VR-4 is all garaged up feeling sorry for itself at the moment ...

[White Lightning]

Had an attempt at replacing my damaged front suspension upper arm ball joint dust cover on Saturday and it didn't go well ...

/Grrr

I ended up knackering not 1 ... not 2 ... but 3 new dust covers in the process of trying to fit them ... it is one major PITA job ...

Unfortunately, whilst in the process of trying to fit said dust covers I caught the thread on the ball joint with the knockometer (read hammer) or the socket I was using as a driving tool and now the nut will not go on again ...

:speechles

So, said VR-4 is currently parked up in the garage in an unroadworthy state waiting for me to pluck up enough enthusiasm to have another go ...

I was going to post about it on Saturday evening but I was that "/Grrr " that I decided I couldn't be bothered! Spending most of the day in the cold and then getting soaked just to end up with a car that you can't use again is no fun ...

/moan over

[bernmc]

:(

Cars eh. Who'd have 'em.

Htt it harder - works for me :). baaaa

[Nick Mann]

Bummer.

Hope you have more luck on attempt number 2.

[White Lightning]

Well, I've invested a bit of time tonight sorting out the garage and repositioning the car so that I can have another go in situ without having to worry about the weather ... just need to get that upper arm off again now ...

[The Vee]

These things happen mate. You did the right thing, walk away and try again later. Just spent the afternoon recording a vinyl double album. Used Nero for a change, cleaned, equalised, etc etc takes hours when you're a fussy bugger like me. Anyway, record is now back on the turntable.....................that damn unstable Nero piece of cr*p....................just froze and lost the lot. So rather than hit it walk away do summit else and now trying again!!

[ianturbo]

the easiest jobs always go tits up ,walk away then next time they usually go on a piece of cake !! (if it don't then don't quote me !! )/pan

good luck
ian

[Spirit]

Stop moaning and get on with it /lol

Or if in doubt.....pay some other bugger to do it !

[Subaru ETA]

well, if it makes you feel any better, i did rocker cover gaskets and a waterpum on a mazda tribute v6 the other day (dont know if you guys get them over there?).

i had it all finished- 4 hour job- and was putting the engine cover back on and i dropped one of the 8mm nuts that holds it on! had a good look and couldnt find it, so i thougt "no big deal, ill just put a nut on out of my tool box..."

well the nut was found 3 days later.... by the low speed fan!!!! it picked it up and jammed it againts the motor, burnig it out!

worse thing is, YOU CANT BUY THE MOTOR! work had to fork out for both fan assemblys..... $600 later.....

[White Lightning]

Oh dear ... that sounds like a bit of a bummer ... at least it didn't come out of your pocket ... :scholar:

Not heard of a Mazda Tribute - will have to Google for that ...

[White Lightning]

Stop moaning and get on with it /lol

Thank you for your kind words ... /pan

[orionn2o]

Sounds tough mate! I've been there before... you just gotta get back under and start with a fresh head!

[bernmc]

... you just gotta get back under and start with a fresh head!

No need to lower the tone eh :p

[Spirit]

Thank you for your kind words ... /pan

Always a sympathetic response as you know :happy:

[White Lightning]

Well, another hour or so in the garage last night saw the shock/spring assembly removed again along with the upper arm which I now have to hand here at work. The triangular file is coming out at lunchtime to see if I can repair the thread but after having a closer look I fear it may be beyond repair and a new upper arm may be required ...

[White Lightning]

Progress update ...

Had the upper arm in the lab at work yesterday and spent just over an hour carefully fettling the thread and I have now got the nut winding on and off again ok. Did a test refit of the upper arm on the car last night and the fix looks good ... so now I need to get hold of another dust cover and try again ...

[peter thomson]

Good job Wayne

[White Lightning]

Anyone know of an online source for cheap sockets?

I need a 1 1/2" AF socket ... but I don't want to spend too much as I am going to be smacking it with a hammer! Preferably 1/2" drive too so that I can use it for other things after.

Had a look around but most places (Machine Mart, Screwfix etc) just sell sets.

[Nutter_John]

try halfrauds as they sell sockets singluarly

[peter thomson]

http://www.justoffbase.co.uk/1-1-2-Square-Drive-Elora-Bi-Hex-Socket-24476-Draper-770-LA?sc=2&category=669

I've used this company in the past if you can't find anywhere else

[White Lightning]

try halfrauds as they sell sockets singluarly

Will have to check again but I have a feeling they only go up to 1" ...

[White Lightning]

http://www.justoffbase.co.uk/1-1-2-Square-Drive-Elora-Bi-Hex-Socket-24476-Draper-770-LA?sc=2&category=669

I've used this company in the past if you can't find anywhere else

Looks like plan B if Halfords can't help then :thumbsup:

Cheers Peter