Y10 Wanderings

[frankxhv773t]

I have decided the Y10 is now looking respectable enough to fit some new old stock parts I have accumulated to which end a new grille has been polished up and fitted. My rear bumper brackets will need refurbishing before I fit the new rear bumper that has been in store.

[frankxhv773t]

The back bumper went together today with its repainted brackets. The side fittings didn't want to stay in place and kept dropping out as I tried to fit it so a bit of old inner tube came into play to persuade them to stay put.

[Kevinlincs]

Good job done there, my own cars' rear bumper brackets were in poor condition too so they're being attended to.
Car is coming together nicely now.
On the bumpers Frank do you know anywhere that sells the fixings? The M8 bolts but with flat square heads to fit in the slots, I had to chop a few of mine off as were seized and just turning the plastic. Was going to make some but maybe they are readily available? Strangely enough I found 2 or 3 new ones under the carpet!

[frankxhv773t]

I'm afraid I haven't looked for supplies of bumper bolts. I dealt with corroded ones by grinding the sides off the nuts so as to preserve the thread on the bolts.

If you were to make some up I would suggest increasing the size of the square head so they fit more tightly in the retaining slots. i have greased mine liberally on reassembly in the hope that they will be removable in the future.

[fay66]

Kevin do you have a photo  of what you are looking for.
I have a  box of Y10 bits and pieces.
Brian
8227 

[Kevinlincs]

It's these Bryan, I should have taken a little more care as Frank did but assumed I'd be able to fit new bolts, not noticing until after that they had square heads.
Fairly simple to make some using some 3 or 4mm thick steel and as Frank rightly suggests, a little bigger in width would be benifical.
These measure 20mm x 20mm square heads with approx 16mm available thread.

[frankxhv773t]

The ones on mine are an even simpler design.

[Kevinlincs]

Sounds like Brian has come through with some 

[frankxhv773t]

I can provide some too if needed but I do think there is merit in making something that is a slightly tighter fit.

My rear lights are fitted up. The weakness of the plastic lens retaining screws are an ongoing problem which will be familiar to Delta and Prisma owners too. I bought some replacements a few years ago but they weren't genuine parts and fell to bits as soon as I tried to fit them. Attempts to mend them with various glues has not proved a workable solution but as the car is now getting tidy enough to warrant fitting new old stock parts I have dug out my set of brand new rear lights which, of course, have brand new screws in them. Hopefully they will last a few years before they biodegrade.

[DavidLaver]

I've nothing particular to add - but thought I must say how much I'm enjoying the saga and the insights and seeing this level of attention on a Y10.  Can't wait to see it...

[Kevinlincs]

Those rear lens screws are a pain aren't they, fairly sure my integrale has some stainless screws in place of the plastic headed ones, but that could be in my spare light units 
Interesting the "new" ones weren't much cop, guessing they were the ones listed on ebay recently? I was tempted to get a set just to have as spares, glad I didn't on hearing that.
Wonder how hard it is to make some? A mould could be made using a screwdriver and some suitable sleeve...

I too am looking forward to a Y10 meet up at some point 

[frankxhv773t]

The screws I bought were quite a few years ago and I think they came from Portugal. Given that I believe someone went to the trouble of manufacturing some and they failed straight out of the packet I have a feeling they are not as easy to make as it looks. There is precious little metal for the plastic head to grip onto and plenty of torque from a screw driver if they don't want to budge. I made sure I pushed the lens very firmly into place as I did up the screws so the head wasn't taking much load.

[frankxhv773t]

Not one of my better days.

My tailgate is rotted out at the bottom so I dug out the decent spare to clean up and paint. There were a few patches of surface rust caused by scratches through the paint which needed rubbing down before rust treatment. One of these had crept under the window seal so I set too to prise the external window trim off so as to deal with it properly. Unfortunately I got a bit too energetic and "Pop", no more back window!

I now have one good tailgate with no window and two poor ones with sound windows securely bonded in place. Do I dare try to remove a window to fit in the good tailgate or do I try to patch up a poorer tailgate with a window in? Decisions, decisions.

[fay66]

Ouch, that's a shame Frank. .
Bit of a conundrum.
Depends if a tailgate glass is available.
If so I'd go for carefully Trying to remove the rear window, and certainly be inclined to use the good tailgate.
Can you try cutting through the bonding with a cheese wire? tedious I know but worth it if you can remove the glass.
I'd also to try to soften up the trim you were trying to remove first, with a bit of heat to soften it up.
Brian
8227  

[Kevinlincs]

Damn, that's annoying to say the least.
My own hatch will need the glass removing too I think, getting one of those craft knifes with the long extendable blade slid down the side was my plan, loosen the sealant from inside and outside.
Trouble is the toughened glass isn't as forgiving as the laminated front 'screen....got me wondering if I ought to leave well alone if at all possible.