Hodge's new 4.2

[Hodge]

Fitted the spacers today. Using rockets trick, compress the springs using the car/jack combo, clamp on coil clamps, then raise the chassis and drop axle. Bit fiddly but done the trick in the end. Really need to get a larger jack... But bits of timber for extra height helped .

Also while under there noticed a wet oil patch where engine and gearbox sandwich. Not dripping but definitely moist with oil. (pictures below). Rear main seal ??

[Rocket55]

Nice work mate. Question though, the spacers I bought last time went on top of the springs?? Love the yellow by the way

The oil you refer to could also just be excess from removing the oil filters that slowly makes it's way down and around the back of the block. Mine actually has some foam in that gap around the bolt ends and it's fillted with oil. When I first saw the oil on mine I thought the worst, then I noticed how much worse it was after I successfully completed a messy oil change, I then felt much better.

[Hodge]

Hmmm It's been about 2 and a half months since oil change what are the odds of some still lingering around that area lol.


As for the spacers, these are designed to go at the bottom. Fits perfectly around that rubber cup thingamajig sitting at the bottom of the spring on the seat.

[Rocket55]

Hmm, 2.5 months is a while. Clean it up and see how it goes.

[nissannewby]

A rear main will for the most part leak. Like leave a small puddle or at least quite a few drops on the ground. Oil can hang around very well. Usually a good degrease or soaking with brake cleaner after a service will help.

[Hodge]

Cheers. Have degreased it before and will leave to try and monitor it. There were no drops of oil, on ground or on the car, that area , especially around that first wet bolt you can see was very moist in what looked like "fresh" batch of oil.
Will keep an eye on it.

[Hodge]

So bit of an update to that "maybe" leak. I degreased it yesterday morning and it got rid of most of the oil / grease hanging around that spot. I'm sitting on 50/50 whether it's back or not.
It seems to be weeping ever ever so slightly from the points in red squares on the photo... On the photo inside the bottom red square you can see that seal ? Has opened up a little bit and a tiny bit as well around the top one too. Now to me those bolts/nuts look very very new. Something was done during previous ownership? Who knows.

It almost looks like they have been over tightened making nut cave that plate in a bit, thus lifting the bottom up a bit ??
Don't know maybe too much overthinking now. Will keep an eye out on it.



Also while under there I spotted a very badly corroded pump. This matches the state the underbody of the whole car was before it was sprayed. Should I go nuts with lanolin or something ????

[nissannewby]

Pull the bung out which is smack bang in the middle of those 2 bolts. If oil comes out of there then it might be your resr main.

[Hodge]

Pull the bung out which is smack bang in the middle of those 2 bolts. If oil comes out of there then it might be your resr main.

Is it that little tab with SA stamped on it or whatever? Just pulls out?

[threedogs]

I'd be putting on a sperm suit and cranking up the Gernie and lay underneath
and give it a decent squirt then Lanotec /fish oil the begeesus out of it.
Why all the corrosion, is it a coastal vehicle? or mine?