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[TheBoy]

...game over for the Battlebus 

[henryd]

Why,what's it done ?

[GastronomicKleptomaniac]

I didn't touch it.

[Mr Skrunts]

It wasn't me either. .

[TheBoy]

Why,what's it done ?

The front wheels don't always point the right way...

[Doctor Gollum]

That's because steering and driving are mutually exclusive... 

[dave the builder]

Why,what's it done ?

The front wheels don't always point the right way...

there's a round thing in front of the driver's seat to re-position the front wheels 
oddly also called a wheel 

[henryd]

Why,what's it done ?

The front wheels don't always point the right way...

Front subframe rotted out??,common fault and easy fix as it doesn't hold the motor up

[VXL V6]

Why,what's it done ?

The front wheels don't always point the right way...

Try a Lexus IS200 for that issue 

[TheBoy]

Why,what's it done ?

The front wheels don't always point the right way...

Front subframe rotted out??,common fault and easy fix as it doesn't hold the motor up

Yup, subframe now longer holding the wishbone pivots in place.

Do you know what needs to come off to put on a new subframe?

[dave the builder]

IIRC it's the same subframe for astra G and H and Zafira A

you will probably need to replace the nuts that hold subframe to chassis areas (they rust really bad

nuts clicky 90468617   check EPC

[TheBoy]

IIRC it's the same subframe for astra G and H and Zafira A

you will probably need to replace the nuts that hold subframe to chassis areas (they rust really bad

nuts clicky 90468617   check EPC

I've been told that captive nuts need replacing, its probably unviable to replace subframe?  Is that correct?

[Doctor Gollum]

The following is based on a couple of assumptions:
1. All the captive nuts are in the chassis rail and can be accessed from the bumper end.

2. The bolts have either seized in place or the nuts are no longer captive. Remove the heads from the bolts. Destroy the old subframe if it helps. Cut the bolts at the chassis rail. Hammer the remnants into the chassis rail and remove with a sticky stick.


Some creative doing with a long flat spanner of suitable size and length.

Start with the rear ones as the front ones will be in the way. And work forwards on both sides equally. Go hand tight and torque up with an impact once positioned.

Obviously that all depends if you CBA and that the chassis rails are still box sections.

[TheBoy]

Just had a quick squint at TIS for doing the sub frame, and I lack the engine lining up tools, and messing with steering racks scares the crap out of me.

So I think it would be beyond me even if I was fit and well, but in my current condition with screwing my back again doing that bloody aux belt, no chance, even with Gixer's help (and thanks to Chris, he came over Saturday to help me find the cause of the steering issue, top man that he is).

Shame, seemed suddenly like a viable option, as subframe is around £180, so lets say £250 in bits, in order to get a couple more years from it until car prices become more palatable.


Back to autotrader/egay for cars

[VXL V6]

.......................in order to get a couple more years from it until car prices become more palatable.

I faced this exact problem when replacing the daily, prices were just rocketing as much as I could save each month, I considered the work needed to get the old daily MOT worthy and on the face of it it was a bit of welding and another used gearbox, but when you think about running it for a couple more years and the other things that would also need doing in that time (four tyres, diff seals, cambelt, wishbones etc) I just decided that once I found a suitable newer replacement I was better investing in the consumables for that and seeing a return (claiming back fuel and expenses for work etc) while paying less road tax and ppm for the fuel.

I think if you plan to keep a car for a fair number of years then the higher used prices just have to get absorbed into that longer term ownership.

[Viral_Jim]

Shame, seemed suddenly like a viable option, as subframe is around £180, so lets say £250 in bits, in order to get a couple more years from it until car prices become more palatable.

Is it worth asking the question to Serek / someone similar? £1,000 buys you fack all atm and as you say, you could get a few more years out of it with a decent mend.

[Doctor Gollum]

It goes without saying that it will be an absolute shit of a job on the deck.

But as the last two posts say, thems about your options.

Fundamentally it boils down to how many vehicles you currently have and if you can make do without it for a couple of months

[TheBoy]

Shame, seemed suddenly like a viable option, as subframe is around £180, so lets say £250 in bits, in order to get a couple more years from it until car prices become more palatable.

Is it worth asking the question to Serek / someone similar? £1,000 buys you fack all atm and as you say, you could get a few more years out of it with a decent mend.

Its not road safe, so any similar options involve paying for transportation, which starts to add up quite quickly.  But, yes, something to add in to the equation.

[TheBoy]

Fundamentally it boils down to how many vehicles you currently have and if you can make do without it for a couple of months

The reason that, once discovered, we were out looking at cars is we cannot make do for more than a few days.  We have now juggled stuff, so we should be good for about 10 days with just one (itself, slightly wounded) car.

