Car D.I.Y.

[Gunk]

Today replaced the rear discs and pads on the C70. As is my luck it fought me all the way.

Once done I took the opportunity to paint the rear calipers to match the fronts, a pale gold colour that is a fair approximation of the original cad plated finish, and lano sprayed around the rear arch and trailing arm.

Just had the same job done on the Clubman, plus new calipers as one was binding.

 

[Hicky]

Anyone Mcr way got a 1/2 inch drive extractor socket for a 13mm head bolt....I've just rounded one whilst trying to remove my drivers seat to replace the carpet...bugger.

 

[Drago]

I had exactly the same yesterday on the same size bolt head, and I do have the correct extractor.

Sadly I'm not up your end.

 

[CXRAndy]

1/2" socket hammer it on

 

[Hicky]

1/2" socket hammer it on

I did consider that but if I get it stuck I’m snookered.

 

[Jameshow]

If you were to get a modern car with DIY mechanicing in mind what model / makes would you get and what deffo to avoid?

 

[Drago]

Depends what you mean by modern. Come the mid 00s stuff like E handbrake started to appear, often requiring a computer to cycle for maintenance purposes, and things snowballed from there.

That said, a decent computer from the likes of icarsoft is under £200 and gives the ability to work on and diagnose these various subsystems.

 

[Fastpedaller]

I did consider that but if I get it stuck I’m snookered.

Maybe a wall-drive socket will do it? I wouldn't be without my set - they get rounded ones off because they use the walls, not the corners!

 

[fossyant]

If you were to get a modern car with DIY mechanicing in mind what model / makes would you get and what deffo to avoid?

All of em...

Deffo need a proper ODBC reader - AUTEL (not the cheap plug ins - they are OK-ish). I paid about £100-£120 for one that reads air bags and ABS, which the cheap ones don't do. It works on all cars and has saved a small fortune since buying it, despite having a cheap App ODBC dongle.

 

[CXRAndy]

If you were to get a modern car with DIY mechanicing in mind what model / makes would you get and what deffo to avoid?

Buy common makes, nothing exotic. Plenty of spares available and usually cheaper. Keep on top of service work and any bodywork issues early so they don't become bigger expensive jobs. Prevention is cheaper than repair in the long run.

There is a great satisfaction doing a job and doing it well, most times far higher quality, because taking your time often results in premium work

 

[Richard A Thackeray]

I've ordered & waiting for delivery of an impact wrench
Given that it'll probably just be used for the removal of wheels, I can't justify a Dewalt/Milwaukee/etc.... to myself
Thus, it's a cheapie (£60) from Amazon
See how it lasts/hold up

 

[CXRAndy]

I've ordered & waiting for delivery of an impact wrench
Given that it'll probably just be used for the removal of wheels, I can't justify a Dewalt/Milwaukee/etc.... to myself
Thus, it's a cheapie (£60) from Amazon
See how it lasts/hold up

I bought a Milwaukee, because I have to undo bolts on some big machines. It certainly packs a punch on full torque setting

 

[Gunk]

Finally got the drivers seat on our Golf GTD fixed on Monday.

I’ve owned the car from new but after 9 years and 125000 miles the bolster was very worn and scruffy.

It wasn’t cheap but a local trimmer in Witney managed to do an excellent job, the fabric is a perfect match. He also rebuilt both bolsters where the foam had collapsed.

 

[Drago]

Finally got the drivers seat on our Golf GTD fixed on Monday.

I’ve owned the car from new but after 9 years and 125000 miles the bolster was very worn and scruffy.

It wasn’t cheap but a local trimmer in Witney managed to do an excellent job, the fabric is a perfect match. He also rebuilt both bolsters where the foam had collapsed.

View attachment 733092

View attachment 733093

That's a tidy job Gunkers. Expensive?

 

[Gunk]

That's a tidy job Gunkers. Expensive?

£265 incl VAT