Project Stop Gap

[1979scotte]

Drive faster.
Above 60 dry as a bone guaranteed above 40 is reasonably dry.

Haha - fine until you're in a 30 or 20 zone then, or sat at a roundabout! Even the motorway was a bit start and stop at times and it was chucking it down then. Don't think the other half would have been happy

New clutch?

Yeah slipping pretty bad under load. Having only got up-to 40mph due to the local roads being urban and lockdown not found out until the proper drive yesterday. Most noticeable when going from a 30 zone to national or joining the motorway. Wasn't driving hard as I'm not familiar with the car so was just playing getting up-to speed promptly on straight roads. Was gentle with it once I was pretty certain it wasn't just my inability to change gear - didn't want to worry the other half as it wouldn't be the first time we've been stuck at the side of the road in a silly car...

Silly car!!!! 🤯🤬

[Jimbo]

Quick trip out today to pick up a service kit from Toyota South - £36.11 inc vat (Engine Oil Filter , Engine Air Filter , Spark Plugs x 4 , Sump Plug Drain Seal , 5 litres 5W30 Engine Oil). Not officially open on a Saturday but the part manager Mark Davies was most helpful when I emailed yesterday afternoon and was working this morning so sorted it out for me. Asked about the Luggage Lock (64606-17031) as one of mine has snapped - £37.75 and needs ordering. ~£15.00 from Nengun with cheapest delivery so will add them to the backlog.

Roof down of course:
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Definitely not that much juice left in the battery on startup so I kept her running for the round trip, wasn't that far/long so probably not enough to really keep the battery topped up properly either way! New Yuasa YBX5053 battery order from ebay for £64.49 delivered.

Still to order the clutch kit, thinking the LUK kit from SES Autoparts for £72 most likely.

Work booked in for the 19th April. Maybe a brake fluid change at the same time as the peddle could feel better. Need to take a good look through the history as maybe just get new pads to get done at the same time. The discs look fine - just a bit of surface rust that comes off after a drive. The car is now left in gear rather than on the handbrake (almost level drive) as it let go with a bit of a bang and don't want to be having to hammer them lose before every trip!

Car back on the drive for who knows how many weeks again. Still to sort out a child set though have been refunded for the other one. Certainly don't want the clutch to go with the little one in the car even a few miles from home though so we won't be heading out together until the work is done (yes it'll probably last 100s of miles if treated carefully).

[Jimbo]

So the booked work is yet to happen, will see how my chap is doing but might need to try the garage who looked after my Smart Roadster or hold out till I move depending on how dates align with the mot in June.

Did get the battery swapped and 20 minutes out for a drive. Top down but nowhere fun.

[Jimbo]

Right, MOT passed last week (yippee!) which make logistics for moving house a bit easier. One thing that flagged up was a rear tyre which I was aware of.

For my reference:

• OEM front 185/55/15, rear 215/45/16
• Current front: Firestone Roadhawk 185/55 R15 82H
• Current rear: Nankang NS-20 215/45 R16 90V XL / Bridgestone Turanza ER300 215/45 R16 86H

Front are new so will be kept, rears are unknown date. (need to decant the history from plastic wallets and hole-punch so can flick through!).

So new rears are in order next month. Firestone Roadhawk 215/45 R16 V (90) XL available on Blackcircles @ £89 a pop fitted. Maybe the simple option to get a matching set all round? Mixed reviews, not sporty, wear quickly. Maybe fine for my limited use. Or maybe something different on the back and you'll find me in the hedge a day later...

[Gaz mr-s]

@  Jimbo,  for £2 more at Blackcircles, or approx £165 for a pair delivered from Camskill, the Hankook K125 is a much better tyre.

[Jimbo]

Clutch fitted and full service at my new local garage, will update the costs in the first post when I dig out the receipt again. They're not as cheap as my previous mobile chap but a very good reputation and a nice bunch to chat to - no issues with bringing own parts either. Almost stalled driving off with the new clutch - will have to get used to the new bite point!

They also gave it a good looking over and no concerns underneath (sadly wasn't around so could stick my head under it on a ramp as well), tracks slightly to the left so will think about alignment when I get the rear tyres sorted. See what I can get sorted next week/weekend. And a trip to Halfords for a child seat during the week and I'll be set to take the little one on an adventure down the coast before you know it

Looks like it's going to be nearly Christmas by the time we've found space for everything dumped in the garage so I can tuck her up properly. Bikes are large!