[BazaJT]

You could always start a "What should I buy?" thread

[dave the builder]

IIRC it's the same subframe for astra G and H and Zafira A

you will probably need to replace the nuts that hold subframe to chassis areas (they rust really bad

nuts clicky 90468617   check EPC

I've been told that captive nuts need replacing, its probably unviable to replace subframe?  Is that correct?

Not unviable to replace the sub frame at all .
steering rack comes off with the subframe (loom for P/S pump needs disconnecting )  ,
so fit it to the replacement frame while it's off the car.
engine and box can stay in supported ,
captive nuts in my link
I have a spare subframe just in case (but treated all our cars with anti rust ) , not a job i've done but I would if i had too ,not difficult , youtube videos probably exist as a guide .

[dave the builder]

As for engine lining up tools , i've never bothered when i've had an engine out 
there's not much adjustment on anything , so subframe should bolt back in exactly the same place the old one was .
witness marks from bolts on engine mounts i use to put back to "as was" 
people sell cars for a reason ,so any cheap second hand car will have issues and need work.
it all depends on time vs money with a big dollop of luck to find anything half decent .

[Doctor Gollum]

Alabama Mumsybus is a good load lugger. Open to offers

[Migv6 le Frog Fan]

I have an economical little french car I may be talked into parting with.       

[TheBoy]

Alabama Mumsybus is a good load lugger. Open to offers

How much would you give me to take it off your hands?

[STEMO]

Shame, seemed suddenly like a viable option, as subframe is around £180, so lets say £250 in bits, in order to get a couple more years from it until car prices become more palatable.

Is it worth asking the question to Serek / someone similar? £1,000 buys you fack all atm and as you say, you could get a few more years out of it with a decent mend.

Its not road safe, so any similar options involve paying for transportation, which starts to add up quite quickly.  But, yes, something to add in to the equation.

I was ready to get rid of my astra, until I was shown sense on this forum. I've already spent close to £700 on it, and I'm expecting another £500 or so. So...around £1200 to keep it on the road for, hopefully, another couple of years. No brainer.
Admittedly, mine is drivable, which makes things a lot easier. But I'm guessing, like me, you've had a trawl through all the usual places. There's nothing decent out there for less than five grand, and even then you're buying an unknown.

[Migv6 le Frog Fan]

Alabama Mumsybus is a good load lugger. Open to offers

How much would you give me to take it off your hands?

All it needs is a woodruff key.  *



*Which appears to be an integral part of the cam pulley. Once thats sourced and everything reassembled, it may just need another engine. 

[Doctor Gollum]

Alabama Mumsybus is a good load lugger. Open to offers

How much would you give me to take it off your hands?

A grand a seat would see it delivered.

[Migv6 le Frog Fan]

I assumed he was replying to me. Maybe Im getting a little bit paranoid. 

[Keith ABS]

 I have a 60 plate Navara Tekna auto here for sale if you fancy a larger load lugger

[Marks DTM Calib]

Subframe on/off is not that hard

No engine alignment tools needed, you just have to support the engine gearbox from above (also not hard).

Can do done on the drive, I ahev even done a full clutch and flywheel change on the drive!

[TheBoy]

Alabama Mumsybus is a good load lugger. Open to offers

How much would you give me to take it off your hands?

A grand a seat would see it delivered.

So you'd give me a few grand to take it off your hands

[TheBoy]

I have a 60 plate Navara Tekna auto here for sale if you fancy a larger load lugger

Thanks, but way too big for her.

[TheBoy]

Subframe on/off is not that hard

No engine alignment tools needed, you just have to support the engine gearbox from above (also not hard).

Can do done on the drive, I ahev even done a full clutch and flywheel change on the drive!

You're making it sound easier than I imagine it is.  I'm having visions of it being a bitch to remove with 20yrs of things seizing, and being under a fair chunk of metal that I'm trying to pry off when it falls...   ...and the refit is the hard bit, trying to balance it on a jack, whilst jiggling it around to lift onto steering column spline, again with me between it and its final landing place on the drive

[Andy B]

Subframe on/off is not that hard

No engine alignment tools needed, you just have to support the engine gearbox from above (also not hard).

Can do done on the drive, I ahev even done a full clutch and flywheel change on the drive!

You're making it sound easier than I imagine it is.  I'm having visions of it being a bitch to remove with 20yrs of things seizing, and being under a fair chunk of metal that I'm trying to pry off when it falls...   ...and the refit is the hard bit, trying to balance it on a jack, whilst jiggling it around to lift onto steering column spline, again with me between it and its final landing place on the drive

Admittedly it was probably about 10 years ago but I replaced a gearbox on an Astra G on my drive which involved dropping the subframe. I did get a mate to give me a lift doing it though. Not sure what I did re supporting the engine .... I can only think I put a jack under the sump as I didn't have a proper support over the top.

