Paul Mason

Will do Jonathan, appreciated. My last car was a 1995 and current is 2001 so guessing not a huge degree of difference (suffice that I do indeed have the last manual still).

Now you mention it Jim, I actually think I have one wrapped carefully in the garage that came with 7 number 1 (as well as about 12 years of Low Flying in binders). So definitely not a dumb question as I haven't thought to re-read since 7 number 2 has come along, but think they'll be worth digging out. Since asking the original question though, now thinking I need to better understand the impacts of ride height, bump and rebound settings (think my shocks are adjustable for both) camber, castor and toe settings. Think all are set on my car, just thinking I need to better understand why they have been set as they are? I think ultimately I will want to raise the ride height a smidge (the coke can on its side just squeezes under will the tin rubbing) and soften the ride a little too - need to understand what springs I've got on - so far all I know is they are Eibach and they're red. As you can tell......my Seveducation still has some way to go yet! Slowly slowly, catchie monkey

I feel Jonathan that I need to go do some research to understand this better. I have a front ARB with orange ends on the bushes and don't know what that means either, so going to research some Google and past threads and resources on here to get myself up to speed. I have (what I believe to be) a decent and very adjustable suspension set up, which has been flat floored and camber and castor and toe all set and have a page of numbers in my history file, but don't know what any of it means!

Many thanks Ian, so if they can go without, why do some have and others don't, what do they add? I didn't know I didn't have one and if I had been asked before today, I would have said I did? Theres no perceptible roll of looseness seemingly to the rear of my car (to be honest, could do with being a touch softer if anything I'd say?)

Many thanks Jonathan, and Merry Christmas to you too. Was worried I have was missing something there!

Chaps, should a 2001, S3, imperial car have a rear anti roll bar? If no, ignore the rest this query.... In the garage fettling etc today and removed rear wheels to check, clean & grease etc and I can't seem to find the rear ARB? I can see an upper trailing arm, A frame, De Dion into back of hub and a coil-over - but could have sworn my previous car had an ARB with a drop link to the rear of the hub (with a number of holes to adjust the ARB stiffness). Either I'm being blind, stupid or my current car doesn't have one (or an entirely different set up?) Many thanks in advance

Don't know where the bracket is, but I do know that if you're not careful when moving the seat with a lowered floor, you can take all the skin off your finger!!! Only did that once!

Brilliant! Tim!! Almost exactly the right size and shape......however the inside of my bonnet is way shinier! I would post the "finished" picture, but my phone camera resolution is way too high and haven't yet downloaded to a PC, dropped the resolution, resaved, uploaded to my profile area etc etc.........but that's a whole different thread on BC at the mo.....

I never log in or out? Leave myself logged in on the phone and when I access via the laptop it autologs me in (though I will already be logged in on my phone anyways). Never kicked me out thus far?

I've spoken to my dad and unfortunately the kit he has was specifically for diesel Vauxhalls of the era. However , he did say when he was working on 1.6, 1.8 & 2.0 ltr petrols, and this is heavily caveated with the fact that a) he's never worked on a Caterham VX and b) not 100% we're talking about the same engine, but, he used to manually compress the hydraulic tappets to give sufficient wriggle room to move the rockers and then he could remove the camshaft without removing the carrier? However, he added as the cam comes out the "back" of the head and because of the front, middle and rear bearings, it has to come out straight and as such may foul the bulkhead, so the idea may be a non starter? Sorry couldn't be of more help?

So the answer to the original question, not taking into account the hours of work......is quite stupid! Ah well, too late now, it's shining like a summer sun! So, I'll drive a little faster to improve airflow and reduce temperatures and keep an eye on the temp gauge. Fortunately, she runs quite cool so all will be good I'm sure. And, if I have to remove the bonnet to effect repairs when I break down........I can bathe in the glory of the shine within!

D'oh......err, no, I haven't thought of that! Could that cause issue?

Will come back to you as I know my old man had a set of tools for working on Vauxhalls of the late 80's early 90's variety (which I am guessing matches the OHC VX age.....an I know he had things for heads, timing etc etc on a wall mounted toolboard......however will have to check the specifics and whether it's been lost over the passage of time??

I know Ian, and all taken in good humour. I will be a polisher in the winter months and a driver the rest of the time

Possibly......I have just assumed that the "polisher" term in 7 circles is not one of pleasantry! I shall accept what I am, a 7 driver who likes to keep it clean.

Mail sent to above email address Cheers Paul

Exciting updates!! Nail polish remover beats white spirit..... Autosol beats Autoglym metal polish My tedium continues.............. Ps Still not a polisher!

Thanking you kindly GJT.........it will never really be seen.....BUT.....I know its done! PS still not a polisher!

To the scientific experiment pertaining to the original question........nail polish remover and autosol does seem to work a treat! I have unfortunately now run out of both so need to go do some shopping before the other half discovers the missing nail polish remover....... Tonights experiment will be white spirit in place of nail polish remover....

Stridey - both great suggestions......however, my fattness and associated lack of flexibility prevents me from doing the back of the dash - I have considered using my daughter to undertake, however I have serious concerns about the quality of her workmanship (its a work in progress and fortunately she's only 8 so I have time yet to parent her properly on such things). Re: rollbar....surely, over exuberant polishing would potentially weaken the structure?? Thus I have decided to do the inside of the wheels first then move onto the diff hanger, A arms and De Dion tube next. You may question the wisdom of this, however I am intending on doing some track days in 2018 (starting at the novice day at Rockingham) and should I end the day upside down, the sparkling underside of the car will surely take attention away from my driving disaster....at which point I suspect my forethought will be applauded. David - bravery and stupidity are rather close bedfellows and to claim the former, one really needs a victory.....on the basis I have been moved to the kitchen (a table already destroyed by children) I feel I cannot claim bravery/victory in this case

It keeps me out of trouble! BenF.... sounds like a damned fine idea......however I'm from the North thus can't afford gravel SM25T....I wish I could forget it, but I can't leave a foolishly started job half done Roadsport....wish it was April as I'd be driving and not bored finding stupid jobs to start David....about the only sensible thing I've done is to lay it on a thick soft blanket to prevent damage

Elie, I may leave the underside of the louvres to be honest and just tidy up the rest. I know from the other way up I won't see the underside, just cautious around going too close to the paint on the top I want tip top. I expect the elbow grease to reward ratio will ultimately be low and very subjective as to whether it was worthwhile

ScottR400D In no particular order.......sadness, loneliness, a lack of interpersonal skills, being antisocial, not being liked by the rest of the household.......to name but a few, but mainly because the therapist said I needed something to occupy my mind to avoid the "unpleasant" consequences from rearing their heads again - the less said about that, the better..... Primarily, because I brought the bonnet in to do a couple of paint chips and while it was there, and the autosol was out from the previous day, the "wonder what that would look like" thought crept in........and now I've started I am going to have to finish - act in haste/curiosity......repent at leisure, or something like that

Going back to Ian's "polishers" comment earlier.......here's me thinking the greatest risk to my health thus far was the combination of my 7 inexperience/lack of driving ability, tyres that seem not to like the wet and driving in the wet....... If I do harm to myself doing the unnecessary cleaning activities rather than driving......I'm gonna be well pxxxed off with myself! May start with the clay as a "safe" option! On the subject of "polishers", and slightly off topic for the sake of my curiosity, what is the terminology for the owners who aren't the polishers and are the "drivers" for want of a better word? An is there a 3rd category of polishers and drivers?

May do a few tests in the name of science and learning.....could do a little on the sides under the lip so not too noticeable Small area of nail polisher remover Small area of white spriit Small area of clay