It's a very kind offer GG but with a flaring tool you'll have them made yourself in a few minutes. I'd never done it before either but gave it a go and found it is really easy.That's a really kind offer Nodge
I'll PM you.
MollyNomad, You will have to try Xhamster then! Not that I would know.
I have just completed the last Christmas shopping expedition f the year and plan to break out the Crimbo Margaritas myself.
Christmas wishes to all my imaginary Hippo friends!
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Not surprised. The Cruze is just another GM 'world car' that's got to suit millions of people as cheaply as possible. Its sold as the Holden Cruze over here. The initial Freelanders were very much put together on a budget, but they had improved quite a bit by your facelift model.My wife had a bit of a fall on the ice the other day. (Bruised tailbone and pride) so today we took the Hippo and dropped her off at the local pool for some physio and a hot tub, and
the dog and I went for a walk at a nearby park. The snow is mostly gone but the park access roads had a good cover of ice. I'm pleased to say the Hippo handled it all
without any issues. I don't want to jinx things but it looks like the Freelander will be staying with us and the Chevy Cruze will be sold off to thin the fleet.
Surprisingly even the wife commented how much nicer the Hippo is to ride in than the Cruze!
Granted, removing the 8 bolts on the diff cover would be easier if I had a hoist-which I don't. It would also be easier if I removed the exhaust back box for access, which I am not about to do, having had some nasty/expensive experiences messing with old exhaust systems.
The Hippo has had an annoying brake squeal lately so today it was time to do a service. Things went very well, the front pads were near new but the rotors had a bit of a rust lip so I chamfered the edges of the pads and reassembled using some copaslip on the metal to metal areas.. The sliding pins were free and well lubricated which was nice. As a bonus I found that the front struts had been replaced not so long ago. The rears also came apart without drama. The seals on the wheel cylinders are dry and the shoes have a good 50% life left so after a good dust clean out they went back together. I will rotate the tyres when they go back on.
Not being one to leave well enough alone I decided to change the oil in the rear diff. I've had it on the shelf for a year but had been waiting till I had the Hippo with all 4 wheels off the ground and level..
I'll tell you, I sure would like to meet the cheap SOB at Land Rover who decided to save 50p by not fitting a drain plug!
In the end, using a selection of ratchets, extension bars, ratcheting wrenches and motivating language I was able to get the cover off . I'm going to let it drain for a couple of hours then I'll go back into the garage and swear at it until it goes back together. Then I'll figure out how to get an oil bottle and hose in there to refill the rotten thing.
They know that a 'real' LandRover owner would look at the problem as a challenge of his manly status and expect 'said' owner to take the opportunity to fit his own drain plug in his 'workshop'. I don't have a 'lift', work outside (on uneven ground sometimes/NOT ideal nor recommended) in all weathers, not that good a welding and still need to change my diff oil too.....It may be sometime before I 'weld in' a drain plug.
I've never read the correct (Haynes manual) method for adjusting the shoes. Last time I did them I took a grinder with a sanding disk to the lips on the drums, not that there was much of a lip anyway, then adjusted the shoes until I could just get the drums on without them binding and left well alone. It sailed through MOT with no issue.