[Viral_Jim]

I had to drop the subframe (about 2") to do the clutch change on the Zaf, I put a piece of 4"x2" across the inner wings and used 2x 300kg ratchet straps through the engine lifting eyes to hold it. Keeps the underside completely free for a sweaty fat man to roll around under it. 

I suspect that's similar to how VX would do it as there looks to be a receiver on top of each wing for some sort of engine lifting brace/tool.

 

[TheBoy]

Any ideas how to get the majority of the fuel out of the tank on one of these, before it goes off to its new life as baked beanz tins?

[Doctor Gollum]

Crack the return line into a bucket and run it until it conks out. 

[dave the builder]

Any ideas how to get the majority of the fuel out of the tank on one of these, before it goes off to its new life as baked beanz tins?

they have an in tank electric fuel pump
Astra G has a plastic access panel under rear seat ,not sure about Zafira A 
there are quick connects on the fuel filter though under the bonnet ,
IIRC there is a fuel level switch or sensor in the filter housing

Crack the return line into a bucket and run it until it conks out. 

I've tried that on the same model Zafira A  ,it's not that simple

[TheBoy]

I thought these Zaffy dirty diesels didn't have an electric pump, relying purely on the main diesel pump, hence all the issues with re-priming?

I need the car to be "working" because the scrappy I use gives different rates depending on whether or not it can be driven onto their lorry.


Or is it worth a punt chucking it on Gaybay as a spares or repair only?

[dave the builder]

I thought these Zaffy dirty diesels didn't have an electric pump, relying purely on the main diesel pump, hence all the issues with re-priming?

I need the car to be "working" because the scrappy I use gives different rates depending on whether or not it can be driven onto their lorry.


Or is it worth a punt chucking it on Gaybay as a spares or repair only?

Used car prices are VERY HIGH ,even spares or repairs cars are selling well .

https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=zafira+spares+repair&_sacat=0&rt=nc&LH_Sold=1&LH_Complete=1

also auto trader ,,get a friend to stick it on facebook market place etc

even spares or repair with an MOT i'd expect $500

[Sir Tigger KC]

I thought these Zaffy dirty diesels didn't have an electric pump, relying purely on the main diesel pump, hence all the issues with re-priming?

I need the car to be "working" because the scrappy I use gives different rates depending on whether or not it can be driven onto their lorry.


Or is it worth a punt chucking it on Gaybay as a spares or repair only?

Used car prices are VERY HIGH ,even spares or repairs cars are selling well .

https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=zafira+spares+repair&_sacat=0&rt=nc&LH_Sold=1&LH_Complete=1

also auto trader ,,get a friend to stick it on facebook market place etc

even spares or repair with an MOT i'd expect $500

That's quite good given the exchange rate! 

[dave the builder]

I thought these Zaffy dirty diesels didn't have an electric pump, relying purely on the main diesel pump, hence all the issues with re-priming?

I need the car to be "working" because the scrappy I use gives different rates depending on whether or not it can be driven onto their lorry.


Or is it worth a punt chucking it on Gaybay as a spares or repair only?

Used car prices are VERY HIGH ,even spares or repairs cars are selling well .

https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=zafira+spares+repair&_sacat=0&rt=nc&LH_Sold=1&LH_Complete=1

also auto trader ,,get a friend to stick it on facebook market place etc

even spares or repair with an MOT i'd expect $500

That's quite good given the exchange rate! 

A typo ,should be £ 

but even $500 is still £415 English 

[Andy B]

Any ideas how to get the majority of the fuel out of the tank on one of these, before it goes off to its new life as baked beanz tins?

When I scrapped an Astra G diseasal, I shoved the suction tube of my Pela oil sucker-up-erer down the feed pipe to the fuel filter in the engine bay and sucked it out. Admittedly there wasn't much fuel in it

[Marks DTM Calib]

I thought these Zaffy dirty diesels didn't have an electric pump, relying purely on the main diesel pump, hence all the issues with re-priming?

I need the car to be "working" because the scrappy I use gives different rates depending on whether or not it can be driven onto their lorry.


Or is it worth a punt chucking it on Gaybay as a spares or repair only?

Correct, the VP44 based diesels do not have a lift pump, it would be a case of connect the fuel feed pipe, via the primer bulb, to a receptacle

[TheBoy]

I thought these Zaffy dirty diesels didn't have an electric pump, relying purely on the main diesel pump, hence all the issues with re-priming?

I need the car to be "working" because the scrappy I use gives different rates depending on whether or not it can be driven onto their lorry.


Or is it worth a punt chucking it on Gaybay as a spares or repair only?

Correct, the VP44 based diesels do not have a lift pump, it would be a case of connect the fuel feed pipe, via the primer bulb, to a receptacle

I'd considered that, but discounted it on a couple of points - it'd take forever and I'd end up with wrists like Popeye , and I have visions of it being a pig to rebleed, as I remember last time far too well!