hickster

Sounds like a gearbox issue (but won't hurt to check condition of clutch fluid and check the seperator fork is moving freely). As Simpo says new MTF will hopefully flush out any debris floating around in there and sort 5th gear issue. This time of year it will probably be more difficult to shift anyway with old stock MTF, be careful if you want to change to other brands/weights some of them are not good for Honda boxes.

I see what your on about now James I've just read the last page of Pauls build. While we're on the subject tarmac is not the correct surface for any kind of jacking; use a spreader unless you want to end up with a trolley jack shaped ditch (especially if you had your drive laid by our friends in the travelling community for a bargain price ). Also the emergency jack is exactly that; leave it in the boot.

Um...Yes. Are axle stands expensive? it's a long time since I bought some. The state of Honda handbrakes I would consider them essential along with wheel chocks.

Another interesting internet factz I read today on wikipedia- when MG was bought out by the Chinese Honda did a swoop on the factory and seized their schematics/ softwear/ tooling and copyrighted stuff. Guess they're not keen for any cheap Rhonda knockoffs then! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rover_400_/_45

I'm reasonably sure at least the tall block on your car has been sat on Tokyo docks, the rest is pure UKDM. I think iirc the MA8 is historically significant as the first Honda manufactured outside of Japan; Acura being a seperate company but HUM being a subsidiary- or something along those lines. The Rover/Honda relationship predates this with for eg the 600 being a reshelled Accord etc. I'm sure wikipedia has more semi accurate info on the topic!

If you had no insurance for more than 12 months this often means many companies regard your no claims as taken back to zero. I had my licence for 3 years before having a first car (student poverty), made no difference still classed as a new driver. I would consider an advanced driving qualification (I know more expense ), then as Tom says call the decent specialist brokers (like Adrian Flux) where you can talk to someone who actually knows the business and will give you good advice for your situation. Absolute honesty and full disclosure is always the best policy, but def get on the phone.

With issue 1- you still have 1/4" of thread to play with so soak it in WD40 for an hour heat it with a blowtorch then extract it backwards with mole grips (make sure that you have cut it through the thread not the smooth section of the shaft). If that doesn't work cut it flush, drill it through and try a rotary bolt extractor. If that doesn't work grind the lug off and use a new nylock nut instead. With the trailing arm bush it's best to replace them while the arm is off the car. They have a fairly short life span and are not expensive, some of the cheaper pattern parts wear out even quicker than the Honda or MG oem ones though. There are plenty of aftermarket solutions (I am currently running Energy Suspension inserts with no issues) but for cost and comfort the oem ones are still best. There is a tool for doing them but most people just use a copper hammer, paint mark the arms though to get the new ones in the same place. If you are planning to lower the car you can pre 'clock' them which will make them last longer being rotated at a different angle.

Awesome job on the wheels- loads better. Those aftermarkets were a bit minging, maybe strip the two decent tyres off if they're worth it and weigh them in. Serously one of the best performance mods you can do and insurance free! I rock Puma speedcats myself, you can keep them in the car if they're too disco bootie for the office etc.

You could but it is not recommended at all. 4x114 hubs are significantly superior so are the 282 brakes. There are plenty of (usually cooler) wheels available. Sell the wheels you have, an MB6 on smaller brakes would be bad news. You could use an MG ZS rotor kit (4x100 but 282mm) but it's an unnecessary expense; the MB6 hubs themselves are tougher and stiffer- it's the best setup unless you swap for 5x114 from a '98 spec Integra type R.

I'm showing my age here but; there's only one thing a car dropped on Ronals needs- WHALE-TAIL!

Even if you can't get it back to them let them know there is a fault that you will try to rectify yourself (just incase you can't fix it and they claim it's not their fault because it's something you've done). The diagnostic plug (even if you don't know Hondas) is p!ss easy to find-it's tucked above the ECU to the side of the glove box. A garage that can't find it would worry me, iirc all the gauge fuses are on the board under the drivers dash.

Excellent work . Are they on the lowest setting? What's the ride like?

If we are over black on black civics I think rat look may have definitely had its day (on anything other than American rat-rods). Wasn't it kyekye who swapped all his panels and doors for white and then sprayed in the chassis to match? This has crossed my mind- just a case of finding a nighthawk or titan 'deck with good bodywork being broken. Then the only major work would be the roof and the fat a*s dent on the offside rear (near side already sorted).I have been on the lookout for a Vesuvio one but they are mega rare, especially in good condition. This car has had more dodgy hits than Madonna, now it looks like the heater matrix has gone it needs belts/shocks/tracking/valve clearances etc doing. I had decided to keep this one until it was properly dead (I know it's only small stuff but it just adds up) but at the moment I'm not sure on the logic of keeping such a punch drunk 15 year old Honda; excellent tool though it is.

Heli tape that sucker . http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Helicopter-ta ... 53f3f83880

Yes it has, unfortunately there is not a square inch that isn't completely trashed. The bonnet could be rescued the rest is horrible, the previous owners seem to have gone on a camping trip without bothering with a roof rack+ all the car park dings/ hazing/scratches etc. No prep apart from an alchohol clean (very little or no masking needed) and it costs about £100 as opposed to £800 plus for wrapping (doesn't last as long though apparently). It is a hell of a lot easier than wrapping and you can remove it just as easily. You guys may be right about the styling it is a bit redneck and popular with the dubbers!

Myself and Red have come to a bit of an agreement......we don't really get on. We have tried over the years on and off, but it just isn't working out. I've never been much of a polisher or bodywork worshipper and I can't commit to the work involved in one so high maintenance (not to mention maybe a bit showy and trashy). Ideally I would like to move on with a subtle clean looking metallic grey or dark silver. Unfortunately my bag of nails 'deck really doesn't warrant a respray or even wrapping (red door shuts ). I have been thinking about attacking it with the matt black rattlers or possibly even better a bit of Plasti dip- like this; http://www.the-t-bar.com/en/forum/9-mgf ... d?start=30 But I need convincing one way or the other. Show me your best murdered-outs (though if I have white wheels I suppose it would be just a matt black car ) wagons a bonus, I'll start.

Slow progress on this due to chronic lack of funds. Got the tyres on today (that have been sat in my boot for weeks ). Tyre fitter reckons it's probably more to do with the tyres than the tracking; sidewalls were pretty knackered from being run soft. Certainly seemed a lot better behaved on the drive home on a new set of T1-R's despite greasy roads and release agent .

You might get mole grips on it but is it worth the effort? Leave the EG manual and see how it handles when you move it.

What to buy one or for them just to press it?

I KNOW RIGHT!! So many finger black fingerprints on them at the moment What is this 'cleaning' of which you speak?

Probably Orleans blue (B77P). I think, one of the MB6 crew will know for sure.

1"£££$££"!!

Really though?

This is actually awesome Any plans for the alloys, that's all I would change?

DTM style- I like it! If it's the rear LCA to shock bolt most people just hacksaw it off. I seem to remember people saying the bolts are different sizes anyway. The oem ones are notorious for seizing up, your local dealer should have stock if needed. If you knacker the bushing you should be able to get hold of an Energy Suspension or similar replacement pretty quick if Honda don't have any. Also; rump steak £5.99! how big is it?