[Jimbo]

New rear tyres; Avon ZV7 215/45 R16, £177.98 fitted from Blackcircles. Fitted at Protyre Exeter, nice chaps. Was recommended by the local garage for tracking so will revisit when the traffic isn't as bad!

Dash lit up with battery and warning (!) light on during the drive there but made it both ways with no drama. Looks like the regulator rather than alternator. Parked back on the drive and walked away after that as was very late back to work.

Popped to Halfords on Wednesday and looked at car seats. Recaro Young Sport Hero was the pick of bunch with a narrow plastic 'stand' type bit at the bottom. Wouldn't have minded paying a bit to walk out with one there and then but not £30 more than elsewhere so ordered and should be turning up this evening.

[Carolyn]

Clutch fitted and full service at my new local garage, will update the costs in the first post when I dig out the receipt again. They're not as cheap as my previous mobile chap but a very good reputation and a nice bunch to chat to - no issues with bringing own parts either. Almost stalled driving off with the new clutch - will have to get used to the new bite point!

They also gave it a good looking over and no concerns underneath (sadly wasn't around so could stick my head under it on a ramp as well), tracks slightly to the left so will think about alignment when I get the rear tyres sorted. See what I can get sorted next week/weekend. And a trip to Halfords for a child seat during the week and I'll be set to take the little one on an adventure down the coast before you know it

Looks like it's going to be nearly Christmas by the time we've found space for everything dumped in the garage so I can tuck her up properly. Bikes are large!

Just double-check your tyre pressures re that pull to one side.

[Jimbo]

Just double-check your tyre pressures re that pull to one side.

I will check the backs again after the new tyres, but one advantage of the slow flat on one was the inflator was out before every trip and the all got checked! It does seem like the steering wheel isn't on quite straight, I used to have the problem often in the 924 as I'd have the wheel off on more than one occasion to do something with the dash - not sure I'd do the same with one with an air bag built in so casually!

[Joesson]

Just double-check your tyre pressures re that pull to one side.

I will check the backs again after the new tyres, but one advantage of the slow flat on one was the inflator was out before every trip and the all got checked! It does seem like the steering wheel isn't on quite straight, I used to have the problem often in the 924 as I'd have the wheel off on more than one occasion to do something with the dash - not sure I'd do the same with one with an air bag built in so casually!

Tyre pressures is number one to check if pulling to one side , but as you say "the steering wheel isn't on quite straight" just maybe the tracking is out.

[Jimbo]

Started the car on Tuesday to take her down to the garage and no untoward dash lights. Garage gave it a once over and nothing to report so will monitor. Been out today and all fine again. Assuming a combination of a hot day and a significant traffic jam. If it lights up again I've got the number of an auto electrician the garage recommended.

Holiday coming up then will get her booked in for the wheel alignment when back.

Car seat also fitted, but will need to come partially out again as the height adjustment lock is helpfully on the back of it! Cracking fit though the Recaro Young Sport Hero. Hopefully get a chance on the weekend or Monday to take the little man out for a ride.

[Topdownman]

I havent taken my wheel off for a while but it is straightforward, if a bit fiddly.

Park straight before you start!
Always disconnect the battery first and pump the brake pedal to get rid of any residual current to stop any chance of the airbag going off.
Unscrew the 2 or 3 screws that hold the airbag on. These are the fiddly bits.
Then unplug the airbag connector and thats it. The connector is hard to figure out the first time you do it, there is a clip on top you lever up with a small screwdriver and it then comes off easily. There are youtube videos on how to unplug a toyota airbag.

I would want to make sure the wheel was on the right spline before I had the alignment done.

[Jimbo]

Just been down the coast 30 mins, had a run around there then back again. Hood down on the way but didn't risk it in the way back as it has just started raining. He fell asleep coming back so just sat in the car waiting for him get a decent nap! The car seat is a success and he seems to enjoy the ride shouting "Again!" After I speed up.

Car all running fine now, no more dash lights. Just the tracking to sort next and a fully writing stereo - the other shout from the wee man is "Music" and I'm stuck flicking between radio 1 & 2!

[Jimbo]

Taxed, switched to monthly direct debit. ~£10 more a year but spreads the costs as insurance is up again.

Will be in the garage on Friday for a new alternator, dash lit up and overcharging. Pondering a new battery, might just wait as it's holding ~13.5V after charging from flat unplugged in the cold garage.

