Been absolutely buggered for time, so I've been snatching minutes here and there. Had the option to pop back to Gareth's and make use of the ramp (and an extra pair of hands), but just no time. I worked from home a couple of days and even got out there for the chilly 07.30 - 08.50 window. Brrr.
Fit braided hoses - this job was sacrificed. I could try to squeeze it in this week, but on the week of a TD I'm best of leaving it.
New brake fluid for the above (obviously) - this is is stock for when I'm ready.
Buy and fit gear selection controller - done. This was quite easy - 2 bolts on the controller and had to move a brace - just another two bolts, but obviously has to slip under the car and squeeze the tools up the back of the engine. So just a tad awkward.
Spot the difference:
Old:
New:
Balls! Or rather, no ball. Makes quite a difference.
Paint cage, footplates, etc. - done. Bloody cage fought me every step of the way going back in, and I scratched some of the (visible) fresh paint. Not the end of the world though - I ran out of paint for the new diagonal, so more paintwork to be done - so a touch up here and there won't hurt. The factory paint is far from consistent anyway. Quite enjoy the painting actually. But mostly because it is satin black (easy to use) and largely hidden. Went over all the newly welded patches and whatnot, slipping an old bolt into each hole to protect the thread. Did the cage in / out on my own, managing to get to both sides of the bolt by wedging spanners in here and there, cable tying breaker bars to the cage (pushing against, not away from, the bars), etc. The bolts were easy actually - even the ones by the fuel filler - it was just the cage itself that didn't want to go back. All bolts FT.
Underseal - done. Obviously where there was any welding completed, over bolts, etc. I used some Comma stuff. It is clear in colour and I was expecting black, which weirded me out for a bit. I'll see how well it sticks.
Move seat forward - done. Oh you ****er. The most annoying, fiddly **** of a job. Getting the crotch strap just so, seat in and out, ****ing about, realising it was on the wonk, squeeze in, move it a bit, have a little cry with frustration as such an easy job was so annoyingly fiddly! Done now though. No pics, as it just looks like a seat. But I'm happy.
Popped some split pins into the belt clasps as directed by Gareth.
Check flex / rubbing / contact on anything near cage parts. Done. I'm happy.
Secure loose wiring in place. Done. Sort of. Got the cabling cable tied and tucked nicely (but not too tightly) behind the front legs. Forgot to do the same with the rear legs, so the cabling goes, from a visual perspective, the wrong side of the legs. The cage isn't coming out again. That was a right bastard, so I'll have to disconnect some plugs and re-route. Not dangerous, just not ideal. Still got some more to remove, but it is all secured.
Just want to give it a clean and a Hoover ahead of Brands.
For another day:
Look at electric mirror switch (prob needs replacing, can adjust mirror externally anyway)
Coolant flush
Remove some odds and sods of wiring, a few bits of sound deadening, etc.
Paint diagonal and some other bits.
Fit braided hoses
Fit uprated gearbox mount. It is purple, was cheap.
Threaded Mode