Car D.I.Y.

[tyred]

The bearings in the 205's alternator were developing the squeal of imminent death. It probably is the original alternator so I can't complain. I did replace bushes at some point in the past.

I considered getting it reconditioned or looking for an exchange unit then I had a brainwave. It's a Lucas alternator. I have a brand new Lucas alternator in the attic at home still in it's box. I believe it is supposed to fit an Austin Meastro. I had bought it to upgrade an old Ford tractor from dynamo to alternator years ago and then found something better to use instead.

I got it out and compared it to the one on the 205 and it was very, very similar. I changed the pulley and made a minor modification to the mounting bracket, changed from spades to screw-on terminals and it fits perfectly, runs silently and shows healthy charge when tested with the multimeter. All done in 40 or 50 minutes with no expenditure. Cars of the '80s and '90s are so DIY friendly

 

[Bazzer]

Just to upset you, my own car is a bit elderly so has a Nextbase DAB adaptor - the reception is superb!

I am reminded of my own car's DAB inability every time I drive Mrs B's car. But thanks for the (not) sympathy.
A replacement amplifier has been ordered via fleabay. An alternative would have been to swap the amplifier with that in Mrs B car and see if that worked, but fleabay was a better marriage alternative.

 

[BianchiVirgin]

Just to upset you, my own car is a bit elderly so has a Nextbase DAB adaptor - the reception is superb!

I did that too in the XC70 but a Kenwood version, that bears and uncanny resemblance to the Nextbase one. Works well though.

 

[Drago]

I hid the antenna behind the top tint on the screen so its invisible. I was a bit dubious about how well it would work, but ive been blown away.

 

[Gunk]

I was a bit dubious about how well it would work, but ive been blown away.

 

[BianchiVirgin]

I hid the antenna behind the top tint on the screen so its invisible. I was a bit dubious about how well it would work, but ive been blown away.

Aye, top corner n/s of screen. Work great even in DAB poverty NI.

 

[MrGrumpy]

Send the wife out to test it - nice work.

That’s what I thought

 

[Drago]

In my defence, she was doing a run to Costco so I just asked her to use my car instead.

 

[yo vanilla]

Since the pandemic we haven't put many miles on the cars, thus no need for anything for quite some time. In October I bled the brakes in the Jetta wagon (Golf Variant) and fitted the snow tires to all three cars. I'm sure I've got a few things coming up for the Audi..

 

[Richard A Thackeray]

View attachment 563222

A 'Wedge' TVR

The 420 & 450SEAC were beasties!

 

[Richard A Thackeray]

Not really DIY (about 15:00)
Only DIY, in that I did it, not the local car-wash

Before



After


Not spotless, but it'll be at least 6 months since I last cleaned the wheels
No, I didn't wash the car, it started raining

 

[Deleted member 26715]

Half shaft gasket gone

 

[Deleted User]

Undergoing a bit of bodywork!

 

[BianchiVirgin]

Starting some body work repair and restoration on this bad boy, my 1972 Opel Commodore GS coupe.

 

[Gunk]

Wow, now that’s a car!