Mat's BX Blog
- mat_fenwick
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Re: Mat's BX Blog
Hoped to do a spot of skiing today, so drove up into the hills to try and find some snow of any depth. Views not bad, although someone had parked their Disco in the way
Not much depth to the snow, but we gave it a try anyway!
And now for something that doesn't involve the white stuff - back to the BX. I thought while I'm dealing with the back end I'd better remove the back bumper and see if there were any rot spots that needed attending to. I've never actually taken the rear bumper off a BX, but it all came off easily enough. Even the two 10 mm headed bolts came out without rounding or shearing off!
It looks like all the years of cavity waxing the box sections and regularly rinsing salt away has paid off, as I reckon it looks pretty good for 20 years and 220k miles:
There are a couple of tiny blisters a few mm across, but that's all. I'll tidy those up and give it all a coat of wax while it's off. Still need to fix the outer wing support bracket on the nearside on, which will be easier with the bumper off.
Not much depth to the snow, but we gave it a try anyway!
And now for something that doesn't involve the white stuff - back to the BX. I thought while I'm dealing with the back end I'd better remove the back bumper and see if there were any rot spots that needed attending to. I've never actually taken the rear bumper off a BX, but it all came off easily enough. Even the two 10 mm headed bolts came out without rounding or shearing off!
It looks like all the years of cavity waxing the box sections and regularly rinsing salt away has paid off, as I reckon it looks pretty good for 20 years and 220k miles:
There are a couple of tiny blisters a few mm across, but that's all. I'll tidy those up and give it all a coat of wax while it's off. Still need to fix the outer wing support bracket on the nearside on, which will be easier with the bumper off.
- Vanny
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Re: Mat's BX Blog
I'm refusing to take my rear bumper off, i know how big the hole was last time i looked . . . god knows what its like 4 year on!
- electrokid
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Re: Mat's BX Blog
Ah - that's what it's meant to look likeas I reckon it looks pretty good for 20 years and 220k miles:
I does look good
I took the rear bumper off and had a good fettle a couple of years ago - but it needs doing again.
1992 BX19 TGD estate 228K Rusty - SORNed
2002 C5 HDi SX estate
2002 C5 HDi SX estate
- mat_fenwick
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Re: Mat's BX Blog
Today saw me attaching the wing support bracket. I was going to Sikaflex it on, but the metal on the inner wing ad a small hole once I ground off teh remains of the old bracket, so seeing as I was welding that on I welded the bracket in place too.
Crude but hopefully effective, and nobody will see it there. It's hot dip galvanised, so should last well!
Crude but hopefully effective, and nobody will see it there. It's hot dip galvanised, so should last well!
- Vanny
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Re: Mat's BX Blog
How are you outside working in this weather? I've been in the loft today and it was stupid cold up there, wouldn't like to try and wield any tools in the garage. Its also pitch black in the garage, stupid snow has covered up the moon roof
Ah well
Ah well
- mat_fenwick
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Re: Mat's BX Blog
It's a bit nippy but so long as I keep moving and am concentrating on something I'm fine. Welding generates heat anyway! Had to bring any aerosols inside the house to warm up.
It helps that it's a job I don't HAVE to do right now, I'm doing it because I find it satisfying. If I needed it for work the next day the temptation would be to do a rush job, which is much less enjoyable.
It helps that it's a job I don't HAVE to do right now, I'm doing it because I find it satisfying. If I needed it for work the next day the temptation would be to do a rush job, which is much less enjoyable.
- electrokid
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Re: Mat's BX Blog
That strut looks to be where the mudflap support rod is on mine - and your exhaust support hasn't rusted through yet - it's doing very well
Before use, I usually put aerosols in the kitchen sink with some hot water - even in summer !Had to bring any aerosols inside the house to warm up.
