Re: [DML] New Owner - a few questions

[Martin Gutkowski <webmaster@xxxx>]

Hi Stuart

Glad to see another Brit on the DML!

saalexander2000 wrote:

> The car has black seats and dashboard with grey carpet. I've never
> seen any pics of cars with this combination. Do you think the carpet
> is non-original or maybe it's because it's quite a late car (Aug '82)
> and they were using up what was left?

Not in late '82 as far as I know - Dave Howarth's latest right-hander has a really
mix-n-matched interior.

> I want to upgrade the sound system but am having trouble finding rear
> speakers (10 x 4 I think?). Does anyone have any suggestions?

The suggestion I got is to wait until you take the rear quarter trims off - apparently
there's actually quite a lot of space there and you don't necessarily need to go with 10
x 4's. This is my next job on #1458 since my dynamat pack arrived from the US last week.

> Also
> is it worth buying the replacement console to take modern stereos or
> does cutting the original work ok?

It's quite a job and the original bracket is rare-ish. I bought Houston's bracket to fit
my Kenwood unit and I'm very happy with it. Black Hammerite "hammered finish" paint makes
the perfect finish for it too. I'm glad I didn't cut up the old one now because #4426
(picking up next weekend) needs a new bracket.

> The windscreen washers don't work and I can't find the tubing from the
> pump to the wiper - is there an easy way to get where it's supposed to
> be? I've removed the screw on panels in the luggage compartment but
> there seems to be a hidden area behind the wing.

Inside the left front wing there is a large black "bucket" that is not present on the
other side. It's held on with about 10 (?) bolts which screw into rivnuts in the
underbody. Removing this allows you to get to the pump. You can still buy these pumps
easily for anything from £8 to £15 (Halfords)

> The car tends to bounce around when driving on less than perfect
> roads. I've fitted lowering springs to the front which have made it
> more stable but it still doesn't inspire confidence to corner fast.
> Are they generally like this or do I need new shocks?

I replaced mine with PJ Grady's setup and am very happy with it - there was nothing
really wrong with the OEM ones, but as someone has said on here before "a lot has
happenned to the design of shocks in the last 20 years".

Martin
DOC UK
#1458 & #4426