What have you done to your car today?

[Rroff]

A pretty big no really - I had my doubts going in :s end result looks a bit more silver than the photo for some reason but still not good.

(I didn't care too much about overspray as the intention was to change the tyres once done)

Originally diamond cut with two shades of silver as well and appear to have been previously been touched up badly which has made the whole thing worse along with uncooperative weather and a bad can of spray paint.

They needed much more sanding down than I gave them as well - really they need sandblasting and properly redone but the cost of that isn't so far off just buying a new set so not really worth it - so I've just ordered a new set and gonna keep these at the back of the shed for an emergency/dirty work where they don't matter.

 

[Raymond Lin]

Finally got my bum off the sofa and washed the car today. When I was finally done after 7hrs….a dude walked by walking his dog asked me as I was taking this photo “Why are you taking photos?”

“It’s going to be dirty tomorrow, just something to show for it after all the hard work” I said

“Oh, I thought you might be selling it”. He said.

We then got chatting a bit about the C30 and T5 specifically and how a few houses down someone has an gen 2 Audi TTRS.

 

[DJMK4]

Before I faff about with this


Can you undo a seized brake pad caliper pin with the 7mm hex and a normal wrench or is it likely to break the wrench ?

I tried to get the caliper pins off a couple of weeks ago and it broke my tool which is a sort of oversized Allen key type tool I used to use

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It broke that

I have a normal socket set wrench in the house I'll.have to see If I have a 7mm hex and end

 

[hobib_ali]

has anyone noticed that car manufacturers are fitting in RGB strip lights to all new cars now, from factory, so like its gone from PC cases to peripherals and now to motor vehicles.

A friend hired a new merc for a few days and its inundated with RGB everywhere, doors, front panels, air vents and it had 2 laptop sized oled screens in there too !

RGB is hitting everything now

 

[Raymond Lin]

has anyone noticed that car manufacturers are fitting in RGB strip lights to all new cars now, from factory, so like its gone from PC cases to peripherals and now to motor vehicles.

A friend hired a new merc for a few days and its inundated with RGB everywhere, doors, front panels, air vents and it had 2 laptop sized oled screens in there too !

RGB is hitting everything now

I think merc has had RGB for a while, at least 5 years.

 

[tom_e]

Topped the oil up, was sitting a little low on the dipstick after it's first 5k miles.

Stuff was so thin it was almost like pouring water.

 

[Gaygle]

Before I faff about with this


Can you undo a seized brake pad caliper pin with the 7mm hex and a normal wrench or is it likely to break the wrench ?

I tried to get the caliper pins off a couple of weeks ago and it broke my tool which is a sort of oversized Allen key type tool I used to use

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It broke that

I have a normal socket set wrench in the house I'll.have to see If I have a 7mm hex and end

Yeh should easily be able to do it using a 3/8 spanner and a 7mm hex socket. Depends on how seized it is, but a few sharp whacks on the spanner should see it start moving. What car is it on?

 

[DJMK4]

Yeh should easily be able to do it using a 3/8 spanner and a 7mm hex socket. Depends on how seized it is, but a few sharp whacks on the spanner should see it start moving. What car is it on?

BMW 120d e82 coup . Rear pads I'm trying to change..

Iv used this tool for a few years and used to do pads when I had time. but I think the last time the rears were done were in a garage. Do they locktite the pins ? I always put a bit of copper slip on even though people tell you shouldnt.. don't bloody locktite these things if they have they are a pain to get off

 

[IC3]

It is crazy... BMW wanted 1.1k for front discs on my car. I got TRW discs and pads who are the oem manufacturer for about 300 all in.

I got to say though, the BMW discs are quality items, I'm really impressed how they don't rust after so many years. I wonder who makes the OEM parts for BMW, well... bit of Googling should tell me.

I did my front discs and pads for the first time earlier this year. I managed to get them done much cheaper than the garage wanted, using better parts, including buying a jack and stands! I also now know that swapping the pads with Brembo calipers is one of the easiest jobs there is to do.

