Panda (Classic) My 4x4 - The Muddy Pics!

[aquamarine]

Andy - have seen the pics now. Gulp. Will be in touch mate..

 

[AndyPanda4x4]

Thank you for everybody's kind words.

Yes it is a sad time, Glenn Frey from The Eagles, Hadrian, and now Commandant Lassard from Police Academy.

I knew this time was coming for a while and it has been a hard pill to swallow don't get me wrong, but I am 100% behind Freddy's ideas on Hadrian. He too far gone to salvage, looking at some of the pictures and knowing myself all of the hidden rot which has claimed key parts of the integral structure of the car, it would be far too dangerous to just patch it up. I'd hate to think what would happen in even a minor collision.

Some would say that I should have kept on top of it from the word go and I probably should have done, but I just don't have that kind of money to put into my hobby, which this is essentially. Maybe if I had a garage and a decent welder, the story would have been different. So yes, I apologise to the haters for killing another Panda.

I hope this can be redeemed in part through Andy's idea; when the end arrives and Hadrian gets stripped down, I'll be passing on his good bits to forum members in order to save their cars, and pass on his spirit! As I've told some of you already, at some point this year I'll be having a full clear out of all my spares. I'll be doing a weekend where people can come up and get some spares for themselves.

Although the cars are the tools for our adventures and meets, I like to think that it's the friendship and fun that holds us together as a group. As has been said, the Panda is the key to the door and the rest is community. It doesn't matter what any of us do to them, designs and add-ons regardless - we are all in it together.

Hadrian's MOT runs out in June, so I'm hoping to atleast get him along to the coast-to-coast trip, I think this will be his last ride.

So to the future, what will happen next? Ideas are being thrown around at present - many thanks also for all of your input. Options are being considered, bank accounts are being raided, but rest assured - I will be back and Yorkshire will be assaulted by another Panda adventure very soon.

 

[Palio]

Just seen this

Sorry to hear Hadrian has hit his wall (sorry.... ). It looked on the cards a while ago, but he lived again for a bit.

Hope you find a suitable replacement Andy. He'll be missed & hopefully keep others going.

 

[Dragon Man]

i think its high time we had a UK version of the Sampanda :devil::devil::slayer:

 

[pandamonius_maximus]

Oh dear, terrible news! Hadrians served you well though and lived a great life of adventure. Wish I could help as well, but that rust looks terrifying I have to admit.

I will try to make the final send off trip if I can, I'm still working out my plans for this year!

 

[panda panda]

Aw fudgesticks and double double bugger. I know how it feels to lose a Panda and in exactly the same way too (I blame Frederick!!). Hopefully you will get a replacement sorted once the old boy is "retired".

Other owners take note - get your cars dinitrolled/waxoyled/filled with engine oil NOW!

Hope you get sorted soon mate.

 

[kolza]

Other owners take note - get your cars dinitrolled/waxoyled/filled with engine oil NOW!

I agree with John and Andy, those wheel arch liners can keep tremendous amount of mud trapped in some places. Ordinary jet-wash does not clean them off.


I think it would be beneficial to do step-by-step guide some sort of check list written in procedure format to follow after every muddy event or twice a year. But it would be at least half a day long deep cleaning involving liners off, bumpers off, wheels off, pressure washer, toilet/dish wash type brush and sponge with soapy water.

 

[andyholli]

...after every muddy event or twice a year. But it would be at least half a day long deep cleaning involving liners off, bumpers....

...the things would be permanently in pieces! ..

Oh, hang on.

 

[Freebo]

Oh no Andy! I know you've known this day would come sooner rather than later but you certianly givin Hadrian your all! Im sure some people whould have called it years ago but you rebuilt and progressed.

Many good memories have been spent sat in Hadrian or watching it beast over unimaginable obsticals.

RIP

 

[AndyPanda4x4]

The end has arrived! Strip down has begun, final milage logged, rust and dodgy electrics discovered so far.

Anybody need any bits?!

 

[panda1408]

Would have been cool if you did 4 miles less and ended on 123456!

