The Grey Skid – Chevy Beat TCDi LS (December 2012)

[VISHNUCARCRAZY]

@deville_56 , Bro , can overtightening be the reason for a bumpy ride ?
I have a doubt that during last service of my swift , the mechanics had tightened the suspension , for first week after service the ride was perfect (good as showroom delivered), but a recent visit to nagarcoil , I felt the ride to be bumpy (I also doubt , as the rubbers have started hardening - MRF ZVTV)

 

[deville_56]

@deville_56 , Bro , can overtightening be the reason for a bumpy ride ?
I have a doubt that during last service of my swift , the mechanics had tightened the suspension , for first week after service the ride was perfect (good as showroom delivered), but a recent visit to nagarcoil , I felt the ride to be bumpy (I also doubt , as the rubbers have started hardening - MRF ZVTV)

That made it hard to remove or put it back and it remained loose.

 

[VISHNUCARCRAZY]

I didn't get your explanation @deville_56 bro

 

[deville_56]

January 2020

With Ecosport and Hell's Angel

Finally got hold of the correct fuel filter. Didn't return the Mann filter as it was soiled by the mechanic and bill was misplaced.

Purolator PI-3881 - ₹ 400.00 (MRP ₹ 414.00) Got from Kakkassery Automobiles at Killipalam. Wanted Mann, but shop was closed that day and it was heavily raining. Third gen Swift diesel filter will fit. That guy gave me 2nd gen.

Seems have to change it every 10k km.

O-ring for it. OE O-ring was bright red.

Needed 36-mm socket for removing the filter cover. The workshop guy didn't have one, so even if I give it to him, he would need to go to his master to borrow the tool. So bought myself. Was available at Shakti Tools at Power House Road. Wetted their whole floor as well, drenched in rain.
Stanley 36 mm socket - ₹ 380.00

Just for size comparison.

 

[deville_56]

Continued - Installation.

Located near right wheel. Open it right away and get bathed in diesel (so did I )

Old vs. new.

Just driving a small flat screwdriver in the inside edge helps fitting it.

The filter cap.

The center cap is removable separately with a flat screwdriver for removing water in the filter, but can be used in case of draining the diesel present in the filter chamber as well, thus saving the diesel.

O-ring.

Installed.

Jacking up helps access.

Disconnect battery.

Reconnect and prime a couple of times before starting up.

Proper DIY in @Auto_Psycho 's Ultimate Guide For Maintaining Chevrolet Beat Diesel Thread >> DIY: How to Replace Diesel Filter?

 

[deville_56]

Post mortem.
This was supposedly replaced by the moron in late 2018 with a non-OE filter. How these greedy dickheads fool unsuspecting customers. He's a skillful guy, but a rogue. 2016 OE filter, last replaced at last visit to the dealer. It started disintegrating at edges,

Just because of curiosity cut it open and found too many layers, unlike the aftermarket paper ones.

 

[deville_56]

January 2020

Some illumination and my Donkie. Bought this some 12 years back from Big Bazaar, hanged in Hell's Angel for some time, then the next generation came and stole it from the fellow uncle. Payback time. I stole it back. It causes blindspot, but I like the Donkie.

Some of these el-cheapo (₹ 20) LED modules were lying around, just tried one as dome light and was bright enough, but got a blueish tint, which I'm not a fan of. Each unit contains 6 LEDs and has got diffuser, so no spots.

Some roaming clicks.

 

[deville_56]

The disintegrating knob.

How it looked when brand new,

when it starts disintegrating.

and how it ends.

OE knob comes as full assembly including lever, base and boot and costs ₹ 2,259.00. No point in such an investment as it disintegrates again in no time.

Car International Gear Lever Knob Beat CI-6318 gear knobs sold by Parts Big Boss. Initially was skeptical about ordering via their site, since delivery was questionable. Saw the same listed on Amazon by Parts Big Boss themselves and ordered right away. >> Car International Gear Lever Knob Beat CI-6318
₹170 + ₹ 40 shipping = ₹ 210.00
Ended up buying second one as the first one took away by cousin.

It was at least twice heavy compared to stock and decent quality for the price.

 

[deville_56]

January 2020 Continued.

Installation. That silicon cover has been in duty since some 2017, started showing it age. Gear boot was an eyesore.

Loosened the knob with pipe wrench and removed with some jerks.

Confused as to what to do with the boot.

Decides to test my stitching skills (Majority of the time was spent on YouTube on how to fix the sewing machine )

Version 1. Material left over from what we bought for FZ's seat cover many years back. Quick rough work, but turned out better than what I expected.

