Stu_Rock

That's neat. I will keep that in mind for the future. Regarding the bushing, mine was totally absent when I bought the car. Getting into the correct gear was a genuine challenge! I found that a 3/8 sweat-type copper pipe coupler was nearly the right fit. Even though it doesn't have the damping capability of rubber, it seems fine to me. I later found an exact-fit sintered bronze bearing at McMaster-Carr for about $1. I bought one to keep on hand for when I decide to rebuild the linkage better.

Is the knee bolster panel (with hood release) intact on the '84? I need one. How long do you think they'll keep these cars before they get crushed? It's a long but nice drive down to Moss Landing and I wouldn't be able to do it for a couple weeks.

Thanks for the welcome, everyone. Indeed, I have done a lot of work on the car. It seems like I have been lucky in that it's a whole bunch of small stuff. The big items (engine, transmission, clutch, driveline) seem all to be OK. Norcal505, I am near Redwood City. It's North Fair Oaks, to be specific. I'll be impressed if even any of the locals know where that is!

Hi everyone! Rabin asked me to write an introduction. My name is Stuart, and I live in the San Francisco Bay area, though I am originally from Wisconsin. I have a 1984 Peugeot 505 turbodiesel. I had wanted an older RWD manual transmission Peugeot for a few years, and one showed up on Craigslist at the end of January. The car was in pretty rough shape, and I felt like it was either going to come home with me or go to the crusher. But it was exactly what I was looking for--and considering how rare these cars are on the used market, I decided I couldn't let it go. It took a lot of work to get my 505 to a roadworthy state, but it's been pretty easy to work on and it drives great. The car remains a beater--every panel has some sort of dent--but it's mechanically sound with only 119,000 miles. Despite its relatively low mileage, it was severely neglected. A list (probably incomplete) of the work I have done is an "appendix" to this intro. It's a long list, but I think it's a testament to the ruggedness of these cars that they can keep running despite so much neglect. I am now sold on the awesomeness of the 505. My intention is to keep mine running well for a few years at least. It is still a beater and I don't view it as restoration candidate, but I could imagine it ending up as a parts car for a better-condition replacement someday. As far as other automotive interests, I tend toward domestic vehicles. Currently I also have a somewhat rare 2005 Buick Park Avenue Ultra "Special Edition," which was one of 176 commemorative vehicles built at the end of the model's production run. I love it--GM used all the sportiest bits from hi-po Bonnevilles and Sevilles of the era, but only tweaked the conservative, comfortable Buick design with a special paint job. I also have a 1998 Dodge shorty window van as a utility vehicle. It's also great at what it is. The original owner ordered it exactly how I would have--completely stripped down with only four options: V8 engine, the windows, a sliding door, and a limited slip differential. I look forward to hearing more about everyone's experience with 505s. Stuart Work I have done on the 505: rebuilt shift handle from bushings up to knob new brake master cylinder new clutch master cylinder new rear wheel cylinders new drum brake shoes all new brake/clutch hoses front vented brake conversion with new/reman parts new power steering lines fabricated new ball joints new strut inserts one new front wheel bearing cleaned up lug nut and stud threads new tie rods and boots many flaky electrical contacts cleaned or replaced rebuilt front turn signals all new light bulbs in gauge cluster windows de-tinted new thermostat and pressure cap many new hoses for vacuum, cooling, and boost tachometer pickup replaced replaced fuel filter housing (previous mechanic wrenched on it) fixed leaky fuel injector unclogged windshield washer tank and nozzle new radio with rear speakers new radio antenna (non-retracting) rebuilt both dome light assemblies installed trunk light fixed fuel filler overflow drain hose trans fluid changed gear oil changed intake oil vapor catch can installed repaired boost gauge installed by a prior owner door stop link replaced rebuilt window crank handles stabilizer bar bushings replaced