Ring Report
24 July 2002, 09:16 PM
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My life was a bit exciting only from last Thursday on:
My little Cit had developed a certain knocking during tight corners when accelerating. Consent in my AX Forum was that it was the joint of a driveshaft. An epidemic apparently since at least three others had the same symptoms. Citroen Hamburg quoted me a cool 330,00 Euros for a new one plus labour and VAT, ouchhhh.
The Forum knew about a dealer stocking cheap replacement items and so I ordered one to come by mail. It arrived sixteen days before. The next two weeks saw me hanging around and reading the manual again and again until last Thursday I was confident enough to take my car to a do-it-youself garage perfectly in time for my long anticipated Nürburgring trip to meet the Scoobynet. So I started removing the old driveshaft. To my surprise the replacement part had a different form and was a good Inch shorter
. No use trying to put this in. Back in goes kaputt one and home again fuming (me). Of course I had made sure the dealer knew which car I had and what I needed! Too late to call him the same day. Some research in the Forum threads brought me a list with numbers and numbers to match and a picture of the appropiate item. Friday I was up earlier than usually and soon had the dealer on the phone: He had to check on this. Some time later he was back. My car was according to my papers one of the first (the first one?) AX GTi in Germany and an import car as well, first registered for Citroen Germany, just at the time when the driveshafts were changed. The dealer couldn't get me one before next week but could tell me a store at the outskirts of Hamburg. Friday afternoons do not know traffic jams, fortunately They did not have one in stock. Usually they took the old one and sent it to a specialist for overhauling and he returned it two days later. The expert for the "french corner" who "just knew" if there was anything else that would fit had already disappeared into the weekend. I must have looked pretty miserably when I meekly pointed out that the Diesel had the same one, according to my internet list (torque, you know).That got the great guy behind the counter going. After some rummaging he came back with an almost identical looking thing for a Peugeot 106 Diesel. From that side he could check that it would also fit a ’91 Gti. The adress of a local do-it -yourself garage could also be delivered. There a big, comfortable Pole assured me they were open long enough in any case. But no need for a night shift as I had done this before;-) . I finished so early that I decided to change the front with the rear wheels as well. This made for an unremembered smooth drive at high speeds. A car with ABS next time please, James.
Not bad for two days spent in the office
Saturday I left the rain flooded North a bit late (who else can't leave home when there is still ironing and washing up to do?) and in the afternoon I reached Nürburg, checked into my hotel and went for the 'ring. Soon I found the usual suspects such as Jon Skoda, Jon Bike2Track and John Felstead amongst others that I made friends with (here I must mention Clare and Dave and the Gentleman who impressed me by saying that he "quit biking when his brains became bigger than his *****"). Unfortunately the track was closed soon for the rest of the day before I ventured onto it.
Then there was Dinner at the Lindenhof and wine at the Pistenklause. Here I met Nic (spelling?) from the Netherlands. Saying that he was addicted to the 'ring and loves driving it is a bit of an understatement really. He also told me of Jorund Seim and the he saved his life by saying in a convincing way: "you are 20? And you want to ride a bike at the Ring? You gonna kill yourself !" At 3.15 a.m. we could not find another pub and called it a day...
Next morning I was awakened by the sound of engines. Nice for a change and a good start for the day. Breakfast brought conversation with two Dutch couples about their Porsches and the 'ring.
At the Track John gave me a spin in his Type RS and I felt very inadequate afterwards. Nic appeared and guided me around the 'ring. He also showed me fotos of him turning his car around, on the roof and back again.
Then I could have Jon Bike2Track as an instructor for two laps (he driving, me driving). He gave me some very good advice as to my driving and suggested that I should have a lap on my own and then again he would be in my car to show me the lines again.
With a certain fatalism I went on track, constantly reminding myself that I could take the corners to slow just as often as I wanted...
There was just one corner were I was a bit faster than I ought have been. I let the car understeer to rub off speed and no drama. Most memorable moment was being taken over by half a dozen 911s and Lotus Exiges battling, humming and swirring like a swarm of wasps.
Jon laughed at my lap time [img]images/smilies/mad.gif[/img]
But he apparently had enough confidence in me to take his girlfriend along.
Then it was time for goodbye. I made a good impression of a Brit (no tears) and left.
First part back was via some B-Roads to enjoy the fantastic green landscape of the Eiffel region. My progress was uncommonly relaxed and slow. Helped by the sagging brake pedal (lol, maybe someone should make a diet or she might be replaced by some random skinny blonde from the trackside next time :P Just kidding Rainey!).
Once on the Autobahn I maintained a pace of 90-100 Mph and arrived home around 2.15 a.m.
Monday there was no way this silly grin would disappear from my face !
My car after five blurry laps in the green hell.:
- shgged tires
- cooked brake fluid
- unprecedented fuel consumption
- oil sump gasket now needs attention ( had a notion that there was a leak before)
But all the rattles are still there !
Ralf
My little Cit had developed a certain knocking during tight corners when accelerating. Consent in my AX Forum was that it was the joint of a driveshaft. An epidemic apparently since at least three others had the same symptoms. Citroen Hamburg quoted me a cool 330,00 Euros for a new one plus labour and VAT, ouchhhh.
