Fake - F7R Motorsport Daily

[volvosneverdie]

1) Yay.

2) Boo.

[V6 Man]

You sure it is actually the starter motor and not your wiring problem back, or do you think that previous wiring problem has lead to the starter failing?

[Chris_C]

You sure it is actually the starter motor and not your wiring problem back, or do you think that previous wiring problem has lead to the starter failing?

Neither... sounds like the pinion isn't located on the spinny thing. You hear a rattly noise when the starter is actuated, then a whirring noise as it spins down. I've a new one in the post

And, for comic amusement, the Corset won't bloody start today. That's on a very very short rope and likely for sale soon.

[Chris_C]

Right... well... comic amusement decided to follow this. Halfway through changing the starter I found a lot of swarf, turns out my super awesome diesel starter motor had worn away it's bronze bushing between the pinion and the mainshaft. This in turn gave it about 2mm of free play on the shaft, meaning the pinion was 2ish mm out of mesh with the ring gear.

So, long story short, it's chewed up my ring gear, which from memory is 1 piece with the flywheel. Cock. Engine out again. Went to the storage facilitay (parents house) to get spare flywheel, it's a late 480T one so should be able to run an 8.5" clutch now rather than 8". Will let you know how sourcing a friction plate that's 20splines and 8.5" goes...

Well, before that happened I built some engine mounts. They will be coming out with the engine so I'll get some photos of them. Not really exciting, they are epically over specced just so the engine doesn't fall out.

Then, I had the fun of playing fix the strut top cup for the MOT.

Fake's top cups last summer, showing the completely missing bump stop cup (where the spot welds are broken, there are missing bits in the recess). This reduces strength in the bearing mount, hence the radial cracks that have allowed the bearing seat to collapse meaning there is no bearing action for the top mounts. This is why 300's are thought to have heavy steering and PAS is needed, it's untrue, in a low mileage cotton wool covered non PAS 300 they are very very light to steer.

With very bad radial cracking (the one thing she rightly failed the MOT on this year)


The spot welds can be seen to have cranked completely again on these ones, meaning the 3 pressings are now in 2 pieces but the cup is at least present. These ones were from PTF, as they are in slightly better condition than Fake's so used for the repair.

Cup clamped together, and tacked from underneath where there is plenty of room. Whilst it's hard to see from the photos, placing a bearing in the recess now allows it to protrude 5mm as all the collasped bits have been forced back to where they should be.

Pair of welded up nice top cups with sexy seam weld rather than silly spot weld



There was a fair amount of surface rust showing, so as I'm currently loving my new angle grinder, straight steel brush in there to clean up (not a knotty brush )

And etch primed ready for shiny black


Shiney black


And back comparing to Fake's old ones. Note how much worse they are from summer last year to now... given that she was off the road from new years day.


New dampers/springs/top cup (recon)/top mount bearing and finally top mount

[foggyjames]

Christ, that's an eye opener! Top work, Agent Cardwell!

cheers

James

[jtbo]

Ah, mine looks same as those rusted ones at last pics, there is clearly missing parts from top cups my car has, so need to get those done too.

[jon-ovlov]

Tasty bit of work there Chris. Awesome. Hows the engine removal coming along?

[Hell Driver]

How did it pass last years M.O.T.

Just been through similar work (but not anywhere near as bad) on the 340 a month or so ago for the M.O.T.
Basically it just needed a new spring (old one cracked) and a bottom ball joint. Replaced both with new, new dampers and bottom ball joints while I was at it. Bearings perfect so just re-greased. All cleaned up and painted.

Much better to drive now, old dampers were shot and springs weak (wheels used to touch the top of the wheel arch when going fast over bumpy roads ). It's true, when cars knock around as long as these people forget that poor handling is down mostly to worn parts!

Good work!

[Chris_C]

Tasty bit of work there Chris. Awesome. Hows the engine removal coming along?

Should be coming out over the evenings next week dude will keep you informed.

Andy... it's surprising how much worse they've got over the 6months driving they saw, last year they were bad... but nothing like they are now. I can't get over how quickly they changed, but I guess once the strength the second pressing gives the part is lost...

[Evoman]

How did it pass last years M.O.T.

Just been through similar work (but not anywhere near as bad) on the 340 a month or so ago for the M.O.T.
Basically it just needed a new spring (old one cracked) and a bottom ball joint. Replaced both with new, new dampers and bottom ball joints while I was at it. Bearings perfect so just re-greased. All cleaned up and painted.

Much better to drive now, old dampers were shot and springs weak (wheels used to touch the top of the wheel arch when going fast over bumpy roads ). It's true, when cars knock around as long as these people forget that poor handling is down mostly to worn parts!

Good work!

I have this! and I am going get new springs when money allows. Great work aswell chris, I guess when I change my springs it would be worth be change the bearings in the top caps too?

[Chris_C]

The bearings cost between 10 and 15 quid each depending on the shop, so I would whilst you are there! Check the cups carefully though, and any fatigue get an early bird weld in there

[Evoman]

well i've just had one new cup, and new shocks done, so i checked the other side too

[SteveP]

Good work mate, although I think this thread should be renamed - daily??

[Chris_C]

She will be within the next few weeks. She was supposed to be again by now, but if this is going to be a weekend car it needs to be a lot more powerful and a lot more stupid.

I need something more fun to daily again.

[foggyjames]

She will be within the next few weeks.

Repost
(I think it's hilarious that it's us two giving you stick for this...your efforts are epic, dude, whereas ours (mine and Steve's) are weak and piss-weak, respectively)

I need something more fun to daily again.

I know where there's a lovely S70 going cheap...just needs stem seals...or possibly just to be taken away from Birmingham.

cheers

James