MiataMark
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 2,961
Club RR Member Number: 29
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Apprenticeships are making quite a comeback, loads of them around these days for all sorts of jobs/ages. I hear them advertised on the radio a lot now, certainly much more than 5/10 years ago. Apprenticeships in all areas not just the traditional/stereotypical areas, such as hairdressing, carpentry, plumbing etc, are increasing all the time as an alternative to university and student loans. Why go to University and end up with a £40K student loan when you can do a Degree Apprenticeship and get paid while you do it and build up work experience. The apprenticeship levy has made a big difference as well (larger organisations are taxed and have to spend the money on apprenticeships). I work with Digital apprentices, Data Analyst and Cyber Security are big expansion areas as well as the Technical Support, System Admin, Software development areas.
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1990 Mazda MX-52012 BMW 118i (170bhp) - white appliance 2011 Land Rover Freelander 2 TD4 2003 Land Rover Discovery II TD52007 Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon JTDm
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MiataMark
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 2,961
Club RR Member Number: 29
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After the ball-joint battle onto the Handbrake battle (skirmish compared to the ball-joint).
The handbrake (well rear brakes) are a known weak spot for MX5s, the slide bolts seize and the handbrake adjusters seize so don't adjust.
Removed the slide bolt and greased the slide bolts but all seemed fine. After many attempts to adjust the handbrake adjuster that just resulted in destroying the adjuster screw (that screws in from the back), luckily I had spares. I surmised that the handbrake itself wasn't working, obvious really, unattached the handbrake cable and the return spring and soaked everything accessible with lubricant/cleaner. A lot of mechanical (by hand) to and froing of the handbrake mechanism and it loosened off enough that I could re-attached everything (even the return spring went on without too much of a fight) and get the handbrake working. Adjusted the handbrake for ~5 clicks and all seems fine. A bit if time spent searching for the pad spring clip that disappeared.
Think like the fronts the callipers need another rebuild, this time I'll sort out the adjusters.
MOT booked, (at a different garage as the original have a 3 week waiting list) for Wednesday afternoon.
The MOT fails (hopefully nothing else has has failed in the months since the test.
- The seat isn't insecure it just moves a bit, I've got a replacement seat runner, - seat runner replaced
- The passenger door can be opened but it's a bit temperamental (needs lubricating and leaving it unlocked) - lock lubricated
- Ball joint covers have been an advisory for the last 2 years, I've bought replacements - ball joint battle won, new lower ball joints and replacement covers for top ball joints
- Handbrake hopefully just needs a bit of adjustment - handbrake adjusted.
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1990 Mazda MX-52012 BMW 118i (170bhp) - white appliance 2011 Land Rover Freelander 2 TD4 2003 Land Rover Discovery II TD52007 Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon JTDm
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MiataMark
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 2,961
Club RR Member Number: 29
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Jul 31, 2023 20:48:20 GMT
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That looks a really well done museum, I'd go for the Cobra Daytona coupe as well.
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1990 Mazda MX-52012 BMW 118i (170bhp) - white appliance 2011 Land Rover Freelander 2 TD4 2003 Land Rover Discovery II TD52007 Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon JTDm
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MiataMark
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 2,961
Club RR Member Number: 29
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So drivers side, 2 sessions of trying to use the 'yoke' type separators "...A few sharp hammer blows and the joint separates..." err not at all even a few lot of hard blows with a heavy club hammer. I was getting a bit desperate, I had a screw type ball-joint separator but it didn't fit very well and failed. So a visit to Machine Mart and their most expensive ball joint separator set purchased. Even with this it was hard work, too restricted in space to use a socket so a ring spanner but no go, tried the 2 spanner trick (ring end of a spanned to claw end of spanner to add length) to increase leverage and finally with quite a crack it separated...
I think the issue was that the ball-joint fitted was a pattern part, no castellated nut, and was a force fit.
The weapons used, clarke-cht702-3-piece-ball-joint-separator-set would recommend this set. Final result, hopefully the MOT man will be happy, although that track-rod end looks a bit dicey. Now just the handbrake, rear brake to sort out, some adjustment and greasing of the slide pins should sort that out hopefully.
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1990 Mazda MX-52012 BMW 118i (170bhp) - white appliance 2011 Land Rover Freelander 2 TD4 2003 Land Rover Discovery II TD52007 Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon JTDm
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MiataMark
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 2,961
Club RR Member Number: 29
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I would think that the registration would be worth a bit to a Mountain Bike enthusiast.
Nice mugs, in size and sentiment.