The Forum knew about a dealer stocking cheap replacement items and so I ordered one to come by mail. It arrived sixteen days before. The next two weeks saw me hanging around and reading the manual again and again until last Thursday I was confident enough to take my car to a do-it-youself garage perfectly in time for my long anticipated Nürburgring trip to meet the Scoobynet. So I started removing the old driveshaft. To my surprise the replacement part had a different form and was a good Inch shorter
. No use trying to put this in. Back in goes kaputt one and home again fuming (me). Of course I had made sure the dealer knew which car I had and what I needed! Too late to call him the same day. Some research in the Forum threads brought me a list with numbers and numbers to match and a picture of the appropiate item. Friday I was up earlier than usually and soon had the dealer on the phone: He had to check on this. Some time later he was back. My car was according to my papers one of the first (the first one?) AX GTi in Germany and an import car as well, first registered for Citroen Germany, just at the time when the driveshafts were changed. The dealer couldn't get me one before next week but could tell me a store at the outskirts of Hamburg. Friday afternoons do not know traffic jams, fortunately They did not have one in stock. Usually they took the old one and sent it to a specialist for overhauling and he returned it two days later. The expert for the "french corner" who "just knew" if there was anything else that would fit had already disappeared into the weekend. I must have looked pretty miserably when I meekly pointed out that the Diesel had the same one, according to my internet list (torque, you know).That got the great guy behind the counter going. After some rummaging he came back with an almost identical looking thing for a Peugeot 106 Diesel. From that side he could check that it would also fit a ’91 Gti. The adress of a local do-it -yourself garage could also be delivered. There a big, comfortable Pole assured me they were open long enough in any case. But no need for a night shift as I had done this before;-) . I finished so early that I decided to change the front with the rear wheels as well. This made for an unremembered smooth drive at high speeds. A car with ABS next time please, James. Not bad for two days spent in the office
Saturday I left the rain flooded North a bit late (who else can't leave home when there is still ironing and washing up to do?) and in the afternoon I reached Nürburg, checked into my hotel and went for the 'ring. Soon I found the usual suspects such as Jon Skoda, Jon Bike2Track and John Felstead amongst others that I made friends with (here I must mention Clare and Dave and the Gentleman who impressed me by saying that he "quit biking when his brains became bigger than his *****"). Unfortunately the track was closed soon for the rest of the day before I ventured onto it.
Then there was Dinner at the Lindenhof and wine at the Pistenklause. Here I met Nic (spelling?) from the Netherlands. Saying that he was addicted to the 'ring and loves driving it is a bit of an understatement really. He also told me of Jorund Seim and the he saved his life by saying in a convincing way: "you are 20? And you want to ride a bike at the Ring? You gonna kill yourself !" At 3.15 a.m. we could not find another pub and called it a day...
Next morning I was awakened by the sound of engines. Nice for a change and a good start for the day. Breakfast brought conversation with two Dutch couples about their Porsches and the 'ring.
At the Track John gave me a spin in his Type RS and I felt very inadequate afterwards. Nic appeared and guided me around the 'ring. He also showed me fotos of him turning his car around, on the roof and back again.
Then I could have Jon Bike2Track as an instructor for two laps (he driving, me driving). He gave me some very good advice as to my driving and suggested that I should have a lap on my own and then again he would be in my car to show me the lines again.
With a certain fatalism I went on track, constantly reminding myself that I could take the corners to slow just as often as I wanted...
There was just one corner were I was a bit faster than I ought have been. I let the car understeer to rub off speed and no drama. Most memorable moment was being taken over by half a dozen 911s and Lotus Exiges battling, humming and swirring like a swarm of wasps.
Jon laughed at my lap time [img]images/smilies/mad.gif[/img]
But he apparently had enough confidence in me to take his girlfriend along.
Then it was time for goodbye. I made a good impression of a Brit (no tears
) and left.First part back was via some B-Roads to enjoy the fantastic green landscape of the Eiffel region. My progress was uncommonly relaxed and slow. Helped by the sagging brake pedal (lol, maybe someone should make a diet or she might be replaced by some random skinny blonde from the trackside next time :P Just kidding Rainey!).
Once on the Autobahn I maintained a pace of 90-100 Mph and arrived home around 2.15 a.m.
Monday there was no way this silly grin would disappear from my face !
My car after five blurry laps in the green hell.:
- shgged tires
- cooked brake fluid
- unprecedented fuel consumption
- oil sump gasket now needs attention ( had a notion that there was a leak before)
But all the rattles are still there !
Ralf
25 July 2002, 10:28 AM
#2
Ralf
You certainly deserved to enjoy your weekend. I had no idea you had so much trouble before you got there, that sort of determination almost rivals Mr Felstead
All the Scooby owners understand the silly grin situation, it appears just after you get the car keys.
Unfortunately I don't think you were out when we went off to spectate so no pics of the car this time.
You certainly deserved to enjoy your weekend. I had no idea you had so much trouble before you got there, that sort of determination almost rivals Mr Felstead
All the Scooby owners understand the silly grin situation, it appears just after you get the car keys.
Unfortunately I don't think you were out when we went off to spectate so no pics of the car this time.
Glad you enjoyed the lap!
30 July 2002, 11:45 PM
#5
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Thanks John, always a pleasure to watch a pro.
Sadly yesterday my dream car slipped away from me. One day too late
Fortunately it was only a bearing having slipped from its location inside the column mounting, so I saved something for the next car
Ralf
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14 August 2002, 07:17 PM
#10
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Claudius,
This type of posting is totally uncalled for!!!! You have been warned by Simon (Webmaster), and if you continue making such threads/posts, action WILL BE TAKEN.
If you think it is totally called for to use offensive language (out of context), insult people and cause grievance, than you really are stupid!!!!!!
If you have ANY issues with the moderation OR the tone of my message, then I suggest you STOP using this BBS, BEFORE you are stopped.
This type of posting is totally uncalled for!!!! You have been warned by Simon (Webmaster), and if you continue making such threads/posts, action WILL BE TAKEN.
If you think it is totally called for to use offensive language (out of context), insult people and cause grievance, than you really are stupid!!!!!!
If you have ANY issues with the moderation OR the tone of my message, then I suggest you STOP using this BBS, BEFORE you are stopped.
