What have you done to your car today?

IC3 said:
2001 isn't new lol, it's 24 years old, some 24 year olds are single mothers with kids from 2 different blokes. :p

Ok, so I've unplugged the transfer case first Fuse 32 to disengage the clutch 100%, then I did a test drive - nothing changed, so I pulled up to a car park, pulled the other fuse 63 out and once again nothing changed apart from a Christmas tree on the dash...

The first diagnostic on the car my dad received was that it's the rear diff, I'm starting to think that might actually be it... Thinking logically, at the front there's already an aluminium Guibo, at the rear there was a Rubber soft Guibo which was replaced with a brand new fresh firm Guibo which would amplify the vibrations. Is my thinking right?
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I said newer! Meaning newer than my junk! :D

Audi found a way to make things really bass ackwards and awkward to work on way before their time. Even changing the battery is a pain in the arse involving removing the wipers and the scuttle panel and some covers and rubber seals, and then theres no room to get to the bracket bolts, and if you drop one its going into a void underneath the AC lines and will take you 20 minutes to extract it... The front suspension setup has 300 arms and ball joints, the entire front of the car has to come off to do things like water pumps and whatnot, hate it.

Its lovely to drive though. Doesn't handle worth a damn but its comfy and smooth. :p
 
Akagi said:
I said newer! Meaning newer than my junk! :D

Audi found a way to make things really bass ackwards and awkward to work on way before their time. Even changing the battery is a pain in the arse involving removing the wipers and the scuttle panel and some covers and rubber seals, and then theres no room to get to the bracket bolts, and if you drop one its going into a void underneath the AC lines and will take you 20 minutes to extract it... The front suspension setup has 300 arms and ball joints, the entire front of the car has to come off to do things like water pumps and whatnot, hate it.

Its lovely to drive though. Doesn't handle worth a damn but its comfy and smooth. :p
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I mean BMW isn't better...

Look at this ******...

 
IC3 said:
I mean BMW isn't better...

Look at this ******...

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Having just taken the rear of my E30 apart its really interesting to see all the similarities and differences in 3 series rear end design 30 years later!

The main difference making it easier to remove my diff is that the diff cups are retained in the diff, and the axles bolt to the cups, so you can remove them without having to disconnect a bunch of stuff. I don't see why they couldn't have retained that design in later cars...

Interesting seeing the multi-link rear suspension design too, whereas mine is just a beam with two big beefy arms and thats your lot! :D
 
Akagi said:
Having just taken the rear of my E30 apart its really interesting to see all the similarities and differences in 3 series rear end design 30 years later!

The main difference making it easier to remove my diff is that the diff cups are retained in the diff, and the axles bolt to the cups, so you can remove them without having to disconnect a bunch of stuff. I don't see why they couldn't have retained that design in later cars...

Interesting seeing the multi-link rear suspension design too, whereas mine is just a beam with two big beefy arms and thats your lot! :D
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E36, E46 and I think E9x were like that, I remember changing a diff on a side of a road at 3am on a car that had to take me to work in 5 hours. :p

Multi-link suspension has been on the BMW's for some time now, nothing new.

I ordered a new diff (well from a 2018 car with 51k miles), this will be the last bit of wrenching... I'm relived its not the Transfer Case, as it would be a big job and even 2nd hand transfer cases are quite expensive... But I'm a little peed off that I haven't found the cause yet.

I hijacked this thread a little, it's not even my car... tough s... :p
 
Indeed I think the E30 was the last car before they introduced multi-link.
Well, technically it was the E36 Compact, but only because it utilised an E30 rear end setup.

Hopefully it is the diff and changing it resolves your issue. I know that diffs commonly used to go out on the E9X platform before yours... I would expect it to be accompanied by a fairly easy to identify noise though if it is so bad that it causes vibration.
 
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Akagi said:
Indeed I think the E30 was the last car before they introduced multi-link.
Well, technically it was the E36 Compact, but only because it utilised an E30 rear end setup.

