spreading the expense. The front springs are £110 while the rears were a mere £60. 

I used to be indecisive, now I'm not so sure!
I used to ride on two wheels, but now I need all four!
I used to ride on two wheels, but now I need all four!
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- Donor 2024
- Posts: 15425
- Joined: 11 May 2019, 17:56
- x 6603
Re: DIY Car Maintenance with function over finesse!!
The next parts arrived today, the front springs!!

I used to be indecisive, now I'm not so sure!
I used to ride on two wheels, but now I need all four!
I used to ride on two wheels, but now I need all four!
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- A very naughty boy
- Posts: 52073
- Joined: 30 Apr 2005, 23:33
- x 6999
Re: DIY Car Maintenance with function over finesse!!
Magic! Spring really is just around the corner 

Jim
Runner, cyclist, duathlete, Citroen AX fan and the CCC Citroenian 'From A to Z' Columnist...
Runner, cyclist, duathlete, Citroen AX fan and the CCC Citroenian 'From A to Z' Columnist...
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- Donor 2024
- Posts: 15425
- Joined: 11 May 2019, 17:56
- x 6603
Re: DIY Car Maintenance with function over finesse!!
Another part of the puzzle arrived today:

I used to be indecisive, now I'm not so sure!
I used to ride on two wheels, but now I need all four!
I used to ride on two wheels, but now I need all four!
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- Donor 2024
- Posts: 15425
- Joined: 11 May 2019, 17:56
- x 6603
Re: DIY Car Maintenance with function over finesse!!
Time to install the subject of my Whatsthisthen. A fairly simple job really, best shown by the following pictures but briefly the procedure is:
1 Unclip the gear lever boot from the console
2 Remove the two mounting bolts in the bottom of the armrest box
3 Lever up and pull out the front locating pegs
4 Disconnect the single electric multi connector at the back underneath the box
5 Remove complete console and withdraw to the warmth of the dining room
6 Undo the 3 screws to release the centre box from the console and extract it
7 Undo the 4 holding screws which keep the two halves together retaining the blind in its runners
8 Remove the repaired but tatty blind
9 Fit thye new blind into the running slots on one half of the box
10 Replace the second half of the box ensuring the blind fits into its running slot
11 Reassemble the console and fit back in the car
12 Have a nice glass of Guinness to celebrate the removal of a longish time niggle!!
1 Unclip the gear lever boot from the console
2 Remove the two mounting bolts in the bottom of the armrest box
3 Lever up and pull out the front locating pegs
4 Disconnect the single electric multi connector at the back underneath the box
5 Remove complete console and withdraw to the warmth of the dining room

6 Undo the 3 screws to release the centre box from the console and extract it
7 Undo the 4 holding screws which keep the two halves together retaining the blind in its runners
8 Remove the repaired but tatty blind
9 Fit thye new blind into the running slots on one half of the box
10 Replace the second half of the box ensuring the blind fits into its running slot
11 Reassemble the console and fit back in the car
12 Have a nice glass of Guinness to celebrate the removal of a longish time niggle!!

I used to be indecisive, now I'm not so sure!
I used to ride on two wheels, but now I need all four!
I used to ride on two wheels, but now I need all four!
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- Donor 2024
- Posts: 2145
- Joined: 15 Apr 2021, 14:32
- x 698
Re: DIY Car Maintenance with function over finesse!!
A well earned Guinness!
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- Donor 2024
- Posts: 15425
- Joined: 11 May 2019, 17:56
- x 6603
Re: DIY Car Maintenance with function over finesse!!
Calling the brain power of our members!! The Subaru has exhibited an odd fault. Driving on the motorway at a steady 70 for 20+ miles and suddenly the temperature gauge started rising. It kept going up to a point just below the red. At the same time the heater began to blow cold air. Damn it I thought, must be low on coolant, I moved over to the slow lane and slowed to 50 and kept going. There were no 'hot' smells or any sign of engine missing etc. no other symptoms. After driving maybe 6-7 miles the gauge began to drop back to normal and the heater blew hot again!! That whole sequence was repeated twice on the way to Dorset and three times on the way home. I checked the coolant level and it was correct in both the radiator and the overflow bottle!! I have my own theories but I don't want to bias anyone. Suggestions welcomed!! 

I used to be indecisive, now I'm not so sure!
I used to ride on two wheels, but now I need all four!
I used to ride on two wheels, but now I need all four!
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- Donor 2023
- Posts: 7413
- Joined: 07 May 2009, 16:24
- x 1473
Re: DIY Car Maintenance with function over finesse!!
Sounds like an airlock of some type. Are there any air bleed taps?
As I get older I think a lot about the hereafter - I go into a room and then wonder what I'm here after.
Inside every old person is a young person wondering what the hell happened.
"Trying is the first step towards failure" ~ Homer J Simpson
Inside every old person is a young person wondering what the hell happened.
"Trying is the first step towards failure" ~ Homer J Simpson