Preemptive Maintenance - Inputs Welcome
 

This will be a bit long so bear with me.

We tend to maintain our cars in tip-top condition. So, as the wife's 02 plate 75 CDT was coming up to 90k miles last year, we had the clutch, slave cylinder, master cylinder, both diesel pumps and all brake discs/pads replaced with genuine MGR items. The idea was that apart from regular servicing, we should not have to worry about any of the major service/maintennce items for the next 80k+ miles. Then during September, a TD4 came out of a side road and inflicted over 8k's worth of damage to the CDT as it went past on the A140. It basically ripped the side off and there was no hope of saving the 75.

Er Indoors will not have anything else whilst 75's are still available (I did suggest a Berlingo:D) so we got an 05 plate Connie SE CDTI with 82k miles, leather etc.

I am now starting the preemptive maintenance process again so that functionally she will have as close to a new 75 as possible.




So, the following will get replaced as a matter of course over the next 3-4 months:

• Engine flush with Millers 5W40 oil followed by new oil of the same type (done)
• All service filters (done)
• PCV filter (done)
• Joules plenum guards (done)
• New OEM thermostat and coolant replacement (done)
• Battery replaced with Bosch S5 (done)
• Rear light seal replacement (done)
• Head/foglamp bulbs replaced with Nightbreakers (done)
• MAF (next - on order from Germany)
• Brake discs, pads, fluid change (Genuine MGR disks/pads/sensors already purchased)
• Handbrake compensator
• Intercooler vitron rings and radiator fan resistor upgrade
• Clutch - 3 piece kit including CSC, plus master cylinder (Luk set already purchased)
• DMF plus new bolts (Luk DMF already purchased)
• Lower engine mount (OEM being ordered)
• Any bushes or other items needing replacement...

The clutch/DMF work will carried out by Terry at tsauto - I'm just waiting for some nicer weather so that whilst the car is with him, I can do a day's walking. Terry will also carry out a full check on the car to identify anything else that needs addressing.

My thought is now turning to what else is likely to need attention over the next few years that can be taken care of during the next 6-9 months. My thoughts are as follow:

Replace lower suspension bushes with new set from Joules
Replace front lower wishbones (OEM)
Replace suspension links (OEM or Delphi)
Replace rear suspension links (OEM or Delphi)

I can't think of any other suspension related items that would wear/perish with time and mileage (ignoring springs and dampers).

What else do you think would be worth doing at the same time as the above suspension items?

Thanks in advance,

Maninder.

To Do !
 

Bonnet pull mod.
Grease, Waxoyl, or paint brake pipes
Replace locking wheel bolts, if you have them, with standard bolts.......before you get a puncture ! ! !
Consider Waxoyl on suspension parts to limit rust, particularly of springs.

I've been following the same route as yourself, only over a slightly longer time period.

The only problem is one can do one job, only to find it uncovers another.

I had my brake discs and pads renewed all round, with what I considered to be an upgraded product. EBC grooved & drilled discs & greenstuf pads.

Firstly, front nearside brake sounded like grating noise and making ABS pulsate through foot pedal. All stripped, cleaned, refitted, still the same. Stripped, replace front bearing & ABS ring, re-assemble, no different. Stripped, new ABS sensor unit & cable fitted. Still the same problem.

I have now been told that I need a new ABS module, (expensive).

All the above work is being carried out by my usual garage, who previously has been OK (Belts-water pump-thermostat-servicing etc).

As I original stated, once you start one job, you don't know where it ends up.

Best of luck with your car, and it looks like you've got it all sussed, but the folk on here will give good advice, based on lots of experience.

Cheers

trimani :getmecoat:

Thanks David and trimani,

Bonnet pull mod. (done, although not in the above list)
Grease, Waxoyl, or paint brake pipes (Waxoyl planned for when we get some decent weather)
Replace locking wheel bolts, if you have them, with standard bolts.......before you get a puncture ! ! ! (good idea)
Consider Waxoyl on suspension parts to limit rust, particularly of springs. (Really good idea - didn't think of coating the springs)

I ordered a gallon of Waxoyl alongside a new high-lift trolley jack (Sealey 1025HL - very good for around £53 delivered) but the supplier delivered 5 litres of Hammerite black paint instead! So now waiting for it to be collected/replaced.

trimani - yes - I read your thread about the brakes and commented that I have previously fitted the genuine MGR disks/pads from Howards who advertise on ebay. The MGR items are really good and not very expensive. But yes - that's the sort of experience I'm sure you could have done without.

My local independent is very good. But for the clutch and the more specialised items, I'm intending to drive to tsauto in Stourbridge near Birmingham. Terry has an excellent reputation over on the other side and his quote for the clutch replacement can only be described as honest/reasonable.

Much appreciated

Maninder.

Exhaust ;)

Hi Maninder,

I like to keep my car up together and well serviced so all of the service items, filters, oil etc. are well worth doing BUT I think that you may be overdoing it a bit:

Clutch; it may go next week, next year or in another 50k miles, who knows?

DMF? rarely a problem, total waste of money to replace unless its kaput.

If it ain't broke don't fix it. - My front spring has just gone :shrug: should you replace all your springs? ......... no.

IMHO do all the service items and cheap stuff - Waxoyl etc. (BTW Dinitrol is better stuff) but expensive stuff; MAF, clutch, lower control arms etc. seems excessive, IF they are OK.

Probably better off spending money on good breakdown cover or even AA repair insurance for that unlikely/unforeseen failure or, as you unfortunately had happen previously, be involved in an accident and car is written off and you'll never recoupe all the money you've spent.

I'm sure that TS autos will do a full inspection which will include all bushes/joints and advise what needs doing and whack it on his T4 for MAF etc.

Just my two pennyworth...................but it's your car and your money but you can do it all and still end up with something go.

I repeat, for major stuff 'if it ain't broke don't fix it'.

PS: when I replaced my spring the drop links were a bit 'loose' and the strut top bearing was rough so I replaced them while I had the springs out (Cheapish parts to do when hard work already done). So I would put them on your list for inspection not neccessarily replacement though.

Thank you for the further inputs gents. Keep them coming!:bowdown:

Rob - I don't disagree with any of your points.

But, I've always been one to get my machines in absolutely tip-top condition mechanically and accept that just as with a new car, there is a small probability of some items breaking. Then there is the small possibility of total loss though some mishap after all the work - in fact my Rover 420 and 820 had also been written off after much work due to others' fault in the same way.

In this case, I've paid £3k for the car and will spend betwen £1500 and £2k on the items listed. At the end of it all, for £5k, the wife will have a car that will be worth every penny in this price bracket and an absolute pleasure to own/drive. I would hope to get anoter 7-8 years of driving pleasure out of it so as a long-term plan, it starts to make sense (in my mind).

But, I do take your points.

Maninder.

What do you want to do?
A) run the car until the wheels fall off, or
B) get the car back to as good a place as it can be
C) somewhere in between the above

By the sounds of it, you want it as a run around, so fix as you go.
I am in the (b) camp byself...

B) first, followed by A)

Calling it a runaround would probably result in handbag heading in one's direction. She and her friends liken it to a Lady Penelope sort of car:)

Rebuild
 

My better half thinks I am trying to rebuild the whole car from tyres up! She calls it the world's first bionic Rover!
Seriously, I am just changing all the bits that could do with it on a car that has done 100k. Then there are the little bits like leather seats, walnut wheel............:cool: