what have you done to your car today ?

[Battoussai]

MOT day and just the one failure - contaminated brake fluid! My garage are certainly on it with the brake fluid

What?? They check the brake fluid at MOT on UK? On Europe they just press the brakes to check the braking strength and equal distribution on wheels.

 

[Alexis27]

Hydraulic brake fluid level checks are confined to transparent reservoirs, reservoir caps should not be removed. On many vehicles, you will not be able to see if the brake fluid is contaminated. You should only fail a vehicle if you can clearly see that the fluid is contaminated.

 

[Nam-uk]

What?? They check the brake fluid at MOT on UK? On Europe they just press the brakes to check the braking strength and equal distribution on wheels.

Don't temped fate you'll be next lol

 

[Manic172]

Saw these.. somepeople might like them for some thing different. Just need a 3d printer. Or some know some one who has. . I might go for some

 

[Manic172]

Oooo another box

 

[iammooks]

Wanted to change the cat yesterday but called it off as the new cat was flared and the old one wasn't. Could be a great excuse for a new exhaust, but it's tough when I don't actually need one...

You can see that the old cat is straight all the way and goes into the cat back section, but the new cat is the other way round and is flared at the end. Here's hoping I can send it back.

Was going to do an oil change anyway though, so got that done. Found some rust on the offside sill at the bottom of the front wing, so that's another job to be done, though maybe in warmer times...


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[iammooks]

Wanted to change the cat yesterday but called it off as the new cat was flared and the old one wasn't. Could be a great excuse for a new exhaust, but it's tough when I don't actually need one...

You can see that the old cat is straight all the way and goes into the cat back section, but the new cat is the other way round and is flared at the end. Here's hoping I can send it back.

Was going to do an oil change anyway though, so got that done. Found some rust on the offside sill at the bottom of the front wing, so that's another job to be done, though maybe in warmer times...


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Looking at this now, I'm wondering if I've made a mistake.

It's really hard getting a good close look at this under the car, but if I zoom in, it looks like there's a sleeve around both ends? Still not sure how that would work without there being a leak, but if anyone's done anything on the stock exhaust and knows better than me, that'd be super helpful...

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[Nam-uk]

Wanted to change the cat yesterday but called it off as the new cat was flared and the old one wasn't. Could be a great excuse for a new exhaust, but it's tough when I don't actually need one...

You can see that the old cat is straight all the way and goes into the cat back section, but the new cat is the other way round and is flared at the end. Here's hoping I can send it back.

Was going to do an oil change anyway though, so got that done. Found some rust on the offside sill at the bottom of the front wing, so that's another job to be done, though maybe in warmer times...


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That’s wear the rust well hole was on mine but I had to take side skirt off, when done I treated both inside bottom wings, it’s a common rust area and mine weren’t even full of leafs ect
I used a fibre glass filler after removing rust

 

[iammooks]

That’s wear the rust well hole was on mine but I had to take side skirt off, when done I treated both inside bottom wings, it’s a common rust area and mine weren’t even full of leafs ect
I used a fibre glass filler after removing rust

Yeah - that's the corner where loads of things collect. There's a lot of moss that tends to collect there. I've cleaned out the bits that get clogged with leaves, but it's a pain having to keep coming back to it. Bilt Hamber Deox Gel has been a lifesaver in the past. I'm thinking I might even take the whole wing off and make sure it's really well treated on the other side.


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[Nam-uk]

Yeah - that's the corner where loads of things collect. There's a lot of moss that tends to collect there. I've cleaned out the bits that get clogged with leaves, but it's a pain having to keep coming back to it. Bilt Hamber Deox Gel has been a lifesaver in the past. I'm thinking I might even take the whole wing off and make sure it's really well treated on the other side.


