pugbug
Part of things
Posts: 27
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Aug 16, 2022 11:16:18 GMT
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Hi All, hope this is ok to post here! I have been a lurker on RR for many years but have never had a car that is suitable to post up on here. So, now that the post 2000 section is here I thought I would start with my latest purchase. This is how it currently stands, it's a 2005 Suzuki Alto 1.1 GL.
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Aug 16, 2022 13:42:09 GMT
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These can look really cool. Guy at work bought a 1 owner low mileage one from the works classifieds for £500 - think he's been running it for about 5 years now.
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pugbug
Part of things
Posts: 27
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Aug 16, 2022 13:54:50 GMT
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Thanks! It's amazing how the prices have changed so much over the last few years. I have a few small plans for this, nothing major as it's a 'budget' car!
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pugbug
Part of things
Posts: 27
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When I first purchased the Alto, there were a couple of known issues. The two main points being the bonnet didn't shut down, and the petrol cap didn't open! To make the journey home, I used gaffa tape to keep the bonnet shut and crossed my fingers that we didn't need petrol on the way home - the gauge was just above empty! So, with that in mind it was a very careful 80 mile trip back home along the motorway! Here is the Alto once it was back home.
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pugbug
Part of things
Posts: 27
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The first repairs were made to the bonnet and petrol cap - both were broken springs. I don't have any photos of these repairs. Next I thought about some different wheels, I tried some Suzuki Swift 15" steel wheels. These looked ok, but were just too big and there wasn't the clearance for them. So, the original wheels were put back on! A couple more photos showing the wheel fitting, and after a clean - it was very dirty when first purchased!
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I love these, looking forward to seeing it progress!
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pugbug
Part of things
Posts: 27
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Thanks, I have a few little plans for it, nothing major!
I have been following your Panda thread, I really like the look of it lowered with the nice wheels!
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pugbug
Part of things
Posts: 27
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After some good deep cleaning, I set about de-badging and removing the side rubbing strips. Then a good wash, wax and polish and it came up well I think! The side photo shows some deep scratches that the previous owner had done and painted over with what looks like Hammerite! I shall address this area in due course. Thanks for reading!
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pugbug
Part of things
Posts: 27
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Added a 'Retro Rides' sticker to the back window!
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pugbug
Part of things
Posts: 27
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Sept 16, 2022 10:10:22 GMT
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Hi, not done much with the Alto lately, holidays and overtime at work have taken up my tinkering time! Just been enjoying the simplicity of the car! Anyway, to get a bit of mojo back, I thought I would start cleaning the underside in preparation for rust repairs and underbody protection before the winter comes. The rear springs have been removed and will be replaced with some lowering springs. As I work my way to the front of the car, I shall be booking it into my local garage to change the front springs as that is a bit beyond my abilities! Thanks for looking.
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tom13
Part of things
Posts: 571
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Sept 16, 2022 20:34:19 GMT
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Honestly mate you will do those front springs easily with a cheap set of spring compressors. I say give it a go. It's nothing worse that what you have already done. The worst bit is getting the nut off the top without the damper spinning but it's easy if you have an impact.
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pugbug
Part of things
Posts: 27
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Sept 16, 2022 22:06:58 GMT
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Thanks for the vote of confidence! I guess you are right, until I try I will never learn. Think I may give it a go once I finish the rears.
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pugbug
Part of things
Posts: 27
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Sept 17, 2022 14:27:06 GMT
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So today I have made a start on the underbody protection using Hammerite Underbody Protection spay. It's quite satisfying how it goes on and gives a real nice finish. I managed to do the back wheel arches and boot floor, carefull masking off brake lines, exhause, etc. I also fitted the PI Lowering Springs that I had purchased for the Alto. Upon first fitting I wasn't overly impressed as out of the box they are longer than the standard springs, and once fitted the car sat higher than standard by about 10mm! I tried bouncing the car back down and putting a lot of weight in the back, but it didn't lower it at all. They were supposed to be 40mm lower. At this point I stupidly took the angle grinder to the springs and ended up taking 1.5 coils off. The last half a coil I now regret taking off as the spring no longer sits correctly in the cup on the axle!! The Alto does now sit at the height that I want to achieve. I will take this as an expensive lesson to learn, and will now order some new springs and book it in at my local garage. I have decided not to touch the fronts on my own now, and let the professionals do the work - this is all new to me! After that disaster, I thought I would cheer myself up and fit my new wheel trims, how hard could that be?? Fitted 3 ok, but the 4th one broke upon fitting ahhh!!! Well I know the wheel trims are not to everyone's taste, but I quite like them. I will attempt to glue the clips that broke on the 4th one back on and see how it holds up. Also today I painted the front Suzuki 'S' badge and chrome strip satin black to go with the 'de-badged' theme. Thanks for reading!
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pugbug
Part of things
Posts: 27
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Sept 17, 2022 14:31:53 GMT
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Forgot to add this photo on the last post!
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Davey
Posted a lot
Resident Tyre Nerd.
Posts: 2,163
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Sept 28, 2022 11:13:17 GMT
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Looks like you've trimmed pigtail springs, they get narrower at the top and bottom and shouldn't really be chopped.
Otherwise nice to see you get stuck in.
Front springs are a doddle if you take your time.
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K11 Micra x3 - Mk3 astra - Seat Marbella - Mk6 Escort estate - B5 Passat - Alfa 156 estate - E36 compact Mk2 MR2 T-bar - E46 328i - Skoda Superb - Fiat seicento - 6n2 Polo - 6n polo 1.6 - Mk1 GS300 EU8 civic type S - MG ZT cdti - R56 MINI Cooper S - Audi A3 8p - Jaguar XF (X250) - FN2 Civic Type R - Mk2 2.0i Ford Focus
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pugbug
Part of things
Posts: 27
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Sept 29, 2022 8:34:06 GMT
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Thanks, yes I got a bit eager with the angle grinder! The Alto hasn't moved since. I have ordered some new rear springs so waiting on those at the moment before going any further with it.
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Sept 29, 2022 9:27:08 GMT
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You might be able to do what the micra boys do and use something like a matiz standard spring chopped down on the rear. I forget the exact way they made diy coilovers for them now.
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Davey
Posted a lot
Resident Tyre Nerd.
Posts: 2,163
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Sept 29, 2022 9:34:45 GMT
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You might be able to do what the micra boys do and use something like a matiz standard spring chopped down on the rear. I forget the exact way they made diy coilovers for them now. I can play this game! Matiz front struts and springs, Micra top mount. Standard rear springs chopped to hell and back with corsa B shocks. However not sure i can see it working with the Alto rear end. Only thing similar is the panhard rod.
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K11 Micra x3 - Mk3 astra - Seat Marbella - Mk6 Escort estate - B5 Passat - Alfa 156 estate - E36 compact Mk2 MR2 T-bar - E46 328i - Skoda Superb - Fiat seicento - 6n2 Polo - 6n polo 1.6 - Mk1 GS300 EU8 civic type S - MG ZT cdti - R56 MINI Cooper S - Audi A3 8p - Jaguar XF (X250) - FN2 Civic Type R - Mk2 2.0i Ford Focus
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Sept 29, 2022 13:48:47 GMT
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pugbug
Part of things
Posts: 27
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Sept 29, 2022 16:39:44 GMT
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Thanks joem83 for the link. That's the Alto that I actually saw pictures of on the internet and gave me a bit of inspiration! Thanks Davey for the information about different shocks/springs. At the moment that is way beyond my capabilities mixing and matching parts - I can just about replace springs (on the rear so far). 👍
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