My A2 'blog'...

[<tuffty/>]

Wow superb moon shots there Tufty
I am very jealous of the kit and lenses

As for the exposure surely your Canon has live view like mine does!
I get great pics using it in live view mode..

Now I know why your pics on the blog are so good, knew you had to be into photography somehow...Would be great to meet up with someone else on the forum who actually has an interest in photography, I used to shoot semi years ago..Its just hobby now though and a Mirror-less Canon

Keep on posting mate..Lovin the L lens!

I have live view but I also have old man eyes and I really do need to get some decent reading glasses lol...

I normally use my Macbook Air and EOS Utility for shots like this.... does make it easier but biggest issue with a shot like the moon is having a stable platform... at this focal length you only need to breath on the focus ring the the image jumps around like a cat on a hot tin roof!... lol... I am considering a telescope and tracker at some point for DSO astrophotography but need to research more first...

If you are interested I tend to update my actual blog with pics fairly often (along with other random stuff of no interest to anyone except me lol)

http://www.tuffty.co.uk/blog/

<tuffty/>

 

[Birchall]

<tuffty/>, You have only made 108 posts, but they are so informative and with such superb photography, I've just got to say a big "thank-you" for your contribution to this club! How I wish that you were nearer to me so that I could meet you in person! You make any job on the Audi A2 look so easy! If you're ever over here in North Wales, then there's a warm welcome at my home!

David

I echo David's comments completely.

I am so pleased that we have so many people that "go the extra mile" and post help, as well as interesting threads.

I was going to mention a few members specificall, but then realised that not only is that difficult because we are lucky to have so many really decnt people on here, but I would hate to miss one off.

For once I think I can speak for the team here at A2OC, when I say, thanks for all of the contributions (From you and others).

I can also say that a visit to David is something that is worth diverting a few hundred miles to achieve. His welcomes are genuine and it is always interesting to "talk A2"with David over a nice cup of tea and some GREAT cake, in such nice surroundings!

Thanks tufty (and David and everyone else )

Steve B

 

[<tuffty/>]

<tuffty/>, You have only made 108 posts, but they are so informative and with such superb photography, I've just got to say a big "thank-you" for your contribution to this club! How I wish that you were nearer to me so that I could meet you in person! You make any job on the Audi A2 look so easy! If you're ever over here in North Wales, then there's a warm welcome at my home!

David

Thanks for your kind words and welcome David

I do plan a trip to the Brecon Beacons at some point with a good welshist friend of mine... supposed to be very dark at night so perfect for starry shots

<tuffty/>

 

[<tuffty/>]

Got around to sorting the rear brakes today... I knew I had a weepy cylinder and the handbrake cable was on its last leg so after giving the old girl her 6 month oil change I got started

The rear drums were in a sorry state

As were the shoes

I removed the hub to make it easier to get at the shoes.. I would take pics if you are unsure of how it all goes back together and of course do one side at a time so you have a reference for where the springs go...

One weeping brake cylinder...

As is always the way the brake line did not want to undo but luckily the lines appear to have been replaced with the easy to flare copper based tube so I just clamped the rear beam flexi line and cut it instead

Looking a little worse for wear against a brand new OE one...

I flared the end of the pipes and used new pipe nuts...

Fitted the new shoes using a new spring kit...

Fitted the nice shiny new brake drum...

More in next post (only lets me post ten pics at a time)

<tuffty/>

 

[<tuffty/>]

Before I reassembled the brakes I also replaced the two handbrake cables as they were in a sorry state... these quite frankly were a right royal PITA to do...!

Had to cut the cable to get to the joiner... this made it easier to remove the joiner from the main handbrake cable...

Next obstacle was where the cable fits in the holder pictured below....

Essentially it had rusted in and wasn't moving at all... there is no room to do much and the only other choice was to drop the tank to remove the bracket to get it out... so I just drilled a couple of holes in it to make it a little weaker (its a pretty thick bracket...)

...Bingo!... out came the cable... phew!!

The near side wasn't rusted but the fuel filter was in the way and quite frankly I just had to walk away for a bit as I got covered in diesel again because I had to remove the top pipe to thread it over the cable once it was in its holder...

Nearside cylinder was not leaking but the bolt holding it in rounded so I had to remove the spring and unbolt the damper to be able to get a drill in to drill it out...

