My latest Zed, a punt on a project
- Thread starter 9designs
- Start date
Very satisfying 
Update....
It’s been a journey and at times frustrating as I wrestled with needing yet another unique tool, but also a good learning and satisfaction on completing it.
Front end stripped down, fitted Meyle HD throughout, only item remain are the springs and dampers.
While I was there, stripped the front brakes as the pad mounting faces had been left rusty and from what looks like a recent pad and disc replacement.
Seeing the quality of the previous work I took the discs off as well, to ensure the faces were clean and mounted correctly, reassembled and free’d off everything.
Winter job will be send the callipers away for blasting and painting, so I didn’t do the brake fluid, which was over full.
While it was up at the front, lango guarded around and protected the new threads/nuts.
Next job was the cam cover gasket leak. Oh a faff getting all the harness unclipped and pushed far enough away.
Found suitable Youtube info on how to remove the servo motor. Only to find that a 3/8th drive E8 torx I had wouldn’t fit, had to go and buy ¼ drive E8 torx as well.
All striped down, went to put the new rubber seal on the cover…. Nah never going to work, it doesn’t grip or hold in the groove. So had to go and get some Loctite Silicone gasket sealant.
Run a bead of that around in the channel to seat the seal onto and hold it in place while I picked the cover up and swung it into place.
While it was stripped down, put a new set of Denso plugs in.
The coil packs are all Bosch, which I assume means they had been replaced at some time.
With the cover all back on, then drained the oil and did the filter. It looked very dirty, old, and stank of fuel. Last change was 10K according the book, and the car said not due for another 6K.
Do I trust the service stamps? Hmmmmmm
Air filter done, didn’t look that old, so thinking the service looks a bit inconsistent.
Pollen cabin filter, I read some say why bother…. You should. Mine was disgusting, not only full of leaves but black with dust and grime, don’t need to breath that stuff in.
Gave the engine a degrease and hose down as basic tidy up.
At the rear Lango guard the subframe best I could reach, then as the front, stripped the brake pads out and clean it all up, Mr Copper Slip had been about, but Mr Wire-brush and emery hadn’t been!!
Then some general stuff, new exhaust tips, floor mats, wheel cap/badges. Front roundel – genuine as I couldn’t find a cheap one the right size. Bosch wiper blades.
Roof cleaned and protected with Autoglym. Paint work polished with resin polish and extra gloss. I’d run out of Gyeon ceramic so this will do for now.
Clean around the interior.
Passenger cup holder doesn’t pop out, stripped it down, spring was floating around a few bits of plastic fell out.. I see a new one from China is available.
Eventually got the Bluetooth to pair, thanks to old threads on the forum. Had to take my finger off the button as the screen rises, I was holding too long.
Put a new battery in the spare key… still didn’t work, then I read about sync it with the car, so maybe that was all that was needed….. all part of the learning journey.
4 wheel alignment done, the rear was also out, but they were able to adjust okay.
Bought some MV2’s off ebay, already refurb’d in anthracite gloss grey.
Plus have a good contact off the facebook group to have my 108’s redone, one set will have All season tyres and share with my wife’s 120D xDrive.
While waiting for the new tyres and wheels to arrive the ride got bumpy and car vibration again…..
A small bulge I had noticed on the rear tyre had now grown to something alarming.
When the guy in the tyre centre poked it with blunt object it exploded !
Hankook Evo3 fitted. They don’t feel much different in comfort to the RTF S001 that came off !
Serpentine belt and tensioner fitted, stop a new squeal that had started on first trip on new wheels and tyres. Parts looked original that came off.
Bought some side covers – okay an extravagance but always wanted to try a pair, plus want them to 3D scanned see if I can 3D print them.
Aero spoiler ordered, previous owner over did it with a polisher on boot lip edge, this will cover up the thin lacquer area on the boot lid. Slim small front splitter also ordered to finish off the look.
Will see what needs “fixing” next.
It’s been a journey and at times frustrating as I wrestled with needing yet another unique tool, but also a good learning and satisfaction on completing it.
Front end stripped down, fitted Meyle HD throughout, only item remain are the springs and dampers.
While I was there, stripped the front brakes as the pad mounting faces had been left rusty and from what looks like a recent pad and disc replacement.
Seeing the quality of the previous work I took the discs off as well, to ensure the faces were clean and mounted correctly, reassembled and free’d off everything.
Winter job will be send the callipers away for blasting and painting, so I didn’t do the brake fluid, which was over full.
While it was up at the front, lango guarded around and protected the new threads/nuts.
Next job was the cam cover gasket leak. Oh a faff getting all the harness unclipped and pushed far enough away.
Found suitable Youtube info on how to remove the servo motor. Only to find that a 3/8th drive E8 torx I had wouldn’t fit, had to go and buy ¼ drive E8 torx as well.
All striped down, went to put the new rubber seal on the cover…. Nah never going to work, it doesn’t grip or hold in the groove. So had to go and get some Loctite Silicone gasket sealant.
