Air Arms Owners Club

Well, spring is here, well sort of... So, time to get all the jobs done outside in the garden and on the car...

I worked many years ago at a VW dealership, So I maintain all my cars at home using run of the mill tools myself although, I can get access to most advanced equipment if need be. Rather than buy newish small cars with low mileage which for most people would be a good idea, I do things different I have a liking for older prestige cars with a few miles on the clock although do love their refinements and smoothness and power although this can be pricey if you can't do your own maintenance on your own car. I have owned my older BMW e90 for 2 years now, mind you, it's in very good condition indeed but the miles have crept up and I noticed a wobble and pull on the steering wheel only when pressing the brakes, I had a good idea what was wrong with living in the UK the use of road salt and very wet driving conditions cause the brake pads to seized up in the caliper bracket (( a very common problem )) regarding brake issues. I felt it was time for a full service on my front brakes including new fluid change.

Here bellow is a video of the job I did at home, I found it rather satisfying.

This is not me in the video bellow I used this to show you the job I did. although, definitely needs to be done regarding safety.

see bellow, although not me in the video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpLFHNZAjRw

Taking the time to clean all the sliding surfaces on the caliper bracket this holds the pads and always seize's up and not allowing the pads to slide freely.
Using high temp grease on the sliding points back of the pads etc will help the pads last their full-service life and prevent break squeal and seized pads, and stop premature brake disc wear.

I love doing stuff like that but sadly don't get the time.

BBF

I'm not an engineer by trade, but one of my hobbies is the restoration of WWII vehicles, mainly Willy's jeeps and Ford GPW's. I usually ed uo buying a 1940-44 burnt out/smashed up/wrecked chassis and then spend several years searching the World for genuine parts to restore it. The one I'mjust finishing has taken me almost 3 years. Before and after Photos attached.

More images

Now, that has stirred some memories there, Big Dog !!! My dad worked for Mahindras for 45 years and I did for 7 years back in India before coming to England. They manufactured this model long after the war was over under license from Willys. You will find whatever you need at a small price from India.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHvCL9X-Zhw

Here is one of my babies making its own road as it goes along ... watch till the end!

Superb photos indeed there Big dog...

And a man of my own heart, I have myself done many full restorations on cars over the years although very time consuming, darn hard work and can be costly. But most of all cost me a few relationships with girlfriends spending too much time working on my car project rather than wining and dining her... you see, women need and crave attention...

Great photos Big Dog and thank you so much for sharing...

Years ago when all you needed to service cars with spanners and feeler gauges i used to do my own services. Now with the specialised tools and pcs req i have to take my car to the garage to get done. Costs a fortune and definitely no sense of self satisfaction.
Good on you guys to be able to do these services, rebuilds etc. Big dog you must feel really chuffed with yourself when the finished project is ready to sell on.
Kevin

My 1991 GMC 2500 pick up recently started a little coughing and spitting when I tried to accelerate. Put plugs, wires, cap and rotor in and all is well. That last tune up only lasted 15 years. Three plugs were finger tight, one wire was burned nearly in half and the little springy button on the rotor was laying flat. Last time the button was burned off, but it still ran. 266,000 miles and I change the oil at least once a year.

Big Dog wrote:I'm not an engineer by trade, but one of my hobbies is the restoration of WWII vehicles, mainly Willy's jeeps and Ford GPW's. I usually ed uo buying a 1940-44 burnt out/smashed up/wrecked chassis and then spend several years searching the World for genuine parts to restore it. The one I'mjust finishing has taken me almost 3 years. Before and after Photos attached.

Very nice. A friend of mine has at least 10 at my last count, still their could be a few more tucked up somewhere and are all in mint condition.
Afaik, they are all fords, bantams ring a bell. He also has a dodge weapons carrier and two 6x6 wheeled versions, which I think are Chrysler.

Outandabout wrote:Years ago when all you needed to service cars with spanners and feeler gauges i used to do my own services. Now with the specialised tools and pcs req i have to take my car to the garage to get done. Costs a fortune and definitely no sense of self satisfaction.
Good on you guys to be able to do these services, rebuilds etc. Big dog you must feel really chuffed with yourself when the finished project is ready to sell on.
Kevin

when it comes to basic servicing there is nothing to be scared of on new motors, pollen filters are the main things that seem to get missed by DIY merchants, when it comes right down to it on a lot of book servicing the wheels are not even taken off, all down to getting the times down to a minimum, and if you have service indicators the info on resetting them is freely available online