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1990 Mazda MX-52012 BMW 118i (170bhp) - white appliance 2011 Land Rover Freelander 2 TD4 2003 Land Rover Discovery II TD52007 Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon JTDm
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MiataMark
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 2,961
Club RR Member Number: 29
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Jun 13, 2023 15:21:50 GMT
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Lovely photos, I need to hear that BRM V16 in person! It was incredible, not just the volume but the pitch really made my ears ring. There are YouTube videos around but that doesn't compare with the real things.
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1990 Mazda MX-52012 BMW 118i (170bhp) - white appliance 2011 Land Rover Freelander 2 TD4 2003 Land Rover Discovery II TD52007 Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon JTDm
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MiataMark
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 2,961
Club RR Member Number: 29
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Jun 13, 2023 12:41:23 GMT
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Prescott Historique (Hillclimb) 27:MayPart 2 - Some of the more modern cars. Fiat Abarth 850TC NurburgringOne for metalshapes who probably knows all about it, I’ll just leave you with the images. abarth-1 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr abarth-2 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr Triumph TR’sI’ve always been a fan of the TR7 and it was the car to aspire to when I was a student (the Triumph dealer at the end of the road didn’t help). The V8 rally cars a favourite especially in BA livery. The V8 cars were originally TR7 V8 and later named TR8. 4.6l TR7 V8 triumph-1 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr triumph-2 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr triumph-3 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr Triumph TR4 triumph-5 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr Triumph TR4 triumph-6 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr Triumph TR4 triumph-4 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr Chevrolet CorvetteSlightly incongruous amongst the English setting was the bright blue Corvette. corvette-1 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr corvette-3 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr This image reminds me of the Bruce Springsteen line from Cadillac Range “Junior Johnson runnin’ through the woods of Caroline” although it’s a Corvette and not NASCAR and Gloucestershire not Carolina. corvette-2 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr Ford EscortsThere were a few Escorts running, Mk1 and Mk2, interesting to show the different lines through Pardon Hairpin. escort-1 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr Nice bit of rear axle articulation escort-2 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr escort-3 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr Nice numberplate escort-4 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr Frazer Nashfrazer-nash-3 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr Not sure I’d want to run that curb and the front left wheel looks a bit suspect. frazer-nash-1 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr frazer-nash-2 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr Austin Healy’sBig Healy’s and little Healey’s (sprites). There is something about a Healy 3000 in red and white that just looks right. Austin Healey 3000 MK1 healey-3 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr Austin Healey Sprite healey-4 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr Austin Healy Sprite (Lenham coupe?) healey-2 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr Austin Healy (Frogeye) Sprite what is it about saving tyre wear on the front left tyre healey-1 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr Miscellaneous.Sign of the times, electric Westfield Seven… Tesla motor, 80 mile range, 20Kg heavier than a Duratec Seven and 50/50 balance. Ideal for a track day, morning session recharge over lunch then afternoon session. If there were EV track days would this lessen the impact of noise on circuits such as Castle Combe. At lunchtime a Spitfire did a fly past. I'm really tempted to do their Hillclimb school, £275 for a day, but not sure if I want to risk my paintwork. Mark
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Last Edit: Jun 13, 2023 14:12:17 GMT by MiataMark
1990 Mazda MX-52012 BMW 118i (170bhp) - white appliance 2011 Land Rover Freelander 2 TD4 2003 Land Rover Discovery II TD52007 Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon JTDm
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MiataMark
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 2,961
Club RR Member Number: 29
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Jun 13, 2023 12:21:07 GMT
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Prescott Historique (Hillclimb) 27:May I’ve been meaning to go to a Prescott Hillclimb since RRG12, and this seemed a good meeting to attend with the promise of seeing Bugatti’s in action. As a venue I prefer Prescott to Shelsley Walsh, the track is longer and is better for spectating (and photography). I would describe the atmosphere as very ‘English’, relaxed and friendly and not too crowded. I spent the morning sessions just past Orchard Corner with good views of the cars entering and exiting Ettore’s Bend and the climb up to Pardon Hairpin and then seeing the cars through the trees. In the afternoon I went from Pardon Hairpin along to The Esses. The weather was excellent, clear sky’s and sun, I didn’t get too sunburned as the afternoon was spent in the shade. Entry at £20 plus £3 for a programme is fairly good value for a day of action. I was bit disappointed in the number of ‘Historique’ cars taking part, there was a handful of Bugatti’s competing and a few more in the paddock. Given the numbers it was a bit repetitive with most cars doing 4-8 runs. As well as the competing cars there were a number of demonstration runs. I took at lot of photos some of which are very similar, I’ll break this down into sections by car or type of car. BRM P15 (V16) continuationThe star attraction for the demonstration runs was the continuation BRM P15. Post war BRM developed the P15 to compete against Alfa Romeo and Maserati. The engine is a fiendishly complicated 1.5L supercharged V16 that was too complicated for the time. Over the last few years some/a continuation car(s) have been built to the exact specification. The car is spectacularly loud, it’s probably the loudest thing I’ve heard (I’ve been stood at drag strip start line with funny cars), I think it’s probably