I always say this, buying all the stuff will still be cheaper, gives you a good satisfaction and if you like DIY, the whole process is enjoyable. The tools will also come handy in the future, so its an investment. I make enough money to afford a mechanic, but when I know how easy and cheap some repairs are it doesn't seem good value to me. You never know who will work on your car either, e.g. if its a teenage apprentice doing your timing chain that now has caused catastrhophical engine failure (my mate experienced this lol).

I would have loved to do mine on my current car but I have no one to show me how to do it so I'm just too nervous basically! I would have done it when I had a rougher, older car, but on a newer one I'm too scared I'd **** it up. Writing this now, I'm not sure why the age or how fancy the car is matters

Newer cars are easier to work on, only thing I would say is to have a code reader as some cars show up different error codes after being jacked up. Most £30-50 OBD2 scanners can delete them. I never had anyone teach me anything, I'm self taught in everything I do, including my job. I have taught a few people how to do stuff, and helped a few friends when they needed help. I help out neighbours too, but only in emergencies, I always refuse doing planned work. There's always a risk when working on a car, even when you take extra precaution.

There's loads of helpful knowledgeable people here, there're car specific forums still alive, Facebook groups, YT videos etc. If you don't mind spending a bit of time doing a bit of research, it really is not rocket science. I learnt how to remap some older diesel engines engines last year from boredom and been doing BMW coding for the past few years - loads of people don't want to share their knowledge as its their bread and butter, but if you've a curious mind its not impossible.

 

[agw_01]

Picked up an 'old banger' a month ago for workhorse duties and put it straight into service. Haven't even had chance to post it on here before the local yoofs made their mark on it... literally

Bonus points if you can guess the car...

 

[IC3]

Why would anyone even key an Renault, like how low can you go...

 

[agw_01]

I've seen even Fiat Cinquecentos with key marks.... nothing is out of bounds when you're a low life scrote.

 

[IC3]

My daily banger is although mechanically sound, the paintwork is abused to the point I wouldn't notice key mark like this. The joys of having a £500 car that you don't give a single F about.

 

[xs2man]

Started polishing one of the cars today. Just needs a quick polish and wax. Hopefully find time to finish it tomorrow.

 

[marinersfan]

Wafted to work in it, did 64mpg.
Apparently.

 

[DJMK4]

Why is it so difficult to get an indie to swap the reluctor rings on my drive shaft on the rear

I want the ABS relutctor rings changed, i will supply the rings, the ABS sensors and the wheel hub nuts


They are insisting i replace the entire drive shafts

This is not what i want !

 

[jpaul]

I have a normal socket set wrench in the house I'll.have to see If I have a 7mm hex and end

can you put some plus-gas on the other end of pin to prep it, too

 

[Diagro]

Opened bonnet with socket set on engine cover.
Planned to check something.

Kids shouted, I jumped, Banged my head on bonnet, smashed hand down in anger on socket set.
Lost the 10mm and 13mm into engine bay.

FFS!

 

[DJMK4]

can you put some plus-gas on the other end of pin to prep it, too

I assume you mean blast it with fire?

Maybe, although to be honest its looking like im going to be booking off 16th August now and travelling from Cardiff to Wiltshire (70 odd miles) as the garages round here are charging stupid prices for ABS reluctor ring changes.

A guy on the BMW forums who does some work around BMW's has quoted me so its worth travelling down to him to sort my ABS reluctor ring/abs light issues out, so i may just get him to do the pads and discs on the rear whilst im there

BUt yes i will be looking to ensure i can get any caliper pins off for any future work.

Usually it takes a bit of elbow effort , i almost damaged myself physically though when my tool snapped a couple of weeks ago trying to get it off.



I have never really travelled x miles to beat a quote for indies in my local area from someone on the forums, he seems to get praise on the forums, although its not a full time joint for him but its worked out of a unit on the times he is working on these jobs. Also specialises in conversions, and work around BMW 1 and 3 series by the looks, seems confident in ABS, N47 engine specialist (timing chain replacements) etc

Thinking i should give it ago for the ABS problems i face.

 

[jpaul]

I assume you mean blast it with fire?

my faithful tin of plusgas penetrating fluid (which helped remove my crank shaft sensor ...)
but maybe fire works ... sounds a bit close to pistons rubber work though