Installed knob and new boot. Perfect for a rookie

But not, was bit short in length on the front, causing too much stress in 2nd and Reverse, gradually had to loosen up the top cable tie.

 

[deville_56]

January 2020 (Finally coming to an end)

Sleeping in his abode.

Itch for alloy was on and @vishnu vichu was kind enough to give his Amaze's stock alloys.

It was Enkei make.

5.5J

But bad luck, won't fit. Hub was slightly bigger.

Could manage with a 1/2-3/4 inch spacer.

Beat hub size 58 mm.

Amaze hub 56 mm.

Wild ideas popped up. Bought a vernier caliper out of itch.

and a grinding attachment for drill.

But dropped the plan.

Also bought a shortie screwdriver, Stanley PH2 x 45 mm.

Badly wanted one from tight gaps.

 

[VISHNUCARCRAZY]

The stitch is awesome . And a suggestion , you can use white grease , in the shifter centre (The round area where the gear stick joins ) , it does great improvement in gear shifting (personal experience , once when I had changed stock swift gear knob to Baleno Gear knob)

 

[deville_56]

The stitch is awesome . And a suggestion , you can use white grease , in the shifter centre (The round area where the gear stick joins ) , it does great improvement in gear shifting (personal experience , once when I had changed stock swift gear knob to Baleno Gear knob)

Thanks. Wanted to grease it, but it had some kind of solid white anti-seize/dirt-resistant kinda grease, so deferred till I could find something of that kind.

 

[VISHNUCARCRAZY]

Ya thats the same which was applied in mine .

 

[deville_56]

February 2020

Faded lights.

Good old 3M Perfect-it was lying around. It was really easy to apply and effective than Meguairs.

Now looks spanky new.

AC cooling was decreasing day by day and finally not effective during noon times. Got it checked at the veterans, Cochin Supercoolers. It was 9:30 AM and already there was rush, I was like 5th or 6th, even after reaching before they opened the shop. Checked the gas and pressure was near to zero. In 6 years, it wasn't even checked once. He refilled and asked to come back if there is any decrease in cooling. In that case, he has to check the entire system for leaks or other faults. Charged ₹ 700.00. Cooling was restored and now can't drive with more than fan speed 2 or closing the vent, or right hand becomes unbearably cold and red. Same happens when speed 4 at hottest noon.

0

 

[deville_56]

February 2020 - Screw up!!!

Loaned car for a friend to go to Kochi as his 800's AC packed up. He called en route and said brake is like jammed and then it resolved on it's own. It was a shock, and thought brake booster gone again. He stopped for food and then hand brake was not working. Then going further brake disappeared all of a sudden. He gradually slowed in gear and didn't tell anyone until the car came to complete hault. Brake fluid was leaking from rear left brake. It was a Sunday and a bad day to get stranded. With 2 families and kid and luggage, no other go than either repair or another car. Roamed around and got the owners number from a closed garage. Luckily, they came and checked and found the rear brake cylinder busted and brake shoe material completely peeled off its base. Sunday = No spares. The common trait I've seen amongst highway mechanics are they would somehow make it possible for us to reach home. Seen this from old Amby days. They removed all the ruined parts. Blocked that particular brake line. Rode to nearest gas station and brought brake fluid and bled the lines and voila car is up and running again. They made 100% assurance that we can continue to Kochi and then return to Trivandrum and then repair. They took ₹ 350.00 each and ₹ 200.00 for brake fluid. Trip completed to and fro as per their assurance.

The root cause of the problem per them was prolonged parking with hand brakes. Car was sitting idle for so long before I saved it.

Gave it to repair at Motoclub, Kazhakuttom, a decent garage. They replaced both brake cylinders and brake shoes with Bosch ones. Returned in the promised time.

Brake Shoe Kit - Bosch - ₹ 1,300.00
Wheel Cylinder - Bosch - ₹ 980.00 x 2
Brake Fluid - ₹ 180.00

Rear Brake Overhaul - ₹ 800.00

Total - ₹ 4,240‬.00

(₹ 5,140‬.00 if including the highway repair)

Pending alignment and balancing done as well. Done at Uniquez.
Wheel Alignment + Balancing - ₹ 800.00 (400+400)
They too hiked the rated. Previously it was ₹ 300.00 for alignment and ₹ 200.00 for balancing.
Did rotation as well. Asked the condition of tyre and they said it can run another 6-7k km.

With the 800, for which the trip was made.

The windshield was full of swirl marks made by the moron (Premier Automobiles) when given for bumper painting. Night driving is very much irritating.