V8 sir... Suits you sir!

[Redefined]

Was hoping I could report back on my brake shake issue after having serviced the old discs and swapped to some new pads. With lots of scrubbing and scraping in between (the calipers/sliders).

Took it easy for the first 200 miles to Bristol (in a one-er, like you do in a LS). Then drove back at 60 and 70 - as opposed the the 56 on the way down which the arrogant versions of truckers hate - and used the brakes slightly more/harder.

Then after hitting about 500 miles, the spirited driving began with harsher braking at 70mph. Totally and ecstatically happy to report back that now on almost 1000 miles post brake service, the brake shake is almost entirely gone (or on its way out).

Job well done methinks... Best go give some charity donation in thankfulness (to The Lord of All the Worlds). Next job, I suppose rust under the boot lid/lip edges. Would be a shame to lose the car to such a straightforward (I hope) fix.

Headlamps need doing (refurbishment) and thanks to Dave at LexTec I'm allowed to order my own original parts and he'll fit em. So should save me a good couple of hundred on the timing belt/water pump. Job well done... Alhamdulillah (All Praise God).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Redefined]

Got a big endurance mtb ride coming up tomorrow (Everesting the mountain bike for charity). Couldn't help but think that the dull lenses might cause me to give up/in. So contacted a headlight restorer this am and this aft they're looking fresh.

Another job ticked and for only £45 outside my door. I asked him if the feeling of satisfaction has gone after 7 years on the job (when the lights start sparkling). He said, "nope"... So... I can ride in peace and satisfaction come tomorrow!

[MartinH]

Everesting on an MTB? My word that is a massive shift! Did you get it done?

[Redefined]

Thanks @MartinH Thankfully it went well (and I knew it was probably impossible, but it needed to be attempted) though I didn't complete the full elevation. 11 hours of riding and 35H total time spent - including 3 or 4h of sleep which is against the official rules but I'm not too bothered  - before chucking in the towel.

Maybe the heat got to me, but also started having issues with gwtting the calories in. Used a (mainly) liquid diet method to allow the tummy to absorb and not need to spend blood flow churning. Last couple of climbs, to manage the heat and keep the HR down to a manageable 151 instead of the 161 and more it was hitting, I put the helmet on the bike on the way up. Then helmet on head for the way down which wasn't gravel as one of my mates had assumed.

Full sized goats head rocks that are constantly on the move, so took the smart decision to pack it in. Before I forgot to don the helmet and a smashed face forced me to pack up. Lost my salt despite having taken lots of electrolytes, so ended up needing to lick my arms.

Did a couple of write ups which I can link to (screenshot maybe) across if you wants a read. Definitely enjoyed it and definitely will be back to attempt again. £44,000 (to reflect the 4400m of half-Everest I managed) donation target for the starvation crisis happening/developing in Afghanistan due to the crippling freezing of govt funds. Of which I've raised just shy of £2000 and it should feed a few young uns (or elder ones, or whoever is starving, which means 98% of the population according to reports in the charity depts).

Some pics below... Of either training days, or recce schedules (my son, the little marvel took a recce in the rain and came to climb 7 reps with me of my 51 or so completions) etc etc. Thoroughly enjoyable and not a v8 in site!

[MartinH]

Eurgh that trail looks horribly gnarly 😬

Well done!

[Redefined]

Front bumper on the wifes 1st car put back in place. The headlight wasn't breathing too well and had condensate inside. Took it out and noted one of the plugs for one of the the air vents was missing (it appears to allow water/humidity out but not let mist in).

But, more importantly, a whole tub of 20L 5w30 arrived from an authorised Mannol (German made I believe) arrived.

That's her car speted for life and another 3 oil changes for mine. £41 with lots of eBay discounts 😊

[Redefined]

A quick call this morning to Dave at LexTec and car booked in for 16th Jan. Timing belt & waterpump. Then jacked the lovely tonne of metal up and did the oil and filter.

Caught it before it went too far beyond 7000 miles (since last service in August) but as I'd expected the oil coming out looked nice and clean. Not sure if it's placebo though, but it definitely felt smoother on the test drive after.

Whilst on the tripods I managed to assess for a wheel bearing noise which I've been getting intermittently on certain motorway selections. Was hoping it was just loud tyre noise but (equally as) thankfully it was too hard to confirm it's the front offside that's worn. Quick call to LexTec and that's added to the list.

Also, ordered a new Dayco aux belt and a Mahle oul filter (for the next change, they come about so quickly!!).

[Redefined]

Aux belt done thankfully. Thw Milwaukee bendy ratchet I had bought to work on the Subaru H6 (horizontally opposed, 6 cylinder, space in the engine bay is very very tight) came in very handy.

What came off was a Gates belt (so assumingly not the original from 20 years ago) and it's a Dayco off eBay that went back on.

Had to ensure everything went back on in the correct orientation but it wasn't too hard. Main thing was figuring out which pulley I needed to rotate sideways to release the pressure/stretch on the belt (a little help from youtube).

One pulley/bearing removed for good measure. Might order a few and get em done in advance!

