+ 1 too +++
There must be a queue now for rear subframe mounts....;)

I'm hoping that full rear setup that Ronin found recently is viable. I'll probably order a set after this one is done +++

Back on its wheels for the first time in two months! No error codes either :)

http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/attachmen...1&d=1606164872

Went to attach the new plates and discovered the PO had glued the rear on with silicone which is a novel approach :rolleyes:

http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/attachmen...1&d=1606164872

I mechanically removed as much as I could and have left it soaking in WD40 overnight so hopefully road test tomorrow.

:ROFL: The rear plate attachment was a quality job by the PO!
Good to see it all back together MJ +++

I would agree with this Jim. I used to have a strange knocking noise but that's gone since my visit to MJ. I suspect it was the horn which was hanging loose. Even a missing nut on the cat hanger didnt miss her eye.

I'm glad MJ was able to do the cambelt service, my local indy is good but nowhere near the same level of attention to detail. It's running so much better now too.

The work MJ has done on my S8 is unreal, this car would of been scrapped, Before MJ agreed to take this huge job, my local Indy wanted to do it, but they would of never gone to the lengths to save her and would of probably gave up on the her, There is no one else now I will trust with my S8

...and you - like the rest of us whose cars she's sprinkled her magic dust over - must think Christmas has come early.

I'd (strongly!) suggest you set aside a few days when you get your car back, as you won't want to do anything else +++

Still fighting me :-(

Remember the power steering pipes that I carefully de-rusted and painted because the union in the wheel arch was remarkably still intact?

They're leaking from the hose joints. Obviously https://www.corradov8.com/pics/banghead.gif

http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/attachmen...1&d=1606425091

http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/attachmen...1&d=1606425091

This does explain the weird tar-like substance I found on either side of the gearbox which I thought had come from the scuttle drains, but was obviously these two joints dripping hydraulic oil :( It had sat for so long that any light hydrocarbons had long since evaporated leaving just tar. Of course this only became obvious after the engine was back in and putting pressure on the hose.

I tried taking it out in two pieces, but the union was seized as I didn't disturb it when I had the pipes off

http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/attachmen...1&d=1606425091

So I went full-postal and pulled the suspension off to ease access :o

http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/attachmen...1&d=1606425091

I split the hose in the vice and took it to my local hydraulic specialist to see what he thought. After some thought and fiddling with fittings he came up with this:

http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/attachmen...1&d=1606425091

This is a new pressure hose crimped on to the original rack end

http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/attachmen...1&d=1606425091

and a 90° fitting on the other end where it attaches to the complicated front half

http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/attachmen...1&d=1606425091

As there is now a rubber hose over the downpipe (instead of the original hard line) I sourced some fibreglass heat-reflective sleeve

http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/attachmen...1&d=1606425091

So we end up with this

http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/attachmen...1&d=1606425091

I had to tweak the original bracket slightly - this used to go over the hard line but needed expanding to hold the hose & sleeving

http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/attachmen...1&d=1606425091

This is the union from the front half of the hose. This piece is the part with the liner and complicated nozzle gubbins, but actually this one doesn't fail. Only the exposed end goes rusty but can be recovered. The back half is just a plain hose. The sleeving is heat-shrink which I fitted over the pressure hose before reassembling. After testing I will slide this over the union and shrink it to keep the weather out

http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/attachmen...1&d=1606425091

and it seems to work +++ I reassembled it tonight and fired it up and there are no leaks, no odd noises, and it all fits together nicely. I forgot to take a pic of it assembled so I'll do that tomorrow when I put the suspension back on.


This is the 3d printed wiper scuttle bolt cover cap in place. Not quite the same texture but its not obvious unless you're looking for it so quite pleased with that.

http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/attachmen...1&d=1606425091

Said in such a matter-of-factly way. Much :respekt:

Dont you just drop the suspension - or remove the engine - to ease access to the fiddly bits Sean? :ROFL:

I'm always slightly disappointed when the covers go back on as you can't see how clean everything is :o MoT on Friday though so its a positive step forward. Final fettling over the next few days.

http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/attachmen...1&d=1606856596

http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/attachmen...1&d=1606856596

Still, compared to the 'before' photo I guess its a decent improvement...

http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/attachmen...1&d=1600538615