the pitch of the noise. Going past while spectating it made my ears physically hurt. Check out the various YouTube videos. If Hotblack Desiato had a car this would be it! brm-1 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr brm-2 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr brm-3 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr Bugatti’sI came to see the Bugatti’s and although there weren’t that many there what was there was impressive. From the Type 51 racers to the older Brescia’s it certainly showed that the owners aren’t afraid to use them. Type 35B The quintessential Bugatti although not quite in the shade of blue I would have expected. Straight 8, 2.3l supercharged. bugatti-8 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr This is probably a 35B, bit of opposite lock coming out of hairpin bugatti-10 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr bugatti-9 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr Type 51 The T51 was a development of the T35 inspired by America Miller race cars to add a DOHC to the 2.3L straight 8 Tim Dutton’s bugatti-1 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr bugatti-2 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr bugatti-3 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr bugatti-4 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr Have a look at the front left wheel, commitment or a very stiff chassis/suspension. bugatti-14 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr bugatti-13 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr bugatti-12 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr Early Bugatti’s were actually quite crude as shown by these, #151 T13 bugatti-15 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr Not sure what Type this is, but certainly had patina bugatti-6 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr bugatti-7 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr Not quite like a modern dashboard… bugatti-5 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr McLaren F5000Another demonstration runner was this F5000 McLaren, massive slicks on the back and a Chevrolet V8. mclaren-1 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr mclaren-2 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr ERAThere were a collection of ERA’s some competing and some demonstrating, including Prince Bira of Siam’s (now Thailand) Romulus and Remus racers (not pictured as I couldn’t get any clear shots in the paddock) and Raymond May’s own car. era-1 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr ERA AJM1 era-4 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr ERA B Type era-3 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr D type, Raymond May’s car (the founder of ERA). era-2 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr Austin 7I’m not really interested in Austin 7’s too small, but there were a couple of interesting cars. #126 - ‘Austerity’ Seven Special, hardly recognisable as an Austin 7. Mid engine, supercharged, chain drive, no differential, wider front track… mad. austin7-4 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr austin7-5 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr austin7-6 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr austin7-7 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr #126 - not so much the car but it was driven, spiritedly, by an older lady (Shirley Tull). Great bonnet mascot as well. austin7-1 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr austin7-2 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr They really are small. austin7-3 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr Lancia Aurelia
Not really sure where this fits in, a mid-mounted supercharged Lancia V6. lancia-1 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr lancia-3 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr Bad image but interesting rear wheel angle. lancia-2 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr More to follow...
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Last Edit: Jun 13, 2023 12:29:47 GMT by MiataMark
1990 Mazda MX-52012 BMW 118i (170bhp) - white appliance 2011 Land Rover Freelander 2 TD4 2003 Land Rover Discovery II TD52007 Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon JTDm
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MiataMark
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 2,961
Club RR Member Number: 29
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Lego!MiataMark
@garra
Club Retro Rides Member 29
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Bought the small Defender to go with the big one... nice bit of axle articulation,
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1990 Mazda MX-52012 BMW 118i (170bhp) - white appliance 2011 Land Rover Freelander 2 TD4 2003 Land Rover Discovery II TD52007 Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon JTDm
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MiataMark
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 2,961
Club RR Member Number: 29
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May 29, 2023 20:31:41 GMT
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1990 Mazda MX-52012 BMW 118i (170bhp) - white appliance 2011 Land Rover Freelander 2 TD4 2003 Land Rover Discovery II TD52007 Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon JTDm
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MiataMark
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 2,961
Club RR Member Number: 29
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^^^ Is there a mazda or bmw underneath? Pretty sure MX5 (look at the roof and fuel filler). Something 6 wheeled in the background as well.
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1990 Mazda MX-52012 BMW 118i (170bhp) - white appliance 2011 Land Rover Freelander 2 TD4 2003 Land Rover Discovery II TD52007 Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon JTDm
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MiataMark
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 2,961
Club RR Member Number: 29
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May 14, 2023 18:30:46 GMT
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So fitted new lower ball joint to the passenger side, no real problems. Hopefully that'll keep the MOT man happy. Driver side, should be easy now I know what to do right? err no can't separate the bottom ball-joint, using the wedge/fork type ball-joint separator. I think that the lower ball-joint isn't a correct type, the nut isn't castellated, so maybe a tighter fit. I've remembered that I've actually got a screw/cup type separator that I can try otherwise I'll take the whole hub/upright off and either replace (s/h ~£20) or attack in the vice although I'd rather not disturb the track-rod end.
