Today I.....

Today I fixed a rattle. I've had my A2 for only 6 months and like it very much, in particular the very gratifying way in which the tdi75 delivers its power. But I was extremely irritated by a rattle which seemed to accentuate the vibration which I supposed to be inevitable with a 3-cylinder engine. Sitting in the driver's seat I thought it came from the radio or heater controls, but I couldn't trace it. Then I found this 2007 thread with a post by Shezlee - https://www.a2oc.net/community/index.php?threads/the-rattling-from-inside-car-under-load.6664/. Though it seemed that the noise wasn't coming from outside the cabin I dusted the bonnet grooves with graphite powder and stuck a bit of credit card in to firm up a plastic insert that was loose. The rattle totally disappeared and the driving experience is immeasurably improved. Perhaps everybody knows about this, but other newcomers might find their grooves worth a look. I hope Shezlee's still a member of this forum, which I think is outstanding for its civility and helpfulness.
 
Collected a 3 tonne engine hoist.
Laying snug in the A2
7DEC6169-CAC0-4456-B382-AEB146F93AA0.jpeg


any body local can borrow it ?
 
longdog said:
Today I fixed a rattle. I've had my A2 for only 6 months and like it very much, in particular the very gratifying way in which the tdi75 delivers its power. But I was extremely irritated by a rattle which seemed to accentuate the vibration which I supposed to be inevitable with a 3-cylinder engine. Sitting in the driver's seat I thought it came from the radio or heater controls, but I couldn't trace it. Then I found this 2007 thread with a post by Shezlee - https://www.a2oc.net/community/index.php?threads/the-rattling-from-inside-car-under-load.6664/. Though it seemed that the noise wasn't coming from outside the cabin I dusted the bonnet grooves with graphite powder and stuck a bit of credit card in to firm up a plastic insert that was loose. The rattle totally disappeared and the driving experience is immeasurably improved. Perhaps everybody knows about this, but other newcomers might find their grooves worth a look. I hope Shezlee's still a member of this forum, which I think is outstanding for its civility and helpfulness.
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I have had this exact same noise bugging me since I bought the car. I had done a couple of searches for rattle, but turned up blank.
Thanks, such a simple thing, made my day.
 
Today I (or my car really) failed its MOT hard! Oh dear. Leaky exhaust (snapped at the front flexy), both front ball joint housings leaking, snapped front coil spring, misting front shock, front brakes uneven, rear brakes binding and handbrake insufficient to hold even my lightweight little guy.

A couple of bulbs I hadn’t noticed, my Chinese autoheadlight and my ridiculously large tyres also failed me, but by then it was just kicking the dead horse.

Oh, and it also needs four new (smaller tyres) and has started losing coolant slowly somewhere...

I guess my preventative maintenance schedule hasn’t been as thorough as I’d hoped.

A2Steve? Do you collect from Glasgow?


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Pinkythelabrat said:
Today I (or my car really) failed its MOT hard! Oh dear. Leaky exhaust (snapped at the front flexy), both front ball joint housings leaking, snapped front coil spring, misting front shock, front brakes uneven, rear brakes binding and handbrake insufficient to hold even my lightweight little guy.

A couple of bulbs I hadn’t noticed, my Chinese autoheadlight and my ridiculously large tyres also failed me, but by then it was just kicking the dead horse.

Oh, and it also needs four new (smaller tyres) and has started losing coolant slowly somewhere...

I guess my preventative maintenance schedule hasn’t been as thorough as I’d hoped.

A2Steve? Do you collect from Glasgow?


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My god Alex not good. Fixable though...chin up!
 
Pinkythelabrat said:
Today I (or my car really) failed its MOT hard! Oh dear. Leaky exhaust (snapped at the front flexy), both front ball joint housings leaking, snapped front coil spring, misting front shock, front brakes uneven, rear brakes binding and handbrake insufficient to hold even my lightweight little guy.

A couple of bulbs I hadn’t noticed, my Chinese autoheadlight and my ridiculously large tyres also failed me, but by then it was just kicking the dead horse.

Oh, and it also needs four new (smaller tyres) and has started losing coolant slowly somewhere...

I guess my preventative maintenance schedule hasn’t been as thorough as I’d hoped.

A2Steve? Do you collect from Glasgow?


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Click to expand...


So, flexi repair part £25 from ebay and a few hours work to mig weld in place, or a lot less if you can get the car on a ramp
If no play in the ball joints, new dust covers (rubber boots) £12 for 4 from ebay
2nd hand coil spring from on of our breakers (@A2Steve) say £20 but better fitted asa pair
fit new struts and top mounts whilst doing the springs £100ish for both sides
front disks and pads (eurocarparts when they have there 50% offer on breaks 2 or 3 times a month) £50
strip and clean rear brake discs and calipers (likely only time needed)
bulbs a few quid
refit std head light switch for MOT (you did keep the original switch didn't you) free
I assume the tyres are failed due to rubbing, worth buying an MOT set of wheels and tires, sure someone will have a set on here for under £100 with usable tyres

A few quid granted, but not the end of the world
Chin up
Cheers,
 
Given the frequency with which A2's seem to snap coil springs I personally wouldn't go to the time trouble and expense of fitting 2nd hand parts unless they are clearly 'as new'.
 
Thanks for the support Paul and Scott. he’s at the garage now - two new wishbones, springs, shocks and a load of brake cleaner I suspect. there is a place in Glasgow, C&C Customs who specialise in stainless exhausts and repairs. Flexy and welding as per your advice Paul.

I do have spare MOT wheels and a light switch and did change the bulbs (sidelights) myself but I had wondered if they’d pass it without the effort.

All in its going to cost about £1200. I maybe could have done some of it myself (big MAYBE) but I developed a crepitating tenosinovitis in my right hand so that’s my excuse not to lie in the snow covered road for a week and just pay people instead.


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If calipers are sticking id get yourself a refurb kit from bigredd... maybe around 35 for new seals ands pistons but they feel like new. Easy enough to do but time consuming
 
Pinkythelabrat said:
Thanks for the support Paul and Scott. he’s at the garage now - two new wishbones, springs, shocks and a load of brake cleaner I suspect. there is a place in Glasgow, C&C Customs who specialise in stainless exhausts and repairs. Flexy and welding as per your advice Paul.

I do have spare MOT wheels and a light switch and did change the bulbs (sidelights) myself but I had wondered if they’d pass it without the effort.

All in its going to cost about £1200. I maybe could have done some of it myself (big MAYBE) but I developed a crepitating tenosinovitis in my right hand so that’s my excuse not to lie in the snow covered road for a week and just pay people instead.


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Are they doing the strut top bearings too or were they done recently?
 
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