Restoring Little Bluey - my 182 FF ClioSport in Racing Blue

[Mr Underhill]

Fantastic roads, was the photographer out on the hairpin after the cafe on hartside pass?

I never noticed anything tbh. The Pendragon Stage Rally was on and I got sandwiched between a few cars coming out of Warcop. I was behind Barry Lindsay, who I know, and was flashing him. He must have thought “who the fook is that”. 😂

 

[Robbie Corbett]

Ah so you’re the guy who did that. I knew I’d read it somewhere. I shot blasted the steering knuckles for that very reason and left the races in place while I gave them an overnight dip. You probably saved me ruining them.

Yes, there is/was a very tiny chance that both FAG bearings were from a faulty batch and hence the press fit was wrong but I really think it was just my own stupidness.

I left them in waaaay too long, and the water was kept warm - they came out like new though. Just read my thread and I said 'next day' but in reality thats BS I put them back in and left for over a week.

The amount of material (iron) citric acid/Deox removes is absolutely tiny! but then a good bearing fit is also a tiny tolerance. As said there is a chance the issue was with the bearings and not the hubs but bearing manufacturers like FAG are pretty on point with tolerances so its something I've been wary of ever since.

So I guess its a warning rather than a 100% certainty

 

[Louis]

If you leave the old bearings in too long you also need many tons to remove them. Ask me how I know.

Best way is smearing thick grease on the surfaces.

 

[Robbie Corbett]

If you leave the old bearings in too long you also need many tons to remove them. Ask me how I know.

Best way is smearing thick grease on the surfaces.

The second set of carriers I did this, and honestly both bearings (originals that I pressed out before dipping and new ones that I pressed out after dipping) needed many many tons to remove. Like 10T, some heat and a few mallet whacks....

 

[Advikaz]

This is why I’m getting someone to do mine for me 😆

 

[Mr Underhill]

@FrogJam Motorsport said mine popped out easy enough. One bearing was fairly newish, the other looked original. As a rule of thumb I’ll avoid dipping anything for a prolonged period that has a hi-torque thread or bearing face. In the case of the calipers, I left the piston in place until the rebuild.

 

[Mr Underhill]

Sound up!

 

[Mr Underhill]

I took a trip over to Croft in Little Bluey after dropping out of my track day due to injuring my back. I'm on the mend, but I was quite peeved as it was my last one for this year.

It was a bit of short notice, and unfortunately, I couldn't find anyone to take my place, which is a shame because it was a perfect day for it and attendance was quite low.

I'm still able to drive, so I parked the old girl in the garage but watched the action from the pit lane.

I love the buzz of a trackday, even if I’m not out in my car.

I went shortly after 1pm when some random dude walked in, looking around the Clio, and happened to mention he'd love to do a track day. His face was a picture when I handed him my wristband, sticker, and the garage.

This was the last I saw of him going to get his car 😂 Turned out to be a decent day after all, well for him at least.

Thank you for reading.

 

[NickReilly063]

Love it Jon - is the RB now staying in your stable or are you still thinking of letting it go

 

[Advikaz]

Love it Jon - is the RB now staying in your stable or are you still thinking of letting it go

He's not allowed to sell. I have forbid it.

 

[Mr Underhill]

Love it Jon - is the RB now staying in your stable or are you still thinking of letting it go

The RB is staying. I’m giving her some new parts in the spring and a refresh.

 

[NickReilly063]

He's not allowed to sell. I have forbid it.

I keep watching all your fantasic progess with your little Gem Sir - looking forward to seeing your end result

🚗🏆❤️

 

[Mr Underhill]

I keep watching all your fantasic progess with your little Gem Sir - looking forward to seeing your end result

🚗🏆❤️

He can’t afford me to sell it, in case I forget all the part numbers 😂

 

[NickReilly063]

The RB is staying. I’m giving her some new parts in the spring and a refresh.

Great news - at least I've got a couple of you to look upto - and get some fresh idea's.

 

[Advikaz]

I keep watching all your fantasic progess with your little Gem Sir - looking forward to seeing your end result

🚗🏆❤️

Thank you good sir

 

[Advikaz]

He can’t afford me to sell it, in case I forget all the part numbers 😂

Also this.

 

[Mr Underhill]

Not much to update really other than I've discovered a minor leak from the gearbox selector seal. It’ll need addressing sooner or later, as it’s only going to get worse.

That said, it’s winter, and I just can’t muster the enthusiasm right now. I’ve got a stack of refreshed parts ready to fit, so I might tackle it all in one go come summer or maybe sell it to someone eager to take it on. The funny thing is, the car is driving amazingly at the moment. Old cars, eh!

 

[bowen86]

Let me know when you're bored and I can drop the Cup around...

 

[Robbie Corbett]

FFS Bowen, thats just like when you wash the car and some throbber walks past and says "You can do mine next" then walks off chuckling to themselves and you just stand there with the bucket pretending to laugh but inside your thinking "Bring your car dickhead, I'll wash it with a brick".

 

[Mr Underhill]

Let me know when you're bored and I can drop the Cup around...

I iS rEAdY.