Ask a Shiter

[Tickman]

As mentioned on the pushbike thread, I've broken my right humerus and so made my right arm unusable for anything other than very light manipulation, which obviously prevents me from driving any of my cars, since they're all manuals (including the Clio Baccara, which I bought because it had had a manual box conversion!).

 

So since I have trade insurance now I'm wondering if I could buy a sensible badermatic runabout for a bit, with reference to the Indicator Stalk thread to make sure it's on the left. Something sensible like an X300 XJ6 with two months test remaining, perhaps.

 

Is it legal to drive a non-adapted auto with only one functioning arm?

 

With one of these fitted you are in full control of the steering at all times.

 

https://www.halfords.com/motoring/car-accessories/interior-car-accessories/halfords-steering-wheel-handle-knob

 

I used to teach disabled people to drive in an automatic ZX (kind of fits the brief)

The only possible issue you have is the indicators but you could rig up a switch on a lead that you hold in your other hand while steering with the good one.

 

If you do the switch thing then add a horn button as well as that is all you really need in an emergency then you have full use of all required.

[andy18s]

I have water leaking in through the rear hatch seal on my caravelle.

 

The seal is good (nice and springy and not ripped etc) and visually is making a good seal, but water is an arse and is creeping in anyway.

 

I've cleaned it as it was a bit minging, my head is saying smear Vaseline over the seal now, am I thinking along the right lines, or just being a pervert??

There's some Coconut oil for sale over on the Grin thread,looks like it was being used for the same sort of jobs......

[rusty_vw_man]

I used this stuff to feed the seals, seemed to work and if i apply it every few months stops the leak on the Reliant door.

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/p/Nextzett-91480615-Gummi-Pflege-Rubber-Care-Stick/1005414647

 

Thanks, looks like the proper tool for the job... cheers

 

There's some Coconut oil for sale over on the Grin thread,looks like it was being used for the same sort of jobs......

 

That looks like a tool for a different job to what I had in mind.... Given they have only used a little though, I wonder if it may not be as an effective lubricant as they were initially hoping.

[kinkersaab]

What's this Princess Diana mobile worth? Out of MOT, the hood leaks a little, that interior. 1.8 20v, manual, drives fine.

It's near Aviemore if anyone wants it.

 

 

 

 

I'd have £150 for it?

[drum]

Polo handbrake adjusters. They're meant to be automatic, but how do they work?

 

I've replaced the cables and put new cylinders on while I was there. Cleaned up all the mechanism but I had to use most of the adjustment at the handle end of the cables to get a decent brake. One side is still pretty crap. I know I should just get new shoes, springs etc. But I'd still like to know how this is meant to self adjust.

[twosmoke300]

The little tapered wedge top right ish drops down and pushes the shoes out

[panhard65]

The little tapered wedge top right ish drops down and pushes the shoes out

It also looks like it is at the end of it's travel so time to replace the lot.

[twosmoke300]

You can get the whole lot , springs , adjusters etc all assembled from vw for not a huge amount of money. Saves so much time and effort.

[gm]

that looks to be the same set up as the a2 which I struggled with then gave up, resigned to parking on level streets only and in gear

 

the mot garage can sort it out in September

[3VOM]

Polo handbrake adjusters. They're meant to be automatic, but how do they work?

 

I've replaced the cables and put new cylinders on while I was there. Cleaned up all the mechanism but I had to use most of the adjustment at the handle end of the cables to get a decent brake. One side is still pretty crap. I know I should just get new shoes, springs etc. But I'd still like to know how this is meant to self adjust.20180713_190843.jpg

If they are like Golfs there is a slim wedge that drops down as the shoes wear. I think I can see the top end of it to the right of the larger spring. It has a small hole in the top centre.

[twosmoke300]

that looks to be the same set up as the a2 which I struggled with then gave up, resigned to parking on level streets only and in gear

 

the mot garage can sort it out in September

 

Possibly the easiest rear shoe set up to adjust 

[Fabergé Greggs]

As mentioned on the pushbike thread, I've broken my right humerus and so made my right arm unusable for anything other than very light manipulation, which obviously prevents me from driving any of my cars, since they're all manuals (including the Clio Baccara, which I bought because it had had a manual box conversion!).

