The Wife's Vectra-C - The other battle wagon

[3cav3]

I only had one for a short time, couldn't keep up with its thirst for petrol. Was a bit like driving a block of flats on wheels both in terms of space and handling.
It was one from 1983, with an fm radio and a Swankey tape deck that auto flipped to the other side of the tape when you got to the end.
Would love to still have it now, but would probably become yet another project chasing the rot in the arches sills and wings. Had at least 250k on the clock when I moved it on and they reckon it was only just run in.

[Robsey]

It's that time of year again...
Pesky MOT.

And it bombed out yet again.
Yes I know - shockingly bad for a so called Vauxhall enthusiast.
Our cars get worked very hard.



I am shocked that two tyres were illegal.
Although with all the bad weather, I haven't had a look at the car at all since before Christmas.
Just driving it about for work, hospital trips and shopping.
Not much in the way of pleasure.

The rest were all rear suspension linkages, "pins" and bushes.
The car is 19 years old, and parts are very hard to come by.
It is much easier to get parts for the Cavalier.
The garage reported about failed trailing arms.. no longer available... thankfully the bushes are.

Having EPC is a God-send, as I am able to advise on part numbers for the bushes.
Apparently all Vauxhall's current systems come back "discontinued".
A quick google of the bush part number shows them readily available from many manufacturers.

As long as the car is back by Monday morning we will be okay.
Otherwise I will have to hire a small van again for a day or two.

[Envoy CDX]

That isn't a bad failure list in the long run really considering the age of it.
As for tyres, consumables, though maybe worth instating a quarterly check minimum on these things.
reminds me, need to check the oil on the Yaris when the weather lets up.

[Robsey]

The big drama is the trailing arms.
Apparently they are buggered, and they are the parts that are no longer available.



The bolts are external splines... not that you can tell due to being so badly corroded.
Pictures sent by the garage last night (Tuesday 2/4/2024).

[Envoy CDX]

Damn! those bolts are looking past it - though they should come out with some heat on the them and maybe the needler attachment on the airgun to break up any thread corrosion.

Good luck sourcing the parts.

[Robsey]

Cheers Gary,
But it looks like the Vectra will be getting Sorned soon.

For the first time ever, we now have no working cars.
And at this time - no money to replace them.

Time to put my big-boy pants on, and come up with a solution.

[Envoy CDX]

Damn that is rough. Hope something comes up soon.

[Robsey]

Well it may spur a few things on.
Perhaps a ressurection of the Cavalier, who knows?

I have found some brackets in Lithuania.
Maybe the Vectra will live to see another day.

Only time and the Gods of fate will tell in due course.

[3cav3]

You've probably already seen and im guessing they are not correct, but there's trailing arms under Vectra C on ebay. Plus if you get stuck a supplier I use is called ABC, Tel 01873 857 216, they are geared for local delivery, but if they can source them you could always have them delivered to me and I could forward them on. Failing that you could always have my Mitsubishi colt for scrap value, needs an mot and an alternator but is otherwise a cracking little car, just not pretty.

[Robsey]

Thanks my friend.
Very kind offers indeed.

I am going to throw some TLC and fuel into the Cavalier this weekend, and then arrange an MOT asap.

I have been wanting it back on the road this year anyway.

It is hoped that between us, myself and Troy will get it sorted.

I have got a pair of used trailing arms with carriers on their way from Lithuania.
Estimated delivery approx 2 to 3 weeks.









They will get a quick bead blast and a coating of epoxy, before they are fitted.
But I do expect a lot of swearing when all the bolts into the body shear as they are bound to do.

[Robsey]

I bought a small car in 2016 when the Cavalier was being refurbed.
The wife went ballistic and forced me to sell it.

I daren't even consider another car, as I may end up in next week's obituaries.

Amazingly I had an almost identical offer from Troy.
Virtually giving me a Swift, but needs an MOT and a few little bits to sort.
But he knew what happened last time, and quickly resinded the offer - lol

[Envoy CDX]

I bought a small car in 2016 when the Cavalier was being refurbed.
The wife went ballistic and forced me to sell it.

I daren't even consider another car, as I may end up in next week's obituaries.