Run a bead of that around in the channel to seat the seal onto and hold it in place while I picked the cover up and swung it into place.
While it was stripped down, put a new set of Denso plugs in.
The coil packs are all Bosch, which I assume means they had been replaced at some time.
With the cover all back on, then drained the oil and did the filter. It looked very dirty, old, and stank of fuel. Last change was 10K according the book, and the car said not due for another 6K.
Do I trust the service stamps? Hmmmmmm
Air filter done, didn’t look that old, so thinking the service looks a bit inconsistent.
Pollen cabin filter, I read some say why bother…. You should. Mine was disgusting, not only full of leaves but black with dust and grime, don’t need to breath that stuff in.
Gave the engine a degrease and hose down as basic tidy up.
At the rear Lango guard the subframe best I could reach, then as the front, stripped the brake pads out and clean it all up, Mr Copper Slip had been about, but Mr Wire-brush and emery hadn’t been!!
Then some general stuff, new exhaust tips, floor mats, wheel cap/badges. Front roundel – genuine as I couldn’t find a cheap one the right size. Bosch wiper blades.
Roof cleaned and protected with Autoglym. Paint work polished with resin polish and extra gloss. I’d run out of Gyeon ceramic so this will do for now.
Clean around the interior.
Passenger cup holder doesn’t pop out, stripped it down, spring was floating around a few bits of plastic fell out.. I see a new one from China is available.
Eventually got the Bluetooth to pair, thanks to old threads on the forum. Had to take my finger off the button as the screen rises, I was holding too long.
Put a new battery in the spare key… still didn’t work, then I read about sync it with the car, so maybe that was all that was needed….. all part of the learning journey.
4 wheel alignment done, the rear was also out, but they were able to adjust okay.
Bought some MV2’s off ebay, already refurb’d in anthracite gloss grey.
Plus have a good contact off the facebook group to have my 108’s redone, one set will have All season tyres and share with my wife’s 120D xDrive.
While waiting for the new tyres and wheels to arrive the ride got bumpy and car vibration again…..
A small bulge I had noticed on the rear tyre had now grown to something alarming.
When the guy in the tyre centre poked it with blunt object it exploded !
Hankook Evo3 fitted. They don’t feel much different in comfort to the RTF S001 that came off !
Serpentine belt and tensioner fitted, stop a new squeal that had started on first trip on new wheels and tyres. Parts looked original that came off.
Bought some side covers – okay an extravagance but always wanted to try a pair, plus want them to 3D scanned see if I can 3D print them.
Aero spoiler ordered, previous owner over did it with a polisher on boot lip edge, this will cover up the thin lacquer area on the boot lid. Slim small front splitter also ordered to finish off the look.
Will see what needs “fixing” next.
Attachments
It drives nice, noticeable lighter and more nimble and agile than my E89.
Think I’ll spend out a bit more and have gearbox oil changed.
The Hankook tyres feel as hard as the S001 RTF… I’ve just let a few psi out. I also changed from 108 to MV2 which feel heavier.. so ride hasn’t improved taking run flat off.
Looking how I can bond the spoiler.. got some Betalink.
Underside of the spoiler looks like it needs a pad or gasket fitted to close off the gap.
So far including extra tools and the new wheels and tyres and parts I’ve spent 2k, Think I’ve past the wheel dealer point of flipping for a profit
Think I’ll spend out a bit more and have gearbox oil changed.
The Hankook tyres feel as hard as the S001 RTF… I’ve just let a few psi out. I also changed from 108 to MV2 which feel heavier.. so ride hasn’t improved taking run flat off.
Looking how I can bond the spoiler.. got some Betalink.
Underside of the spoiler looks like it needs a pad or gasket fitted to close off the gap.
So far including extra tools and the new wheels and tyres and parts I’ve spent 2k, Think I’ve past the wheel dealer point of flipping for a profit
Attachments
9designs said:
That’ll probably be down to the shocks if they have heavy mileage on them, these are the rears I took of mine at the weekend… compressed this one with no effort at all and has stayed like it since… no tire is going to make the ride significantly better if the shocks are goosed
My garage is a state at the moment
More jobs done,
Serpentine belt and pulley replaced.
New mesh in the wind deflector fitted.
Painted brake callipers
Spoiler bonded on and painted, paint matching appears impossible. None of the paint code shades seem right. Looks like it needs a spectrum analyser.
Ceramic coated main body work.
ZF auto box service kit delivered, thanks to AUTODOC 45% sale. Looking at indies in the midlands to do the change.
Serpentine belt and pulley replaced.
New mesh in the wind deflector fitted.
Painted brake callipers
Spoiler bonded on and painted, paint matching appears impossible. None of the paint code shades seem right. Looks like it needs a spectrum analyser.
Ceramic coated main body work.
ZF auto box service kit delivered, thanks to AUTODOC 45% sale. Looking at indies in the midlands to do the change.
Great project and Mr Wilks nice to see a zed back on your drive
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