Rams

Should have car back in next 2 weeks max, just in for body work and then off to be moted and then can meet up. Be nice to build up a local team. Craig, good news on the rado passing! Still cant believe there was a piece of MDF in my cill and how bad the repair was but all now sorted. The pics of the dor cards are a bit dark but they look super. Catch up soon ---------- Post added at 02:21 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:19 PM ---------- I need the plastic part that the rear abs sensor sits in, seem to have lost mine, just cable tied the sensor wire to the beam. Also, the brake shield TPS gave me were wrong so didnt fit them. The new set will be here on Monday and just need to take off the callipers etc and re fit that. I know its not a biggy but be nice to have it as it should.

Some pics

What a day. A little update on the beast.... Removed the rear beam with everything attached, it's no paper weight, especially with an additional rear beam brace and spacer adaptors. Completed the MK4 rear brake upgrade. Also, replaced my ball joints for good measure as it was the last item not changed in that area. We actually cut the brake compensator off at the bracket, then drilled out the siezed heads and pressed the buggers out so I was able to re use the compensator which saves £140. I had the lever powder coated and spray painted the spring and replaced the small brake line to it. The upgrade went well, just the carriers I got with the callipers did not fit so just used the Rado ones which are perfect fit. Replaced, Ball joints/nuts and clamp Rear x2 ABS sensors 2 X ABS rings 2 X Wheel bearings 2 x Calliper piston seals, completely re furbed 2 X Goodridge conversion hoses New Brake line to compensator 2 X Exhaust hangers and their bushes 2 X Exhaust bushes Aligned exhaust as it now sits higher from the new rubbers Pads Discs, Stub axel bolts and washers 2 X Handbrake Cables 2 X Handbrake Clips Rear Beam Rear beam bushes Wiper motor Quite a list and happy its all over. I was there all day lending a hand from 11am to 12am, rebuilt the rear beam on the ground and called a friend to lend a hand so we could both hold it whist he drove in the shock bolts. My wipers also packed in a couple of days ago, the wipers always looked a bit slow but I managed to buy John Croozins one and that has done the trick. ABS Light now goes off so she will have no issues for MOT which is due very soon. The replacement cil went really well, other than finding a piece of wood and 2 layers of metal welded together ontop of the cil! The numpties has welded over the drain off point so no wonder it went bad. Now all rot is removed, the new original cil in place and welded neatly. Once I get my phone back tomorrow I will post some pics of the whole process. Hoping the body shop can have it done nice and quickly so I can install the new trimmed door cards, totally now leather and trimmed properly. The door handles are now trimmed, the inserts for the handles, plus the surrounds for the interior handles which just looks fantastic. Pods should be finsihed this weekend and can get the comps fitted. The sub box is also being double foamed and leather trimmed and have removed the rear armrest and door cards which the trimmer will start next week as he has some time off work. He said the seats are quite straight forward so will let him loose on the rear bench and hopefully a nice set of Recaro electric and heated seats will crop up to finish the interior. OH, yeah, getting the undertrays covered and thinking about having the steering cowling trimmed??? Pics to follow peops, lots of them!

Hi my friend, Thanks for the calendar, arrived this morning and grateful to you for your time and effort. Roll on 2012! All the best Rams

Gaydon

Hi buddy I managed to contact the Herritage Centre and obtained the photographers details. They are LESLEY SANDERS [[email protected]] I will post the picts he sent me of the Corrado lined up. Ive just order a massive canvas from him and got the free high res picture.

Mine arrived in the post for my birthday which is fast approaching. The big Three O! but she ordered it for LHD by mistake so being sent back. Whats best, single or dual sender? Is it worth buying the other required parts from ARZ or is it likely to be cheaper over here? ---------- Post added at 04:47 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:45 PM ---------- What was the deal with the wire near the centre tunnel/ashtray? When changing the dash I noticed this spare wire with a small plug but it didnt go to anything. Is this something to do with pre wiring the gauges?

Top work and thanks for including my C. Top man. Payment sent. I also found the details for the guy that took the picture and he is going to send me a high res picture if you want me to send it across?

your not sad at all. Just look at what people have done to their cars - all out of passion.. Some just choose not to mention their feelings but we all have these moments. I've had plenty of proud moments with the c and fully appreciate what you are saying and i'm sure others will echo this.

Check the wiring and clean out the terminals that connect to the expansion tank. Had that on my golf once upon a time and that sorted the issue.

