DIY Car Maintenance with function over finesse!!

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mickthemaverick
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Re: DIY Car Maintenance with function over finesse!!

Unread post by mickthemaverick »

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!! :-D
Strut Camber.jpg
I used to be indecisive, now I'm not so sure!
I used to ride on two wheels, but now I need all four!
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Stickyfinger
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Re: DIY Car Maintenance with function over finesse!!

Unread post by Stickyfinger »

Get it wrong and you will have a Scrubaroo
Alasdair
Activa, the Moose Dodger
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mickthemaverick
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Re: DIY Car Maintenance with function over finesse!!

Unread post by mickthemaverick »

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:
MTMO
MTMO
I suppose you want to see what was inside: :-D
The springs for the Subaru rear axle
The springs for the Subaru rear axle
They look very good quality, so they will live on the shelf until I get the rear shocks.
Nice and shiny
Nice and shiny
I used to be indecisive, now I'm not so sure!
I used to ride on two wheels, but now I need all four!
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Rp0thejester
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Re: DIY Car Maintenance with function over finesse!!

Unread post by Rp0thejester »

Oh it can't be for the MX3, everything is super expensive for that car
Ryan

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Rp0thejester
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Re: DIY Car Maintenance with function over finesse!!

Unread post by Rp0thejester »

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.
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CitroJim
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Re: DIY Car Maintenance with function over finesse!!

Unread post by CitroJim »

Ahh, spring is just around the corner ;)
Jim

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moizeau
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Re: DIY Car Maintenance with function over finesse!!

Unread post by moizeau »

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
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mickthemaverick
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Re: DIY Car Maintenance with function over finesse!!

Unread post by mickthemaverick »

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. :-D
I used to be indecisive, now I'm not so sure!
I used to ride on two wheels, but now I need all four!
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mickthemaverick
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Re: DIY Car Maintenance with function over finesse!!

Unread post by mickthemaverick »

The next parts arrived today, the front springs!! :-D
MTMO
MTMO
I used to be indecisive, now I'm not so sure!
I used to ride on two wheels, but now I need all four!
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CitroJim
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Re: DIY Car Maintenance with function over finesse!!

Unread post by CitroJim »

Magic! Spring really is just around the corner ;)
Jim

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mickthemaverick
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Re: DIY Car Maintenance with function over finesse!!

Unread post by mickthemaverick »

Another part of the puzzle arrived today: :-D
MTMO
MTMO
I used to be indecisive, now I'm not so sure!
I used to ride on two wheels, but now I need all four!
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mickthemaverick
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Re: DIY Car Maintenance with function over finesse!!

Unread post by mickthemaverick »

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 :-D
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!! :-D
The fixing holes in the bottom of the armrest -10mm bolts
The fixing holes in the bottom of the armrest -10mm bolts
The front locating pegs
The front locating pegs
damaged blind
damaged blind
The retaing screws
The retaing screws
The console box split in half
The console box split in half
The original badly repaired blind
The original badly repaired blind
New blind in the box
New blind in the box
All back together
All back together
Guinness time
Guinness time
I used to be indecisive, now I'm not so sure!
I used to ride on two wheels, but now I need all four!
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Dormouse
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Re: DIY Car Maintenance with function over finesse!!

Unread post by Dormouse »

A well earned Guinness!
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mickthemaverick
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Re: DIY Car Maintenance with function over finesse!!

Unread post by mickthemaverick »

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!! :-D
I used to be indecisive, now I'm not so sure!
I used to ride on two wheels, but now I need all four!
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Paul-R
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Re: DIY Car Maintenance with function over finesse!!

Unread post by Paul-R »

Sounds like an airlock of some type. Are there any air bleed taps?
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