A couple of niggles - DIY?
Discussion
My Tuscan has been little used for 6 months or so whilst having a winter break, a big service, new bonnet conversion and a lot of paintwork. Finally got it back and addressing the various little niggles it has collected through lack of use.
1. The gear lever no longer returns to centre from the left hand side of the box, so I'm guessing a spring has broken / seized / whatever. It's fine from the other three directions. Before I go investigating, is this likely to be a straightforward job?
2. When releasing the handbrake recently there was a "ping" sound, and now the button does not have any spring loading and the ratchet does not engage. I've hand the chrome cover off, nothing untoward there that I can see, and the handbrake still works, in as far as it applies the brakes, but obviously does not remain locked on without the ratchet. Another DIY job? Or is it all accessed from underneath? Can it be got at with exhaust in situ?
3. Has anyone got any battery suggests better than the Exide Maxxima 900? Had one of these fitted for two and a quarter trouble free years, never even a hint of a flat battery (and turning over the 4.5 seems to take a lot more than my 4.0 ever did), however the battery died shortly after the warranty expired, and another owner I spoke to had exactly the same issue. Before I buy again, keen to explore other options.
4. Has anyone come up with a more robust clip design for the service bonnet? Even before my bonnet conversion (I've tried a couple of different designs), the would be a tendency for one clip to spring open on very poor road services. Either that, or they would stay fastened so tightly that opening the service bonnet was a PITA.
5. My horn has packed up (and clearly was omitted from my MoT test!) Has anyone got a (sensible) suggestion for a replacement that has a sound to match the car - would £40-odd PIAA ones be worth the premium over the £10 cheap eBay ones?
1. The gear lever no longer returns to centre from the left hand side of the box, so I'm guessing a spring has broken / seized / whatever. It's fine from the other three directions. Before I go investigating, is this likely to be a straightforward job?
2. When releasing the handbrake recently there was a "ping" sound, and now the button does not have any spring loading and the ratchet does not engage. I've hand the chrome cover off, nothing untoward there that I can see, and the handbrake still works, in as far as it applies the brakes, but obviously does not remain locked on without the ratchet. Another DIY job? Or is it all accessed from underneath? Can it be got at with exhaust in situ?
3. Has anyone got any battery suggests better than the Exide Maxxima 900? Had one of these fitted for two and a quarter trouble free years, never even a hint of a flat battery (and turning over the 4.5 seems to take a lot more than my 4.0 ever did), however the battery died shortly after the warranty expired, and another owner I spoke to had exactly the same issue. Before I buy again, keen to explore other options.
4. Has anyone come up with a more robust clip design for the service bonnet? Even before my bonnet conversion (I've tried a couple of different designs), the would be a tendency for one clip to spring open on very poor road services. Either that, or they would stay fastened so tightly that opening the service bonnet was a PITA.
5. My horn has packed up (and clearly was omitted from my MoT test!) Has anyone got a (sensible) suggestion for a replacement that has a sound to match the car - would £40-odd PIAA ones be worth the premium over the £10 cheap eBay ones?
OK, for battery, check these guys out. Very simple ordering, you can speak to someone who knows their products and - much cheaper than Halfrauds. I used exactly the battery in the linky. perfect fit.
http://www.tayna.co.uk/072-Enduroline-Car-Battery-...
IIRC you can access the handbrake lever from the top. Take off centre console, remove gear knob and alloy grip on h/brake, then lift off carpet finisher complete with gear and h/brake gaiter. This will expose h/brake lever. I think the pivot bolt is visible at this stage. You may have to release h/brake cables on rear calipers to undo the lever and lift out to view the underside and spring?
As for the service bonnet - I've faffed around with mine too. I've now adjusted the main bonnet to sit as far back as possible - whilst still lining up. I bought a new ball clip - but have now put the old one back on and so far so good. Think they all have varying tolerances at the ball/socket interface? Mine used to pop when engine was hot/stuck in traffic/rad' fans came on.
Can't help with the other Q's.
Nick
http://www.tayna.co.uk/072-Enduroline-Car-Battery-...
IIRC you can access the handbrake lever from the top. Take off centre console, remove gear knob and alloy grip on h/brake, then lift off carpet finisher complete with gear and h/brake gaiter. This will expose h/brake lever. I think the pivot bolt is visible at this stage. You may have to release h/brake cables on rear calipers to undo the lever and lift out to view the underside and spring?
As for the service bonnet - I've faffed around with mine too. I've now adjusted the main bonnet to sit as far back as possible - whilst still lining up. I bought a new ball clip - but have now put the old one back on and so far so good. Think they all have varying tolerances at the ball/socket interface? Mine used to pop when engine was hot/stuck in traffic/rad' fans came on.
Can't help with the other Q's.
Nick
Edited by nawarne on Wednesday 2nd July 11:17
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