[Lukeskywalker]

noticed your black storm is running on Michelin tires(might be from day one), is it 235/70 or 245/70?

Yes, the Black Storm is running on Michelins from day one, the size is stock, 235/70/16.

[Lukeskywalker]

The Black Storme crossed 70k kms now, still running on the Michelins and they look good for another 5k kms at least.
The vehicle had done some 65k kms when the long pending issue of hard clutch was addressed and finally the gearbox opened and it was discovered that the clutch plate was worn, so a second time the clutch plate and releaser bearing was changed, this time without warranty as the components had crossed more than 40k kms and were considered to be worn over time.
The ASC also changed the slave and master cylinders in the clutch system, along with a steering link rod and tie rod ends.
The bill came to a whopping 27k rupees and then it was told on this very forum that the MC and SC cylinders were covered under Extended Warranty, so I took up the issue with the higher management of the ASC and they agreed to refund the cost of the same.
So this time for the 70k scheduled service the only thing was to change the oil and filters, even the air filter was changed at 65k, so with oil changes and power steering fluid and regular service charges for a paid service, the bill was around 8k, they adjusted the cost of the MC and SC and I was required to pay around 3 thousand rupees.
Got a complimentary polish for being a fussy customer and free pick up and drop for the car.

The car was returned just in time for a long pending drive to Rameshwaram, this trip had gotten postponed thrice previously and this time a serviced Black Storme was put to the test on the shifting sands of Dhanushkodi, here are a few pics



















The drive to Dhanushkodi was done in complete darkness as we wanted to catch the sunrise from Land's end, we took along a local jeep driver as a guide so that he could show us the path through the sand, thankfully we did not struggle much even in loose sand and the whole experience was fantastic.

P.S. Mods kindly edit the title to 70k kms done. Thanks.

[Blue Thunder]

Originally Posted by Lukeskywalker

... drive to Rameshwaram, ...
The drive to Dhanushkodi ...

Wow! That must have been fun...I think you owe us all a full-fledged travelogue .

[Lukeskywalker]

It's now 73k kms and one afternoon discovered that the entire coolant had leaked out where the car was parked overnight, luckily I had not driven more than 20 kms from morning so the engine did not overheat.
Next morning, took the car to the ASC and it was found that the water pump assembly had sprung a leak, left the car for replacement of the water pump, I was told it will be covered under extended warranty and it was replaced and the car sent back home the same evening.

The underbody shield had corroded badly and I was awaiting stocks for it's replacement, I was told they have received a few sets so I asked for one set.
Pavan Kadam had told me that he will help me get it treated with anti rust before fitment, hence asked the service centre to just hand over the shield to me for the treatment.

Some pictures of the shields before replacement and after replacement with anti rust on the new ones.

The shields after removal (Engine side)


The rust had eaten away the mounting points


The shields - ground facing side




The new shields in their packing


Unpacked


Coated with antirust and anti chip




The fitment


The new underbody protection


the shields cost about 2500/- exclusive of fitment, Pavan Kadam's body shop people did the coating free of cost and even fitted it for free .
Thanks a ton Pavan!!

[HappyWheels]

Hari,

When did you change you tires? And the new Continentals AT, how much was the hit?

And, did you ever get around to using the spare wheel?

My vehicle has done 55k and the tires are still holding good. With the low KM's it is putting in now, not sure if I should do a preventive change or keep it running till it shows signs of needing a replacement.