Andy-M

Hey Paul, it started doing it after about half an hour - 40 minutes blat yesterday - I can try to check tomorrow if it also does it when cold now that it's started. Second opinion and help would be wonderful! I'm a little nervous of the whole 'engine out' bit!

Hi all, This is probably a bit of a numpty question as I'm a bit of a beginner when it comes to maintaining my 7 so bear with me. I went out for a blat this afternoon with swmbo and started to get an issue with the clutch when slowing / stopped. Sometimes when I depressed the clutch pedal a squeaking noise starts up and I get vibrations back through the pedal. Any idea what the cause / remedy might be? Thanks Andy

Just to say thanks, once again, to all. I've now had the car over a month and so far have obtained a tunnel bag and long nose shower cap (both really useful), will shortly be acquiring a half hood, and have fitted the larger profile tyres (current price £66 a corner, fitted from George Polley's) which made the speedo reading much more accurate - now about 4 / 5 mph out instead of 10 originally @ an indicated 60mph.

pah, that's nothing - I have 15 yr old A021-R's! They are all getting changed shortly though!

thanks again all. Steve, I'll get a shot of the sump and post it asap (most likely tomorrow evening)

how's about that, proved wrong before I even answered! Can all adjustables be inverted then? If that's the case why aren't they installed that way be default since reducing unsprung weight is a good thing?

Quoting Mostro: /hijack I'm [also a newbie and] concerned about ground clearance too - why does some adjustable suspension have the threaded end & platforms at the top (as per johnv) and some at the bottom end (like Andy's) ?? I'm going to stick my neck out and say it's because mine is fitted with the bogo CC adjustable Bilstein's and Johny has some sort of super duper upgraded aftermarket ones

thanks Brian, I'll do that :)

that'll do it - I'll be needing another C spanner then!

So here's where I've got to: Bought C spanners, attempted to adjust the front suspension. On turning the adjuster rings the entire screw thread part of the damper also rotates, I'm presuming this is not a good thing. So...any suggestions on how to unstick them? There are 2 "flat spots" at the bottom end of the threaded section - so I'm thinking I could go out and by a "bloody great big spanner" to give me some counter leverage. That and / or WD40 applied to the thread are the only things I could come up with. Thoughts?

Impressive! Grizzly Bear Blat sounds awesome - bet it's not cheap to ship them over there though?

It seems that way. I've tried a couple of things but am not sure how they would have managed it - perhaps someone will be able to enlighten us.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/13512571@N00/9035767310/- nope, turns out the image tag just makes a link Edited by - Andy-M on 14 Jun 2013 08:51:28 Edited by - Andy-M on 14 Jun 2013 10:25:40 Edited by - Andy-M on 14 Jun 2013 10:26:24

Quoting revilla: Hehe I thought mine was running low! You can use it as a roadsweeper Sounds like I probably have been!

Hey all, Thanks for the numerous replies - I'm now home and have some further info. I've been under the hood trying to rock the engine as Gavin suggested - nothing shifting at all there. The exhaust looks central in the exit hole so that looks good. I've looked at the mounting brackets on the sides of the engine and given both a good pull in all directions - nothing shifting there either. The only thing I haven't, yet, done is to try and jack the sump up - the reason being it's so low I can't actually fit the jack under it! While I was out there, though, I noticed the front suspension is somewhat slanted - possibly explaining the v low sump, if not the loud clanking noise. Images are: brackets: here here here here exhaust: here and the suspension: here So - unless there's any good reason not to I'll try adjusting the dampers and see if I can get the jack underneath the sump (with some wood) once that's done. Otherwise it's off to buy axle stands - possibly these ones