1992 BX19 TGD estate 228K Rusty - SORNed
2002 C5 HDi SX estate
2002 C5 HDi SX estate
- mat_fenwick
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Re: Mat's BX Blog
I confess I did have to weld the exhaust mount last year - although it hadn't rusted through, the stiffening plate which is spot welded to the shell had cracked. I just seam welded all the way around it, which would have been easier if I'd taken the bumper off. I just hadn't realised what a breeze it was to remove!
All repairs now primed and sealed, and I'll be spraying the inside of the wheel arch with underbody wax tomorrow.
All repairs now primed and sealed, and I'll be spraying the inside of the wheel arch with underbody wax tomorrow.
Re: Mat's BX Blog
Ahh so that's what's supposed to be there. I don't think mine has that on either side!mat_fenwick wrote:Today saw me attaching the wing support bracket. I was going to Sikaflex it on, but the metal on the inner wing ad a small hole once I ground off teh remains of the old bracket, so seeing as I was welding that on I welded the bracket in place too.
Crude but hopefully effective, and nobody will see it there. It's hot dip galvanised, so should last well!
Martin
1993 red BX 17 TZD 300000 miles.
http://www.herearephotos.co.uk
http://wilsonsthings.tumblr.com/
1993 red BX 17 TZD 300000 miles.
http://www.herearephotos.co.uk
http://wilsonsthings.tumblr.com/
- mat_fenwick
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Re: Mat's BX Blog
The original doesn't look anything like that though - it's a vertical thin piece of steel with the lower edge tapering upwards towards the wing. As Electrokid said, that's where the OE mudflaps fit to, but mine are just attached to the bumper. The 'shelf' behind the exhaust mount collects a massive amount of mud, so is worth blasting clean when you get chance.
Re: Mat's BX Blog
Ah, yeah, I was aware that there should be something there, and that when the nearside one fell off, because it has slightly wider tyres on (185s rather and 175s?) the arch relaxed to the point where it skimmed the tyre wall. But I'd never actually bothered before this happened to study them.
That whole area probably needs a good clean, and encouraged by your words on the ease of bumper removal, one day it might even get done.
That whole area probably needs a good clean, and encouraged by your words on the ease of bumper removal, one day it might even get done.
Martin
1993 red BX 17 TZD 300000 miles.
http://www.herearephotos.co.uk
http://wilsonsthings.tumblr.com/
1993 red BX 17 TZD 300000 miles.
http://www.herearephotos.co.uk
http://wilsonsthings.tumblr.com/
- mat_fenwick
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Re: Mat's BX Blog
Wheel arch now coated in underbody wax.
Wheel is now back on, and interior trim refitted. On to the next area for attention!
I've got the day off work tomorrow, so am planning to do a bit of green laning and find an abandoned village deep in the hills. Should be fun...
Wheel is now back on, and interior trim refitted. On to the next area for attention!
I've got the day off work tomorrow, so am planning to do a bit of green laning and find an abandoned village deep in the hills. Should be fun...
Re: Mat's BX Blog
Happy birthday!
Have a great day
Have a great day
Diagonally parked in a parallel universe
1991 TZD hatch (Triton Green)
1992 Hurricane
1991 TZD hatch (Triton Green)
1992 Hurricane
- mat_fenwick
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Re: Mat's BX Blog
Thanks! I had a fun day out, driving an easyish green lane locally - this was the trickiest part, although looks very easy in the photo.
One of the gateways was incredibly narrow; there was only a couple of inches on the other side. I kept the post on the driver's side nearest to minimise chances of scraping.
Then we found the ruined village:
That was followed by cinema, and dinner in an excellent Italian restaurant in Llandudno (Romeo's). Back to the daily grind tomorrow unfortunately, but at least I finish early on Fridays.
One of the gateways was incredibly narrow; there was only a couple of inches on the other side. I kept the post on the driver's side nearest to minimise chances of scraping.
Then we found the ruined village:
That was followed by cinema, and dinner in an excellent Italian restaurant in Llandudno (Romeo's). Back to the daily grind tomorrow unfortunately, but at least I finish early on Fridays.