New Z3 owner, makes a change from Triumphs!

TriumphZ3

Dedicated Member
Joined
Aug 2, 2023
Points
39
Heralds chewing the half shafts??? Never! :D
I've had to replace two shafts in my time, both GT6 - one where a PO decided to weld the oil flinger on and so weakened the entire shaft so that it broke just as I went for an overtake, and the second two weeks after a recommended company replaced the bearings and supplied me with an exchange item, which broke on the first long run. Both cars just rolled to a stop, largely undamaged (until the recovery man put a jack through the boot floor of my Mk1). Heralds thankfully are more sedate and take longer to reach 70.
I've refilled diffs in regular use that were completely empty of oil before now, and the owner blissfully unaware...
 

motco

Zorg Legend
Joined
Dec 6, 2011
Points
74
Location
Chilterns
Model of Z
Z3 2.2i Sport
My shafts' UJs were 'clacking' in no-load rotation but silent on power and over-run conditions. I stripped them out and fitted UJ repair kits comprising cruciforms and cups complete with new circlips. T'was fortunate that I had a good root around the rear end because two studs out of six or eight (brain fade) which carried the rear spring on the diff casing had broken.
 

TriumphZ3

Dedicated Member
Joined
Aug 2, 2023
Points
39
Been underneath all day cleaning inspecting and waxproofing; not as bad as I had feared but fuel tank strap very crusty. The seller told me he thought one of the rear brakes had been sticking, but it seemed to have freed up; I thought I'd inspect those as a matter of course. You know the way they advise a small dab of copper grease to stop squealing? Someone has gone mad with a can of spray grease... thankfully I have new pads. Plus a lot of brake cleaner.
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TriumphZ3

Dedicated Member
Joined
Aug 2, 2023
Points
39
Thanks Bombur, that's my name down for two.
Jobs done so far in 20 days ownership: full Waxoyl underneath including sills, oil and filter change, rear brakes replaced, fog lamp switch replaced, driver's side screenwasher valve replaced, wiper replaced, replacement CD unit installed, rear aerial grommet replaced, cleaned out screen rubber drain channels, headlamps polished clear again, spare tyre dropped, derusted and all areas round and about cleaned. Some HUGE stones in the spare wheel well.
Jobs to do: coolant change - currently just pale pink water - replacement rear window, front brakes, front struts, rear shocks, rear wishbone bushes, and replace a wheel centre badge which flew off during the week if I can identify what size I need. Biggest job is rear exhaust, which I think is going to cause problems - it looks like the rear section has been welded on to the front section just behind the catalytic converter, not clamped in any way, as if the catalytic converter has been replaced by welding it front and rear in the middle of the exhaust. I'll have to study it again and talk to some local exhaust experts.
 

TriumphZ3

Dedicated Member
Joined
Aug 2, 2023
Points
39
Exhaust sorted; bought an entire rear half manufactured on demand by a local exhaust firm for £140 and free carriage. That should cure the embarrassing rattle on acceleration. I need to sort out an intermittent miss on idling, I've tried Injector Cleaner plus it only gets Super Unleaded 99 RON but still this little shake every few seconds. I've also noticed less than amazing performance - okay it's only a 1.9 - but my Diesel Mondeo could beat it. Not much acceleration in 1st, slightly better in 2nd but when we hit 3rd it really takes off. I suspect we're not getting the power we need at lower revs. I also located a 'proper' front half of the exhaust, including CAT, but it's in Germany and they won't post to NI. Typical.
 
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