Got the rear axle assembly all bolted back in along with the fuel tank
Then decided to change the front anti roll bar bushes for some strongflex jobbies
The actual point of changing the original bushes is easy, but you have to drop the whole subframe in order to get at it
Also I fitted new drop links as the rubber bushes were cracking, and that's as you have to release them anyway to get at the bushes it's pretty straightforward
Finally put together the front shock absorber and spring along with the new top mount and bearing assembly
Will try and take a few photos tomorrow, as I wanted to simply get stuff done today
Cheers Jamie
Last edited by Jamiepm; 11/02/202320:14. Reason: Shock absorber job
Been a bit busy over the last 2 weekends with non coupe stuff
However got a few hours in today
So fitted the drivers side suspension strut assembly, and wheel arch liner Tarted the front cross member paintwork up, Refitted the repainted strut brace Painted the rear calipers Done the decal and lacquered the front drivers side brembo caliper A few bits of touch up here and there
I will get photos uploaded tomorrow, and try and do the seal kits for the calipers so I can refit them
Finished off doing both near side wheel arches today, so removed the liners, checked for rust, of which it was only surface. Then upol everything after rust treatment
Also fitted the first brembo caliper and flexi pipe to the drivers side of the car, then whipped off the old suspension on the passenger side and put the shiny new stuff in. Unsurprisingly the shock absorber on the passenger side was totally knackered in that there was no pressure keeping the piston at maximum, so I hope weekend after next I can start to drive it again.
Fitted the 2nd set of dust covers for the rear axle, I must have thrown the others away, anyway it makes for a tidy job
Fitted new seal kits to the rear calipers as the last job, word of warning to anyone planning this job,there is a technique to getting the dust seal back in. Basically smoother the seal and piston in silicone grease and fit the seal over the piston and extend it so it’s proud of the end of the piston. Then you can after some fiddling get the other end of the seal into the groove
I will say the seals were ready, as now the movement has far lest resistance, so a good but fiddly job done
Plan for tomorrow is fit the 4 remaining pieces of brake lines for the abs unit to the the front end
Get the exhaust assembly back together, and try and get the cooling fans and bits around that area bolted back in
Not so many new photos from today, so click the google drive to view
Cheers Jamie
Last edited by Jamiepm; 25/02/202319:37. Reason: Dust covers
So fitted the aux belt guard after taking some advice from Joe
Also fitted a new aux belt, just to be doubly sure of no surprises
Fitted the pu right hand engine mount and put the trims back in place
Fitted the KEMSO fuel pump (I’ll change the fuel filter tomorrow), which requires the same mods as per the uprated Walbro pumps. The fiddliest task is reseating the rubber gasket when putting the assembly back into the tank.
Fitted the turbo heat shield, but will fit the fans tomorrow
Started to remove the brake calipers all round and strut brace as I’m just not happy with the finish, so they’ll get a professional job done on them over the next few days.
As I’ve taken the battery tray out to do the brake lines, I’ve cleaned and painted that as well
Only a couple of photos today, as I’m nearly finished
Set the brake bleeder up,decided to do the clutch first,and then tried at the rears....
After 10 minutes of nothing, I decided to try the fronts,which worked a treat
So decided to crack the pipes near the brake bias valve to make sure fluid was at least getting to that point. Confirmed that fluid was there, so it appears the valve is seized up.
I've been faffing around for an hour, but no success, so I'll try and whip it off tomorrow after work, and see if I can free it up
I did test the brake and clutch pedal, and pedal feels great
Fingers crossed I can get it sorted in the week and then Road test it
Brakes need a rebleed as there's still too much pedal travel, maybe because the pistons weren't fully seated? Anyway it's easy enough to push more fluid through
Albeit only a short drive, but no knocks and bangs and the ride is brilliant
Pulls like train,handling is pretty neutral, albeit it needs the tracking doing
Brakes are still a bit soft, so I’ll bleed them again
The only thing I’ve got to investigate is a knocking at the rear end. It’s coming from both sides, so my immediate suspicion is something to do with the anti roll bar and the brackets I had to pack out, which I know means a few things off to get at it
I’m on holiday early next week, so I won’t get chance until next weekend
Quick walk round video in the google drive for those interested
Brakes pedal feels good now, I took Joe’s advice and bled them with the engine running. Must have been some air around the abs pump
Onto the knocking…….
I checked the bolts holding the anti roll bar, one side had a bit of movement so I nipped it up, I then proceeded to the other side and the bolt head snapped
Anyway I’ll try loosen the fittings so I can pivot the whole anti roll bar and see if I can mole grip out the bit of threaded stud showing
I’ll put a comment in the discussion about bolts needed
After a surprise breakdown (fuse for the fuel pump blew), which I’m presuming is linked to the higher flow fuel pump I’ve fitted
I’ve had a good hours drive, and honestly nothing to note of any significance
Tracking definitely needs doing as at higher speeds the understeer is still there, but at low speeds the turn in is great
Likewise for those interested, the pfc brake pads are a good upgrade over the standard brembo pads. The initial press is a bit lacking, but after a couple of presses and they have a decent amount of bite
Tomorrow will be a trip to the body shop to see when I can get it touched up
Tonight’s drive was short lived, so after buzzing around the country lanes near me, the car suddenly died, just as I was coming onto boost. It cut out quite abruptly, so my immediate thought was something electrical
As I’d faffed around with fuses from earlier in the week, I’d got a few spare ones with me, so I get out of the car , cocksure the fuse had gone and I’d just pop another one in
Anyway it wasn’t the fuse
I popped the bonnet and the negative connection on the battery felt a bit warm, so I thought some kind of short
Then I tried to start it, but it turned over without firing.
The injector light stayed on, so I knew it would not start
When I tried again the ignition just clicked, like when your battery is flat , and I could hear something crackling/buzzing in the drivers footwell, so I turned it off and got the car towed back home
Anyway got the car home, had a nosey around, with nothing obvious
After an hour the car had cooled down and would turn over but not fire
So the code and injector light comes on and goes off, so for me this is correct. I hear the fuel pump prime for a second or two, again I’m sure this is normal
But it won’t fire up
I’ve tried the inertia switch several times
I’m not sure about the 2 relays in the passenger footwell, and the fuel gauge is showing about a 3rd of a tank.
I will to be sure check there’s actually fuel in it tomorrow, and given I put about 50 quids worth of fuel and haven’t done more than a 70 miles I hope it’s not just fuel now for why it won’t start
However I still wonder what was going off with the electrics
Any pearls of wisdom that anyone can think of ?
Ps big thank you to joe for taking messages tonight
Decided to buy the 2 pu bushes that connect the engine mount to the drivers side suspension turret
They take a fair hammering to get the old ones out, but fitting the new pu bushes is a doddle
Considering this should be the last time I touch any of these bolts, I’ve threadlocked them all up including the strut brace bolts
Also the new track rod ends from alternative autos have turned up, weather permitting I’ll fit those at the weekend
Finally the new rear brembo brake pads also turned up today, but as I have another track day at curborough in a few weeks I’ll use what’s in for now and them change them before I make my way to the ring
I can only say these Zestino tyres are night and day difference (in a good way) compared to the standard offering
Also set the negative camber at -1.5 degrees
The challenge right now is adjusting my own threshold for the Trackday at curborough , as already the speed difference in corners is sizeable with zero tyre squeal
NB: Joe hope you and your lad can make it to curborough