SPendrey

Now my brakes are fixed I'm going to go along. We need to agree a time to meet though, something like 10:30am? As for Stanford-in-the-Vale, that's less than 5 miles away, you should "get on yer bike"! More seriously, I'll be bringing my kids with me, so there won't be room in the car. Sorry.

See section 86 (electrical), page 18 thereof. Scott

I think you're right, but I can't conclusively prove it. Tonight we replaced the master cylinder and servo (as they were already joined together), as well as a full brake bleed. Problem gone!

My driver's side is starting to click. The passenger side did this a while back before it gave up... movement of the mechanism/bolts within the mounting holes. Biggest problem I had was cleaning the tape marks off the glass when I'd finished :-)

Scott did order the pump with a gasket... but it turned up without one! Curses. Anyway, concluded tonight that the current pump is fine.

Well, you're right 'westender', the current pump is pulling ~24inches mercury (which seems OK, a 200TDI we had access to did ~27). So the vacuum us good. The hoses are all sound too. The servo test appears correct too, so now we suspect the master cylinder. There is a little creep when constantly applying pressure to the pedal, but less than on the 200TDI Defender So, now we plan to bleed and flush the brake fluid just in case, and since we're doing that we'll try another master cylinder (hoping to find a used one locally in order to eliminate it from the equation without costing an arm and a leg for now reason). The good news is that the front left wheel/hub had a little play in it. That's all tightened up and now the ABS light isn't permanently on! Thanks to 'Countax' for his help there!

OK, so I've checked the pads and discs, all good. The brake pistons are all mobile too, so they are out of the equation. I'm down to either replacing the vacuum pump or the servo now. My question is which first? I know there is a vacuum because if I wiggle the one-way valve (which is also fine by the way) at the servo I hear the vacuum release slightly. any suggestions which I should replace first? Thanks.

That's interesting, I've had exactly the same sort of problem of late... although it doesn't always happen. I have got a squeal at the moment too, more-or-less constant and I think from the front axle somewhere. All the pads and discs are less than 1 yr old. The only difference is that I have ABS, but most of the time it tells me it isn't working!

John, Thanks again for leading the trip today... some deeper puddles than expected, but all good safe fun! as for Muddy Mtes, I'm up for it. Scott

Can you elaborate on #4? I noticed yesterday water in the footwell that appeared to be leaking from the centre console area (by your left leg when driving). The only thing I'd done that day was have the aircon on which I don't normally bother with. Any connection? Thanks.

So, got the foam and popped it in. Looks fine, but I can't actually understand the point of this 'thing'. It isn't covering an air intake as far as I can see, it is just filling the gap between the bonnet and the windscreen wiper area. So, what is the foam for?

Well, I'm confused. One of the rear doors wouldn't unlock every time I used the central locking remote, so I figured the lock spring had gone (having read around the forum). I bought a new set (all 5), and attempted to replace just the one on the faulty door which had broken into small fragments! In the end I got really fed up trying to squeeze the spring into such a tight spot that I concluded I could live with a door that doesn't unlock... then I find it works fine without the spring! So, what are they for? Scott

Like the sound of the plastic filter foam, I expect the car will rot before the steel mesh (idea) would! Thanks.

Hi, forgive me for maybe misdescribing this, but here goes... There's a kind of sponge/foam stuff across the entire front of what I assume is the air intake (for cooling you down, not the car) running horizontally just under the wipers and under the bonnet. It is a grey plastic feeling foam, except mine just seems to crumble to nothing when touched. So, I plan to replace it, but what with? Regular sponge will probably absorb and hold water. Is there a specific type of sponge, or anything else? Thanks, Scott

Yep, that's it Ross! Dave, your Defender all up and running now?

Certainly is, straight through where the jate rings would have gone!

Great, thanks for the feefdback. So, the plan will be to get one of those ball and pin hitches for the back (mounted a bit higher up since the pin looks like it'll drag), and then jate rings on the front. Thanks again.

Yeah, I wondered about that. Already got the (forged) jate rings though, so don't really want to source another set!

Hi All, I've read a number of threads about where to fit jate rings (probably one front and one rear), but my situation is this... I need the tow bar on the rear which prevents me from using the normal pre-drilled holes. Is there any problem drilling a new route through one side of the chassis at the rear, nearer the back? Are the existing holes 'hollow' or do they have a tube fitted/welded in? Other than introducing yet another point for rust to begin, are there any other issues to look for? Not sure about the front yet, hoping to take the front valance off, cut out a small section and replace with the jate ring poking through... I read someone else did that. Thanks, Scott

Another great day out in the Wilts/Berks countryside. Thanks again for leading John!

Mine did the same, a new regulator is only 25quid and about an hour's work. Prepare with some tape to hold the glass up (which you'll need to lower to remove the regulator), some new door panel push-pin thingys, and some gloves 'cos there's some sharp metal edges in the door! Good luck.

Maybe there's a lesson here? If we post about us fixing other routes, maybe someone else will fix them first? :-)

Don't forget that today is the last day of 'closures' across the majority of By-Ways around here. There are loads south of Swindon, although I've not travelled many. The last (and first) time we met we said the first Sunday of the month we'd organise an outing, and we'd meet on the first Tuesday... perhaps we'd be better of with the second Sunday for travel to give us an opportunity to firm up a route etc. when we meed? Scott

Thanks John and Dave, see you both there. Just wondering though, does John's profile say "Proprietor of the Gas Club" anywhere? :-)

5 3/16" x 1/2" rivets 2 Cornettos (some other brand actually and blimin' expensive, for the kids) 2 packs of Pick 'n' Mix (for the kids) Nearly bought the 300 TDI rear light guards I went for, but stupidly decided to look round for them cheaper! Of course, couldn't find a decent pair, then the first lot were sold.