Amazingly I had an almost identical offer from Troy.
Virtually giving me a Swift, but needs an MOT and a few little bits to sort.
But he knew what happened last time, and quickly resinded the offer - lol

I still thank you for the Yaris
No doubt you'll have it back on the road again in no time (the Cav, and the Vectra that is ) once those pesky bolts come out.

[Robsey]

The mother-in-law has loaned me her car until Friday evening.
That makes things easier for a week.



Just got to remind myself to lose my left foot.
Only the second time in 35 years that I have driven an auto-box.

Three Vauxhalls in a row -

UPDATE -
First proper drive today.
I need to lose my left arm too.
So keen to keep flicking into neutral - lol.





And typical for Korean manufactured car.
There is no engine temperature paranoia gauge.



It lacks quite a few things that I took for granted in the Vectra, including board computer and cruise control.
Overall though, it is quite a nice, willing, comfortable car to drive.

[Envoy CDX]

Nice one! something is better than nothing.

[Robsey]

The brackets arrived very quickly from Lithuania.
They were due between 17th and 25th April.
Posted on the 4th.
Arrived yesterday - 10th.

The brackets needed a quick bead blasting.



And then a blow-over with direct to rust black paint.







Not perfect, but plenty of good metal there.

The bonus is that the bushes look new, so that will save a lot of time and money

[3cav3]

I often find that items from abroad tend to arrive quicker than the UK particularly when eBay is involved. Hopefully you will soon get a pass, are you still going to push with getting the cavalier on the road aswell?

[Robsey]

That is my plan - yes

I am just getting one car sorted at a time.
The MOT and car hire are not going to be cheap, so I suspect I will sort the Cavalier in late June or early July.
I want the car sorted for VBOA...

UPDATE - Vectra booked in for Friday next week.
Mark at the garage is confident it will be sorted ready for me to use it for work on the following Monday.

I am intrigued to see the state of the old / existing trailing arms and carriers.

[Envoy CDX]

Kool, hopefully if they are salvagable you can recoup some of the costs flogging them on Rob - or tarting up for spares (though I doubt you'll need to do them again in the Vectras life time?

Fingers crossed the MOT is sorted and costs don't ramp up too much with the car hire.

[Robsey]

The challenge is the cross-over between ending the car hire and paying for the MOT and repairs.

The refund of the hire deposit takes a few working days before your bank account sees it.

No matter what, I will be a few hundred quid down when I pay the garage.

[Robsey]

The saga continues...
The trailing arms and carriers from Lithuania have been fitted without a hitch.
Apparently no bolts sheared.

Plan is to get some new tyres tomorrow,
Ready for drop links and re-test on Monday.

After a quick clean, the brake pipe was found to be okay and didn't need replacing.

So it looks like the van hire will need extending until Monday evening.
But the end... and MOT certificate are in sight.

[3cav3]

Looking at those bolts, its amazing that at least one didn't sheer, bet you'll be pleased to get the old girl back.
Hope you managed to get a good deal on the hire charge as the last time I enquired it was cheaper to buy a banger than to pay for about 2 weeks rent.
It amazes me that a car that just a few years ago was so common has already got obsolete parts.

[Robsey]

Looking back at the Vectra, production ceased in October 2008... so 16 years ago.

Manufacturers are only obliged to supply parts for five years after production ends.

Having a blue light card saved me about 10%, but yes a ropey old banger would be cheaper than the rental and deposit.

Hey ho - heres to hoping for getting the car back on Monday afternoon.

UPDATE:- Three new tyres fitted.
That just leaves the nearside front lower ball-joint to do.

I can smell a pass with no advisories coming soon.

[3cav3]

Only another 21 years left until it becomes mot exempt and you no longer have the yearly battle.

[Robsey]

I would still get it tested for my own peace of mind.

Only 10 1/2 years for the Cavalier,

And the 'camper' van is exempt already from MOT, VED and CAZ / ULEZ.
But it isn't anywhere near road worthy... nor will it be for quite a while yet.

[Envoy CDX]

Hope that pass comes through on Monday without any niggles. Be like a new car soon the Vectra
But yeah it's at an age now where things are gonna fail / wear out. Hopefully a few years trouble free now since its had alot done recently.