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What have you done to your Elgrand today?

Today I replaced the power steering fluid. It was a bit overdue as it's the only fluid I've never changed, so it's now a lovely pink rather than the murky, smelly stuff that came out. Bit of an effort to get to so taking the opportunity to repair the various scuffs and cracks in the bumper and repolish the lower alloy grille.

Also recovered various items from the under tray, including a missing pair of pliers.

IMG_20251110_145455303_MP.jpgIMG_20251110_145412777_HDR.jpg
 
LeStempy said:
Today I replaced the power steering fluid. It was a bit overdue as it's the only fluid I've never changed, so it's now a lovely pink rather than the murky, smelly stuff that came out. Bit of an effort to get to so taking the opportunity to repair the various scuffs and cracks in the bumper and repolish the lower alloy grille.

Also recovered various items from the under tray, including a missing pair of pliers.

View attachment 118248View attachment 118247
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How long/tricky a job is that @LeStempy ?
 
PhillB said:
How long/tricky a job is that @LeStempy ?
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Pretty straight forward, you could probably do it by just removing the undertray, but even bumper removal is easy enough, just lots of screws. Took me a couple of hours with bumper removal. Bumper still off for repairs.

There are a couple of flexible hoses that take the fluid to the oil cooler pipe underneath the right hand headlamp, so just a matter of unclipping them and letting it drain. I used the aid of a vacuum pump to get as much old oil out as possible and also turned the steering from end to end to pump out the rack.

Then poured in some new until it ran out of the disconnected hose, connected it all back up and topped it up in the reservoir. Turned the wheel again end to end a couple of times then started the engine for a couple of seconds to fill the pump. Lots of bubbles, another top up and then run the engine again and turned the wheel back and forth until it stopped vibrating and the system bled of air, then a final top up to the max cold level.

Used about one and a half litres, but some of that was flushed out, I think the actual capacity is 1 litre.
 
Not today but yesterday failed its 1st MOT, needs front disc and pads and advised on rear pads so ordered the upgraded front brake discs and ceramic pads and rear ceramic pads. Came this afternoon so back to garage to get done tomorrow morning and re test.
 
Seeing as how the weather was better today have had a bit of a play with test fitting the flowing indicators and they fit fine between the front and back lugs but due to the shape of the indicator there is a gap at the rear bottom corner which I am pretty certain that I can get rid of by moving the front lug a couple of ml or so forward more to where it was originally and then moving the rear lug forward by the the same amount so that they still line up with the correct distance between the lugs to fit in the hole in the wing.

Elgrand side indicators test fit.jpg

Also had a bit of a play with the Impreza intake and am really happy with how it sits on the bonnet although am going to have to modify the bottom of the intake a bit by cutting off the lips originally designed to fit into the intakes inside the bonnet to smooth the bottom out so that it sits more flush to the Elgrand bonnet

Elgrand bonnet Intake test fit.jpg

Looking in through the intake to the rear you can see the lip that needs to come off. There is also a shallower one on the front that needs to come off.

Hopefully with these off it will sit a lot flusher

Elgrand bonnet Intake test fit1.jpg

Also test fitted the suede dash mat that a bought a little while ago from Aliexpress as I had a discount code.

Not yet stuck down with the velcro pads but looks to be a pretty decent fit and a lot less money than others that I had been looking at from Japan and America.

Elgrand dash mat.jpg
 
You will of course fit the scoop in the centre, not off to one side like in the photo?
 
Today, with the bumper still off whilst doing other jiggery pokery, I set about adding some reinforcement as I do tend to abuse it a bit too much.

I bought some aluminium plate and a strip of 90° 10mm extrusion The plate I cut to size and pop riveted to the underside which also repaired a split on the passenger side by holding it together. The extrusions I bent to fit the curve of the inner arch with the aid of gentle heat from a blow torch, then pop riveted them inside the arches. Both sides have a missing piece which will now need repairing, but it's now more rigid and should help to prevent the cracks becoming any worse.

Inner arch reinforcement.

IMG_20251113_131351876_MP.jpg

Missing piece of plastic which popped out during a bumper/kerb interface. Same the other side.

IMG_20251113_131402446_MP.jpg


Bracing plate for the front corners.

IMG_20251113_131420888_MP.jpg
 
Sorry @kfgas i really don’t like the intake, I think it spoils the look you’ve already got, even if it was central and sat down😄
 
PhillB said:
Sorry @kfgas i really don’t like the intake, I think it spoils the look you’ve already got, even if it was central and sat down😄
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That’s the thing , when looking at something just resting there not properly in place and totally the wrong colour it’s hard to visualise an end result
The fact that this will be a stick on job means @kfgas can afford to play a little without having to commit to any dismantling etc
That particular shape can be made to look good ( it’s in the eye of the beholder)
IMG_8444.pngIMG_8445.png
Just to add , I’m more interested in how the one @kfgas has will look as I think it’s better than the one pictured
 
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Personally, I wouldn't be adding anything that increases drag knowing the appetite for fuel, but whatever floats your boat. I'm sure it will look lovely when it's fitted.
 
IMG_0166.jpeg
I don’t like it, I see an Isuzu Trooper……but who am I to pass judgment.
 
Seems like the general consensus is that the Impreza bonnet scoop does not have much love but here it is sat down flush and fitted properly and in body colour on a 2001 bugeye Impreza WRX which is the same scoop that I have even down to the year and I think that it looks really good

It remains to be seen if I can get it to work on the Elgrand but as it only cost me £20 and as Dave says it will not be functional but only for show it will cost me nothing more but a bit of time to find out.

If for me it does not work and I do not like it it will be going on ebay with a good chance of getting at least my money back.

Impreza bonnet intake.jpg
 
A fanciful notion I know, but cars always seem to run better when you've given them some TLC. Reassembled the bumper and grilles today after having repolished the lower alloy grille (@dognero legacy).

Then went for a drive to circulate the new power steering fluid. Stopped after a short while and it needed a top up, so topped up and continued in the 19°C mid November warmth! Had to use the A/C as it was becoming uncomfortably warm in the Elgrand. Back at home I checked the fluid level again and it was exactly on the max when hot level, so job done.

Happy with the bumper repairs, more sturdy and everything now lines up, just needs improving cosmetically. A wash would be a good start.

IMG_20251114_133411762_HDR.jpg
 
LeStempy said:
A fanciful notion I know, but cars always seem to run better when you've given them some TLC. Reassembled the bumper and grilles today after having repolished the lower alloy grille (@dognero legacy).

Then went for a drive to circulate the new power steering fluid. Stopped after a short while and it needed a top up, so topped up and continued in the 19°C mid November warmth! Had to use the A/C as it was becoming uncomfortably warm in the Elgrand. Back at home I checked the fluid level again and it was exactly on the max when hot level, so job done.

Happy with the bumper repairs, more sturdy and everything now lines up, just needs improving cosmetically. A wash would be a good start.

View attachment 118303
Click to expand...

Looks great buddy, must re-polish my lower grill it looks very dull right now!
 
Received my 6 rear suspensions bushes.
Now to find a mechanic that will fit them in The Netherlands as I have run out of time to find a mechanic in the UK
 
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