My First Zed Thread (2003 E85 3.0)
- Thread starter Timmyboybunter
- Start date
North West Surrey
Pair of Suplex 06231 rear coil springs fitted, the off side rear had snapped.
Not a bad job at all, but needed a pry bar (borrowed from neighbour) and a tall bloke to stand on it (same neighbour) to get the springs out and in. 2nd one took 20 mins start to finish - easy once you've done one.
Not a bad job at all, but needed a pry bar (borrowed from neighbour) and a tall bloke to stand on it (same neighbour) to get the springs out and in. 2nd one took 20 mins start to finish - easy once you've done one.
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Mr Tidy said:Made me laugh - I was expecting to see a Ferrari!
I'm quite some way off bring able to afford a Daytona with a horsey badge on
Timmyboybunter said:
So, I've just seen this and someone may have already said, but you're not missing the o-ring. The idea of the replacement is that you remove the red/orange one that, no doubt, is now completely flat and doing nothing after being disturbed. It does require scraping out mind, then you install the new o ring in the groove left behind.
Ahhhh, ok that makes sense - thanks. I thought the orangey bit was just part of the plastic moulding.
I'll take the unit out again next weekend and scrape it out as you suggest.
Cheers
I'll take the unit out again next weekend and scrape it out as you suggest.
Cheers
Used the Autoglym roof treatment today. Reserving judgement on the final result until it has properly dried, but does look encouraging.
One of the photos shows some odd marks which look almost like splashes, which came out after the protector spray was used - but have since disappeared. Baffling.
One of the photos shows some odd marks which look almost like splashes, which came out after the protector spray was used - but have since disappeared. Baffling.
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Nicely done! Looks great
I’ve heard good things about the autoglym kit, so please post an update on long term results....
I’ve got the renovo kit to do mine but not had chance to do it yet... and since getting my hardtop and the fact the rainy season will come soon I don’t like my chances of getting it done til the cooler drier period in December/January
I’ve heard good things about the autoglym kit, so please post an update on long term results....
I’ve got the renovo kit to do mine but not had chance to do it yet... and since getting my hardtop and the fact the rainy season will come soon I don’t like my chances of getting it done til the cooler drier period in December/January
paulc_bkk said:
Not sure what to make of the Autoglym kit yet really. The roof has come up fairly well and looks a little bit 'blacker' all over, if that makes sense - however the shiny bits from general wear and rubbing are still just as shiny, if anything look a bit worse than they did before - possibly because of the deeper black colour surrounding them.
More confusing is how it is reacting to water. I've read several threads which generally descend into arguments
about the Autoglym kit making the roof water proof and seeing water run off it etc. but I'm seeing nothing like that - we've had a rainy week this week and the roof has been completely saturated with water how it has always been.So, bit of a 'meh' result really. I've read positive results about renovo products to restore colour so may go down that route. Will also be interested to hear about your experience when you get around to it.
Bought some 17mm nut covers this week. Hadn't really considered them before, but was chatting to another Zed owner recently who had just added some and they tidied up the wheels nicely - especially as my wheel nuts are a) black and b) a bit manky.
So, bought this ones:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07N2FW4PB/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
And they are no good - far too tight. I forced one on and quickly concluded that was a good place to stop, as they would be impossible to remove without destroying them. Back to Amazon they go.
I then tried one of the OEM grey ones fitted to my Skoda - fitted perfectly, and look really good against the silver wheel colour - so ordered a set of those instead
Wil post up a picture when fitted.
So, bought this ones:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07N2FW4PB/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
And they are no good - far too tight. I forced one on and quickly concluded that was a good place to stop, as they would be impossible to remove without destroying them. Back to Amazon they go.
I then tried one of the OEM grey ones fitted to my Skoda - fitted perfectly, and look really good against the silver wheel colour - so ordered a set of those instead
Wil post up a picture when fitted.
Gave my exhaust tip a polish - has come up reasonably well after a quick session, I think will come up nicely with some more enthusiastic rubbing.
Used Autogylm metal polish first, just as I had a bottle in the garage - rubbish.
Then used Brasso, the pre-soaked material stuff as again I had some kicking around - actually worked quite well.
Then ordered some 'Autosol' after reading around for recommendations - took a bit more of the dirt off and is fairly cheap.
Used Autogylm metal polish first, just as I had a bottle in the garage - rubbish.
Then used Brasso, the pre-soaked material stuff as again I had some kicking around - actually worked quite well.
Then ordered some 'Autosol' after reading around for recommendations - took a bit more of the dirt off and is fairly cheap.
Bodged some boot lid stops using PVC tube - 10mm internal diameter, 3mm wall thickness. Need a bit of persuasion to fit as the part on the boot is roughly 11mm, but do slip on and stay put.
Being PVC they are a bit squishy, so is not a perfect solution but they will give a bit more space between the boot and the hard top window when fitted.
