The new news 24 thread

[Split_Pin]

A while ago we were ripped off by a landscape gardener for £2500. We were supposed  to get our boggy ground excavated, all new drainage installed, new slabs, planters built and raised brick beds.

We asked for Eldorado, he gave us Ypres:

We are on good terms with our electrician and his mate, who carries out the groundwork on new build housing sites. His mate owes him a couple of favours so they both came out to survey the damage.

For a small cash sum and with some help from my wife and I, over the course of 3 weekends we now have this:

 

For a girl, my wife is not afraid of hard work. She's also freakishly strong for someone who's 5 ft 5. She handballed 3 tons of gravel today with 1 barrow and 1 shovel, while I was working.

Our electrician built the planter at the back from 6 railway sleepers and it looks great.

Had we put turf down again, the grass would have died again in a couple of years and become a mossy mess so we had no choice but to lay artificial grass. The electrician had done his own with some help on the ground preparation so between the 2 of them a grand job was done. The sand underneath was planed and  whacked in 3 thin layers until it was like a billiard table, almost a shame to cover it!

Thank goodness the whole episode is behind us now.

[Mrs6C]

5 hours ago, barefoot said:

You know how sometimes in older cars, the hooter sometimes does a little comedy honk when you turn the steering wheel? 

Oh yes, also newer cars... our P38 Range Rover used to do that if it had been a cold night... we assume it was some condensation getting to places it shouldn't... it was only about six years old at the time...

[BorniteIdentity]

2 minutes ago, Split_Pin said:

A while ago we were ripped off by a landscape gardener for £2500. We were supposed  to get our boggy ground excavated, all new drainage installed, new slabs, planters built and raised brick beds.

We asked for Eldorado, he gave us Ypres:

We are on good terms with our electrician and his mate, who carries out the groundwork on new build housing sites. His mate owes him a couple of favours so they both came out to survey the damage.

For a small cash sum and with some help from my wife and I, over the course of 3 weekends we now have this:

 

For a girl, my wife is not afraid of hard work. She's also freakishly strong for someone who's 5 ft 5. She handballed 3 tons of gravel today with 1 barrow and 1 shovel, while I was working.

Our electrician built the planter at the back from 6 railway sleepers and it looks great.

Had we put turf down again, the grass would have died again in a couple of years and become a mossy mess so we had no choice but to lay artificial grass. The electrician had done his own with some help on the ground preparation so between the 2 of them a grand job was done. The sand underneath was planed and  whacked in 3 thin layers until it was like a billiard table, almost a shame to cover it!

Thank goodness the whole episode is behind us now.

That looks magic; something to be really proud of. Artificial grass has come a long way eh? Once upon a time it was like the shelves in a greengrocers! The back looks as good as the front now, lovely stuff. 

Any chance of seeing the scammer or the 2k again?

[mrbenn]

3 minutes ago, Split_Pin said:

A while ago we were ripped off by a landscape gardener for £2500. We were supposed  to get our boggy ground excavated, all new drainage installed, new slabs, planters built and raised brick beds.

We asked for Eldorado, he gave us Ypres:

We are on good terms with our electrician and his mate, who carries out the groundwork on new build housing sites. His mate owes him a couple of favours so they both came out to survey the damage.

For a small cash sum and with some help from my wife and I, over the course of 3 weekends we now have this:

 

For a girl, my wife is not afraid of hard work. She's also freakishly strong for someone who's 5 ft 5. She handballed 3 tons of gravel today with 1 barrow and 1 shovel, while I was working.

Our electrician built the planter at the back from 6 railway sleepers and it looks great.

Had we put turf down again, the grass would have died again in a couple of years and become a mossy mess so we had no choice but to lay artificial grass. The electrician had done his own with some help on the ground preparation so between the 2 of them a grand job was done. The sand underneath was planed and  whacked in 3 thin layers until it was like a billiard table, almost a shame to cover it!

Thank goodness the whole episode is behind us now.

Bloody hell fire, that looks amazing! Outstanding work there!

Sorry to hear of the original charlatan. Karma is a wonderful thing and it'll do for him at some point.

[Mrs6C]

3 minutes ago, Split_Pin said:

For a small cash sum and with some help from my wife and I, over the course of 3 weekends we now have this:

On the positive side, your friends got some paid work and you and your wife got the stunning outdoor space you wanted. Hope you will be able to pursue the other people and get your money back, but the results you have now look great.

[Split_Pin]

1 minute ago, BorniteIdentity said:

That looks magic; something to be really proud of. Artificial grass has come a long way eh? Once upon a time it was like the shelves in a greengrocers! The back looks as good as the front now, lovely stuff. 

