Vauxhall cavalier L f reg saloon gsi rep two tone project.

[cavaliersri130]

Well just ordered the astras new cherry bomb back box so now I can transfer the one from that to the cavalier just to give her a better sound.
Can't wait the cavaliers sound has been restricted far too long, time to wake the neighbours lol.

[cavaliersri130]

Well discovered today why my cars like a kettle boiling.
The matrix is knackered.
Took the cavalier centre console off and the casing and found water and this.

So now it's all stripped down once I can get her out into the open with a little more room I'll replace that.
Also tried fitting my radiator today and what do you know it don't fit, Jesus knows where he got it from that it's for a cavalier but it's about 3" over hang on the bottom and the bottom lugs aren't even in line.
I'm thinking it's to a frontera or something with a big front end on it.
So I'll have to try and get that changed now.
Bummer was looking forward to my nice new shiny rad being fitted.
So there you have it an update but not much to update now.

[iangsi]

At least you found the problem & not to difficult to fix once you get the right parts.

[cavaliersri130]

At least you found the problem & not to difficult to fix once you get the right parts.

Yeah was surprised to see it this bad really.
Yeah I've got the matrix already just waiting to fit it now, and the rad I've emailed the bloke just waiting for a reply I hope he gets back to me or I'm naffed will just have to fit the old radiator till I can find the proper one.
Then put that down as a loss on the new rad not sure what it fits so I can't sell it on.

[cavaliersri130]

Well matrix is now fitted and she's letting out good heat now.
Wasn't as easy as I thought though lots of faffing about and pipes that wouldn't come off, but got it out in the end and boy was It gone.

Also replaced the rad switch as it wasn't leaving the fan in long enough would come on for 2 seconds tops then cut out now it's on for about 10 seconds and actually does its job.

All I have to do now is put her back together.
Fit the new split pins on the drive shafts and sort out the rear brakes.
Then off to the garage for a once over to see if they can't find the knocking noise on the front end.

[Envoy CDX]

Woohoo! I got my rad from Advanced radiators for £38 quid a few years back and they tend to keep a stock of them too, usually next day delivery.

[cavaliersri130]

Cheers m8 I'll have to have a look at them.

[Robsey]

Knocking front end - probably either anti-roll drop links or anti-roll bar bushes.
Oh joy

The main hassle with the matrix is getting access to it...
Half the dash out, and bashing your knuckles on the back of the engine / bell housing.
At least it is one job less.

I measured my radiator before replacing it last year, as I had read that there were a few different sizes.
Only original part of my cooling system is the matrix... everything else has been replaced...
Think I've had 6 OEM radiators - four in the first three years.

[cavaliersri130]

Right fitted my new split pins today and in the process found out both my bearings have gone I'm getting a lot of wheel wobble on both sides drivers side being the worst.
So in the garden she goes soon for a strip down.
And also started to fit my back box but had to stop ran out of time.
So all in all more money to be spent over the next few months this cars becoming a money pit lol.

[planetc]

Front bearings? Are you sure the hub nuts are tight?

[cavaliersri130]

Front bearings? Are you sure the hub nuts are tight?

Yeah I've tried to get them tighter just isn't moving any further.
I might take them off and inspect.
Thing is they seemed ok till I done the lowering springs.

[cavaliersri130]

I finally managed to get a decent back box onto the cavalier.
She's really got a nice sound to her now.
Burnt my finger in the process though forgot not to touch fresh welds with out my gloves on lol.
Made an extension pipe welded that and cut and welded the hook back into my bracket in another position.
Looks good now.
Just need to gum gum round the clamp few bits leaking.




https://vimeo.com/120488837

[iangsi]

Looking good you going to Bromley Pageant this year ? mite come with you if you are.

[cavaliersri130]

Looking good you going to Bromley Pageant this year ? mite come with you if you are.

Cheers m8, yeah really hoping too I'm doing some major work to her in April to get her finished mot is due in May so I need to get her up to scratch for that then book her in for the pageant.
And yeah you most certainly should come would be brilliant to have another cav there with me was alone last time on the one make parking.

[cavaliersri130]

Cavalier has her new sticker now love it.

[cavaliersri130]

Well done alittle work to the old girl today.
I finally managed to adjust the handbrake I think it just needed bedding in.
And the sunroof is now fixed with some help from some sealant I found on the bay.
Only thing is I'm now getting water leaking in from a door seal not to worry though I have a spare set.
And also sorted out the loose back box just got to seal a small air leak now.
So hopefully next month she will be back on the road going to a garage for a health check on the front wheel hubs.
I can't wait to finally be able to drive her again.

[cavaliersri130]

Cavalier is taxed as of April the 1st so will be driving her a lot more.
Just need to get those bearings sorted.
Going to book her in for a pre mot check.
So once washed I shall get some pics taken she's abit dirty and faded at the moment.

[cavaliersri130]

Cavalier back on the road and super shiny.
A good machine polish sorted her out.

Now just to sort out that wheel wobble.

[cavaliersri130]

Started the rebuild on the front end.
Three days worth of struggling to get the shocks out but done it in the end.
And then I had to buy new wishbones as the balljoints wouldn't come off.
Only thing left to do now is change the bearings and the hub over.
All my new parts.









Changed the bottom bushes on my droplinks and now they are solid unlike the spongy ones that were there before.

Painted most of the bits aswell.

So all I have to do now is remove the bearings and the hub paint it all,refit then mot.
Won't be done in time for Pvs or any car shows.
Plus I can't get anytime off work around that time.

[planetc]

You won't be able to reuse the bearings mate, you'll destroy them getting them out.

[cavaliersri130]

You won't be able to reuse the bearings mate, you'll destroy them getting them out.

Na I know m8 I have a full brand new set ready to go in got them before I got the new legs.

[cavaliersri130]

Well I have just ordered my bearing puller tool.
So hopefully that will be here before Sunday as then I can get those bearings in and finally get here back on the road.

[cavaliersri130]

Started finishing off the legs and hubs.
All painted and ready to go back on now.
Also got the puller so I should have the bearings and over replaced this weekend and back in the before June.



Watch this space should be back in the road soon.

[cavaliersri130]

Well after loads of struggling the other day I realised the legs that I had refurbed were useless the bearing hole was way to big and the hub from the 1600 wouldn't fit into a bigger bearing.
So I've had to buy new bearings and hubs, don't mind though as that means everything is brand new now.
Just got to move all the new parts back over to the old 1600 legs, just wish I known this all in the first place.

And to top it all off I'm off work this week so I'm going to hopefully have her back on all fours back in the garage and moted next week.
Then I can start checking over that calibra.

[Envoy CDX]

Well, whilst I'm impressed , I'm not sure why you painted the hub faces? That will possibly lead to the disc not sitting straight on the hub.
Either way - hows things going back together?