But finally got it all done...

To protect the drums a bit I painted then...

little tip... don't paint mating faces... brakes get hot in use and the paint softens... when this happens it can lead to the wheel bolts loosening as the wheel will sink into the soft paint... I don't need to tell you loose wheel bolts leads to loose bowels

I experienced this myself on my S3 when I painted the bells of my front discs... I only used a thin layer but it was still enough the give me wheel wobble felt through the steering wheel and massive shudder under braking... I re-torqued my wheel bolts when I got home (I religiously torque my wheel bolts when ever they have come off) and they took a quarter turn to get back to 90ftlbs... don't do it kids!!!
Bled the brakes and adjusted the handbrake a little and all is now good... brakes actually work better now and I have a hand brake that holds on a hill... result

...and just for my little band of photography followers... I managed to bag a decent crescent moon pic the other night...

Been after one for a while but the weather has always had other ideas..

<tuffty/>

 

[Darren C]

Top quality work and some good tips to boot. Many thanks.

 

[Birchall]

Very sensible tip and great moon picture.

Steve B

 

[Crazylegs]

Tufty any updates fella
Love reading your blog

You goin to AITP8 this year?

 

[<tuffty/>]

Tufty any updates fella
Love reading your blog

You goin to AITP8 this year?

Nothing to report mate on the car at least... she has been doing her duty as the daily impeccably and other than an oil change and yet another blo*dy pothole incident which bent a wheel all is good there... the S3 had a moment a few weeks back when the after run pump fell apart and subsequently dumped coolant on my way to the workshop but thats sorted and she is as scary fast as ever

More recently I have been getting into macro photography as the nights are too light/short to get decent astro stuff at the moment... its not astronomically dark now until the end of July so will get back on it as autumn draws closer..

One area of macro I have been playing with is high speed drip photography... my actual blog has more details but here are a couple of pics of my efforts so far...

Still playing with the setup to make it a little easier to get consistent results but I am pleased so far...

<tuffty/>

 

[Crazylegs]

Superb mate!

If thats just dabbling I would love to see what you could do if you got into it seriously!
I'll pass by the blog later to take a little more in..

 

[Birchall]

Amazing shots !!!!

More please !!!!

Steve B

 

[Bala_de_plata]

Hi <tuffty/>,

Thanks for a great thread! Nice photos!

FYI. I have drum brakes as well (1.4 TDI BHC 75 HP) but they will be replaced with disc brakes quite soon. The handbrake gets loose all the time after being adjusted so I am looking forward to this upgrade.
There are two ways to replace drums with discs: Using a rear axle from 90 HP TDI/110 HP 1.6FSI or without it. I chose the second variant as I don't want to buy and install SuperPro bushings in the rear subframe all over again...

 

[<tuffty/>]

Hi <tuffty/>,

Thanks for a great thread! Nice photos!

FYI. I have drum brakes as well (1.4 TDI BHC 75 HP) but they will be replaced with disc brakes quite soon. The handbrake gets loose all the time after being adjusted so I am looking forward to this upgrade.
There are two ways to replace drums with discs: Using a rear axle from 90 HP TDI/110 HP 1.6FSI or without it. I chose the second variant as I don't want to buy and install SuperPro bushings in the rear subframe all over again...

Thanks and good info... I did look into it but decided at the time just replacing the drums was the easier option considering her duties and that I have the S3 for my modding fix...

That said I still haven't ruled it out and I constantly fight with myself over my desire to lower the A2 and fit Porsche D90's lol...

I will soon be gathering parts for the engine rebuild as the old girl has turned 185k this week... even then I am resisting the urge to get a hybrid turbo built! lol...

<tuffty/>

 

[<tuffty/>]

Tufty any updates fella
Love reading your blog

You goin to AITP8 this year?

Sorry dude... never did answer this... unfortunately not... was hoping to make the Sunday (would have been in the S3) but family shizzle has intervened (good not bad btw) so not going to make it... I will be attending ADI at Castle Combe though as its not far up the road from me...

Amazing shots !!!!

More please !!!!

