What's in the workshop this week?

[David's8]

Its all right, i havent a clue what crowd sourcing is really. I think its a modernism for an old fashioned whip round and get your mates to help you out.

P.s In case you are going to ask, I'm saving for a modified exhaust and some Yellowstuff pads

[MikkiJayne]

Originally Posted by 1781cc

I'm astounded at the workload... on a 2.8 as well, most would vault at the idea if it's not an S8 so kudos all round.

A8s deserve love too Counter-intuitively, the V8s are much easier to work on as they are far better packaged. Aside from the room at the front to get to the belts, everything else on the 2.8 is actually harder to get to.

The car itself is actually in really nice condition though. No seized bolts, everything coming apart nicely, etc mostly because it's all been coated in engine oil for years Its just overdue a ton of maintenance. For example, the steel nut on the aluminium stud to the right of the junction box in this pic almost always just snaps off. This one came apart no problem. Plus, the junction box itself is in perfect condition, which is unique in my experience thus far! I keep those in stock now because every D2 needs one, but I've crossed that job off the list without having to do anything



Sadly, I have added the steering rack to the list. After flushing a gallon of ATF through it, its still coming out like school custard, and the rack still doesn't feel right. As described by HP earlier, it just springs back to the centre with no resistance. I've agreed with Dean that while the engine is out its best to change it for safety's sake if nothing else. Plus we'd be really ****ed if I put the engine back in and the rack failed completely a few weeks later!



This is what the original fluid has settled to:



I've dropped the column in preparation for the rack coming out. You can't disconnect the column from the rack with both of them bolted in place, and I can't open the doors on an A8 with it up on the lift, so I've disconnected the column now which means the rack just unbolts from the engine bay later.



The header tank has seen better days.



As have the brake discs



Everything on top of the engine is now disconnected, ready for work underneath



Suspension comes off as an assembly. Its much easier to break down in the vice, and it makes taking the engine out a whole lot easier without all this stuff in the way!

[Goran]

Amazing work!
Speaking of oil leaks, I may have a leak of gearbox oil probably the lines that go to the radiator, I keep having to top up gearbox oil, and its coated the undertray in heavy sticky oil.
If you are interested in having a look I'll pm you to see when you are free.

[MikkiJayne]

Ooer. One of the two oil cooler lines for the manual gearbox is NLA now. Lets hope its the other one! I'll be conjuring up an aftermarket solution for those lines in October though so we can solve it either way

[mattylondon]

Kudos where it's due. I'm enjoying this thread with the photos and update
How easy is it to slip in a V8 ;-)

Here's a 2.8 that had an oil leak, the owner neglected it until the cam shaft became so staved of oil it heated at the main bearing and snapped.

[Dezzy]

Originally Posted by David's8

I'm saving for a modified exhaust and some Yellowstuff pads

Have a word with Mike as i gave him one a while back, twin exit

[MikkiJayne]

After the other suspension assembly came off its underneath to disconnect the exhausts and prop. Pretty oily under here...



Yes, I cut the cats off with the sawzall They're scrap anyway so no point wasting time on bolts

Rear seal leaking, of course.



Mark the prop and output flange so it can go back together the same as it came apart.

Top tip: When removing these bolts on your own (or with a helper who doesn't want to get oily or go under the car) use the handbrake to hold the prop still. Take the first three bolts out, then release the handbrake and rotate the prop 180°. Put the handbrake back on, then take the other three out. Simples



The CV joint is usually stuck to the flange by the rubber seal. A sharp tap with a chisel in this groove will break it free



Lift the car off the engine & gearbox



Ready to start dismantling and cleaning



We're about 8 or 9 hours in here. As this is the first time I've worked on this car I'm taking my time and checking everything as it comes apart. I've probably spent at least an hour changing oily gloves too

[Spanker]

This is gripping stuff (for me at least).
I think you should have taken Edd China's place on Wheeler Dealers

Perhaps we should have a regular time when we all tune in to see the latest installment

Oh! And what does NLA mean?
"Ooer. One of the two oil cooler lines for the manual gearbox is NLA now"
Is that serious in the grand scheme of things?

[MikkiJayne]

NLA is 'No Longer Available'. Sadly its becoming a common occurrence for D2-specific parts like hoses, trim etc. Even the little plastic arm for the headlight levelling now too - luckily yours is still serviceable.

Goran's car is a LHD manual, so if its leaking gear oil from the cooler lines there's a 50/50 chance the hose which is leaking is not available to buy any more. Being a manual, there aren't any secondhand either like there are for the autos. That would be a problem, were I not doing a RHD manual conversion in October, however since those hoses aren't available I will be developing an alternative solution

[Spanker]

Originally Posted by MikkiJayne

NLA is 'No Longer Available'. Sadly its becoming a common occurrence for D2-specific parts like hoses, trim etc. Even the little plastic arm for the headlight levelling now too - luckily yours is still serviceable.

Goran's car is a LHD manual, so if its leaking gear oil from the cooler lines there's a 50/50 chance the hose which is leaking is not available to buy any more. Being a manual, there aren't any secondhand either like there are for the autos. That would be a problem, were I not doing a RHD manual conversion in October, however since those hoses aren't available I will be developing an alternative solution

Ah! I see. You were replying to Goran. I was thinking that you were referring to my car. Sorry