 

So since I have trade insurance now I'm wondering if I could buy a sensible badermatic runabout for a bit, with reference to the Indicator Stalk thread to make sure it's on the left. Something sensible like an X300 XJ6 with two months test remaining, perhaps.

 

Is it legal to drive a non-adapted auto with only one functioning arm?

I did a very very good job of breaking my left arm and the consultant told me no driving for 6 weeks. When I questioned that, he pointed out that it would be illegal to drive against medical advice.

 

Mine was a very hefty injury though, so you might be fine!

[Mally]

Don't think it's illegal, you can drive with one eye or one leg.

May make sense to put a ball on the steering wheel if you can still get them.

I'm deaf in one ear. OK getting silly now!

[Mally]

MOT due on 75, believe they check tow bar electrics now?

Mine may* not be fully functional. Thinking of removing ball and electric socket, can't fail on the socket then........can it?

Think it needs a new black box for canbus crap. Will fix it when/if I have a new mot. 

[busmansholiday]

Think they only check tow bar electrics if its the 13 pin euroshite one as with the old UK one you could virtually wire it as you wanted.

[gm]

Possibly the easiest rear shoe set up to adjust

 

Maybe, but I'm a cack handed bodger

[Mally]

Think they only check tow bar electrics if its the 13 pin euroshite one as with the old UK one you could virtually wire it as you wanted.

 

Ah mines a 7.

Well about 2 or 3 really.

[Eddie Honda]

See section 4.10 of the MOT manual:

 

https://www.mot-testing.service.gov.uk/documents/manuals/class3457/Section-4-Lamps-reflectors-and-electrical-equipment.html#section_4.10

[AlabamaShrimp]

Apart from compressing the springs how hard is it to change the suspension on your drive?

[Eddie Honda]

Just like indoors if it's not raining. I'd do it.

[AlabamaShrimp]

So excluding weather conditions and weather it's inside or out. Is anything special needed tool wise or anything like that or is it just a case of undo everything?

[320touring]

So excluding weather conditions and weather it's inside or out. Is anything special needed tool wise or anything like that or is it just a case of undo everything?

Depends on the car - mercs usually need special compressors.

 

Another top tip is slacken but do not remove the topmounts bolt with the car on the ground - the load stops the damper Rod spinning.

 

I assume the car in question has McPherson struts?

[AlabamaShrimp]

^^I didn't think of that and yeah it's a mk2 Fiesta.

[Mally]

See section 4.10 of the MOT manual:

 

https://www.mot-testing.service.gov.uk/documents/manuals/class3457/Section-4-Lamps-reflectors-and-electrical-equipment.html#section_4.10

 

Thanks for that Eddie, I did try wading through it all without success.

Mines all secure and looks the part, but is 7 pin. I'll leave it as is. Can't see the point fixing it if it's going to the bridge!

May well pass, it did last year, eventually.

[chodweaver]

Can anyone recommend a place close to Southampton docks where a slap up breakfast can be purchased on a Sunday morning?Meeting ChodWeaver Jr #1 for breakfast and a fry up is the order of the day...

[Rave]

There's a Spoons fairly near the cruise ship terminal. Had a mixed grill there with my missus when I took her down for the day to see my old stomping grounds.

[Eddie Honda]

Thanks for that Eddie, I did try wading through it all without success.

Mines all secure and looks the part, but is 7 pin. I'll leave it as is.

As you can see, they don't check wiring for function, but they should check if it's absolutely hanging.

[omegod]

Is there an easy/known engine transplant that can be done to a dolomite ? i.e. moar powerrrrrr 

[Sigmund Fraud]

Is there an easy/known engine transplant that can be done to a dolomite ? i.e. moar powerrrrrr 

 

TR7 ?

[omegod]

TR7 ?

was hoping for a tad more power, 250 bhp ish....saab turbo ?