Steve B

Feels wrong posting them here as its way off topic but I have been updating my blog recently and have finally managed to bag a milkyway shot...

http://www.tuffty.co.uk/blog/2016/08/06/finally-a-milkyway-shot/

http://www.tuffty.co.uk/blog/2016/08/09/golden-hour-fun-and-games/

Other than that the A2 has turned 185k miles and still going strong. I am still undecided which route to go when the time comes to rebuild the engine... part of my wants to do a full rebuild using 2ltr 8v Tdi pistons, forged rods etc to fully refresh it but I have also been keeping an eye open for low mileage lumps from later VAG cars as this would be much simpler in the long run...

I don't really know enough about these engines yet... 1.8t 20v engines I know like the back of my hand but the weak points on these 3 pot derv's elude me at the moment...

Bit more research needed but I really must resist the urge to 'play' with the engine beyond a remap on the A2 as she is just perfect as the daily

<tuffty/>

 

[mrbroons]

Just seen and read your thread from start to finish Tufty, absolutely awesome, only stumbled across it as I'm taking a bumper off but really amazing stuff. I don't have a ramp or anywhere near the tools or experience you have but I'm certainly willing to give it a go, you make it all look so logical. Great stuff. Many thanks!

James.

 

[DJ 190]

Yes, this really is a very fine thread! I've also just read right through the thread. It is SO interesting with so much information over many subjects. Terrific photography, too! Please, Tufty, keep it up!

David

 

[<tuffty/>]

Thanks guys.... I am just sorry that its not updated too often as to be fair the A2 is just doing what she does and does it very well lol...

I did pop over to the A2OC stand at ADI for a quick chat but only really saw Steve B (only A2 owner I kinda recognise lol)

I was there with my S3... I was mainly talking to friends etc and catching up with ASN forum members I hadn't seen all year so didn't really take many pics...

My S3...

...and the reason I got into Audi's in the first place...

Not been out taking many pics in general tbh as work has been manic and my spare time I was spending on machine polishing the S3 ready for ADI...

But tried something a little different a little while back...

Needs a little work and potentially a new lens ( ) to get somewhere close to where I want to be with shooting MX but a really interesting subject and looking forward to having another go in the new year...

For now though I am just waiting on being able to get some time off so I venture out at night and get some night scape shots... bit late in the year for the milkyway sadly but I have a few things I'd like to try

<tuffty/>

 

[<tuffty/>]

Just before christmas this happened!!...

10k to go before another milestone...

Something else happened just before christmas too... the S3 broke!!... not sure whats wrong yet as tbh I just parked her up and walked away... but I believe its drivetrain related maybe the haldex as there was the tell tale sign of the rear wheels hopping/winding up which stopped when I pulled the haldex fuse... there is a vibration that shakes the back end of the car over 15mph so I will be looking at that in due time as I she needs to be trailered to the workshop when I can be bothered lol...

Just as well I have the ever reliable A2 in my life... well... that was until the coolant level warning came on one morning on the way to work... this is one of those times when you lose the enthusiasm for the A2's quirky bonnet lol...

Sure enough the coolant in the expansion bottle was low and on further investigation I could see coolant leaking from the area around the CTS with coolant all over the gear box... disappointing...

Ordered a new CTS from TPS...

CTS is in a bit of an awkward position... the hose is looking like its going a bit soft too so will need to keep an eye on that one..

Removed the bracket and tried to swap the old CTS with the new before too much coolant escaped... (didn't go too well lol)

Unplugged the old CTS and plugged in the new one...

Old washer was quite hard and squared off... there was a little corrosion and muck on the CTS so hopefully the new one has cured the leak

I have cleaned up on the box and around the CTS so will check it tomorrow to see if thats the only leak I have...

I have a bit more stuff to do once I get a minute... rear shocks were noted to have corrosion on the bodies in the MOT although not leaking its only a matter of time... to sort that I have managed to acquire a coil over kit (not sure of the make tbh)... it was cheap enough to take a punt on and has done next to no miles on a car... will fit it and see how it goes... if its rubbish I can sell on and probably even make money on it then get something else...

<tuffty/>

 

[<tuffty/>]

And as is the norm now here are a couple of pictures I took over the christmas/new year period

Dug out the drip rig for a play...

Went to Weston-super-Mare with my rabble on the new year bank holiday Monday...

<tuffty/>

 

[Mustang-owner]

Total respect for some stunning photography......