I've been busy with moving house recently so things like the cars have taken a slight backseat while I'm sorting everything else out. That being said, I did put Hayley through for an MOT to try and at least baseline what else needed to be done and hoped that she would pass so I could get using her. Sadly it wasn't meant to be, which I will come onto shortly. One thing that's been bothering me is the grill (of all things) as I miss the signature GTI red stripe, so bought myself another one off eBay which wasn't exactly the best condition:
It's also missing the two top clips but these really aren't that necessary as it screws into the slam panel anyway and secures nicely. I broke out the glue gun and got to seal it back together:
So onto the results of the MOT. Well, when I was called up by the receptionist for the garage, the term "failed miserably" was used, which was a bit unfair but the list goes like this:
Do not drive until repaired (dangerous defects):Offside Macpherson strut mounting fractured (5.3.3 (b) (ii))
Nearside Track rod end ball joint worn to the extent there is a serious risk of detachment lock nut lose (2.1.3 (b) (ii))
Offside Track rod end ball joint worn to the extent there is a serious risk of detachment lock nut lose (2.1.3 (b) (ii))
Brake load sensing valve inoperative and ABS not fitted or inoperative (1.1.17 (c) (ii))
Repair immediately (major defects):Bonnet primary retaining device ineffective (3.1 (c))
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength jacking point area (5.3.6 (a) (i))
Repair as soon as possible (minor defects):Offside Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))
Monitor and repair if necessary (advisories):Steering wheel very close to column switches
Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material front to rear (1.1.11 (c))
Nearside Rear Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))
Offside Rear Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))
Nearside Rear Road wheel slightly distorted (5.2.2 (c) (i))
Offside Rear Road wheel slightly distorted (5.2.2 (c) (i))
Park brake effort on minimum percentage to pass
Rear service brake effort low
So starting from the top of the list, the tie rods and rear bearings were simply where I'd not tightened the locking nuts properly and instead of the garage just tightening them (literally a few minutes work) they just failed it. The top mount being broken is a bit off as I had the suspension off the front as you can see but when I inspected it I didn't see a split but I haven't yet removed it again to look. The more pressing issues are the brake regulator for the rear brakes and the front jacking point. I did have trouble bleeding the rear brakes so that one makes sense and I knew about the jacking point but didn't think it would fail but lesson learned.
The wheels are another issue that I've already addressed:
Bought them off eBay, the story goes that they were removed from the car by the dealer at purchase and been stored ever since. They're genuine G60 steels in a 15x6J size with an ET45 which is 10mm more than the Sebring wheels I currently run which is nice. Plus the tyres will swap straight over so it's a cost-effective way to carry on the G60-theme that seems to be running through the car now. The MOT guy did say to me the wheels were probably OK but the fact the tyre shop advised fitting them to the rear and now they've been picked up under the safety inspection they have to go.
The windscreen needed replacing when I bought the car so that's no surprise and the brake lines were also needed to be done. Just a lesson that skipping jobs to speed things up doesn't work...
And now the elephant in the room. The jacking point. It's not something I can resolve myself, especially when it looks like this:
Luckily for me, there are some body shops/painters just 10 minutes drive down the road so I popped into them for a chat, turns out there an awesome bunch of guys:
https://en-gb.facebook.com/leadfoot.racing.lfr/Check out the crazy TDI Corrado they've just finished, the thing is insanely awesome in the metal. Keep an eye out for it when touring around at shows. We discussed options and came to a plan to cut away the jacking points, plate them with fresh metal and use box steel from the sill to the chassis leg to create a much strong, reinforced jacking point. This will allow me to safely get the car up in the air without worrying about damaging the floor which is essential as this project will require a lot more work yet. There will definitely be much more work from these guys being done, just right now time and money (as always) don't allow for the full-scale crazy plans.
To end this update, here's how she currently stands with a new grill:
Oh wait, one more thing...
Yes, that's Harriet, the other car that appears to have dropped off the radar. Well, the old 1.6 engine is out and sat waiting to be scrapped (unless someone wants to come to grab it for free) and I've fitted the Corrado VR6 front cross member. Got to source a VR6 subframe and gearbox, going to opt for a 5 speed for the short term just to get the car driving and functional. It means parts are easily available off the shelf and cheap enough I can get it together sooner than trying to get the 6 speed working. I'm trying to get back to her once a month at least now to get things moving again.
