Thanks so much. I'll get some ordered.

Drum

Not sure I'd rate it as "clean" but no, I don't think it had water in. It was dark, not milky.

Thanks all. Sounds like I'm going to be having another bit of learning on the job. Just need a break in the weather to do it now. Back to how do I identify what type of axle I've got. Does it matter? Or are the hub caps universal?

Having reached middle age, it always takes me a while to figure out that the ignition is on the left hand side, so she gets some idle time!!

Thanks. That sounds like something that is within my (limited) capabilities. As I understand it, the old ones can be cut / ripped off, then the new one warmed up and pushed on.

Thanks for this. Looks like I'm going to drain oil down to fill level, and if that doesn't work, I guess I'm taking it all to bits and seeing what's what. BTW. Another novice question, but how can I tell what rear axle I have got fitted? Whether it's an original or been replaced by, say, a...

Outside of the wheel, streaking across the tyre Turboman will shout at me if I call her a Defender, she's from 1988, so a Land Rover 90. Had a 200 Tdi fitted though. LT77 box.

Thanks. I checked the oil this morning before it had turned a wheel, so it should have settled. I guess next stage is to take it apart and have a good look. Is it worth opening the fill plug and just letting it drain out till its level?

Ok, bit of a newbie here. So apologies for a basic question. My 90 has been leaking oil, I'm guessing from the hub, as it is leaking over the outside of the rear off-side wheel. When it went in for its check-over after I bought it, the mechanic replaced the seal, but it didn't stop the leak...

£169!!!!!! I hope you get the door, glass, and in fact the whole body for that sort of money!! It looks excellent, but I'm sure you could make something like it yourself for far less.

Well once you have, you can pop over here and have a look at my wiring!! Great tutorials you posted by the way, really useful, but still doesn't do much to curb my feelings of helplessness when I look at the huge loom of wires running across my dash! We could have a smoke party. Smoke machine...

I was joking! Smoke machine is not a bad idea, actually. Might try that one myself.

My defender is a smoke machine in itself!

How do you use a Defender to find a fault in an Aston Martin!!!! :D

I've been looking at these type things. But wasn't sure if the Chinese crap ones were worth it. Also the ones I've seen are wired rather than battery, and I've no idea what I'm doing with electrics to wire it. How long does your battery last?

Exactly. That's why I was asking. You could get a who,e load of 30 year old parts, bang them together on a Q plate and it would be registered as "new". Not sure how Canada would legislate against it.

Just out of interest, how would the 15 year rule work with a Q plate?

My 1988 90 with 200tdi and standard x-fee box will hit 75 (on private roads). Not sure I'd fancy doing a long distance at that, but it will happily sit at 60 with a bit to spare underfoot. Perhaps check turbo first, my turbo intake came loose and fell off the other week and I was getting about...

Thanks guys. Like I say, I cheated at first and got a pro to give her a check-over and fix a few things (like the leaking fuel tank that someone had tried to repair with silicone sealant). But now I'm trying to have a play myself. These forums have already been useful, and am sure they will...