Hi people

VSX needs o/s strut top mount, tranverse exhaust box and two headlghts for mot. Front brakes need doing too but thats not an issue apart from cost.

Garage is willing to try some brighter bulbs n the lights to see if that does the trick. The get quite dusty inside and are not bright enough apparently. Anyone tried the brighter bulbs trick? Success?

Strut top and tranverse box don't seem to be available anymore.

Doubt I could afford new strut top mount and headlghts even if they were available. It picked up an advisory last year for slight leak no worse this year no lhm topping up needed all year but its failed this year.

any advice or leads on parts appreciated

regards

Hi Dr Tim, my 2 strut tops are currently away in Lithuania for refurb, see my post under hydraulics for pricing. I would suspect that uprated bulbs may well resolve the brightness issue. I obtained 2 factory new headlights for last years mot for £100 after a previous advisory. Recently i fitted Ring Ultimate bulbs, but found the reflection off road signs dazzling so refitted yellow ones, which I quite like. Removal of the glass and a wash out will clear the dust accumulation. Do not wipe until dry, and use a soft cloth, be GENTLE. Headlights are still available, try here: http://www.carparts-pros.com/ Euro 193 each . Transverse exhaust box could be omitted completely, have a plane section fitted to replace it, you'll never notice while driving, just a more pronounced grumble while sitting at idle, but are available on ebay now.
robertm

robertmnorton thanks for the info.

New headlghts is not really in the budget and I wonder what is electronc levelling and are they really differnt in left and riight hand drive cars?

Did I say it's only just clocked up 80k the other week?

Would a tranverse box from a S1 diesel go in an S2 petrol VSX? I suspect not. I like the "bypass the tranverse box" idea will run it by the garage.

I really can't be doing without it for very long (mobility issues) I wonder what the turnaround is for refurbishing in Lithuania?

all the best

Hi DrTim, Elastomer.eu quote quote a 2 week turnaround, John has already had dealings and can provide a better idea, mine will be due back early next week which will be close to 3 weeks, shipping seems to be 5 days each way. With regard to the headlights there is no electronic levelling as I'm sure you know and suspect this is just ignorance on the part of the supplier. XM LHD & RHD are the same - ALBEIT the internal Fresnel is transposed - with the exception of later LHD cars which had a modified outer glass and deleted internal Fresnel. When I had my tailored SS exhaust system installed 7 years ago I had the transverse box omitted and an additional box installed midway between the cat and where the transverse box would have been. Previous to that on the original system I had a plane section fitted to replace the intermediate box. No mot issues. I don't think SI and S2 differ past the cat (if fitted).
robertm

Hi, I stock strut tops already rebuilt and can post to you on receipt of £125 incl VAT
as long as the old unit is returned. |Address for direct access is brian.primmer@btintwernet.com

Correction to email address:- Should read brian.primmer@btinternet.com