Technical Service joy!

[benmac]

Groan. My 4x4 is in for a service. I do a fair bit DIY but wanted it to have a stamp in the book as well and some stuff the faff and bother I'd incur DIYing it's sometimes better to just get it done. Asked them to have a poke at a couple of things and indeed it needs some bits.

- Propshaft central bearing, yep, I thought that was on the way
- Rear shock bushings are dead so new dampers required
- One rear spring snapped although that only became apparent once removed

Other than that all good and I got commended on how tidy and clean it was. Annoying but that's all fairly typical stuff from my reading on here especially given it's age and mileage (53k). Only odd one is I've been certain a wheel bearing is going (nearside front based on noise in right hand turns) but they can find nothing wrong.

 

[The Panda Nut]

Groan. My 4x4 is in for a service. I do a fair bit DIY but wanted it to have a stamp in the book as well and some stuff the faff and bother I'd incur DIYing it's sometimes better to just get it done. Asked them to have a poke at a couple of things and indeed it needs some bits.

- Propshaft central bearing, yep, I thought that was on the way
- Rear shock bushings are dead so new dampers required
- One rear spring snapped although that only became apparent once removed

Other than that all good and I got commended on how tidy and clean it was. Annoying but that's all fairly typical stuff from my reading on here especially given it's age and mileage (53k). Only odd one is I've been certain a wheel bearing is going (nearside front based on noise in right hand turns) but they can find nothing wrong.

I have always thought my 4x4 sounds wheel bearingy but had it from new and it hasn't changed so may be its just a noise they make. We have others to compare and the 4x4 is definitely noisier in this respect.

 

[benmac]

Interesting ta. Let's put it down to "eeet's character!"

 

[Funky Spike]

I thought I had a wheel bearing going. Turned out it was the tyres.

Spike

 

[Steveetee55]

Must admit the winter tyres on mine are noisy notice it when I go from rough to smooth new tarmac I just turn the radio up lol

 

[AnthonyH]

I changed the oil and filter on one of my cars today. It left me very annoyed because it took an age to get the filter off. I'm not sure how much a service is these days but the filter and oil were about £18. Still I could easily have farmed this one out!

 

[The Panda Nut]

I changed the oil and filter on one of my cars today. It left me very annoyed because it took an age to get the filter off. I'm not sure how much a service is these days but the filter and oil were about £18. Still I could easily have farmed this one out!

A garage man told me last week oil and filter c£85, so worth the pain!

 

[varesecrazy]

I changed the oil and filter on one of my cars today. It left me very annoyed because it took an age to get the filter off. I'm not sure how much a service is these days but the filter and oil were about £18. Still I could easily have farmed this one out!

You don't own a Twinair..

 

[AnthonyH]

You don't own a Twinair..

They sound fun

 

[jrkitching]

They sound fun

but you won't do an oil & filter change for £12!

 

[AnthonyH]

I enjoyed doing the last oil change so much i've decided to do my other car lol

My logic is that I need to do this oil change while I can still remember the correct technique to use with my crappy tool!

 

[WitleyPanda]

Shock bushings are an interesting one. Not sure that mechanics/garages understand the technology of spocked bushings, that the bushing itself is part of the shock system, not just a compliant mount? They used to solid bushings that less flexible and mistake the movement for wear. Obviously different if the bush perished or delaminated.

Central bearing, bearing or the bush?

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

Shock bushings are an interesting one. Not sure that mechanics/garages understand the technology of spocked bushings, that the bushing itself is part of the shock system, not just a compliant mount? They used to solid bushings that less flexible and mistake the movement for wear. Obviously different if the bush perished or delaminated.

Central bearing, bearing or the bush?

Just have to ask, and I'm not trying to sound "clever" or cause embarrassment, but a "spocked bushing"? might that be what I'd call a "void" bush? I never heard the term "spocked" in reference to bushings. Unless it's something you'd find on the Starship Enterprise?

 

[benmac]

Good points. I had a look when I was passing.

It's just the bush for the prop shaft thankfully, bearing is fine. On the shocks the bushings are definitely toast. Rattle around on the mounts and obvious break up of the rubber.

 

[jrkitching]

Not sure that mechanics/garages understand the technology of spocked bushings, that the bushing itself is part of the shock system, not just a compliant mount? They used to solid bushings that less flexible and mistake the movement for wear.

My regular MOT testing station is aware of the difference. Your car will only fail if the rubber has debonded from the metal.

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

My regular MOT testing station is aware of the difference. Your car will only fail if the rubber has debonded from the metal.

I well remember when Void bushes first put in an appearance and the great arguments over when one was failable or not. I don't think there's any issue or confusion now a days as they are very common indeed.

 

[WitleyPanda]

Just have to ask, and I'm not trying to sound "clever" or cause embarrassment, but a "spocked bushing"? might that be what I'd call a "void" bush? I never heard the term "spocked" in reference to bushings. Unless it's something you'd find on the Starship Enterprise?

Apologies, Spoked, so passages parallel to fixing bolt, not totally filled. ( a sub type of void, as used on cortina MK5) My understanding is a void bush is just the standard two concentric metal short tubes with 100% fill in the gap, or without the outer tube , one or two parts, each being a truncated cone? LOL doubt either on a star ship?

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

Apologies, Spoked, so passages parallel to fixing bolt, not totally filled. ( a sub type of void, as used on cortina MK5) My understanding is a void bush is just the standard two concentric metal short tubes with 100% fill in the gap, or without the outer tube , one or two parts, each being a truncated cone? LOL doubt either on a star ship?

My reference to "Spocked" and starships was supposed to be a joke - as in Mr Spock, the vulcan in Star Trek, ah well.

Reference "void bushes" I first came across these in any great quantity on the Mk3 Cortina and on into the Mk4 and 5. See here: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/38565250...F8uLEknqbz4nZTd9rNA3J3caWFcLbJfRoCl8oQAvD_BwE The Cortinas needed bushes pretty much every MOT! Now a days they are very common not only in suspension components but also engine mounts etc. My understanding of a void bush is that the "voids" allow it to be more compliant in one direction but "stiffer" in another. By definition it's critically important that they are fitted with the voids aligned as per the manufacturer's spec. Our Pandas, and many other's, use them in the rear of the front arms with solid bushes in the front. I've seen them with just one void, two and even three voids depending on the manufacturer's requirements. Of course when you're testing them by the time honoured method of levering with a big screwdriver or other lever You can expect them to have much more "give" in one direction than the other so what you're looking for is tearing of the rubber or debonding between the rubber and metal sleeves. I've always thought that "void" was a generic term which covered all these types of bush?

Maybe Powerflex make them for starships?

 

[benmac]

Well, got it back last week (I am fortunate that I have other cars so told them to take their time). Juicy bill in the end but it's driving better than it ever has in my ownership both in terms of how it feels and also several noises and clunks have disappeared. As well as the prop shaft bearing and rear shocks and springs it also ended up having new lower arms on the front due to the bushes again being dead. As such, I'm happy.

Amusingly when it was ready I had borrowed a 500e while another of my cars was having some work so had a little race back from the garage with the wife. Stupid stuff like lane departure etc aside, I quite liked the 500e. For what I use the Panda for if there was an EV version of it with proper 4x4 I'd happily consider one. Shame that doesn't seem to be the case with the new Panda.