Well the starter motor was an absolute pig of a job. Moral of the story: don't trust Haynes!! The manual would have you believe this is a "one spanner" job on his difficulty rating - but looking at the photo's they did it with engine removed from the car! With engine, exhaust and various suspension components in place it is a right ba$tard to get to the two mounting bolts! On mine they were 8mm allen key bolts too, so can't even get a ratcher spanner on them! :frusty:
Eventually had to tow it to the local garage who, with two men and a 3ft breaker bar, eventually managed to get the bolts loose and swap the starter motor over! Still, at least it's done and the car is running sweetly again.
Which brings me on to the next round of modifications, which looks something like this:
- New steering damper - likely to be a Britpart (booo!) Cellular Dynamics (yay!) uprated one
- New front shock absorbers - Monroe Adventure shocks, to match the rears and new air springs all round
- Steering guard - will be hidden by front bumper so keep the 'standard' look, but will be essential to protect vulnerable steering components
- Uprated headlight bulbs - after ditching the spot light idea (didn't look right + blocked airflow to the radiator), I need to get the headlights working to their maximum capacity
- New windscreen wipers, because the current ones are $hit
Also got a new key as the car only came with one, so will get that cut today. Need to get a new alarm fob too, or remove the alarm/immobiliser - haven't decided which route to take yet!
Only problem is, I currently need to fit a new starter motor, which looks a pig of a job getting to the mounting bolts! Hoping to tackle that this evening.