[Redefined]

Had some work done at Lex Tek. Timing belt finally sorted with this current one being in since 2012 (32003 miles). It was also a genuine Toyota and hardly looks worn. Looking good (got Dave to keep it for me for pics), pics below.

 

Ignore the price of the brake discs, I think he did me a favour on them as they had to crack it (was seized on, maybe last fitter didn't use sufficient anti seize) and didn't charge labour. Another enjoyable exp (aside from the bill, but you get what you pay for and alot cheaper/better than MDs I'm sure).

Work completed:

Timing belt and water pump with genuine parts.

Wheel bearing which I assume is an NSK or similar as he only tries to use original parts.

ATF renewed as gear changes could be felt slightly.

Discs/coolant.

 

Next job, once he sends me a rough estimate is the engine cam covers as they're leaking onto the exhaust manifolds slightly. Causing a but of a pong in the cabin!

[Redefined]

Let me just add this to the jobs list (aside from sorting out the brake shake... again!!).

Thats a bit of that knee wrap tape as a temporary fix. Maybe my lights are not self levelling properly anymore as for a few days I've been getting people flashing me.

Today trucks have started doing it and one just put his beams on coming straight opposite me. Hopefully this band-aid might help the lights not to shine as high.... Though, if I stand far from the car it doesn't seem excessively high nor shining in my eyes!

Another problem could be that after I had the lenses cleaned I didn't add any extra laquer! I guess I'll find out in the coming days as this needs sorting.

[Cotswold Pete]

Is it a case of the levelling link on rear wheel has snapped, I assume the 430 is the same as the 400.  cannot recall whether it is on near side or off-side.

[Redefined]

Is there only the one levelling link Pete (on the 400). The levelling seems to be working cos when I turn the lights on they still do the auto adjust thing. Here's what they look like from the drivers view.

 

Do seem ever so slightly high, though the camber where I'm start isn't great (it's sloping to the right by a few degrees). Pic taken with phine held in the clock bay.

[Cotswold Pete]

1 hour ago, Redefined said:

Is there only the one levelling link Pete (on the 400).

Only one on the 400.  What I cannot remember when mine broke whether it looked like the lights were attempting to self level, but basically levelled incorrectly due to the broken link.

[BigBoomer]

I set/check my headlights using this description.
https://www.championautoparts.com/en-gb/news/how-to-check-headlights.html
If they are correct w.r.t. all of that then you are not blinding oncoming traffic.

I have seen a couple of LS430s that had the 55W HIDs fitted and they are simply too bright and will get oncoming motorists flashing you.

[Cotswold Pete]

Maybe try this - pretty sure I did this once I had sorted my broken link to check levels were as they should be.

How to check levels

BigBoomer beat me to it

[Redefined]

Thanks you lot. I'll go do this after prayers atthe masjid and dodging the wife from wanting me to lay the loft (renovation storage build) insulation. Finding a flat space might be tricky but I think Asda ight do the trick...

[Redefined]

What tyre pressures do you lot run on these beasts. I try for about 32 all round but will take my pressure gauge & pump with me to get to an exact/appropriate psi.

[Malc1]

I’m at 30psi on my Ls400s 

Makes for reasonably comfy journeying 

Malc 

[Cotswold Pete]

I used to run at 32 max - above that I could tell tyres a little too hard.

Used to get about 20K miles out of Falkens at this pressure, probably would have got more but a bit lazy with checking tracking and suspect if I had all the front running gear bushes sorted would have got more (as I was getting uneven wear even after Chris Mullin of Glos got the beast as good as poss).

Actually looks like when I first got car I was squeezing 35K+ out of tyres

[Redefined]

Hmmm. I'll bet the garage put it up to 35psi after they redid the front with some part worns (Bridgestone Alpins I think with about 5 or 6mm tread... £35 each 😊). I'll check and get back down to 32psi before going to fins a flat spot.

[BigBoomer]

Yup. 32psi all around.
I use my garage door and masking tape to check mine.
If you don't have one that is suitable, a wall in a carpark is good enough.
Take a tape measure and masking tape.

Alternatively, take it to Halfords or any other Autocentre and they can check it for you with a machine.
Of course, that costs money 😁

[Redefined]

@BigBoomer oh no... I wouldn't wanna spend money trying to stop glare into opposite  sides traffic eyes. On a positive note (aside from when they flash me) visibility has been excellent of late 😆

[Redefined]

Checked tyres. Fronts they'd left at 30 (well, 32 and 30 on the r side) and rears they'd pit to 36 - but can't blame em as they probably don't own a Topeak mountain bike tyre pressure checker 😊). Must've been when I asked gaffer to check the backs and it probably got a bit skew-wiff... different pump or person doing the back pressures!!

I'd have thought the other way round would cause lights to face up but...

[Redefined]

pressures removed from the back and made 30 (back) and 31 front. Pic on left being the 'post pressure removal' one. Had to take two lots as the collage wouldnt create wide enough.

[Redefined]

7

Not very scientific (car parked behind me after I'd gotten all set up). It was able to be adjusted by hand so didn'tuse the socket afterall. Lets hope it works..

What beautifully engineered cars.