Being PVC they are a bit squishy, so is not a perfect solution but they will give a bit more space between the boot and the hard top window when fitted.
Controversial one I know 
but I've done the 'french fry' delete.
Nice and simple - blast with hairdryer, gentle coax with a plastic pry tool being careful not to snap the tiny plastic arms top and bottom, then clean up the sticky areas left behind.
I've been considering this for a while but wasn't convinced - now it's done, definitely looks better. I like the general uninterrupted shape of the facelift rear lights, but not the design of the actual lenses, and this mod gives a decent half way house.
Before:
After:
but I've done the 'french fry' delete.Nice and simple - blast with hairdryer, gentle coax with a plastic pry tool being careful not to snap the tiny plastic arms top and bottom, then clean up the sticky areas left behind.
I've been considering this for a while but wasn't convinced - now it's done, definitely looks better. I like the general uninterrupted shape of the facelift rear lights, but not the design of the actual lenses, and this mod gives a decent half way house.
Before:
After:
A few pointers for you.
Regarding the autoglym treatment, did you use both the cleaner and the proofer? The proofer definitely works and creates beads of water on the fabric, as I've used it myself and even video'ed it 'in action'.
The wheel bolt covers you need are TPi ones. The cheap covers are way too tight and you can easily damage your alloys when trying to remove them. Again, I know this as I too purchased the cheap ones and slipped with the tool when removing them, resulting in a scratched alloy
The TPi covers are much easier to remove and the finish on them lasts a lot longer.
Lastly, do not use renovo reviver if you wish for your fabric to actually stay as intended. The reviver causes the fabric to feel more like sandpaper after application. It does do a good job of making the roof nice and black, but it feels terrible to touch. Both me and Johnny Essex found this out the hard way and ended up purchasing new roof fabric at great cost.
Regarding the autoglym treatment, did you use both the cleaner and the proofer? The proofer definitely works and creates beads of water on the fabric, as I've used it myself and even video'ed it 'in action'.
The wheel bolt covers you need are TPi ones. The cheap covers are way too tight and you can easily damage your alloys when trying to remove them. Again, I know this as I too purchased the cheap ones and slipped with the tool when removing them, resulting in a scratched alloy
The TPi covers are much easier to remove and the finish on them lasts a lot longer.Lastly, do not use renovo reviver if you wish for your fabric to actually stay as intended. The reviver causes the fabric to feel more like sandpaper after application. It does do a good job of making the roof nice and black, but it feels terrible to touch. Both me and Johnny Essex found this out the hard way and ended up purchasing new roof fabric at great cost.
ben g said:
Yes certainly did - that's why I'm baffled. The only thing I can think is that I didn't rinse the treatment out enough before moving onto the proofer as I've seen people moaning about how long it takes to rinse - but I was only getting water without bubbles come the end so concluded it had been rinsed correctly. The only thing I've done since owning the car is use Milton fluid on it, which nicely cleared out all the green algae but I can't think that will affect it. Never mind, not really bothered about beading either way just a bit confused!
ben g said:
Yes I think all the cheap and cheeful ones on Ebay and Amazon would be a non-starter really. The ones on my Skoda are 9 years old now and look good as new so I think that will be money well spent - only £16.10 so not an expensive purchase.
Noticed this on the car today, so there is some beading going on:
@ben g - I must have skimmed over your last paragraph about renovo reviver, thanks for the warning. Is there any recommended product for getting rid of the shiny bits, or is this just proud signs of 16 years worth of use to be embraced?
@ben g - I must have skimmed over your last paragraph about renovo reviver, thanks for the warning. Is there any recommended product for getting rid of the shiny bits, or is this just proud signs of 16 years worth of use to be embraced?
Unsure what you could use to get rid of the shiny bits really. I ended up with new roof fabric, cost a fortune. But I couldn't deal with having a tatty roof :lol:
I've just purchased some auto finesse ragg top to try out, as it was cheaper than autoglyms cleaner. I'll see how I get on with that
I've just purchased some auto finesse ragg top to try out, as it was cheaper than autoglyms cleaner. I'll see how I get on with that
VW/Audi 17mm grey wheel nut covers now fitted.
The color difference between the covers and the wheel is actually very minor in real life - the photo makes the covers look darker for some reason. Pleased with the result.
Before:
After:
The color difference between the covers and the wheel is actually very minor in real life - the photo makes the covers look darker for some reason. Pleased with the result.
Before:
After:
You're not wrong John, I must have read through 30 different threads debating this very point and most of them end in an argument
I found more people seemed to be recommending the Autoglym than other products, the beading/not beading doesn't bother me either way really especially as some people have been using it for many years without issue.
I AM bothered about removing the shiny bits (but not whole new roof bothered!)
I found more people seemed to be recommending the Autoglym than other products, the beading/not beading doesn't bother me either way really especially as some people have been using it for many years without issue.
I AM bothered about removing the shiny bits (but not whole new roof bothered!)