As for the radio, well I got a double DIN kit (doesn't cover the sides properly) and adapters, made a stack of a tape player with rear aux out and a DAB CD plater with rear aux in. It seems there never was a crossover of tape players and DAB radios which is the combo I'd like. Don't think this helped with the battery drain either so may have to reconsider! Will pop a pic on and update the expenses when I've got a bit more time.

[Jimbo]

Stack of doom:

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Ordered a single adapter, will see if that looks any better. Not sure which one to keep Anyway, enough of being daft.

[Jimbo]

Just filled up, not cheap but don't think it's going to get better anytime soon and a few places were out of premium. ~27 mpg, shorter journeys and some zoom zooming to amuse the little one coming home.

The single DIN adapter didn't fit, curved profile at the front. Got a refund so nothing lost except half an hour of head scratching. Just have a gap below the fitted head unit and will buy a cubby to fill. After cornering one time I lost the left channel from the stereo and it hasn't come back, think the door cards need to cover off to sort (and maybe upgrade). DAB/cd player in atm, enjoying CDs again 

[Jimbo]

Right, long time no update. Last year saw more short journeys (nursery pickup mostly) and not many miles. Into this year and the little one moved into the pre-school in the village so that excuse had gone. The mileage between MOTs was somewhat embarrassing and the hardtop didn't come off until July.

The MOT, whilst nothing noteworthy, was a prompt to get the car checked over properly. I wasn't happy with the braking (disc and pads all round, new fluid), a service was due, the air-con needed a recharge and the handbrake only just got through the MOT with some tweaking before (new cables installed). One hefty bill (over £1k) and need to come back after 500 miles to get the brakes adjusted (free). The owner is a nice chap and he was ribbing me a bit for how long that would take and encouraging me to actually drive the car so I'm getting on it a bit more!

[Jimbo]

It's mod time, nothing too heavy though! I got myself a phone mount fitted - a windscreen one as the dash mounts I've previously used didn't sit right in this car. For me the best place for the phone was in the right corner, not in the way but easy to glance at to check the map, which led to the problem of power - I didn't really want a USB cable trailing from the lighter socket over there. I also have never put any coins in the little coin holder, and the passenger window disabling switch is also superfluous - 'I have a cunning plan!'

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Window switch relocated down to the left in place of the coin slot. Original wires for this had previously been chopped and connectors added to there were just left joined together in the original location. The blue wire (aerial feed) on my ISO to Toyota adapter was chopped and connectors added (so it can be direct connected again if needed), then new wires added and connected to the switch - we can now enjoy CDs without looking like we're driving a remote control car! Added bonus was that the left speaker has sprung into life again - we're back in stereo! I did buy speaker adapters to upgrade them whilst checking the wiring over but it seems the issue was just somewhere in the double adapters (Kenwood -> ISO, ISO -> Toyota), will save dissembling the door cards for another time.

Onto the USB adapter. Mounting involved trimming the adapter slightly, as well as the hole a bit as well - not the visible part just the inside area not shown. Not the neatest as it is designed to sit proud slightly but acceptable - I did buy another smaller one but it was too small and didn't clip sadly. For the 12V I rewired the connector on the back of the lighter socket to add another cable. This follows the other wires up right out from the centre console and over the steering wheel. Zip tied and carefully slotted into existing retainers so should be all good. For ground I checked nearby and got a nice contact from a bolt which just holds a loom retainer so only needed a couple of inches of wire and a little connector which is held in by the bolt. The nearest actual ground point seemed to be the other side of the steering wheel and already very busy, and I was trying to disturb the existing wiring as little as possible.

Mostly just notes for my future self (or the next owner), but not a difficult job. With hindsight I probably could have just drilled a hole in the coin holder big enough for the USB C side of the cable and added a grommet, then zip-tied the USB adaptor out of sight.

[Jimbo]

Right, speaker time. Out with the old:
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In with the new, "In Phase XTC6CX 6.5" 16.5cm 600 Watt 2 Way Component Door Speakers with Tweeters and Grills":
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Grills not used, the tweeters have been glued on top of the original mounts (silver part removed) as the most non-destructive option. The only other thing to do would have been to cut the door cards but the mounts included wouldn't have sat flush. Fingers crossed they hold

Much better sounding, and now always in stereo! The old speakers had something inline for the tweeters, these have a dedicated box. I did read through the specs and both were in theory the same (I think the old were actually claiming a lower bass response!) but the weight and size of magnets was pretty telling.

I've got an alternative single mount (currently got one stereo in and a naff looking draw underneath) so will give that a go next I think!