A trip to LR Services Straffan

Due to several bits failing on the NCT -I visited Dave Feely in LR Services Straffan.  Both the first visit to see what he can do for me and today when the work was carried out, were great days.

Today I got a full service with all fluids change (Land Rover Spec Fluids used), rear shocks replaced, the unit on the steering linkage replaced and bearings on the front wheel.

The service is at a special price at the moment of €170, a great deal.


Here's the beast up on  the stand.

The rear shocks put in,

We are now discussing of option of putting in a Discovery Transfer Box.

Enjoy!!

Weekend Drive

Having failed the NCT last week, I took a trip over LR Services Straffan to see what is needed.  Met Dave and he took a great look at the vehicle.  I was very impressed by the

 enthusiasm and all round cooperative nature of the guys working there.  We spent about 40 minutes, going through any of the flaws I noticed, taking it for a spin and when I mentioned I was interested in remapping the engine - they took me on another spin in a remapped Defender to get a feel for it.

SO I'm booked in for the 7th February for new Shocks, Split Pin on Steering Linkage, a Full Service and to fix an oil leak.

It was a miserable day, but great for driving in some mud - had to take a photo when I got out at a river!

It's Icy

Christmas Time at the In-laws! Early Morning drive when it's icy - much Fun!

Spot Lights

I bought two LED spot lights from Tune My Defender and added them to my Roof Rack.  I haven't wired them yet.  

Now I definitely need to get my Roof Rack, shot blasted and powder coated - it's very rusty in places and Needs some lovin' before it becomes a permanent fixture.

Soundproofing - Stage 2

I haven't been too happy with the original soundproofing I did - especially on Motorways, so I thought newer, better and more of it was needed. Dynamat seemed to be the thing to go for, according to forums and a few TV shows I saw.

I got a combined set for £160(ish) off Ebay - here it arrived! It's a great product - It is sort of malleable to the curves and contours but it's so sticky, once one it's hard to take off.  I did cut my hands up with the aluminium in the sheets as I cut and shaped them.

I decided that to do this properly, it couldn't be rushed.  So on a Monday I stripped all interior panels and carpeting from the doors and floor.  

I did the front doors first.  I didn't strip off the window mechanism, which probably made work for me in the long run, but I got 90% of the door covered.

Then I completed the back door, which was much easier than the front ones.

Next I worked on the driver's footwell and under the seat.  I completely unbolted the seat to lay down the dynamat sheets fully.  The

I continued with the passenger side footwell and under the seat.

I finished off with under the centre box, and also kept the original Noise Killer above it.

At the end I still had some left over for the side panels of the vehicle, where the windows are, so I bought another box of Dynamat so I can do the roof also.  I'm thinking of covering the front foot wells with one of these from Exmoor Trim,

Defender Hardura Insulation Front Matting Kit

R380 Moulded Matting System BLACK £330.00+vat

General Grabber AT 235/85/R16 120/116Q

Spending more and more in Belfast - I discovered some places to use instead of buying in REpublic of Ireland.  I got my tyres from Vulcamac, I decided to keep the same tyres as what was on it - General Grabber AT 235/85/R16 120/116Q.  I got them for a good price of £125 each, plus £25 for an alignment.

Enjoy!!

Photo of the old tyres,

Here's the new ones on, all in all I was impressed with the service - and I really liked that they took off all the old weights, cleaned that part of the rims and put new ones on.  I know it makes sense but I've been to places where they just add to the old weights.

New Headlamps and a Sump Guard

I got a sump guard and new headlamps.  Although I would like to get LED headlamps, I don't have that kind of cash knocking around at the moment - so I got Angel Eyes headlamps from Powerful UK, these have a ring of small LEDs around the headlamp, I also bought Ultra Bright bulbs in Halfords. 

All lights in place, before I start

Front axle without Sump Guard

Sump Guard and Brackets - fairly easy to fit - but it appears not to align correctly, it's on the Defender and does not move, but I've contacted the manufacturers to be sure.

The headlamps prior to being put in

Taking off the Headlamp surround - one little trick we did to make sure the lamps were still aligned, was to mark white paint on the screws so everything went back in place, but we double checked!

These were the bulbs I bought - it was also a 2 for 1 offer, so even better!

TA DAA - Angel lights and Sump guards, now I need to get LED side lights etc!

Enjoy!!