Hello folks,
I belive that my steering damper is worn out. There are lots of replacements to choose from, tha majority being based on the original. However, for the same price as the standard type I can get one from terrafirma with a bogger tube and greater oil capacity. This sounds great for longivity but there is no mention of whether the loading as been increased. I belive that Terrafirma usualy make stuff for off-road use so will fitting one of these just make my steering feel heavier or does it only effect sharp inputs from the wheels hitting an obstacle such as when off-roading?
Hello folks, I am wondering if I can please call on your collective experiences?
Yesterday morning my P38 (Diesel Auto) suddenly developed a vibration that starts at 20mph and then fades out above 30mph, coming back more subdued at 70mph with a feel very similar to when you drive over the rumble strips on the edges of a motorway.
The vibration at 20-30mph is quite pronounced and is felt through the floor and pedals. It is felt as a general vibration through the steering wheel as opposed to any direct forces being felt through the steering.
There were no preceeding warnings, I haven't hit anything as far as I am aware and I have not noticed any unusual noises (over the clatter of the diesel engine :) ).
I have accelerated hard from standstill to load everything up with no vibration issues or unusual behaviour until I reach the 20-30mph bracket.
I have yet to try locking it in gear and driving through to see if the gearing has any bearing on it.
I have had the front wheels off and rebalanced today with no improvement.
Whilst the wheels were off I checked over the front axle but found nothing amiss.
All four front ball joints were replaced with quality new items last year.
It has had good quality new tyres and brake discs in the past six months.
The nearside wheel bearing assy. was replaced about a month ago.
I have had an initial check of the prop-shafts and cannot feel any play in the U/Js. I will try lubricating them when I get chance, assuming that there are grease nipples (off to check RAVE again straight after this).
Has anyone experienced similar? The internet suggests that it is more common to have vibration issues at higher speeds.
Any help or pointers greatfully recieved.
Regards,
Smiler.
Hello folks,
A few months ago I rebuilt my brake modulator with the mod kit to fit the stainless diaphragms.
I had a notchy pedal before that I used to have to push through to get the brakes to work properly. I had assumed that this was due to split plastic diaphragms but on fitting the mod they were both fine. I did have some binding in the pressure spool valve though that after a bit if light cleaning with some very fine wet & dry fixed that issue.
The brakes were improved after rebuild but I soon had the ABS light come on. Shortly after some light binding of the spool valve returned. I had assumed that the spool valve needed a little more polishing and was getting set to do this.
But today the brake pedal has suddenly gone a lot softer. It still brakes but I suspect that I have lost the power side of the system as it no longer has the same braking force for the amount of pedal travel.
I intend to go out and check fuses first as I don't recall hearing the ABS pump fire up but I have a head full of poridge at the moment as I am suffering a bout of man-flu...
Over the weekend, god willing, I will take the plug out of the end of the modulator and withdraw the preassure spool valve and sleeve for a bit more polishing (being very carefull not to over do it and induce leak-past).
Hello folks,
The front nearside wheel bearings are showing early symptoms of failure (whining on the road that changes with road speed and changes in direction, movement felt through wheel when rocked vigorously).
I had been warned many moons ago that the bearings come as a complete cassette within the hub and that I'll be looking at circa £300 per unit.
But eBay is littered with bearing cassettes without the hub for circa £40.
Is this the normal way of buying wheel bearings?
Asking on here as I'm away from home at the moment so have no access to RAVE.
Cheers,
Smiler.
Now that title is a bit of a mouthful!
Anyway, I have just ordered one of these:
Joying 7"
It has GPS Sat Nav, MP3, MP4, Radio (DAB with an additional adapter), can be connected to front and rear cameras (available separately), steering wheel control programmable, can be connected to a USB hard drive full of your own music and video libraries and can drive two additional screens such as head rest screens for the kids.
What's more, it is branded. Most of you will probably associate something labeled as Joying 7" as something from an Anne Summers collection but they are a real firm and they do answer emails the same day.
The big draw to this one is that the screen is separate from the 'workings' and so can hopefully be installed where the oddments tray currently sits with no worries over depth.
I also intend to raise the HEVAC control unit up a slot to make it more accessible and have bought a single din oddments tray to sit below it.
I shall keep you updated as to its arrival and how I get on installing it all.
Regards,
Smiler.
Hi folks,
I've just picked up a brand new key for my 1996 P38 from the dealers.
Entered the EKA code and started it up but the key will not sync.
The LED illuminates as the buttons are pressed but the vehicle does not respond.
I try'd pressing the lock/unlock buttons with the key in the door lock straight after completing the EKA code and also in the ignition but to no avail.
Any ideas before I treck back to the stealership?
Hello folks,
I opened my sunroof today and appear to have broken it. There weren't any noises but it is now stuck in the fully forward position but with the rear edge lowered. I cannot physical push the rear edge up and the roof only moves ever so slightly rearwards when trying to motor it back. The motor is driving something as you can still hear some mechanism movement.
I have managed to remove the cover strips each side to reveal the glass panel mounting screws so tomorrow I shall remove that and see if I can see anything.
Based on nothing other than the fact that I haven't found anything broken so far I am guessing that the guide rail system has a failure somewhere.
