Sorted! - Retro-Renault

**Matt16v** · 5th November 2006, 02:41 PM

So, i decided after speaking to BB to make the trip down to Stroud yesterday to get an exhaust (and asked him to fit it while i was there) and hopefully some other bits and peices. First thing, i slightly misjudged just how far is was! Took me 3 hours just to get down there! The journey also highlighted just how much of a pig the 19 had turned into to drive. Major wobble at 65 MPH plus, loud exhaust coz it was fucked and just generally a bit of an effort.

Anyway, got down there about 1.30pm and after a quick chat him and his mate Ben set about getting the exhaust off. They had the old one off and the new one fitted in about half an hour which i thought was a bloody good effort!

As these two know a lot more about the cars than i do they also spotted a few other issues...

The bracket holding the fuel filter on was loose
The strut brace was very very bent
Some of the pipes under the bonnet weren't clipped in properly
As i suspected, one of the engine mounts is fucked
The steering columb has shifted up, a common problem aparently..

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l1...6/PB040120.jpg

Not really sure what to do about that to be honest!

Just so happened BB had a spare strut brace so he fitted that quickly...

Strut brace on...

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l1...6/PB040118.jpg

Also, new air filter fitted...

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l1...6/PB040117.jpg

Exhaust, you can see just how shit the other one was, look how much someone had to take out of the bumper to get it on!

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l1...PB040115-1.jpg

Got this a while back to replace the shit 1.4 one that was on there, 99p off the bay, happy days!

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l1...6/PB040119.jpg

Exec badges also purchased...

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l1...6/PB040114.jpg

So all in all a good day for the 19!!

The drive back was like driving a different car! Handling has obviously improved beyond belief and the steering wobble has all but gone, roars beautifully and pulls much harder through the rev range thanks to the exhaust and filter.

Also noticed that after spending pretty much the whole day in the drivers seat my back didn't ache, my arse wasnt numb and i didnt feel that tired which says a lot for the seats.

To say thanks to the car for basically being wicked i got it cleaned today...

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l1...6/PB040116.jpg

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l1...6/PB040113.jpg

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l1...6/PB040111.jpg

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l1...6/PB040112.jpg

So top marks to BB and Ben, sound guys as well. Cheers lads.

I love my car!

Still on the list of things to do are..

CV Joint
I still think the shocks at the front are knackered, TBC
Parcel shelf
New leather
Half decent sound system
Bonnet

Gonna start on this lot next week i think.

bbracer16valver · 5th November 2006, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt16v

CV Joint
I still think the shocks at the front are knackered, TBC
Parcel shelf
New leather
Half decent sound system
Bonnet

raid the bank

i got all the in some of the best PWO going

GLAD YOUR HAPPY THOUGH BUDDY

i now no how to do the coloum its a piece of piss

**Matt16v** · 5th November 2006, 03:20 PM

Im probably being thick here but what do you mean by PWO. And yeah, i should hopefully be coming into a bit of money next week so we'll chat about the bits i still need.

How do you do the steering columb mate coz that is quite annoying really?

bbracer16valver · 5th November 2006, 03:25 PM

perfect working order

and bottom pinch bolt on coloum then the mrs pushing it down

**Matt16v** · 5th November 2006, 03:27 PM

Ah yes, i was being thick then!

I'll have a look at that columb in the week, cheers.

bbracer16valver · 5th November 2006, 03:44 PM

did it improve the drive the brace??

i still bewildered to how it was done!!

**Matt16v** · 5th November 2006, 03:48 PM

Mate, i couldnt believe the difference! Its feels a lot stiffer obviously but its the steering wobble that is pretty much gone now, which is a major bonus for me coz my drive to work every day involves about 10 minutes on a dual carriageway at 70-80 which was a pain in the arse but it now gonna be sweet! Bit of a bonus you had a spare really!

**Matt16v** · 5th November 2006, 03:49 PM

....and yeah, bit of a strange one that! Still thinking it may have been in a smack at some point. Could that have done it do you think?

bbracer16valver · 5th November 2006, 03:54 PM

i wouldnt say so as the mounts must crack off before it bent and yours were still in line/ok

have a few spares around, you should give it a lick of paint though nice bright yellow

and green cam cover be pure bliss

**Matt16v** · 5th November 2006, 04:00 PM

Good idea! I was toying with the idea of painting the strut red to match the calipers but on reflection i think yellow would look much better. May get some new leads soon as well. My old XR2i had yellow leads, can you get them for the 19?

bbracer16valver · 5th November 2006, 04:02 PM

prolly cant say ive seen them though

blue is good

**Matt16v** · 5th November 2006, 04:20 PM

Is there any kind of paint you could use that wont crack or is that not such a good idea?

bbracer16valver · 5th November 2006, 04:23 PM

i wouldnt worry bout the leads mate there hiden under the cover, and yours looked like new anyways

**Matt16v** · 5th November 2006, 04:28 PM

I bought them off a guy on here for a fiver coz my old ones had a split in them but they are obviously second hand so ill get some new ones soon anyway.