Sad day for Hadrian though

 

[andyholli]

The end has arrived! Strip down has begun, final milage logged, rust and dodgy electrics discovered so far.

Anybody need any bits?!

-Comes to us all.

So hats off to Hadrian who played a key role in establishing the thriving UK Panda community.

 

[AndyPanda4x4]

The dismemberfest is well and truly under way. Hadrian is already helping other Pandas out with his parts, many are now spread across the UK and indeed Europe!

I must say though I am not that happy because I've found a fair few new parts that I put on last year before Italy are completely shot. These include both new boots on the prop shaft - rubber perished, all six of the leaf spring bushes are perished, a rear wheel bearing which was put on last December has given up as well. I guess they just don't make parts to last nowadays!

 

[andyholli]

The dismemberfest is well and truly under way. Hadrian is already helping other Pandas out with his parts, many are now spread across the UK and indeed Europe!

There's a sort of Viking spirit to this Dismemberfest. Perhaps 'sad but triumphant' would fit the occasion.
Snatch will proudly bear Hadrian parts across tracks in the future.:worship:

Out of respect, is this the end of 'The Muddy Pics!' epic thread too?

 

[Bartpanda]

rubber perished, all six of the leaf spring bushes are perished, a rear wheel bearing which was put on last December has given up as well. I guess they just don't make parts to last nowadays!

That is well said, and unfortunately all one can say about car parts quallity from present production. That is why I open used ,but in good condition original +25 yeras old SKF bearings to regrease them for further use. My friend has bought "new" bearings, made by "omaline Germany", they say that this "germany" is somewhere east of Beijing :bang: because bearings lasted two years and about 10000 km? In fact you can buy cheap china bearings for about 15-20GBP each,or original SKF or INA bearings for around 100 GBP each, here in Poland most second hand pandas are cheaper than set of original bearings here, that's why there is "market" for cheap china parts.
China parts makers have special wrapping for their products only for polish market, with biig letters like "made by germany" "nordic quallity" etc bull**** plus german flag. People buy it because they are silly/ do not know languages/ have no money etc, and think everything with german flag must be solid as a rock

I have big leafsprings bushes made of polyurethane,almost indestructible, but small, rear out of rubber{ OE fiat parts though}, they are still in vgood condition{ about 20000 km in two cars} but started to make terrible squeaking noisesI used silicone grease on them during assembly, so either the grease has worn out? or the bushes start to have slight play, and they squeak. Iam going to order them plus front rods bushes out of polyurethane.

 

[AndyPanda4x4]

There's a sort of Viking spirit to this Dismemberfest. Perhaps 'sad but triumphant' would fit the occasion.
Snatch will proudly bear Hadrian parts across tracks in the future.:worship:

Out of respect, is this the end of 'The Muddy Pics!' epic thread too?

The end is coming I'm afraid - but the reference will still be here for all in the future, like an archaeological dig no doubt.

 

[AndyPanda4x4]

So I've found some damage that may be interesting, to go with the current research on gearboxes. This is the short shaft at the uprated flange on the nearside of the car...
kolza andyholli

 

[AndyPanda4x4]

Another afternoon of dismantling, plenty more holes appearing and u think I've found where the all the water got in to the car on the December Dales weekend...!

 

[andyholli]

So I've found some damage that may be interesting, to go with the current research on gearboxes. This is the short shaft at the uprated flange on the nearside of the car...
kolza andyholli

Are we looking at contact between the shaft and the housing at points between the tripod races? - I can't make out witness marks on the casing.

- If so, is this lift kit consequence?

 

[andyholli]

Another afternoon of dismantling, plenty more holes appearing and u think I've found where the all the water got in to the car on the December Dales weekend...!

- I apologize for the parallel threading. But what's the final ceremonial plan for Hadrian's shell? - Still saw, diamond blade, Andy standing on the roof? or call in a Hyab drawn by black horses?

And a serious question - how many years ago would you say Hadrian's demise become uneconomically retrievable? or 'when was the point of no return'? If you see what I mean..