Servicing

Enfield · 19 Jan 2007 at 19:59

Hi there,

I recently bought a 205 Rallye and have been going through the service history and MOT documents.

I have here in front of me the current MOT. The car was tested in November and passed with only two advisory items.

They are as follows:

001 - Nearside front tie bar/rod rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement
002 - Offside front tie bar/rod rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement

What's one of those? Is it easy to fit a new one? How much do they cost?

The car appears to have not had a service for a number of years according to the service history, though the previous owner might have told me he serviced it himself but I honestly can't remember. Anyhow I think there's no harm in assuming that it hasn't been serviced and I want to take good care of it...

So what parts should I change to keep it running sweet?

The cambelt was last changed at 54,000 miles and the car is now at 115,000 so I will get it changed too.

The only parts that I can think of to replace for servicing are:

Air filter
Fuel filter
Oil filter & oil
Spark plugs & leads
Distributer cap & rotor arm

Is there anything that i've overlooked?

P.s. Is it worth changing the coolant and brake fluid?

ci_newman · 19 Jan 2007 at 20:27

That list looks ok.. and the tie-rods are the bits connecting the hub to the steering rack I think..

I'd change the brake fluid and coolant. For the cost of £10 and an hours work for yourself there are loads of benefits!

Enfield · 19 Jan 2007 at 20:30

The track rod ends?

-gem- · 20 Jan 2007 at 03:11

Enfield said:
The track rod ends?

Yes, I think so.

a cambelt on a TU series engine is simple, it can be done in an hour if you're handy with a spanner.

as for servicing:

Oil and filter
fuel filter if it has one, if not fit one
leads + plugs
dizzy cap and rotor arm
sump plug washer
coolant
brake fluid

while you're doing the brake fluid, it might be a good idea to take the bleed nipples off completely (temporarily seal the hole) and clean them up. siezed nipples are a PITA.

Have a check of the condition of the brake pads/discs/rear shoes while you're there too. Oh, and the condition of the brake lines.

-westy- · 20 Jan 2007 at 03:15

-gem- said:
*snip*

You know, I was going to just leave it, and make Gemma look really good and know a few things about cars, but she doesn't

That was me

F355 · 20 Jan 2007 at 09:33

The tie bar is the rod that connects the hub to the subframe/chassis. Its just a solid bar to stop movement of the hub. It's easy to change and bushes shouldn't be much more than a few pounds each.

ci_newman said:
the tie-rods are the bits connecting the hub to the steering rack I think..

As above, that's the track rod end.

Enfield · 20 Jan 2007 at 16:53

Ahh ok, thanks fellas.

I'll just get some new track rod ends, I think they're only a few quid each...then I'll get the tracking done.

Ta

Bri · 20 Jan 2007 at 17:02

-gem- said:
siezed nipples are a PITA.

Ain't that the truth

Lopéz · 20 Jan 2007 at 17:11

Enfield said:
Ahh ok, thanks fellas.

I'll just get some new track rod ends, I think they're only a few quid each...then I'll get the tracking done.

Ta

Why are you changing the track rod ends? Your tie rod bushes are knackered, nothing to do with the track rod ends.

Enfield · 20 Jan 2007 at 17:25

Lol, sorry not with it at the moment.

I think I have a knackered tie bar bush on my other 205. Driving along on any road there is a constant knocking noise. I've had the wheel off today and felt the bush and it's paper thin.

Oh yeah, swapped the wheels over from the TD to the rallye and it looked nasty so it's now back on original steelies.