Personally like Standox, one of the best when colour matching should you need to repair something at a later date. Not as cheap as Lechler and PPG but its what I used to paint my C.

Thanks for your kind comments. Heres a picture of the steering wheel, needs to be slightly modified to get the click back on the horn push, simple enough. Seen the door cards and they looks fantastic, now the entire panel is in leather than apposed to the centre sponge part. The original items are mainly vinyl with a leather section that saggs. This is because the sponge is fitted to the leather then attached to the panel, Ive had new foam which is glues and secured to the panel, edged and then the leather which will avoid the sagging you see, especially on the rears. Handles are done, handle surrounds, and pods trial fitted before they are trimmed and sit spot on. Next update will be in a week. Once they are back in the car, the trimmer will start the rear door cards and that will just leave the parcel shelf and front seats, when I can find them! The trimmer said his boss that owns the company would have charged about 600 to 650 pounds to have done this wheel, so I was very pleased with what he charged me. It sure looks different to most and I'm quite proud of that.

Me too....

Beam and brackets all nicely powder coated, really nice job. The new repair panel cill arrived and is booked in for 1st Dec for welding and then back to the body shop for the paint. Between then I will fit all the new parts and rear beam. Just a small update.

Do plenty of research what ever you choose. VR Always going to sound nice and the engines are cheap these days.

Cheers buddy

I could do with a rear screen and driverside rear quarter if the rubber hasnt been split from when its removed. What would you be looking for? Also, wanted the black cover clips for the seat belts if you have them> They slot over the top and cover the metal and bolt where it anchors to the top pillars. Rams

I agree, too low is not good. My drive shaft as you can just about see only had a very light groove where it had been catching. If you look at the car, it's not that low. Most people that lower their C's on coilovers are more or less the same ride hight as mine, give or take. It was more to give people something to look out for if they are experiencing problems that they cant find. My C handles very well, once I got the firmness setting right, raised it slightly to what it currently is now, its superb. The sixteens helps also.

I was convinced there was an issue with vibration and a noise coming from the car / driverside. After having everything checked and confirmed all was good, which it should be, replaced most of the stuff on the car.... I noticed a shiney straight line on the driveshaft. I spoke to a welder I know who is a vw nut and he does all the Tidy Vag cars, a local VW group - and said hes done over 70 cars so far. Mainly for the guys that want to go lower but as I was happy with the ride height, I just wanted to make sure nothing was fowling and it wasnt something I was aware of. Thats why I thought It would help others that complain of issue with their lowered cars. Check it out next time its on the ramp, to see if theres any shiney metal and this will correspond with the chassis leg - above the driveshaft. Pics attached. Excuse quality. Once its all welded, its all sealed and stone chipped it's bearly noticable.

I had my chassis leg notched out as the driveshaft was rubbing against it. You can see a shiney line around the driveshaft and urge people to see if theres is touching. Its mainly the driverside when you lower the car. The passenger side has more clearence. The area was measured, cut out and perfectably re welded and protected. Now the driveshaft clears the chassis leg. I often hear people having issues with lowered cars with noises or vibration and it's not very obvious when checking for movement with arbs and mounts etc. I can dig some pics out when I had mine done if people want to see. Rams

Is the best place is ARZ tuning? Just over 200 euros as from what I read, vag parts are no more. I checked the other info on the gagues but they are quite old posts now.

We are a like on the getting board front! My longest relationship is 3 years, what does that tell u. I didn't want to make you paranoid about the c, more to remind that we should be more vigilant when the ecomony is facing hard times and the lead up to xmas. Your sounds to be in a safer place that most but I mentioned this because I manage property for a living and one of the block of garages I look after had all 6 locks broken off, this is next to a busy road, lots of students around and very open. The good news was, they havent managed to get anything away. Out of interest, when you are travelling along in the Fiat, do you wish that you had some more power over something more modern? Especially as you liked the thought of the 5 series. Its what I have been looking at for sometime but cant make up my mind. You also mention in one of your replies that a Volvo was an idea. I often thought about a T5 Touring.... Where did your thinking go with that. Did you test drive many cars before deciding on the Fiat?

Where you based? Can we do postage?

Hi there I like the approach on the daily car, I keep having the same battles in my head as to what daily will cut it. Like anything you use daily, theres a habbit of getting board of it and i imagine you feel some relief knowing the rado is tucked up out of harms way. I just hope you have good security as I think crime level is going to increase, especially around xmas time. Keep up the good work!

ok, cool. Shall I paypal u? If so, please give me details. Cheers Rams