Long story but finally got my car back today and drove it work. Loving it.

Annoying things that have happened while i dropped it off for a simple stereo fit and getting the door card trimmed 3 months ago (i'm too relaxed and forgiving until i snapped on Tuesday) include 300 miles added on to the my car which means it's now at 38100. That's almost half what i've done in it and i drove it back from London. I had B12 kit fitted (but the rear beam was seized - so that's next) and adjustable drop links (and and a reconditioned standard steering rack which i never asked for i had put on again because the PH1 VTS one i was sold was actually PH2) and now on the drive to work it bangs going over speed bumps at around 15mph. I've had the top mounts changed and also a strut brace fitted. I've tried bouncing on the front of the car to recreate the noise but i can't. I've got another PH1 Steering rack i bought of Ash which i'll fit which has track rod ends etc (i think!) fitted. I'll try do that and the rear beam myself. The issue i have is that Glasgow has had 190% of the normal rain and getting out to work on the car is gonna be tough.

BUT with all that stupidity and not having the car for 3 months. I'm loving having it back.

Think my first job will this weekend will be fitting new boss and steering wheel so i can get comfy in it. And then i'm gonna go a wee drive to see how she is before take the front end off.

I'll probably also replace the PAS Steering pump with a reconditioned one as i'm replacing two fly wheels below it which are squeaking at bit when i take the steering rack off. Just need to see how fit and brave i'm feeling to do this on my own!

Anyway pointless thread to say - be prepared for lots more stupid questions as i try to finally get my 6 in the shape i want it and then take it up to Knockhill and try not to bin it!

________________________________________

Turned 40 and in true cliched fashion buying one of the cars of my teenage dreams!

Thanks and the other 'typical me' thing that has happened

I bought some lights to blackmask and while the car was away I had a new double oven fitted (forgetting about the car!) so i can't get the lights in (each separate compartment too small) to heat up to split apart!

________________________________________

Turned 40 and in true cliched fashion buying one of the cars of my teenage dreams!

hot air gun will soon loosing the glue but don't get to close or leave on an area for to long,iv done loads with a hot air gun works a treat lol

________________________________________

cherry rallye daily (the money pit)

Glad you have got it back, thought you had disappeared!

I also have a clonk over bumps that my mechanic thinks is steering rack related...so interested to hear what you do next!!

Glad to hear it. No idea why you are bothering with the rack, I've always been happy with the standard.

Rear beam before you do anything else

________________________________________

Nothing to see here

There's a guy on OC that does beams as well. I know a few people that have got Imaxle beams and they've all been good apart from 1 that the company looked at directly to find the problem.

________________________________________

Rallye Race Car

Get welshpug to build one and ship it up to you.

Smaller steering wheel helps. Could be the subframe bolts for the knocking

________________________________________

Nothing to see here

I'd be asking them to explain the extra 300 miles.......they better have a decent reason.....

________________________________________

Cherry Red Rallye .... On going OEM spec resto

China Blue GTi6 .... Weekend toy

Black 208 GTi .... Wife's car now

Silver BMW 550i.... The executive missile

^ This. I really dont know why people rave about the ph1 VTS racks..... I had one fitted on my old astor (was Matt's on here) and I much preferred the standard rack. Sure, the ph1 was better around town/ parking but on an open road I found it was too sensitive and made the car feel twitchy. I had my standard Rallye at the same time and driving them back to back the standard setup was far more precise. Way I see it, if it was better surely Pug would have fitted it from new??

________________________________________

Bianca white 306 Rallye
Arctic blue Clio 182 FF
Alpine white 205 1.9 GTI

I'll stick on the boss and new wheel over weekend and assess.

Will get rear beam ordered next week (cough mei!) and get that on in a couple of weeks.

________________________________________

Turned 40 and in true cliched fashion buying one of the cars of my teenage dreams!

I guess it's a subjective thing then?! How is the Astor serving you? Any other mods or are you just keeping on top of the cleaning?

________________________________________

Bianca white 306 Rallye
Arctic blue Clio 182 FF
Alpine white 205 1.9 GTI

Couldn't agree more with this^^^

Go and get some answers out of them!!!

________________________________________

99/S Carbon Gti-5

As everything is I guess. Astor doing wonderfully, the B12 kit is incredible. No mods planned really, might install the AC and hopefully get it working. Thinking Italy next summer and don't think I could stand it without the AC. Most of my mates are p**sing away £££'s each month on finance Corsas so don't mind spending a bit getting that working. It's being used as my daily and loving it. Just want to keep it clean and keep on top of maintenance really, it's nice not having to play catch up.

Toyed with the idea of SC but for the same money I'd probably rather get a bike or a proper track car, on twisty roads standard power is more than enough and blasting dual carriageways at silly speeds is kind of boring and not what the car is about.

________________________________________

1999 Astor Grey GTi-6 OEM+