What would you change?

[vision]

Hi Guys,

Long time lurker, first time poster. I have to say this site has done me well over the last 18 months of owning my 406. In that time I've had 8 tyres, 2 droplinks, 2 top strut bearing, new back box and a new clutch (due to release bearing going through the pressure plate). Going by some of the stories on here i think I might have gotten off quite lightly so far. My car is late 98 1.8 16v with 100k on the clock. By late 98 I mean it is one of those D8/D9 hybrids in a D8 bodyshell.

Anyway enough about me and down to the real reason i bit the bullet and started posting here. Myself and some guys I kayak with are planning on driving from Northern Ireland to the Alps in the South of France for a few weeks in June. My question for you guys is given the age/mileage of the car what would you replace/check before attempting a 3000mile trip in your 406 bearing in mind it will be carrying kayaks people and a helluva lot of gear?

I also believe my front O/S bearing is on its last legs, does nayone have any hints/tips on replacing this? I can just buy the bearing and not the full hub assembly?

Your responses to any of this would be much appreciated.

Andy.

[eoin27]

Welcome to the forum mate

D8/D9 hybrids in a D8 bodyshell.

What do you mean by that exactly?

Anyway, regarding your long trip (which sounds like its gonna be great), I would just make sure the car is fully serviced. Even if its a few thousand miles before the due date, it wouldnt harm doing an oil change before you go. Make sure all your sussy is in working order, you already put some work into that anyway. Tyres are in good nick? I can't think of anything major really as the electrics are relatively simple on that model.

Just make sure you have a basic enough good breakdown kit with a high vis vest. The vests are compulsory on the continent. And a spare tyre ready with all the tools to change.

I also believe my front O/S bearing is on its last legs, does anyone have any hints/tips on replacing this? I can just buy the bearing and not the full hub assembly?

Think MJB did this before. He'll prob be along soon to help

[teamster1975]

Welcome on in Andy!

Check the condition of the top and bottom engine mounts. When you changed the drop links did you replace the antirollbar bushes as well?

What do you mean by that exactly?

D8.5 at a guess.

[eoin27]

D8.5 at a guess

I think we need a sticky on what constitutes a D8.5. In the coupe forum, its non fully multiplexed D9's. (1999-2001). AFAIK, there is no way a 1998 D8 would have D9 anything.

[Welly]

As far as I understand of the last few D8's some had D9-type interiors and even D9 rear light clusters....

Anyhoo as far as your long trip goes then I'd be tempted to change the gearbox oil, the engine coolant and new thermostat, the cambelt (if due, or if it will be nearly due) fit a new auxillary belt, change oil, air filter, fuel filter, polen filter. Make sure the tyres are spot on with no tears or bulges - at all. Make sure the spare wheel's good, maybe buy a can of emergency puncture repair. Also you'll need a warning triangle, spare bulbs and high-viz (legal requirement in some countries). A small portable air compressor might be handy, and some tools, maybe 10ltrs water? 5ltrs petrol, 5ltrs oil, that kinda thing.

Also, as it will be the summer I can highly recommend some SONAX clear view lemon screenwash - it's great at getting squashed flies off (oh and change your wipers for some new 'uns).

Maybe you could also get your a/c checked as this will be a must......

[Doggy]

Hi Andy & welcome

I think the others have covered everything, except perhaps beam converters?

I've done a number of fairly similar trips & if it's summer & you don't really intend travelling much at night, I don't bother, just adjust them fully downwards.

I think we're all inclined to believe your car will get more of a pasting than it really ever does on trips like this. Sensible preparation is essential & just plain common sense, but you tend to be cruising rather than pushing it hard.

Enjoy

[mjb]

D8.5 at a guess

I think we need a sticky on what constitutes a D8.5. In the coupe forum, its non fully multiplexed D9's. (1999-2001). AFAIK, there is no way a 1998 D8 would have D9 anything.

That's the difference between the coupe club and here. What they call D8.5 is just a D9 with old stalks. What we call a D8.5 is a very rare car with D9 electronics (eg. BSI, large display unit, etc) but a D8 body. Only one I've seen pictures of was an early 1999 model, probably a prototype given to some manager at PSA UK

[vision]

Thanks for the quick responses guys as far as my D8.5 goes it has the D9 interior i think and also D9 heated electric mirrors with the colour coded panel on them.

