Putting The 205 Into Storage For A While

[Obey_R 23]

Right, so I'm off on a new adventure in January! I start recruit training in the Royal Marines, so that sadly means the 205 is going to spend a little while wrapped up in my Granddad's workshop.

 

I did a quick search with only 1 thread coming up, but I just want to check some obvious things. This is what I will do...

 

1) Thorough clean/wax

2) Up on axle stands

3) Wheels off

4) Disks off (oiled slightly), handbrake left off, too.

5) 'Moisture Mate' left inside the cabin, with windows cracked slightly

 

There won't be much fuel in the car anyway due to it being quite a long drive, but my Granddad (being an ex mechanic) insists he will be starting it up every now and then. Seeing as he's letting me keep it there, and I wont be here, I can't really stop it, so I won't be draining all the fluids out.

 

Anyway first silly question, where is best to put the axle stands? Rear should obviously go under the main beam tube. What about the fronts? Not on the sills I know, but wishbones, subframe? If subframe, where is safest to leave them for a couple of years?

 

Another thing is the wheels have recently been refurbished with new tyres all round so what's the best way of storing them? I was thinking stacking them up but would that cause flat spots on the side walls?

 

Thanks in advance!

[welshpug 1,657]

if its going to be a few years I'd sell the tyres

[dcc 855]

Why not ask your granddad to use it as a daily driver?

[Tom Fenton 1,542]

If it is going on stands with the wheels/tyres clear of the floor, I would leave the wheels on it. No flat spots as they will not be touching anything.

[feb 47]

if its going to be a few years I'd sell the tyres

 

+1

Tyres age with time even if not being used.

[matt.f 16]

Can you not get your grandad to take it out now and again and warm it up and keep everything moving.As long as it's not going out in the rain and being put back in the garage wet there won't be a problem.

[Obey_R 23]

Not really, I don't trust his driving at the best of times!

 

I was planning on taking the wheels and disks off to avoid the brakes seizing up? Would it not have that much effect? I guess leaving the wheels on would preserve the tyres as best as possible, because I might find myself taking it out of storage sooner than I plan to.

 

He also seemed a bit grumpy when I told him I was leaving the car there, so not sure he would want to take the car out every so often.

 

So would it be best to leave the disks on there and hope they don't go too rusty or seize up?

Edited December 19, 2011 by Obey_R

[welshpug 1,657]

discs are cheap enough stored inside with the handbrake off they shouldn't seize if they're in good condition already, I pulled my 205 out of a field a few days ago where its sat for 9 months, and prior to that sat outside the house for 18 and the brakes weren't seized, discs pretty knackered though! could probably get them re-faced easily but for the cost, not worth it.

[Obey_R 23]

Ok, its only a 1.6 so its just the fronts I was worried about, the tears will be fine with the handbrake left off.

 

I rebuilt the calipers at the start of the year before they went on, so in theory everything should be working as intended. It also had new rear cylinders so the backs should be okay.

 

So all that cleared up, where is the best bit of the subframe to put the axle stands?

[EdCherry 34 1 Cars]

I just oil brake discs when its being stored for long periods of time, just remember to clean it off

[brandon7 0]

Some unsuspecting driver could take your car out with oiled discs. That'll teach em

[cRaig 273 1 Cars]

I just oil brake discs when its being stored for long periods of time, just remember to clean it off

 

What oil do you use? My discs are going rusty on my 205, and its not going to be used for some time, so I think oiling them may be the way forward

[EdCherry 34 1 Cars]

Whatever's to hand. WD40/Silicone Spray is normally to hand so whack a bit of that on every now and then, otherwise a thin smear of engine or gearbox oil will do. At the end of the day your just building a barrier to try and prevent them oxidising.

[harryskid 193]

Why not just wrap them in cling film, if air can't get to them they wont oxidise !

[Baz 421]

Ambient temperature will change though, causing condensation which will just increase the corrosion!

[harryskid 193]

Ambient temperature will change though, causing condensation which will just increase the corrosion!

 

Doah

[EdCherry 34 1 Cars]

Well Baz found a better reason than me, I was going to say its just cause I don't keep clingflim with my cars!

[harryskid 193]

Well Baz found a better reason than me, I was going to say its just cause I don't keep clingflim with my cars!

 

Just for the toilet seats eh !

[Obey_R 23]

So all that cleared up, where is the best bit of the subframe to put the axle stands?

 

Anyone?

[dcc 855]

when I had mine on stands for a few months I had the front stands on some soft wood on the subframe bolts, but also had soft wood on the jacking points too with standas there.

 

I would put them on the 2 bolts where the back of the subframe attaches to the shell.

[Simes 248 2 Cars]

I'd get someone to drive it regularly.

Old cars just don't like sitting around.

[Obey_R 23]

Not really an option, its not going to be insured, taxed etc and my grandad is getting to the ages where he shouldn't really be driving his own car, let alone mine!

[Simes 248 2 Cars]

Not really an option, its not going to be insured, taxed etc and my grandad is getting to the ages where he shouldn't really be driving his own car, let alone mine!

 

Make sure it's insured.

[Baz 421]

Anyone?

 

TBH it doesn't really make much odds, anywhere on the subframe will do! If you're fussy then stick some wood between the stands and the subframe, but tbh i've left cars/shells on the sill/jacking points or even chassis box sections for prolonged periods without issue.

[Obey_R 23]

TBH it doesn't really make much odds, anywhere on the subframe will do! If you're fussy then stick some wood between the stands and the subframe, but tbh i've left cars/shells on the sill/jacking points or even chassis box sections for prolonged periods without issue.

 

 

Cheers Baz, I'd had it up on the subframe before but wanted to check it wouldn't go any damage over long periods of time.

 

As for keeping it insured, that's not an option either. I'm only just 20 with 2, coming up 3, no claims bonus. I'm not going to pay £1300 a year to keep it insured whilst I'm not using it! I guess I could look into a parent insuring it for me and me paying them, but with less than 3 weeks to go before I leave, it's not top of the to do list, at the mo.