Dog_Book's VXR estate

[Dog_Book]

• Shell 99 RON V-Power cured the eml low fuel pressure warning.
• 2nd bonnet fitted with vents further back.
• 2 new GKN SPIDAN outer driveshafts turned up ready for fitting.
• BBS reps fitted.

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[GSiFan]

I must say, that is a fine looking machine, Dog_Book.

Paul

[Dog_Book]

• Drive shaft dramas, GKN Spidan shafts fitted but after fitting the NS then test driving there was a nasty wobble which shook the car at 18mph under load. Went away but at higher speeds you could tell something wasn't right. The OS one also started leaking grease from the inner boot. It seems this shaft is very common fitment to the later SAAB's so you'd think they would be spot on. Also as pointed out to me the boots are the rubber not neoprene like genuine oem so most likely would be affected by the engine heat. The NS one was swapped for an old one as getting the old one out mushroomed the threads as i wasn't bothered about preserving them due to new shafts. The wobble mostly went away, so the wheels were swapped back to VXR ones that didn't cure it. So they only other thing that could be faulty was the hub which took a beating getting the shaft out. New hub didnt clear it with either new shaft or old one. Each time new shafts put in on the NS the wobble got worse so i decided to refurb the old shafts which was the original plan. Replacement hub is a FAG which is the OEM fitment and cheaper than going direct to Vauxhall. New brake shields were installed along with another shield and hub bought ready to do the NS https://www.carparts4less.co.uk/search/628720380
• Inner joints de-booted and old grease cleaned out, new thicker yellow stuff put into all joint areas and new GM boots fitted. Shafts cleaned up and painted, outer joints by Meyle installed along with SKF boots as they are identical to OEM and the right material. Grease used in the outer joints was the Millers MOL20 which should be better than any standard moly grease. Refurb shafts were fitted at Stu's as he had the car for painting just as i was having these issues taking parts on and off etc trying to get to the bottom of it. Boot and joint info here https://www.vectra-c.com/forum/showt...8t-VXR-3-0cdti
• During the shaft episode one of the lower wishbone arm ball joint's boot split so had to source a replacement that was as close to original as possible otherwise id be looking at new arms Info here https://www.vectra-c.com/forum/showt...int-split-boot
• Meyle HD drop links were sourced during this work and fitted. The shafts are smaller than VX but the rose joints about 2mm bigger.
• AB Dent removal got out 6 dents prior to the car being sent for paintwork. 1 in rear NS D pillar, 2 in front NS door, 2 in rear OS door and partial one out of the roof section.
• Gearbox NS oil seal replace as matter of course whilst all apart. New gearbox drain plug fitted and Millers race spec gearbox oil used, during the shaft fitting in/out drained out 500ml and put back in once the shafts were sorted otherwise you loose about 500ml when you pop the NS shaft out of the box.

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[Dog_Book]

• Front hub install. All surfaces cleaned up and splines greased (did this on install of the replacement shafts before this as well)

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[Dog_Book]

• Meyle hd drop links.

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[Dog_Book]

• Original shafts refurb with parts listed above.

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[Dog_Book]

• Original shafts refurb with parts listed above.

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[Dog_Book]

• Alloy strut brace fitted, this was actually bought for my old CDTI found it wouldn't fit then sold to another 2.8 owner who sold it back to me last year. The VXR has IDS damper sensors at the top of the turrets so these need removing or remounting if you still have IDS+ fitted. These were unplugged and on the NS the abs pump bracket replaced with a none IDS one so the sensor bracket wouldn't get in the way and the 2 raised areas flattened. Some fettling and straightening on the turret mounts for the brace gave better clearance for brackets and threads both sides, it seems these are not made to fit perfectly as all other Vectra's have the same suspension turrets and mountings.

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[Dog_Book]

• Gearbox oil removal and refill, 2.2l back in. Battery out is a must and its very awkward to get the insulation back on around the battery then its clamps when going all back together.

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[Alin Bogdan]

You have been pretty busy thesedays )