daveo132

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.

I did mange to book a table in my very broken French in Spa a few years back. They didn't speak English but I got us a table. Fingers were used to for counting.... Then we were joined by our friends who live out there, so speak perfect Dutch, French and English. Put's us to shame really.

That's not a bad idea. I was just thinking about packing a basic tool kit for any issues but didn't think about a few spare sensors. Thankfully have an OBD scanner and torque on the phone should I need to use it for basic code reading too.

Trying to get your post count up @HEADPHONES?

Does anyone know if there is a fuse in the engine bay that I can tap. Which is only live when the lights (side or dipped) are on? I've got a list of fuses below, but I think both 76 & 86 are live at all times. Basically I'm trying to find an easy place to tap for illumination but really don't want to pull the radio out. Assignment of the fuses and relays in the Engine Compartment Fuse Box №1 № Amp Description 71 10 Tail Lamp Relay (Parking Lamp, License Lamp, Tail Lamp, Illumination, Headlamp Aiming Control System) 72 10 Headlamp High, Daytime Light System 73 30 Front Wiper Relay 74 10 Headlamp High, Daytime Light System 75 20 Rear Window Defogger Relay 76 15 Headlamp Low 77 15 Engine Control Module Relay 78 15 IPDM E/R 79 10 Air Conditioner Relay 80 20 Rear Window Defogger Relay 81 15 Fuel Pump Relay 82 10 ESP/TCS/ABS Control System 83 10 Back-Up Lamp, Theft Warning System 84 10 Front Wiper and Washer, Rear Wiper and Washer 85 15 Heated Oxygen Sensor, Fuel Injection System Function, Air Fuel Ratio Sensor 86 15 Headlamp Low 87 15 Throttle Control Motor Relay 88 15 Not Used 89 10 Starting System, MIL & Data Link Connectors

I'm just passing straight past there on the motorway. Fingers crossed that won't be too bad. While I'm fine driving on the continent, I don't think I'm too up for major city driving just yet!!