Ask a Shiter

[Kiltox]

Can the noise/vibration from a roof rack be dampened?

 

My van has a Rhino modular rack fitted and I’m thinking about sacking it off because it’s so awfully loud on the motorway

[DeeJay]

Don't some have little spoiler/deflectors things on them?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/i/351163404950?chn=ps&dispctrl=0&adgroupid=49522826281&rlsatarget=pla-434453974527&abcId=1128966&adtype=pla&merchantid=101727004&poi=&googleloc=90465

 

There are cheaper versions out there.

[Kiltox]

[sal]

I fitted a Yuasa battery in my daily 5 series over a year ago when original Bosch gave up and it’s never been a problem. Fitted another new one to my 3 series last week when the original Bosch one died in that. So far so good when moving it around albeit it’s a summer use car.

[DeeJay]

Bugger me, that's a big one.

Ignore that post.

[Dick Cheeseburger]

Has anyone on here fitted window tinting film? We carry our greyhound in the boot of my E91, and currently have a couple of shitty Halfords blinds fitted on the glass to cut glare out for her.

After looking on eBay, I could buy a 6m roll of 20%, along with a blade and squeegee thing for £8.99. The joy of the E91 is that the tailgate glass hinges up and it’d be relatively easy to get to all the edges to trim neatly.

I’m fairly neat with most fiddly jobs, but wonder if fitting window tint film and expecting it to not look shite may be a step too far. Any experiences? Also, any ideas if 20% tint still lets in a bit of light? I don’t want it to look like the glass is pitch black...

[Jazoli]

I tinted the rear windows on the cheap dispatch I bought last year from this

 

 

 

Was easy enough if a bit fiddly, soapy water and a squeegee is your friend, I'd also recommend buying a proper fitting kit for a tenner off eBay.

[Dick Cheeseburger]

^ Looks like a tidy job.

I asked the same question on an E90/1 fartface group, and all the kids are suggesting I go as dark as possible. That means I won't. I reckon 35% should do the job. Hopefully.

[Des]

Wash to buggery the glass and all around it, smallest of dust specks will make great big map of Africa bubbles in your tint, and a scalpel is invaluable. I found anything but the darkest of tints didn't give much privacy, but then they're a pain for night driving. 

[Dippy]

I also have a greyhound and find that he likes to see out when we are driving, he has been in many different cars with us and always settles in cars with good vision.

In the wifes convertable with awful rear and rear side vision he is not too happy and cars with less window area and more tint he is not as happy.

 

Surely it would only need a light tint to minimise the sun and as has been mentioned a dark tint is terrible at night.

[oldcars]

I would sand, treat and paint the small rusty bits as they sound small. Few hours work will stop the salt making it worse.

[Dick Cheeseburger]

Thanks for the thoughts. I think I'll go for the 35 in that case, so a bit more light is let through.

[Jazoli]

Thanks for the thoughts. I think I'll go for the 35 in that case, so a bit more light is let through.

 

Go for the 20%, you can still see out ok during the day I found.

[overrun]

My mate just had loads of bits painted on his mk5 Golf GTi, and a pair of wings.

 

Amazing how they get away with this reputation, still!

[puddlethumper]

^^ Agree with Jazoli,. I put 20% on my van back window, so tea leafs can't see whats in it. Can still see pretty good from inside. Also cuts headlight dazzle from behind.

[Timewaster]

Can the noise/vibration from a roof rack be dampened?

 

My van has a Rhino modular rack fitted and I’m thinking about sacking it off because it’s so awfully loud on the motorway

Are there slots on the bottom of the bars?

There should be a plastic strip to fill in any gap but lots of people forget or don't bother to fit them.

They will be much noisier if they are missing.

[Kiltox]

Are there slots on the bottom of the bars?

There should be a plastic strip to fill in any gap but lots of people forget or don't bother to fit them.

They will be much noisier if they are missing.

I don’t think so but will have a good look - have had that issue before right enough with a Trafic and cured* it with pipe lagging and cable ties

[DeeJay]

Has anyone on here fitted window tinting film? We carry our greyhound in the boot of my E91, and currently have a couple of shitty Halfords blinds fitted on the glass to cut glare out for her.

After looking on eBay, I could buy a 6m roll of 20%, along with a blade and squeegee thing for £8.99. The joy of the E91 is that the tailgate glass hinges up and it’d be relatively easy to get to all the edges to trim neatly.

I’m fairly neat with most fiddly jobs, but wonder if fitting window tint film and expecting it to not look shite may be a step too far. Any experiences? Also, any ideas if 20% tint still lets in a bit of light? I don’t want it to look like the glass is pitch black...

 

Save the faffing, go 100% cooler.

[SiC]

 

Save the faffing, go 100% cooler.

Thats a Saab 900 convertible.

 

 

I can tell by the seats, sculpted and the gear gaiter.... [/Nerd]

[DeeJay]

I thought it was an American bus.

 

 

Greyhound.

[320touring]

Daft Tyre question:

 

The Oxford has horribly wobbly 165r15 tyres fitted all round. They are very old, and pretty much square.

 

They're not helping the ride quality / handling any, so will be amongst the first things to be sorted.

 

My question is, could I replace them with 165/80/15s? Pretty much spot on circumference wise, readily available (and reasonably priced) they seem to offer much better grip and wet weather performance than "Classic" tyres.

 

Cheers

[spike60]

I think a 165/15 has a profile of 82 so should be no bother.

[320touring]

I think a 165/15 has a profile of 82 so should be no bother.

That's what I was thinking, it's not too far out tbh.

[spike60]

I think all sizes without a profile number are about 82, not 100 as I assumed they would be. 82 to 80 will be within normal wear % on a tyre I'd guess.

[Snipes]

Yes to everything said. 16515s have an 82% sidewall and can be mixed with 165/80 15s.

Id want them all the same otherwise it would annoy me though!

[320touring]

Yes to everything said. 16515s have an 82% sidewall and can be mixed with 165/80 15s.

Id want them all the same otherwise it would annoy me though!

Well £123 get 1x 165r15, and £188 gets 4x 165/80/15

 

You should be able to guess the plan..

[twosmoke300]

I'm guessing the 165 15 s are cross ply ?

[Asimo]

No, cross ply tyres are always dimensioned in inches, ie 5.60 - 15. They are also about 100% profile. Saw a modern car on cross plies once, looked very peculier! (OK modern actually means a '70s Citroen GS)

[DSdriver]

How does the fact that old cars no longer need MOTs affect the transfer of numbers from basket cases? If I was lucky enough to still have the log book of a car that was scrapped years ago could I sell the number?

[twosmoke300]

No, cross ply tyres are always dimensioned in inches, ie 5.60 - 15. They are also about 100% profile. Saw a modern car on cross plies once, looked very peculier! (OK modern actually means a '70s Citroen GS)

Did think that but was wondering how there was so much price difference for what at basically the same tyres