Any chance of seeing the scammer or the 2k again?

Neither sadly, tried all avenues. The police did try and spent a lot of time at our house taking all possible details however the PC conceded that a charge was unlikely. He was a decent chap though, fair play for his time. 

Trading standards stipulated that I emailed as they aren't taking phone calls because of Covid  (?) . I gave them my Magnus Opus but have received no reply.

I'm just taking it in the chin and chalking that one up to experience. 

[Mrs6C]

5 minutes ago, Split_Pin said:

I'm just taking it in the chin and chalking that one up to experience. 

Small claims court?

[Cord Fourteener]

4 hours ago, bunglebus said:

If by the pin you mean the thread behind the pinch bolt - it doesn't come out. You just loosen it and undo the top nut. They can be a little bitch, can you get a wedge of some sort in the split in the hub (on your left as you look at the offside)? Might help open it up a bit 

According to the videos I watched the mechanics use a punch and punch them out!

Hmm. Will try again Thursday with some help anyway before booking in. 

[Split_Pin]

10 minutes ago, Mrs6C said:

Small claims court?

Its £106 just to lodge one and if he defends, its ludicrously expensive. I talked this over with my cousin who is a solicitor specialising in exactly this sort of thing but the cases going to court are for 6 figures plus. The scammer probably knows that too.

Karma will catch up with him eventually.

[Stanky]

1 hour ago, Sh'Eds said:

Is one a winter tyre and one a summer?

could be, hadn't thought of that

[Fumbler]

31 minutes ago, HarmonicCheeseburger said:

Sadly also noticed the rear drivers sill is made of rust, so getting quotes sorted for that.  Also while at NM's upgraded to 14inch wheels, and FINALLY the speedo reads accurate, also for some weird reasons tires for the 14inch wheels are far cheaper then the 13inch.

14" rims are more common than 13" IIRC. That being said, my Nokians were only £45 a corner.

[SiC]

2 hours ago, Split_Pin said:

Its £106 just to lodge one and if he defends, its ludicrously expensive. I talked this over with my cousin who is a solicitor specialising in exactly this sort of thing but the cases going to court are for 6 figures plus. The scammer probably knows that too.

Karma will catch up with him eventually.

Legal cover on your house insurance may cover this if going to court if you have legal cover. My parents have been on a four year battle with a water company, their neighbours and pipes. Didn't end up going to court to get resolved, but having the costs covered was a very useful thing as lawyers were involved. Plus most smaller outfits or private individuals would sensibly not bother fighting if they knew they were in the wrong and knew your warchest was funded by an insurance company.  

I know what you mean about chalking it up as experience and walking away though. This is why I usually DIY everything I can. 

Our kitchen is being installed at the moment by a professional, but my wife knows him well as he's done a lot of contract work for the school she works at. Including also doing work at the business manager at the schools own personal house.

Massive stress release knowing someone you can trust is sorting everything out for you and is doing a good job too. 

We put a patio in the end of the garden. Even if we could afford to get a professional in, we probably still have DIY it. 

[Angrydicky]

18 hours ago, Tim_E said:

Tried to change the offside track rod end on the Passat, failed. I watched how-tos and everything but I could not get the thing to come off no matter how hard I hit various bolts and pins. Going to have to book it in. 

At least I was able to go round and torque each wheel nut on each wheel to 120nm so I know they are all good. 

I've never had any luck with the pelt it with a hammer technique. You need a proper balljoint splitter. One of these will crack it off in no time.

Mine is only a cheap Laser tools one but it's absolutely invaluable for these jobs. I've cut a chunk out of the bottom, where it would seat on the nut which gives it a bit more reach for larger balljoints and, if necessary, then use a nut to pack it out again when doing smaller ones.

You get a very satisfying "BANG" when it releases!

https://www.halfords.com/tools/hand-tools/automotive-tools/laser-ball-joint-separator-scissors-694406.html

 

 

[barefoot]

18 hours ago, barefoot said:

I am as blind as a fucking bat up close in the half light of dawn, but the fair wife managed to read the words on the fuse box index, I counted from right to left, pulled out a 15a bluey and silence was restored.

Now when I say 'silence was restored'. What I meant to say was, 'we returned home to the constant clacking of the relay under the glove box'. This morning we drove out again and the relay was silent.

I also forgot to mention yesterday that whilst my horn was papping furiously, we became caught up behind the dustcart. Yep, I'm honking unintentionally at the dustmen as they dart back & forth across the road with bins. Each blast accompanied by a cheery smile & a wave from me.