Annoyingly that ball-joint wasn't a failure, but I thought I'd change it anyway and it's split now . Freelander - Dog guard, boot cover and new rear number plate stuck on, don't like screwed on number plates (private plate, the front replaced with an old one got a new one to fit).
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1990 Mazda MX-52012 BMW 118i (170bhp) - white appliance 2011 Land Rover Freelander 2 TD4 2003 Land Rover Discovery II TD52007 Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon JTDm
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MiataMark
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 2,961
Club RR Member Number: 29
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Lego!MiataMark
@garra
Club Retro Rides Member 29
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£13.49 (I'll still buy it though).. I'm still building my big Defender.
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1990 Mazda MX-52012 BMW 118i (170bhp) - white appliance 2011 Land Rover Freelander 2 TD4 2003 Land Rover Discovery II TD52007 Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon JTDm
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MiataMark
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 2,961
Club RR Member Number: 29
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You could try Autocolour in Wootton Bassett, not cheap, they did my MX5.
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1990 Mazda MX-52012 BMW 118i (170bhp) - white appliance 2011 Land Rover Freelander 2 TD4 2003 Land Rover Discovery II TD52007 Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon JTDm
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MiataMark
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 2,961
Club RR Member Number: 29
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Apr 30, 2023 20:55:30 GMT
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I thought our cocker spaniel was bad at finding water to wallow in...
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1990 Mazda MX-52012 BMW 118i (170bhp) - white appliance 2011 Land Rover Freelander 2 TD4 2003 Land Rover Discovery II TD52007 Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon JTDm
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MiataMark
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 2,961
Club RR Member Number: 29
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Fun On The Farm.MiataMark
@garra
Club Retro Rides Member 29
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I've used one of those fence bonkers before luckily only a few poles but a good upper body work out. There was a bit on Clarkson's Farm where he was using one, he found it hard work as well.
Couldn't you have used your digger to push the poles in?
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1990 Mazda MX-52012 BMW 118i (170bhp) - white appliance 2011 Land Rover Freelander 2 TD4 2003 Land Rover Discovery II TD52007 Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon JTDm
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MiataMark
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 2,961
Club RR Member Number: 29
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Apr 23, 2023 20:18:38 GMT
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It's a shame but probably inevitable, people who buy Evoques (or new Defenders) don't know, or care, about the history.
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1990 Mazda MX-52012 BMW 118i (170bhp) - white appliance 2011 Land Rover Freelander 2 TD4 2003 Land Rover Discovery II TD52007 Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon JTDm
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MiataMark
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 2,961
Club RR Member Number: 29
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Mx5 also needs a good service and a few bits of bodywork, nothing serious, dodgy paint on the bonnet and a few bits of rust on the front wings but that can wait, might even buy new ones. I bought new wings from Moss, (look out for their discounts), the body shop said they were good quality.
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1990 Mazda MX-52012 BMW 118i (170bhp) - white appliance 2011 Land Rover Freelander 2 TD4 2003 Land Rover Discovery II TD52007 Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon JTDm
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MiataMark
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 2,961
Club RR Member Number: 29
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Having ticked off 2 of the easy things now onto more difficult items, ball joints. Started on the nearside, actually got both ball joints split without too much trouble. I didn't want to remove the upper wishbone and upset the geometry. Used a jack between the wishbone to pull the lower ball joint free. Spent a bit of time removing all the remains of the boot on the upper ball joint and replaced the boot, similar for the lower. However when replacing the lower ball joint tightening the nut the ball joint just spins, this could be that the top threads of the castellated nut are in bad condition. Called a halt and have ordered new lower ball joints (I only ordered covers), to make the job easier. In the future I'll replace the upper arms as the ball joints are integral and replace the wishbone bushes, but at the moment the priority is to get it back on the road. I'm quite surprised how dirty the calipers etc are so a refresh is needed as well. Oh and the Disco replacement has arrived, Which isn't a true Land Rover as it's basically a Ford/Volvo with a Peugeot engine... No plans for this except better headlight bulbs, boot cover and dog guard (because dogs) and maybe a tow-bar. This my wife's car and our dog walk and holiday car.
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Last Edit: Apr 10, 2023 7:49:11 GMT by MiataMark
1990 Mazda MX-52012 BMW 118i (170bhp) - white appliance 2011 Land Rover Freelander 2 TD4 2003 Land Rover Discovery II TD52007 Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon JTDm
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MiataMark
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 2,961
Club RR Member Number: 29
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Disco has gone, dragged off for scrap Shouldn't really get emotional about an inanimate object but it held a lot of memories.
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1990 Mazda MX-52012 BMW 118i (170bhp) - white appliance 2011 Land Rover Freelander 2 TD4 2003 Land Rover Discovery II TD52007 Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon JTDm
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