I serviced the car less than 2 weeks ago, new oil, air and pollen filters.
Thanks for the tip on the screenwash, those pesky flies can make quite the mess.

AFAIK the belts were done around the 60-70K mark before i got it. The car is actually an English Reg, so who knows, the previous owner may even have been on here... So at 101K at the moment with the miles likely to remain very close to that until we go (I'm away with work for the next 7 weeks) should i thinkabout doing the belts again?

When I did the drop links i didn't do the bushes but the old car has gotten pretty rattly round the front end again so gonna have a look at doing some work to it when I'm doing the wheel bearing.

As for beam convertors, all being well by the time it's dark I won't be fit to drive, lol. Though the drive there has potential to be done in the dark. But we are all well aware of the Eu regs for bringing cars over. We did the same drive in a hire van last year and met a group that flew out and hired cars. We're just trying to keep costs down by using our own motors this year.

On another note, I noticed a few weeks back a fellow 1.8 driver claim to get 600ish miles out of a tank of the go-juice, i don't have the lightest right foot in the world but i do well to get close to 450 out of a tank when i drive it fairly easy, though that is with roofbars. Would a change of spark plugs and a dose of Redex make any difference?

[eoin27]

D8.5 at a guess

I think we need a sticky on what constitutes a D8.5. In the coupe forum, its non fully multiplexed D9's. (1999-2001). AFAIK, there is no way a 1998 D8 would have D9 anything.

That's the difference between the coupe club and here. What they call D8.5 is just a D9 with old stalks. What we call a D8.5 is a very rare car with D9 electronics (eg. BSI, large display unit, etc) but a D8 body. Only one I've seen pictures of was an early 1999 model, probably a prototype given to some manager at PSA UK

Thanks for that, wont get confused again. Im really looking forward to seeing pics of visions car now!!

[vision]

Thanks for that, wont get confused again. Im really looking forward to seeing pics of visions car now!!

Eoin I wouldn't get too excited, i don't think mine's the full on 8.5, that and there's hardly a panel that doesn't have a dent on it. None caused by me, might I add, I had the car a week before a taxi driver opened his door as i drove past scraped and dented both N/S doors and the rear arch. The two rear doors were dented as was the bonnet when i got it, and to top it off a week after I replaced the clutch some girl ran into the back of me on the motorway, though she did give me the value of the car not really the point though when you've put a lot of money and time into one the market value isn't really what it's all about. I'll try and throw a picture or two up later on...

[eoin27]

I know what you mean about market value. I think id get something sick like 1500 for my coupe if it got written off. Good luck trying to find a good one for that much in Ireland. IS your horn located on the steering wheel or the indicator stalk Does your centre console look like this or is it closer to this. The main differences to look for are the different design and layout of the heating switches, the steering wheel shape and the position of the hazard switch.

[vision]

Horn is on the stalk and my interior is the same as the first one, though it appears to be missing my temperature gauge.

I would love to switch over to a coupe but I don't think it would look the same with roofbars, lol. Just gonna have to wait till i have the money for two cars. A big one for kayaking and powerkiting, and then a small sporty one for every other day...

[eoin27]

Thats what I thought. You got yourself a D8 dude.

Ya the coupe is quite nice. I adjusted my accelerator cable yesterday and I cant believe the power. I only had it a month and I thought it was a little underpowered for a 2.0 litre.

[stevenlizuk]

D8.5 at a guess

I think we need a sticky on what constitutes a D8.5. In the coupe forum, its non fully multiplexed D9's. (1999-2001). AFAIK, there is no way a 1998 D8 would have D9 anything.

I beg to differ there old fruit, my D8 (very late 98 too) has D9 rear hubs.

[steve_earwig]

Blurring the line as they emptied one parts bin and started on another. Seems as though a 406 made 1999 could have anything! Most cars are like this though, not just Pugs.

As has been mentioned elsewhere, even the last of the 405s started getting 406 parts like front hubs...