Hopefully it is the diff and changing it resolves your issue. I know that diffs commonly used to go out on the E9X platform before yours... I would expect it to be accompanied by a fairly easy to identify noise though if it is so bad that it causes vibration.
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Biggest downside of the E36 Compact, if it had a multi-link suspension it would be such a weapon. The 325Ti E46 with few mods was so much fun to drive, I wish I bought my mates 325Ti, it was perfect.

E9X platform was known for not the greatest built quality comparing it to previous gens, but F3x series when compared to E9x series, most people say the E9x is built better... That says a lot....

There's a faint bearing noise, hard to describe and even harder to pinpoint.
 
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Alphard failed MOT, needs a drop link, head lights polishing and a couple of small bits.

I decided to replace as much as I could get to while doing the drop link. Got lower arms and a few other bits.

Annoyingly don’t have a 22mm socket (waiting on Amazon to deliver). The engine is currently sat on a jack as an engine mount had to come off.

Noticed the suspension boot is torn to shreds. Will replace shocks once it’s through MOT


After all that, back onto the SL, needs a valve cover gasket replacing as it’s got a slight leak. Just need to endure the Merc main dealer to order new bolts
 
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How did a 5 minute droplink change for an MOT turn into a front suspension overhaul? Thats some extreme scope creep! :D

I thought it all looked pretty good in there from your pictures!!

Also, suspension boot..?
 
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Akagi said:
How did a 5 minute droplink change for an MOT turn into a front suspension overhaul? Thats some extreme scope creep! :D

I thought it all looked pretty good in there from your pictures!!

Also, suspension boot..?
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Ha ha! Yeah, I know :)

The van has been pretty rattly for a while. I just wanted to get as many bits with rubber bushing replaced. The lower arms came with the bushing all fitted, so just ordered them.

Suspension boot = the rubber cover bit. It’s all torn and the shock is all manky inside. I’m tempted to go Tein shocks and lower it a bit
 
Needed something to ferry people about when I'm back home at the weekends but I'm absolutely broke so took a chance on what looked like a cosmetically damaged Fiat 500L on Copart. Was very cheap but needs a bit more work than I was hoping for but I guess I gotta learn and why is it so hard to remove a bumper and wing?:(
 
Finally gave the Spider a good wash and Meguirs wax, had to wait until 6pm for the direct sunlight to **** off.
 
Stovepipes said:
Needed something to ferry people about when I'm back home at the weekends but I'm absolutely broke so took a chance on what looked like a cosmetically damaged Fiat 500L on Copart. Was very cheap but needs a bit more work than I was hoping for but I guess I gotta learn and why is it so hard to remove a bumper and wing?:(
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Everything is easier with a bit of persuasion from a big hammer.
 
I must say that buying a car known for being a bit rubbish and unreliable with damage and no history from a salvage yard is an interesting tactic from someone who says they're broke and wanted something just to run people about in. :p
 
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Akagi said:
I must say that buying a car known for being a bit rubbish and unreliable with damage and no history from a salvage yard is an interesting tactic from someone who says they're broke and wanted something just to run people about in. :p
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"Fix It Again Tomorrow", maybe he likes wrenching? :D
 
Akagi said:
I must say that buying a car known for being a bit rubbish and unreliable with damage and no history from a salvage yard is an interesting tactic from someone who says they're broke and wanted something just to run people about in. :p
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You're probably right but I didn't know they had a reputation for being rubbish and unreliable i just thought they were unpopular and ugly. It's was cheap though £800 before fees. So far I've spent £2500 on everything Including tax, insurance, having a mobile mechanic do the timing belt , rocker cover gasket. I fixed the boot wiring and I'll attempt a service. So if I can get the wing off and tidy up the bodywork aaaannndd doesn't throw up an expensive bill soon, I might be ok.
 
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