SPendrey

We meet monthly (on the first Tuesday of the month), for a beer and a chat. I get lots of 'mechanical' advice from the group (usually 4-6 people in total), others get route advice etc. etc. Anyway, main point of meeting up is to discuss our monthly outing which runs on the Sunday following the meeting. Normally local stuff, extending to Salisbury Plain once in a while. We're meeting this Sunday at 10am at Chiseldon Esso garage if you want to join us. Either going local lanes (Marlborough/Aldbourne) or up to the Fosse Way. Ian, Ross, Richard - let me know if you're coming!

I realise this is a bit late to post... but the Swindon Club meet up will be on this evening at the usual place (The Gas Club, nr Wickes) at 7:30pm.

It would appear it will pass the MOT given that the part is non-structural, but there have been countless other threads commenting on the merits of welding/riveting/bolting etc. etc. I suggest you go with whatever you're most comfortable with. I had mine welded as I believe it would be the strongest result. Others haven't.

I'd be really interested to know your final result, perhaps with pictures?! I found the front of the rear wheelarch fouled with a 1" lift (spacer) and HD springs on top. You might be OK with 2" of proper lift and the trimming.

Yep, similar for me. Big mole grips on the shock tube... damages it, but who cares since you're going to bin it anyway?!

My pointless 2-cents is that you should buy a new camera first

I had borrowed a set to 'try on', and found they catch the front of the rear wheel arch when under migh compression, i.e. one wheel up, one wheel down. I think the very chunky and square edge is the problem on these tyres as a friend had Insa Saharas and no such problems.

The OS maps we had were dated 2008, so were clearly wrong. I suspect the Definitive Map will show this update... must figure out where the library is!

The route now is the 'track' shown to the north of the byway... Streetmap

Wouldn't it be great if the definitive map was made available online?!

Our sunny day on Salisbury Plain (Sunday 25th) was a little clouded by police activity enforcing a change to the byway route near 'the tank obstacle course'. Our two vehicles/drivers were both fined £30 for "being offroad" where we'd parked watching another group of vehicles. They were also fined, as were another party we met soon after. Anyone else get fined this weekend? The OS 50k and 25k maps, and GPS confirmed we were on the byway, but it had been moved! Seems like a harsh judgement by the officer, but a magistrate friend suggests we pay rather than appeal simply because of the costs related if a judge finds up 'guilty'. Shame, a little bit of judgement from the police officer would have been welcome! We also got stopped later for a "red diesel" test, but of course we didn't/hadn't ever used it.

I don't know much about these things... but why not use jubilee clips to secure the spring to the mount? Would this significantly reduce articulation?

See you all at usual meeting place, 10am!

Shouldn't be much action this weekend by the looks of it, although "deploying cadets" might be a weekend thing?! Newsletter

Wedge? What wedge? Anyway, as if by miracle, Bearmach responded an hour ago and said the springs are not "handed". They're thinking about other causes now.

When I look at the picture from the website where I bought them, it would appear they are "handed"... at least they appear to all be different heights. I didn't notice this when fitting them however, in fact I'd say the rears and fronts were even (left to right, but not front to back!). I sense an evening of swearing and spring compressors once again to swap left to right.

I mentioned this in another recent thread that I've got std height, Bearmach blue HD springs, but I too believe they are softer than should be. I am (my car is) also sagging on one corner, and this is less than 4 months since I put the new springs on. Difficulty is that when they went on first the ride was transformed for the better, but over time with all things you just get used to it. Might be the same as was (apart from the sagging corner), but doesn't feel quite right. I got no response by the way, from either the people I bought them from (Mailorder 4x4) or Bearmach themselves when asking for advice on the sagging. A local (non-LR) dealer recommended TerraFirma springs/shocks etc., and a friend got these (independently by the way) and think they're great! Scott

I went for the Bearmach blue (HD) standard height springs. Was very happy with them initially, but they seem to have gone soft very quickly... to the point where I think they're a bit rubbish. At first they gave a good ride compared to the LR originals, but now even gentle offroading seems to have the axle and bump stops meeting on a regular basis.

OK, 25th is set then. I'll drop by and sort out your wheels before then, unless you want to navigate that is?!

They probably thought you were a UN truck... all in white.

Looking at the calendar, and knowing this weekend is out, there's only two before our "normal" scheduled trip. So, do we want to do 25th July and 8th August, or just wait until August?

There is the sort out in Newbury (which I understand was the Sodbury sort out a few years back?). http://www.newbury4x4andvintagesparesday.co.uk/

Likewise... really wanted to go this time, but the Mrs wasn't well. Maybe we can arrange a mid-cycle trip this month? To make up for those of us who didn't make it

Nope, seemed to be just right when I last looked, although I haven't checked recently.

Hello, I've noticed on a number of occasions that the auto gearbox fluid dipstick keeps coming out by itself, just popping up a bit out of its seat. Is this something to be concerned about? Pressure related? Or just a simple vibration thing? To be honest it has done it for some time, and there's no signs of gearbox problems, so I'm not worried as such, just curious. Of course, if someone says "yeah, big problem", then I'll worry Scott