Hi
All going well, I am about to purchase a E-reg 1987 Panda 4x4 off my neighbour after many years of expressing an interest. The long term plan is to take this car to the in-laws in Sweden, to use as a runabout when we visit, including trips to the north in the winter, etc. I also have a bit of dream of driving to the Saraha and this could be the car to do it in, if it turns out to be reliable. From what I’ve read, the scope for budget 4x4ing with this car seem endless. I have seen many in the Italian alps in winter, where they are clearly loved. I am very excited, but there are a few questions that I would love answers for.
1) The current owner is always messing with the rear drum brakes, which stick. My plan involves the car standing for a couple of months at a time, so it’s likely I’ll experience the same problems. So I was thinking of replacing old for new parts which will require less maintenance. What are parts that will I need?
2) There is a creaking sound coming from the area of the offside back wheel when the car corners. This can also be made to happen by standing on the door sill. Is this something to do with the springs? What can be done about it?
3) Apparently, it has been years since the current owner has engaged four wheel drive. This feature is essential to my plan. Given that it has not been used for ages, is there anything that I should check or do before I engage this? I wouldn’t want to break the gear box on the test drive or worse still after I have bought the car.
4) Are there supposed to be some gaiters on the universal joint of the drive shaft, because there isn’t on this car?
5) I will need to fit roof bars to take a top box and or skis. Given the age of the car, where should I get this, what makes are best and what am I likely to pay?
6) I will need to replace the tyres for winter use out there. Current tyres are 145/80 R13. I have two choices: Either buy a complete set of rims and fit dedicated winter tyres (these have little metal studs in them). Change them over in winter and use the current wheels in summer. This is a common practice out there. Or fit all weather (is that the same as mud and snow?) tyres to the current rims. Are either of these tyre types available. What make/model should I search for, where should I search and what sort of price am I likely to pay?
7) Is there anything else that I should look out for on the car (known problems, etc)
I hope there is someone out there that can help with these questions. Best wishes
.
All going well, I am about to purchase a E-reg 1987 Panda 4x4 off my neighbour after many years of expressing an interest. The long term plan is to take this car to the in-laws in Sweden, to use as a runabout when we visit, including trips to the north in the winter, etc. I also have a bit of dream of driving to the Saraha and this could be the car to do it in, if it turns out to be reliable. From what I’ve read, the scope for budget 4x4ing with this car seem endless. I have seen many in the Italian alps in winter, where they are clearly loved. I am very excited, but there are a few questions that I would love answers for.
1) The current owner is always messing with the rear drum brakes, which stick. My plan involves the car standing for a couple of months at a time, so it’s likely I’ll experience the same problems. So I was thinking of replacing old for new parts which will require less maintenance. What are parts that will I need?
2) There is a creaking sound coming from the area of the offside back wheel when the car corners. This can also be made to happen by standing on the door sill. Is this something to do with the springs? What can be done about it?
3) Apparently, it has been years since the current owner has engaged four wheel drive. This feature is essential to my plan. Given that it has not been used for ages, is there anything that I should check or do before I engage this? I wouldn’t want to break the gear box on the test drive or worse still after I have bought the car.
4) Are there supposed to be some gaiters on the universal joint of the drive shaft, because there isn’t on this car?
5) I will need to fit roof bars to take a top box and or skis. Given the age of the car, where should I get this, what makes are best and what am I likely to pay?
6) I will need to replace the tyres for winter use out there. Current tyres are 145/80 R13. I have two choices: Either buy a complete set of rims and fit dedicated winter tyres (these have little metal studs in them). Change them over in winter and use the current wheels in summer. This is a common practice out there. Or fit all weather (is that the same as mud and snow?) tyres to the current rims. Are either of these tyre types available. What make/model should I search for, where should I search and what sort of price am I likely to pay?
7) Is there anything else that I should look out for on the car (known problems, etc)
I hope there is someone out there that can help with these questions. Best wishes
.