Has anyone ever used one of these
Repair Kits?
I'm a bit concerned that they don't look particularly robust and am suspicous as to how long it will last.
Regards,
Smiler.
Hello folks,
This doesn't really fit in either oily or electrical so I've stuck it in here.
Does anyone have a spare rear washer jet they could swap with me for some beer tokens? Mine is actually missing and I can't find a replacement. I even have one on back-order at the local main dealers.
Cheers,
Smiler.
Hello folks,
I recently rewired the old carphone (Nokia 6090) back into the P38 and on installing a shiny new sim card this evening I am happy to report that it is up and running.
However, the paranoid security system doesn't seem to like it as it has been ignoring the key from then on, requiring the eka code each time.
When re-installing the system I relocated the main module in the rear off-side wing cavity, near where the security aerial receiver lives. So I suspect that the signal is swamping the security system.
This phone has been fitted for some time before my ownership and the phones module was previously tucked down beside the sub in the near-side rear wing area. WOuld that short a distance really make that much of a difference? Or could the loop of aerial cable in its new location be creating some sort of interference?
Regards,
Smiler.
Hello folks,
Last night my 1996 P38 suddenly decided to stop responding to the key fob when trying to lock it.
This morning I had to enter the EAK code to start it.
On arrival at work it again refused to respond to my attempts at locking it on the fob.
The LED in the key flashes on pressing the buttons and the batteries aren't very old, though are not Duracell.
In the past few days the vehicle has been randomly 'unlocking' itself whilst I've been sat in it but whilst the key was out of the ignition barrel (after getting in or before getting out, I don't tend to just sit in it no matter how nice it is in there).
A few months ago I replaced the security receiver filter thingy with one from a later vehicle.
Before I go hunting through the interweb does anyone know of anything simple/obvious to check? Are these recognized symptoms of something with a known easy and cheap/free fix?
The vehicle is usually trouble free and reliable.
Cheers,
Smiler.
Hello folks,
My P38 needs a new set of boots. It has had later 18" alloys fitted before my ownership.
Tyre size: 255-60-18
Does anyone have any recommendations for the £100 to £125 each mark?
I would like something with some off-road pretensions rather than straight road tyres. I don't do any proper off-roading (yet) but do drive on grass cairly often.
Thanks for any help.
Smiler.
Hello folks,
I have the "Key Code Lockout" message on my dash and an upset alarm system.
I have try'd entering the EKA (confirmed correct by my local main dealer) without success.
There appear to be two trains of thought on how to enter it.
1 turn to lock, followed by the code, followed by unlock (L1, Ra, Lb, Rc,L d, R1).
4 turns to lock, followed by the code, followed by unlock (L4, Ra, Lb, Rc,L d, R1). - Possibly post '96 models?
Are there any other iterations to try?
All doors were closed, though some windows were open.
Thanks for any help.
Smiler.
Hello folks,
Did any of the attendees of this years summer camp take any photos? My cameras SD card has corrupt and I've lost mine. I have a few low-res copies of some of them that I posted on my thread on the Retro-Rides forum but there are a few missing and I'm trying to write this months (rather late) submission.
Cheers,
Smiler.
Hello folks,
Start laughing now and get it out of your system.
Finished? Good.
Does anyone know of an on-line supplier (other than eBay) who can supply me with a seal kit for the injector pump on my DSE?
I need it rather quickly as I'm supposed to be driving the family up to Yorkshire next weekend for the father-in-laws 60th birthday party.
Cheers,
Smiler.
I have heard that there are two different under-bonnet fuse boxes for the DSE. Is this correct? If so, is it correct that they are not interchangeable? Does anyone know what year the change too place? (assuming it is age related)
Cheers,
Smiler.
Well I finally graduated to become a fully fledged P38 owner today. I have undergone the right of passage and got a lift home on the back of a flat-bed!
The cause of this was a failed accessories drive belt. The very belt that I replaced as a preventative measure when I first got the vehicle whilst I had the radiator out barely two months ago!
All effected pulleys and accessories have been checked and are free to rotate. Alignment looks to be correct too.
Joy!
Hello folks,
Does anyone have a spare one of these?
Regards,
Smiler.
Hello folks,
On reassembling my dashboard I have closed the glovebox only to now discover that it won't open. There is no resistance at the button so I suspect that I hadn't got the cable attached properly,
Are there any ideas as to how I can get the thing open again without causing damage?
Smiler.
Hello folks,
I recently removed the passenger airbag whilst gaining access to the heater and ducting (power off for fifteen minutes before unplugging) and as expected the SRS light came on with an airbag fault. I have just refitted (power off for 15mins first again) and the SRS light and dashboard airbag warning are still on.
Do I need to do something to reset it?
Smiler
I received my early copy of Practical Performance Car magazine today.
Went straight to the Staff Cars section and there she is in all her glory! My submission didn't make the magazine last month and I was wondering if perhaps he didn't want my P38 in it (it's hardly a performance vehicle in the context of the magazine and the editor is not a fan) but this month he came good. I have been a bit tongue in cheek about it but hopefully I can use the magazine space to put to bed a few misconceptions over the months ahead.
It will be on the shelves from Thursday (25th), page 60/61.
Smiler.