Lowrider Dave's 1.8 LS

[Lowrider Dave]

Moved car into main garage to crack on with it whilst the weather was dry.


New headlights to fit, plus no.10 U-clips


Everything in place, but getting the bonnet striker right and the rest level took a while.


Bonnet done, now to fit wipers, etc and then interior.

[John Owens]

That looks excellent matey ! Can't wait for the day when I'm at the same stage with my cav

[Lowrider Dave]

Thanks John, slowly but surely getting there!

[Mikebmth]

Looking good Dave, see a few mods creeping in there...

[Lowrider Dave]

Looking good Dave, see a few mods creeping in there...

Rude not to as I had them floating about getting in the way

[Lowrider Dave]

Car back together and went for MOT, failed on a few things but the garage sorted them for me. Now I have 12 months ticket but need to do outer CV gaiter at some point - not done one before!

[Cavalier342]

They're a bitch for me. I know everyone says they're easy, but I've only done the split glue-together ones, as I'm not too confident in removing the driveshaft.

[Gaz]

removing the driveshaft is probably easier than pissing about with those boots

[planetc]

Dave, if you can do rocker covers on the V6 then the cv boot will be a walk in the park. NS or OS?

[Cavalier342]

removing the driveshaft is probably easier than pissing about with those boots

It's certainly quicker! But I wasn't confident about the circlip or whatever holds the thing in place....

[planetc]

The circlip can be fiddly if you are using makeshift tools. If you get some proper flat tipped external pliers they are easy to release. These are the key difference between it being a simple job and a 5 minute job. The shaft can stay in place, even the bottom ball joint. Remove the wheel, jack it up so the suspension is hanging extended and release the clip to slide the shaft out of the joint. Worst case scenario is that you need an extra couple of mm, which you can get by gently levering the power train over so it flexes on the mounts. Ns doesn't usually need any extra levering, OS is 50/50.

[soton]

I did my two and it was super easy.

Car back together and went for MOT, failed on a few things but the garage sorted them for me. Now I have 12 months ticket but need to do outer CV gaiter at some point - not done one before!

[Lowrider Dave]

Dave, if you can do rocker covers on the V6 then the cv boot will be a walk in the park. NS or OS?

OS

I've always been put off by people's tales of ball joint splitters and ruining suspension parts...ironically its just has two new lower arms put on, if only I'd known.

[planetc]

Do it without splitting the ball joint Dave, seriously you might be surprised. As long as the suspension is extended and the steering is on the lock you can release the circlip without having to manhandle the entire leg then once you have started sliding the shaft out just put a lever bar against the bottom pulley if it needs the extra millimetres to clear the joint. I used to do them in the dealer like this, six minutes per side all day long.

[soton]

I have a proper ball joint splitter if you need one... not the fork one as they ruin the ball joint cover

Dave, if you can do rocker covers on the V6 then the cv boot will be a walk in the park. NS or OS?

OS

I've always been put off by people's tales of ball joint splitters and ruining suspension parts...ironically its just has two new lower arms put on, if only I'd known.

[Lowrider Dave]

Thanks guys, will have to gather parts and plan time when I'm free!

[planetc]

Dave, if you are over this way with it at all in the next few weeks let me know, I would be happy to show you just how easy they are.

[Lowrider Dave]

Cheers!

[retrogeezer]

Nice work Dave and I just noticed the original reg number which is very close to mine!

[Lowrider Dave]

I know, that's what first drew me to the advert for your car - at first glance I thought it was mine!

[Lowrider Dave]

After stripping the door strips off a scrapyard cav, I started by softening the old adhesive with white spirit then got scraping! Took a while and a bit of effort but managed to clean them up okay. I bought a 30m roll of 6mm 3M double-sided tape and started to reapply the trim!

[planetc]

I bought a 30m roll of 6mm 3M double-sided tape and started to reapply the trim!

Er Dave, did Andrei help by any chance?

[Lowrider Dave]

you naughty man! The tape is on there just hold it in place whilst the glue 'grabs'.

[planetc]

you naughty man!

Some would have me publicly flogged, but it is all meant to be a little fun. Have you ever read through a forum with no humour? They are really boring when every post is deadly serious.

[Lowrider Dave]

Oh yes I totally agree, I've read some of the more serious Rover/Triumph forums and they are all 'thread counters' and 'no original specification for that particular year' kind of bores - I think we manage to have a fairly good mix of banter and info...