- Sep 3, 2013
- 768
- 816
- Funster No
- 27,910
- MH
- 1992 RMB Silver Star 670
- Exp
- One year. A whole one!
I've had Udo for four months now.
Despite him spending the winter in heated, undercover storage, he's been slowly updated and refined.
After taking him up to see Dave Newell, it became clear that his rear springs needed work. The crosswinds we hit on the M5 and Udo's resultant scary squirrelling made me advance my plans.
I called around and decided to buy new rear springs and bushes outright. I took Snowbird's advice and had an extra 5th leaf added.
On top of that, I also wanted Udo fully serviced and given a good going over by a MB mechanic. Luckily, I found a great place specialising in Mercedes commercials 10 minutes drive from home. A great place called Master Tech in Wokingham, Berkshire.
So Udo got fresh oil, filters and a thorough going-over. I was told repeatedly how clean he was underneath. Nothing was amiss, which was nice.
MT then replaced the rear springs and bushes. I bought these from LeafSpring.co.uk.
http://www.leafspring.co.uk
The advice they gave was sound and made sense. They weren't 'salesy' and were honest and down to earth.
So Udo now sits on new uprated rear springs and with new bushes. The ride is more controlled and he doesn't lurch in corners any more. It means I can go slightly faster into corners. This is good as I was slowing down to silly-low speeds before. I think I'll have the front springs replaced with uprated units at the end of the year to complement the rears, though.
So, what did we do? We took him away last weekend to Henley-on-Thames. It's a 30 minute drive from home. There's a great campsite there called Swiss Farm.
http://www.swissfarmcamping.co.uk
Lovely facilities and decently large, flat pitches. They have a nice coffee / panini shop if the charms of Henley don't grab you.
Udo enjoying the sun in Henley:
We made the most of the clear, but very cold, night sky to stargaze huddled under fleecy blankets with some excellent single malt to keep the chill out. The Webasto kept Udo beautifully warm inside.
I used my double-skillet to heat through croissants on Sunday morning. Fresh coffee to go with them, too.
After the trip, I decided Udo's garage needed more order. We've long been a fan of Really Useful Boxes, so I measured up and ordered a selection of boxes to fit nicely without taking up all available space.
Before fitting them, I couldn't simply empty the garage without cleaning it properly. Autoglym APC and Super Resin Polish gives good results quickly and easily.
With the servicing, springs, new tyres, storage, refillable gas and water heater all sorted now, I'm planning the last remaining items to do.
I still want to organise the garage better and have found the Fiamma Cargo Strap system. Looks ideal for our Isabella chairs, and John's Cross looks to have good prices, so...
Then there's sorting a decent DAB stereo. And finally a new exhaust to replace the corroded, but sound, original. Oh, and the TV reception. I've got to call a helpful MHFun member on this subject. Haven't forgotten!
Clare's booking Udo's next trip away as I type this. :thumb:
Despite him spending the winter in heated, undercover storage, he's been slowly updated and refined.
After taking him up to see Dave Newell, it became clear that his rear springs needed work. The crosswinds we hit on the M5 and Udo's resultant scary squirrelling made me advance my plans.
I called around and decided to buy new rear springs and bushes outright. I took Snowbird's advice and had an extra 5th leaf added.
On top of that, I also wanted Udo fully serviced and given a good going over by a MB mechanic. Luckily, I found a great place specialising in Mercedes commercials 10 minutes drive from home. A great place called Master Tech in Wokingham, Berkshire.
So Udo got fresh oil, filters and a thorough going-over. I was told repeatedly how clean he was underneath. Nothing was amiss, which was nice.
MT then replaced the rear springs and bushes. I bought these from LeafSpring.co.uk.
http://www.leafspring.co.uk
The advice they gave was sound and made sense. They weren't 'salesy' and were honest and down to earth.
So Udo now sits on new uprated rear springs and with new bushes. The ride is more controlled and he doesn't lurch in corners any more. It means I can go slightly faster into corners. This is good as I was slowing down to silly-low speeds before. I think I'll have the front springs replaced with uprated units at the end of the year to complement the rears, though.
So, what did we do? We took him away last weekend to Henley-on-Thames. It's a 30 minute drive from home. There's a great campsite there called Swiss Farm.
http://www.swissfarmcamping.co.uk
Lovely facilities and decently large, flat pitches. They have a nice coffee / panini shop if the charms of Henley don't grab you.
Udo enjoying the sun in Henley:
We made the most of the clear, but very cold, night sky to stargaze huddled under fleecy blankets with some excellent single malt to keep the chill out. The Webasto kept Udo beautifully warm inside.
I used my double-skillet to heat through croissants on Sunday morning. Fresh coffee to go with them, too.
After the trip, I decided Udo's garage needed more order. We've long been a fan of Really Useful Boxes, so I measured up and ordered a selection of boxes to fit nicely without taking up all available space.
Before fitting them, I couldn't simply empty the garage without cleaning it properly. Autoglym APC and Super Resin Polish gives good results quickly and easily.
With the servicing, springs, new tyres, storage, refillable gas and water heater all sorted now, I'm planning the last remaining items to do.
I still want to organise the garage better and have found the Fiamma Cargo Strap system. Looks ideal for our Isabella chairs, and John's Cross looks to have good prices, so...
Then there's sorting a decent DAB stereo. And finally a new exhaust to replace the corroded, but sound, original. Oh, and the TV reception. I've got to call a helpful MHFun member on this subject. Haven't forgotten!
Clare's booking Udo's next trip away as I type this. :thumb: