Ask a Shiter

[saucedoctor]

Cheers for the info chaps. Think I'll just get these and plug them into my car, and see what happens. It'll be handy if the mileage comes from the ECU, then I won't have to bother with any messing.
 

 

Every day a school day on AS!

 

[mat_the_cat]

Brakes still need to be bled , main difference is the engine needs to be running and just hold pedal down rather than pump

 

A piece of wood between steering wheel and brake pedal makes one-man bleeding a piece of cake on LHM Citroens

[vulgalour]

Is it possible to hire a car trailer that isn't 14' long?  The Renault is a tiny thing, I don't need a 14' trailer to shift it with and would prefer to hire something shorter for the job.

 

If I can hire said short-trailer, where would I do that in the North East?

 

 

 

Can't A-frame it, the tyres are holding air through sheer stubborness alone and the engine is in bits.

[spike60]

Is it possible to hire a car trailer that isn't 14' long?  The Renault is a tiny thing, I don't need a 14' trailer to shift it with and would prefer to hire something shorter for the job.

 

If I can hire said short-trailer, where would I do that in the North East?

 

 

 

Can't A-frame it, the tyres are holding air through sheer stubborness alone and the engine is in bits.

If you know Strikes garden centre in Stokesley there's a trailer hire guy next door has a good range, I'll dig out the name and number. Dunno what he has exactly and isn't cheap but trailers are top notch, It's good to have confidence coming past the Traffic Plod on the A1!

 

 

Doesn't seem to have a small one on the website but may know someone local who does.

Edited January 25, 2015 by spike60

[steve_earwig]

I once replied to an advert for a small car trailer, it was cheap too, so maybe I should've guessed. Rang the doorbell, said I'd come about the trailer, and the guy pointed to this tiny little box trailer that I'd already walked past but hadn't noticed because it was so minuscule . It's a trailer, it's small and it goes on a car, what was I expecting?

 

Sorry, as you were.

[willswitchengage]

Is there any reason I shouldn't apply copper grease on screw threads? I've been using it to assemble my latest bicycle as I've had screws seize in the past

[spike60]

I'm told copperslip can be abrasive on moving parts like a wheel spindle but I think it's pretty much made for screw threads, pins etc which don't normally move but will have to be removed at some point later.

[Luckythirteen]

If you rub a bit between your fingertips, it's obviously abrasive, so not on moving parts. Supposedly it prevents electrolytic corrosion, but it is handy if you want to get wheel studs back out at some future time. Without lots of hauling and growling.

[saucedoctor]

I think spray copper grease is possibly the best thing ever invented by mankind.

 

I always used the stuff that you put on with your fingers on anything I ever owned with a Ford XFlow/Valencia/HCS when fitting spark plugs. Also used on Rover alloy wheels cos they stick to hubs like buggery.

[willswitchengage]

Awesome I was just told by a colleague that it promoted, not inhibited, electrolytic reactions

[holbeck]

Just been and looked at a Pujo 205, 12 mths MOT but I noticed both headlights were rusty as fook inside. Surely it wouldn't legitimately pass a test like that?

[andy18s]

Just been and looked at a Pujo 205, 12 mths MOT but I noticed both headlights were rusty as fook inside. Surely it wouldn't legitimately pass a test like that?

Im sure the tester is fully aware of the the excellent standard that French electrical systems were built to,and didn't feel the need to even look at them*

Tbh,if they are aligned and bright enough,I guess that would be good enough for them?

[Luckythirteen]

Awesome I was just told by a colleague that it promoted, not inhibited, electrolytic reactions

Not that chemistry is much of a strong suit of mine, but the copper is sacrificial so prevents those electrons getting inappropriately friendly.

[Timewaster]

I thought the reason for using copper grease was that it doesn't go thin when it gets hot. Particularly on brakes where you really don't want runny grease seeping all over the place.

[spike60]

As an aside there seems to be health implications with Copaslip, or what ever brand of anti seize compound you use. I used to work with a couple of Dutch lads and they told me it had been banned in Holland, certainly the machines from their company use white or blue compound on threads from the factory. Flagged for prostrate cancer I think. Good job it's ok over here!

[steve_earwig]

If they're Dutch is the problem smoking it?

 

Oh good, something else to worry about. We'll eventually go around in full body condoms in case we accidentally touch something. Oh no, rubber allergy can't...breathe....

[dave21478]

Prostate problems? I think they might be lubricating unsuitable items with it.

 

I couldnt find any here so got an aerosol of some kind of aluminium based anti-seize compound. Seems to work ok.

[TimothyClaypole]

Where's the best place to get wet and dry paper from?

 

I bought the last few sheets off Ebay but don't buy it much to know if I'm getting molested or not and if there's better prices for buying more etc.

 

600/800/1200 varieties, more of the 600 than 800 then 1200 etc. for aluminium tubing rather than car body work.

[320touring]

Helfrauds do a decent variety pack

[myglaren]

A while since I bought any but "Paint Shop Supplies" round here have a very good selection at reasonable prices, otherwise professional decorators suppliers - Johnstone's Trade/Leyland (same company) Crown warehouse (more expensive) Mangers if you can find one now.

[stephen01]

Can I just ask why in cuntfuttocks can Ford not make a car that doesnt rust to buggery.

 

Al-a Ka

 

Al-a Focus.

 

Looked at a 10 year old Focus the other day and it was pretty miserable on top, god only knows what it was like underneath.

 

 

was jacking up a mates 9 year old focus, flat tyre, and his jack went right through the jacking point, luckily i had put his wheel under the car and it saved it from smashing right on the floor. He took it to work and welded what can only be described as a piece of iron over it and whacked some lack paint on it.  

[Des]

I'm sure I've seen wet and dry paper in one of the poundshops recently. And copaslip, I've always believed its magical properties are from the way that the copper will remain long after the grease has done one, and that the copper promotes electrical contact to cut down on all that electrolytickery.

[wuvvum]

What the actual fuck is going on with G Wagen prices?  I turned down a scruffy-but-running 280GE LWB for 700 quid 10 years ago - now it seems that even tatty ones are fetching 10 times that.  Are these the next Mk1 Escort or something?

[loserone]

Apparently so!

 

RE: Wet and Dry; have a look at abranet, It's not so expensive, doesn't fill up with what you're sanding, and seems to last well.

[skattrd]

I know what you mean about G wagons Wuv. I've been considering a 4x4 for a while and those were on the list... Until I saw the price of them now. I reckon a 3 door Rangie from France will be my next 4x4.

[ChinaTom]

Quezzy about winter tyres: I have a tyre pressure monitoring system on the Merc. I want to get a set of cheap wheels for these tyres as current parking arrangements are fraught with kerbability*

 

I have had 2 bits of contradicting advice. One is that only M-B can supply due to the tyre pressure monitoring system, the other is that "it will be fine Sir, fitting our wheels and tyres will be compatible"

 

What's likely to be the truth? 

 

Also, anyone know where I can get a set of 245/45/18 black steel wheels?

 

 

 

 

* ...learn to park you dufus

[steve_earwig]

Do you know if it has transponders in the wheels or uses the ABS system?

[ChinaTom]

I have absolutely no idea. The handbook isn't very helpful on that front. I'll dig around for more info on that

[steve_earwig]

Ok. Thing is I assumed it would have transponders so I had a little Google but it looks like they can have either. Obviously if it's just ABS then there's no problem but if it's transponders you might have to put up with warning lights and bonging noises. Mind you if it's a choice between the cost of transponders, paying for them to be disabled or bonging noises I'd buy some ear plugs..

[Tayne]

Big steel wheels should be more available on the conyinent than here.

 

The transponders in the wheels can be moved to new wheels, it just makes DIY wheel swaps harder.

Some TPMS systems use wheel rotation speed signals from the axle so no issue with new wheels.