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Just taking the inner splash guard off you can see all the wing easily, both of mine were fine it’s just the bottom on one that rusted though I thought it was a drain hole a few years ago lol as I didn’t take the inner door to wing cover off, passenger side was fine, I just waxoil/under sealed both inside I’m going to to check in summer again as I’ve got some inner guard clips on the wing to replace

And if there’s a hole theses are very handy for taking all the rust out back to new steel

Rotary Rasp Set

For shaping wood plastics and light alloys. 6mm shank for use in power drills.

www.toolstation.com

 

[Manic172]

Started having a little play and measure up

 

[Alexis27]

Got a replacement head unit from Halfords after I sent a big legal letter to head office. Reluctantly agreed as a "goodwill gesture" even though it's the fuking law.

 

[Nam-uk]

The good old good will gesture chestnut

 

[Ivan Ryban]

Dear fellow Seaters

have you got any experience with Silver project parts? I have read a lot of negative feedback about their adjustable front top mounts, but what I need right now right now are rear control arms, namely toe arm (lower) and camber arm (upper U shaped). They seem very solidly made, I dare guess they would be much tougher and long lasting than any oem or standard aftermarket oem replacements (with a benefit of being adjustable). They are extremely reasonably priced, actually only slightly more expensive than some of the higher quality oem replacements. Other adjustable alternatives are much more costly and, honestly, if the SPs can do the job, why would I look for more expensive alternatives? If you could share your experience, positive or negative with this company, I will be grateful. Thanks

 

[Manic172]

Dear fellow Seaters

have you got any experience with Silver project parts? I have read a lot of negative feedback about their adjustable front top mounts, but what I need right now right now are rear control arms, namely toe arm (lower) and camber arm (upper U shaped). They seem very solidly made, I dare guess they would be much tougher and long lasting than any oem or standard aftermarket oem replacements (with a benefit of being adjustable). They are extremely reasonably priced, actually only slightly more expensive than some of the higher quality oem replacements. Other adjustable alternatives are much more costly and, honestly, if the SPs can do the job, why would I look for more expensive alternatives? If you could share your experience, positive or negative with this company, I will be grateful. Thanks

I guess you have a fr4. There is a company called cbautos who do some very nice stuff and very good quality. I would recommended to have a look. https://www.cbauto.co.uk/
It's always better to pay for quality but don't pay over the top tho.

 

[Ivan Ryban]

I guess you have a fr4. There is a company called cbautos who do some very nice stuff and very good quality. I would recommended to have a look. https://www.cbauto.co.uk/
It's always better to pay for quality but don't pay over the top tho.

Thanks for your suggestion. Yes, Freetrack it is. And I had checked the offer of CBAuto before posting my previous comment, because I read a heated discussion on another forum on Silver Project vs CB Auto rear control arms. However, and, please, correct me if I am looking wrong, but I do not seem to be able to find the rear control arms offer on CBAuto's website anymore. All they offer now are poly bushings, some big brake kits and some other few items, but control arms are not among them..

If you could suggest another manufacturer of quality control arms, I will definately consider your advise, I understand it and I do want reliable parts on my car. Or better yet, if you could comment on the quality of Silver project ones, like I initially inquired, that would be great, because finding out that is currently my primary objective. I do not want to go stubbornly cheap, but I have no wish to pay double the price either, especially if I do not run into any relevant negative reviews on PS.. because that (at least 1,5 - 2x as much) is roughly the price of control arms from any other performance control arm manufacturer.

Thanks

 

[MoToJoJo]

Here are the CBAuto ones ( I think)

You're looking for the reason to buy/not buy the SP ones. I've got the SP top mounts, they're alright, feel made well enough for the money (haven't fitted them yet as they're for a future upgrade) but others haven't complained about them.

In the end, if you want the best then go to KW, CBAutos, Compbrake, Hardrace etc and don't worry about price so much. If price is your concern then the SP are worth taking a chance on (they aren't that far off standard prices tbh).

Just my opinion

 

[Ivan Ryban]

Very well, you are not quite right. I do have a reason to replace control arms and I am looking for a reasonable option. I have searched rather thoroughly, judged the options etc. and ended up asking the question I did, i.e. if anyone can share their experience with SP arms That is what I still need to know. Also, if you have a plausible alternative to this producer (quality wise with rational pricing).

I know there are indeed other options, but, as I said, I am going for rationality, and the others seem neither more robust, nor better welded (judgind from the pictures only..) to me. Moreover, the control arms are only two small bits of all the parts that could be (and, knowing myslef, will be) upgraded, so I do not feel the urge of throwing absurd amounts of money at the car for every little bit. Because, contrary to what you say, the SP prices are radically lower than the other alternatives, even the ones you suggest. To be more specific, even for the options you suggest.. CBAuto, Compbrake or KW do not offer specific products for my particular car, and they are severalfold more expensive than the SP. I do not want this to be about money, I usually do not have problem throwing money at the car, and have installed some nice parts, but honestly, this is a Freetrack and I do not have a sponsor with unlimited budget for building it into a track car.... and offering me a KW toe bar for 1200 EUR where I can buy one from SP for 90 EUR, are you crazy? The only viable alternative here is Hardrace, which is "only" 2 times more expensive (3 times with pillow balls), but it offers rubber bushings where I would prefer PU. Again, I do not want this to be about money and if you offer me a reasonable alternative I will be glad to consider, but 6-times-the.price KW's is not a rational alternative, nor is a verified quality producer who does not make parts for my car.... Moreover, all of these producers (including Hardrace) will offer the lower toe arm at the best, where I need also a solid upper camber arm which none of them offers (except SP, of course). Neither am I trying to justify the SP purchase to myself, I truly want to have my question answered.

Thanks

 

[MoToJoJo]

Yanno, I wrote a long post in reply explaining each point you raised to my original post as clearly there was a misunderstanding.

Then something clicked and so I've deleted it so I can ask one question.

Is your vehicle an Altea Freetrack?

 

[Ivan Ryban]

Yes, My car is Freetrack.

Your original post:

Ok, there's been a misunderstanding here so let me see if I can clarify.

The options offered were camber arms.

They all fit the Audi TT 8N 4WD which has the exact same setup as the Leon 1M 4WD. To that end, because we didn't get the 4WD version in the UK so the number of people able to answer the question are very small to zero, here's a link to a discussion from an Audi TT forum

Where on earth the €1200 for KW versions came from I don't know as the price I saw was just over £300 the set (not cheap but KW are on the same level as Bilstein).

You cannot tell quality from a picture on the internet, especially not one that doesn't zoom in on the welds.

I too don't mind spending money on suspension (KW V3s are not cheap), but I have SP top mounts ready to go on. Are they camber arms? No, but the quality is good for the price and most companies are consistent on their quality, so I'm speaking about the company.

My final point was that for the price, it's worth the risk (in my opinion). Worst case (apart from throwing them away) is getting someone to weld some strengthening tabs to make them better.

My reply:

The toe arms and camber arms for freetrack are the same as Golf 6, Audi A3 or Leon 1P (not 1M), regardless of 4WD or not. So anyone with Leon/Golf6/Audi A3 8P (which, I believe, constitutes majority of the market ) can answer. Therefore I am looking at a different product than you are suggesting, and I am not able to find anything in the KW, CBauto, Forge or Megan Racing. So basically it boils down to SP and hardrace And, of course a long list of high quality, but still US based brands (ETS, GODSPEED etc.), which I do not feel like importing into EU, because their price starts at 3x SP and the customs make it even more expensive..

As you say, I am especially interested in hearing about arms, because the adjustable front top mounts are just the item I found plenty of negative feedback on, that is what has me hesitating. On the other hand, I cannot imagine what could go wrong with a (simplified) threaded rod with welded PU silentblocks on both ends, apart from miserable welding.. so I consider it a rather safe buy..

Your final point I like, and that is mos likely what I will do. Try the SP and in the worst case scenario, either change the bushings for Powerflex or strenghten the construction.. If you are aware of any other brands I can contemplate (and I can buy inside EU), I will be glad to hear. Otherwise, thanks for your philosophical help and I guess I will be ordering SPs soon. Also, good luck and long live to your front top SP mounts

Cheers