daveo132

There a plans for the rear spoiler but I'm going to keep that under my hat for now

So, new diffuser fitted today. I'm in a hotel at the moment so upload any pics will be a pain but maybe @buster can upload some that he took Also, after talking with Bob, it's seems that the noise is most likely the clutch so the Stage 1 kit was ordered today. link

I've been doing some of this. I've just been buying bolts and washers as and when from ebay. I came across this list (i think buried on this forum) which contained a lot of sizes. DE Engine Plenum 9 m6x25mm 3 m6x40mm 4 m6x60mm 2 m6 nuts 6? m6x16mm Headlights (2) M6x1.00x20mm flat head allen bolts (2) M6 countersunk washers Strut Bar (6) M10x1.25x25mm flanged hex bolts (use 30mm if you have a DE with a plenum spacer) (2) M10x1.25 flanged nuts (normal hex nuts work too but require washers) (8) M10 flat washers (these are only needed if you don't use flanged bolts/nuts above) Shock Towers (6) M8 flanged nuts (normal hex nuts work too but require washers) (6) M8 flat washers (these are only needed if you don't use flanged nuts above) Power Steering Bolts (3) M6x1.00x25mm flat head allen bolts (3) M6 countersunk washers Radiator Support (4) M8x1.25x16mm flat head allen bolts (4) M8 countersunk washers Hood (4) M8 flanged nuts (normal hex nuts work too but require washers) (4) M8 flat washers (these are only needed if you don't use flanged nuts above) Throttle Body (4) m6x1.00x60mm metric allen bolts (4) m6 flat washers (the smaller the outside diameter the better) Fender (6) M6x1.00x20mm flat head allen bolts (6) M6 countersunk washers (4) M8x1.25x16mm flat head allen bolts (4) M8 countersunk washers

Booked in next week for the work. Lets see what if anything they find. It's very odd, but might just be a noise and nothing more. Nothing seems untoward other than the noise.

So more on the whirring noise. It only seems to be doing it when the car is hot and likely heat soaked. Defiantly sounds like a bearing. Going to try and pop to a garage after work today. Want to book it in for the track rod ends and brake pads anyway.

Good news, car was quiet this morning. Suspect something got hot. See what it's like once I drive back to Cardiff later today.

Oh no I noticed today while pulling away that I'm getting a noise in line with the revs. I have a feeling I might have a clutch bearing on the way... I can only describe the noise as a whir that climbs with the revs. No reason to suspect anything in the engine. I don't know how old the clutch it. I'll have to get it checked out next week. Question is, if it is the clutch, do I go lightened fly....? I saw that Torqen are recommending a JWT kit in another thread. Anyone had any experience with the Tarmac Sportz kit? link

I'm flattered. I was right in the middle. I'll be about at another for sure.

From the service manual. Torque is show as N-m (kg-m, ft-lb) So 19.6N-m (2.0 kg-m, 14 ft-ib)

So while the headlights are out for resorting I've decided I may as well upgrade the lights (while they're easy to get at). All OSRAMs as they have good guarantees on them. LED Sidelights, Link LED Indicators Link Load Resistors Link New DS2 Headlights. Link Will update more once the work begins. Will be in a few weeks time yet as I need the car the next 2 weekends.

I'm not sure about the Megs kit but the Autoglym was a similar price but without clear coat. So you just end up with them going yellow again... My MOT'er did not like them being yellowed so picked it up as an advisory. Mind you, they also picked up 60% worn pads as an advisory too lol 60% warn and been on there for at least 4 years.

So some updates. Pillar pod and gauges are installed - pic to follow later Broke my front splitter on the roads around Gaydon though... Next jobs are to restore my headlights. E-Tech do a kit that includes clearcoat. https://e-tech.uk.com/e-tech-headlight-lens-restoration-kit So probably a bumper off and headlight remove job, might need to wait a few weeks though. One my brother took from the show.

Hey all, Those of you running aftermarket gauges. Where did you pick up the illumination circuit? My preference would be to fuse tap somewhere as it's neat and easy to remove, but I don't there there is a fuse that is only live when the lights are on. I'd like to avoid pulling the radio if possible but if that's my only option....

So after speaking to Zmanalex, replacing the ball joints is no longer an option due to multiple fitment issues that have cropped up over the years. So, my job list to prep the car for the Road trip is; New Front Lower control arms New Track rod ends New front brake pads. Advantage is that it's all on the front. To be honest, I'm probably going to find a local garage to do the labour for me. I'm pretty busy with work these days so the ease of being able to drop the car off in the morning and pick it up in the afternoon is quite appealing. Plus, if those track rod ends are locked up (which is pretty common on any other car I've owned) then I've got no heat source to try and break them free. Only other things picked up on the inspection were Rear pads 60% (seems a non-issue to me!) Exhaust head shield corroded - Cat shields are held together with jubilee clips... Front lights are fading. Will have to polish these up again, but I have heard that clear coating afterward will help them stay clear.

@davey_83 so the ball joint / control arm setup on the 350z is a bit different to what I'm used to. Seems the ball joint is part of the wheel hub? Is the ball joint replaceable on these? Or did you just replace the boot on it? Edit, I think I just answered at least part of my own question. They seem to be replaceable.

100% and I'm normally a lot more on it than that, this one just caught me unawares it seems.

As if by magic. Cheers will check that out.

So, I had the car MOT'd and given the once over (in prep for the road trip) by Nissan today. After a brief panic due to it failing on the front tires, she passed with only a few minor advisories. Front tires were shot as it seems the tracking is out but that's a fix for another day. One of the things that got picked up on the inspection were that several of the gaiters on the front suspension are perishing. Both track rod ends and both ball joints were picked up on this. Can these be replaced without replacing the whole part? Other than low brake pads and some rust to the exhaust she got a clean bill of health. Can't argue with that for 122k miles!

I might join you for a partial run. As I'm down in Cardiff I won't make sense for me to meet you at Cannock. I could meet you at B - Lake Bala and then leave you at F - Lake Mwyngil. If you could let me know what time you expect to be at Bala, that'd be great.

Interesting. I'll have a chat with my friend and see if she knows it! Some nice bars around Ghent though. Ok so in between the work I was doing I didn't read that properly. That really is an "interesting" place.....

I can quite imagine getting lost in Ghent. Place is a maze.

Ouch..........

Yes, breakdown cover is on my list of things to sort too.

Do you still need the green card? I checked not to long ago and it seemed we didn't. I think maybe we did for a bit after Brexit then they got it sorted... I'll check regardless as my renewal is due shortly anyway. Travel Insurance I have through my bank but not health insurance so good shout.