TD4 SAGA!

Hello All

Not sure if anyone remembers...I have been 'rebuilding/fabricating/fixing/breaking/remaking/crying/swearing/laughing/cursing/praying/wishing' my life away in my 'garage' fixing a 1 inch hole in the nearside sill and a 'dodgy' steering column.....after a very short (10mins worth of testing) 'fail'on an MOT..(think it was on 2019 or something........)

After cutting back to 'good' metal...20cm by 15cm and eventually patching the thing(after removing the rear suspension, removing the bushes and shot blasting the components and painting said components and replacing the bushes) and...(forgot the hubs and wheel bearing and tank support etc) removing the shocks repairing the inner arches paining 7 coats of primer ...(new sealant where needed/rust removed/treated) 7 coats of Upol black paint(NOT a sponsor) Bild and Hammer cavity spray (or do they make that tooth powder) New suspension bolts all round...and new ABS sensors after fitting some nice brake bits in the rear.....I found the three amigos on the dash...'Standard' I though these things will go out on the 'self test' bit when the ignition is switched on...Alas it was not to be... I was thinking that it would just be a one for one replacement. Had to break out my Tough book thingy wotsisface diagnostic whizzbang. I have not switched it on for 2 years at least. Anyhoo....after an hour of trying to connect itty the TD4 I found the correct method of connecting and then I was 'in'..Fault codes were read and after a bit of fiddling about they were deleted and the '3 amigos got...'disappeared'...now haven't verified the fix (replaced the old ABS sensors with new) but watching youpor....I mean youtube the erasing of the fault codes should reset the warning lights (Los tres amigos mio) it seems they will stay off...lets see..?

Its been a long road for me..NO experience in MIG welding...now much experience and not afraid to try stuff...and hands on fabrication (which I have done before) and spanner weilding. When I started I had 'some tools'...Now I have a lot of tools. I bought a 20 tonne press and a set of OEM bushes for the rear suspension. blasting cabinet and compressor also. The cost of the press and bushes togther was much cheaper than buying new suspension arms/links etc...I hate to think what the cost of getting this done at a specialist would have been or replacement at a JLR stealership? Despite the time taken...it has been worthwhile just doing this (I have an old Jaguar that needs restoring...properly and some of the skills required have been 'worked on' on the TD4..my daughters car)

The TD4 sits on its wheels for the first time in 3 plus years..awaiting its suspension torqued and a bit of 'spannering up' etc...Rear Mudflaps re fitting and the tow bar also along with a new towing electric socket..and the rear interior plastic refitted. I will also fit a 'good' column tomorrow .

Also the hand brake adjusted...I noticed on the diagnistic Toughbook that the TEVES system can be bled viad a diagnoictic method...I may try that also.

I attach a photo of the forlorn but 'still with it' TD4..

Cheers

Malcolm

That's a long road, but you have learned new skills. A lot like myself, no mechanic education or background, I just started doing things some 15 years ago with old cars. Got myself a Kemppi mig couple of years ago and learned welding.

Such devotion to the cause, needs it reward for persistence or perseverance. so when are you selling it

Haha I may have to already have two other cars.

I bought this TD4 in 2017 for my daughter when she expecting her 3rd child. He was born and then the MOT fail happened.. I work away for 5 days a week so actual time on task would have to be when I was at home. After missing several deadlines (self imposed) my daughter bought a C90 Volvo.

She had to as was when she was expecting baby number 5 and using her mums Honda Hazz had worn thin. My grandkids keep asking when they’ll get their car back. Never, seems the likely outcome.

I’m not finished as of yet. I have to clean the paintwork having made the mistake of ‘assuming’ it would be fixed in very short order. It is now covered in a mixture of grinding dust(not good) bird poop..(a bit) and the usual dust you’d expect to land on immaculate paint work when you ‘park a car up’ and maybe forget it… torquing bolts etc today and maybe steering column today though. I still have to go over the front as it been sat so long.

Well done for the result and for sticking with it. The rewards of 'I did that' are worth it, honest !!

Nice story!

Hope you've enjoyed yourself along the way (as well as all the grief).

GrumpyGel said:

Nice story!

Hope you've enjoyed yourself along the way (as well as all the grief).

Click to expand...

I’m glad I did I now have just enough knowledge to get myself into some real trouble.. and maybe some more to get myself back out again. Everyday is a learning curve but spannering and knowing how to use basic tools is a game changer.. as are buying some specialised tools that save time.