Guinness

What Did You Do To Your Smart Today?

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Finally got around to changing out a bad ball joint on the passenger's side lower control arm in the 451. A whole replacement arm can be had for about the same cost as a replacement ball joint and bushings. Had to take more of the car apart than I was expecting and it took a little longer than planned. When I go to do the driver's side I expect it will not take very long at all.

Edited by Huronlad

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Febi lower control arm costs £30 here. Ball joint TRW JBJ830 costs £12. Add the cost of two bushes and there is not much saved.

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I am beyond happy to be finished with my paint project.

Originally my car was silver tridion with purple panels. It also had a huge dent in the drivers side windshield pillar. It was starting to rust as well.

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I ended up finding a parts smart about 500km away, with a complete panel set, so I snagged it.

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The black panels were a huge improvement, especially since my purple ones were missing the front valence (I fell through ice in a huge water puddle, lol)

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My windshield was garbage and the front pillar was dented and rusting. I couldn't replace the windshield without fixing the rust, so a friend and I decided to paint our little cars.

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After body work we did a spray of sealer

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3 coats of base and 2 clear

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We sprayed the rear quarter windows, and some trim pieces

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New windshield and heres the finished product!!

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Looks good for a 10 year old car with 250,000km!

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Last Monday we delivered Bessy to her new owner. After almost 5 years and 50,000km of smart enjoyment we moved on. We bought a 2012 Golf, and like anyone who goes from a smart to anything else still haven't recovered from gas pump sticker shock haha. It was time for an upgrade, we loved the smart but not the bumpy ride and lack of A/C.

I am still available to work on local smarts and give advice where I can.

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Over the weekend inspected brakes, painted calipers, changed to a new summer wheel/tire combo. Very little wear on the shoes at close to 160k km. Running 185/55R16 Yoko Avid Ascend tires on a set of anthracite 6" Team Dynamic wheels. A more comfortable ride, once I have a few hundred km on them I will test out the handling.

Of note the speedometer is almost accurate now with the over-sized tires.

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Edited by Huronlad

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I got tired of looking at the faded & Peeling imitation "Carbon Fiber" skin on Sally's roof panel as shown on the top of the 1st picture.

I was going to replace it with a new skin this winter but decided to replace it with a glass panel instead.

Start-to-finish was only an hour. Thanks again Glenn for hosting the transformation.

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I bought the smart's replacement today. I gave the M-B dealer a chance, but the 453 is just too expensive for what it is. I bought a Fiat 500c cabrio, manual, from dealer stock (and a proper manual transmission is another thing which proved impossible to find on a 453).

The smart has non-functioning A/C, which is a problem this summer, and the clutch has become grabby to the point of being very annoying and sometimes stalling the engine. No, it's not the actuator adjustment; been there done that. I've had enough.

The smart is still in my driveway for the next couple of days, I'm picking up the new car on Wednesday. Ad is in the classifieds. There's a good Bilstein suspension kit and a good set of alloy wheels sitting right there.

234,748 km as it sits.

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Worked on the 451. Replaced passenger side lower control arm, fixed cracked bumper, fixed side valences, fixed failing rear lower hatch hinges, changed 5 year old battery, installed inverter to power 120V items in the car.

Also had some time to play with Xentry.

I think the 451 might be nearly ready for a bit of a road trip.

The new Yoko tires do not have as much grip as the W-rated S-Drives but they are much quieter and more comfortable.

Tomorrow I plan to do some work on the 450.

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Spent the morning with Uncle Glenn. "Sally" started to have a Clunky Idle. Injector readings were -.800, -320 & =1.130. Swapped #1 & #3 injectors. In doing so, when removed, noticed the compression gasket on #3 wasn't just compressed, it was oddly distorted. Replaced both gaskets and re-installed. New readings are +.020, +.100 & -.170. She now idles smooth as glass. AWESOME! I was so relieved, so I had cruise control installed while I was there. I think the only upgrade "Sally" doesn't have now is Heated Seats.................hmmmmmmmm, maybe next time.

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Forgot to mention, do a soap test around the injectors from time to time. Something I learnt on this forum. Takes only a minute or two. No fancy equipment required. Just soap, water and a small paint brush. Apply around injectors whilst engine is idling. Look for soap bubbles indicating a leaking injector fire washer seal.

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Oil and filter change for the 451.

Freed up the alternator on the 450 and turned the engine over for the first time in awhile. No start, it does not appear to be getting any fuel, when I have a chance this week I will look at the SAM.

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When you turn the key to the #1 position do you hear the fuel tank pump running?

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It is fairly loud in my work but I do not think the pump was running. So I will start with the known problem areas and go from there.

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Yes I have family on the island I have not seen in many, many years. Hoping there might be a few smart owners to visit with as well.

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Cynthia and I are in Maple Falls, WA, and we just hit 100,000 kms a couple minutes ago....

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Rolled over 160k km in the 451 Between NJ and VA.

Edited by Huronlad
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Wednesday, we took the Cabrio and headed to Port McNicoll, Ontario to take in a tour of the S.S. Keewatin. This link will show more pictures and the history of this majestic old ship which was launched on July 6/1907.

All the stairs, rails and the rest of the interior was built by the same people who put all their efforts into the Titanic. The major difference is that after 99 years, the Keewatin is still floating. It's watertight compartments were better designed efforts and the watertight compartment walls went all the way to the ceiling whereas the Titanic's had a 4 foot gap at the top which allowed water to spill into the next compartment. Worth the trip to view this beautiful old lady of the sea. A 1½ hour tour by knowledgeable guides for the mere sum of $15 ($20 if you want to visit the engine rooms and other compartments below the living quarters of the passengers.)

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I looked at mine today, safely stowed in the underground space again.... ready soon for another early interval oil change. It will see not too much action now that I have bought a brand new Mazda CX-5 with a 6 speed manual..... I'll probably de-plate it soonish if no buyer comes forth, and let it sit out for the entire fall/winter with just the usual warm ups and drives underground. It's still a pretty neat car!

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Had the Canada1 into Glenn's today with an air bad dash light.

Code check showed passenger-side problem.

He cleaned and sprayed contacts on the plug under the seat (typical cause) rather than eliminating the plug.

I figured with only 23,500 km, the plug shouldn't be loose, rusted or full of shmush.

It also keeps originality in tact.

Hit every bump I could over the next 50 km, with no problem.

I think Glenn said something about a lifetime warranty ;). :)

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