Do the folk of this fair Parish think I should take it to my man with the spanners for a closer look, or do you think I should just shove the fuse back in & continue as if nothing happen?

This second option is slightly tempered by the thought that the clocks go forward next weekend, so we'll be off out for a walk at 05:15...

[brownnova]

Always a great email to receive in work.... I’m not sure there are enough columns on their spreadsheet... 

[Bren]

20 hours ago, Tim_E said:

Tried to change the offside track rod end on the Passat, failed. I watched how-tos and everything but I could not get the thing to come off no matter how hard I hit various bolts and pins. Going to have to book it in. 

At least I was able to go round and torque each wheel nut on each wheel to 120nm so I know they are all good. 

Why I punted ours on. A PITA if everything is seized. Ours really needed dampers but it seemed to be another job that the trade " would rather not get involved in." 

[artdjones]

1 hour ago, Bren said:

Why I punted ours on. A PITA if everything is seized. Ours really needed dampers but it seemed to be another job that the trade " would rather not get involved in." 

I changed the springs on my nephew's Passat in his back garden. Slightly awkward, but doable without many problems, and easier again with a lift.

 

[BL Bloke]

Dropped the Saxo off for its MOT this morning, hopefully it'll be good news. 

[Bren]

Vectra failed MOT. Track rod end and headlight. I think a new headlight will be required - it did not respond to being polished.

[Bren]

3 hours ago, Bren said:

Vectra failed MOT. Track rod end and headlight. I think a new headlight will be required - it did not respond to being polished.

I used some wet and dry and some nail varnish remover. I gave it a polish - it has come up and may be enough on Friday when it goes back in.

[BL Bloke]

The garage have just rung to say that the Saxo has passed its MOT. 🙂

[Tadhg Tiogar]

New battery delivered yesterday. Not going to fit until the weekend, at which point a battery drain test will have to be done. That could* take much of the afternoon, but fortunately the CX doesn't have that many fuses - think there are only 12 or 13. Expecting some interesting multimeter readings and head-scratching......

[Cord Fourteener]

9 hours ago, Angrydicky said:

I've never had any luck with the pelt it with a hammer technique. You need a proper balljoint splitter. One of these will crack it off in no time.

Mine is only a cheap Laser tools one but it's absolutely invaluable for these jobs. I've cut a chunk out of the bottom, where it would seat on the nut which gives it a bit more reach for larger balljoints and, if necessary, then use a nut to pack it out again when doing smaller ones.

You get a very satisfying "BANG" when it releases!

https://www.halfords.com/tools/hand-tools/automotive-tools/laser-ball-joint-separator-scissors-694406.html

 

 

Yet another tool I've never seen before!

[RobT]

OLD CARS RULE.

I'll update my Morris thread at some point (not that I've done loads), and the Skizzer Espace now has a new clutch which has transformed it.  Featherlight loveliness FTW.  Any excuse to use it from now on, as it's a truly wonderful thing.

[wuvvum]

12 hours ago, Angrydicky said:

I've never had any luck with the pelt it with a hammer technique. You need a proper balljoint splitter. One of these will crack it off in no time.

Mine is only a cheap Laser tools one but it's absolutely invaluable for these jobs. I've cut a chunk out of the bottom, where it would seat on the nut which gives it a bit more reach for larger balljoints and, if necessary, then use a nut to pack it out again when doing smaller ones.

You get a very satisfying "BANG" when it releases!

https://www.halfords.com/tools/hand-tools/automotive-tools/laser-ball-joint-separator-scissors-694406.html

 

 

I need to get myself one of those scissor-type ball joint splitters.  I tried getting the front wishbone off the Mondeo last year using a wedge-type splitter and didn't get anywhere at all - I had to go to the garage with my tail between my legs and ask them to do it.  To be fair they were doing the rear trailing arm bush anyway as I knew I'd never be able to do that so it didn't make a huge amount of difference.

[richardmorris]

No idea which mclaren model this is, but it has the turning circle of the QE2 and looks like a bugger to park.

[Amishtat]

One more Volvo in Scotland as of this afternoon. Haven't seen it since early November, ridiculous how much I've missed the old thing. 

[stuboy]

The thirsty mondeo reached 60k today... ok not that exciting but for 2001 motor I think its good.

[Crispian_J_Hotson]

MK1 C5 spotted towing an old focus down the A14 during evening rush hour. That's got shitter written all over it... Who was it eh?

[Six-cylinder]

In the last year I never seem to spot anything of much of interest, but collecting fish and chips today was different.