Ask a Shiter

[SiC]

Yes use new metal at least whilst learning, one less thing to blame.

I will be doing that, but this is free metal.

[egg]

Can anyone recommend a bolt splitter for a 10mm bolt? Cheers.

[hairymel]

I will be doing that, but this is free metal.

 

the back etc is usually zintec type material which is a matt grey metal colour.

this is mild steel with a very thin zinc coating. it is possible to weld through this coating without major issues as this is what it is designed for.

 

i doubt the painted panels will be zintec under the paint.

 

proper Galvanising is usually shinier and less uniform unless it is older and weathered. this is shitty to weld and the fumes can leave you feeling fucked, although you will not die

 

your best bet if you are using old metal is to make sure you grind back to clean metal to at least an inch away from where you are welding, on BOTH sides.

makes a hell of a difference as its impossible to get a nice weld if the weld pool is contaminated.

[Dead_E23]

Do you mean a nut splitter, like these?   

The two sizes in a set of nut splitters seem to cover most sizes of nut that you encounter.   The big one would manage a 17mm nut like you'd find on a M10 bolt, and the smaller one will make easy work of a 10mm nut.

 

I've had decent results from a real cheapo set of nut splitters, and as they all look the same I suspect the difference between cheap sets and expensive ones is going to be in the hardness of the steel and therefore how long they last.   I managed to blunt the bigger one in my set by abusing it (iirc I was trying to split the head of a hardened bolt I hadn't looked at properly) so if you're at all likely to do something like that I'd start with a cheap set and see how long they last.  

[egg]

Yeah, they seem to come at all prices and qualities. I need to remove two rusted M6 bolts from the exhaust manifold heat shield. As I don't have heat as an option or any kind of metal cutting device, I thought this might be worth a try.

[red5]

Also wait an hour or two after charging as they give off hydrogen when charging and the drop testers spark a bit on contact

 

This. A lot.

 

Ask me how I know. Fairly close to losing sight.

[Dead_E23]

If they're bolts rather than nuts, then nut splitters won't do the job - a sharp chisel and a big hammer would probably be a better choice, or (if there's sufficient access) even the world's cheapest angle grinder would make quick work of a M6 bolt.   Grinders are useful and versatile (but dangerous) tools to have and well worth the money.

[egg]

Thanks, access to the lower one is pretty tight due to the radiator.

 

I might get one of these type of hack saws and slowly saw 'em off!  Conventional hack saw has access issues too.

 

[Rave]

I bought a pair of Toolstation's finest nut splitters for 6 quid or whatever they are a few weeks ago. They weren't advertised as such on the website but came in a Silverline branded packet. I thought the thread seemed a bit rough when I got it the larger one out so prior to use I wound it all the way out and greased it. It then made short work of the job I'd bought it for, a track rod end Nyloc nut. So I'd be inclined to give the cheap ones a go.

[Dead_E23]

Hope you have plenty of patience, as I suspect using a saw like that might take a little while and test it rather severely.   

 

I have an electric reciprocating saw which is quite good for that kind of job because you can get hacksaw blades for it that are flexible and quite long.  As long as you can get the blade into the space with a bit of pressure in the right direction, you just pull the trigger and wait for something to go clonk or the blade to jam and bend (either of which usually indicates some degree of success).   Mine cost £60 or so, but I've had it years and it has come in useful for all kinds of jobs on the house and car that would be a proper pita without it.

[Dave_Q]

Does anyone know the load bay dimensions of a Berlingo multispace with the rear seats removed?

 

Trying to figure out if I could fit my LML star in there without too much hassle

Don't know if anyone has answered this already but you will easily get the Lml in there, in fact you may just about be able to squeeze it in diagonally with the seats just folded and not removed.

 

With the seats removed I have transported a vfr750, fireblade and a bandit 600 in my old Berlingo, (not at the same time) this is with the rear seats removed and the front wheel jammed in the corner behind the passenger seat, bike diagonal.

 

The main watchout is that with no seats in the front wheel of the bike can drop down into the rear footwell and be v.hard to lift out on your own, I used to put a toolbox in the footwell which was just the right height for the wheel to roll on/off of.

[sierraman]

Don't know if anyone's suggested it egg but a imperial socket that's just a fraction smaller than the head hammered on over it.

[egg]

Don't know if anyone's suggested it egg but a imperial socket that's just a fraction smaller than the head hammered on over it.

 

Good idea, however the only imperial set I've got is my dad's precious* favourite set on loan, so better not!

[dozeydustman]

Insurance Black boxes for young drivers - Do they read info from the OBD port, or are they GPS & GSM based? Stepdaughter's theory and practical driving tests are due in the next couple of months, and we'd like to insure her on the Saab and the Corolla when she has. Nowhere will touch the Corolla (1999 model) even with her as a learner, as by all accounts a black box can't be fitted once she's passed her test.

[Shonky]

Insurance Black boxes for young drivers - Do they read info from the OBD port, or are they GPS & GSM based? Stepdaughter's theory and practical driving tests are due in the next couple of months, and we'd like to insure her on the Saab and the Corolla when she has. Nowhere will touch the Corolla (1999 model) even with her as a learner, as by all accounts a black box can't be fitted once she's passed her test.

I have a three-month black box from Admiral, and it just plugs into the cigarette lighter. The unit sits on the floor, under the passenger seat.

 

I'm sure they're GPS based.

[Cavcraft]

Insurance Black boxes for young drivers - Do they read info from the OBD port, or are they GPS & GSM based? Stepdaughter's theory and practical driving tests are due in the next couple of months, and we'd like to insure her on the Saab and the Corolla when she has. Nowhere will touch the Corolla (1999 model) even with her as a learner, as by all accounts a black box can't be fitted once she's passed her test.

 

Say what? My daughter has had one fitted to her Corsa after she passed her test, my son did the same.

[Guest VicN]

Insurance Black boxes for young drivers - Do they read info from the OBD port, or are they GPS & GSM based? Stepdaughter's theory and practical driving tests are due in the next couple of months, and we'd like to insure her on the Saab and the Corolla when she has. Nowhere will touch the Corolla (1999 model) even with her as a learner, as by all accounts a black box can't be fitted once she's passed her test.

My son had one in his 1996 Civic.

 

They just need a power connection.

[dozeydustman]

I have a three-month black box from Admiral, and it just plugs into the cigarette lighter. The unit sits on the floor, under the passenger seat.

 

I'm sure they're GPS based.

 

 

Say what? My daughter has had one fitted to her Corsa after she passed her test, my son did the same.

 

My son had one in his 1996 Civic.

 

They just need a power connection.

 

Wonder why they won't insure stepdaughter on an 18 y/o Corolla, but happy to do so on a 13 y/o Saab then. Thanks for the info though guys.

[rantingYoof]

Anyone else having trouble with the Uploader? It keeps freezing and crashing for every pic I upload; a bar appears at the top and I have to 'stop' the function before the page comes back.

 

Sorry if covered elsewhere!

[Eddie Honda]

Wonder why they won't insure stepdaughter on an 18 y/o Corolla, but happy to do so on a 13 y/o Saab then. Thanks for the info though guys.

 

Because the some insurance gods don't like anything over a certain age.

[clayts450]

Anyone else having trouble with the Uploader? It keeps freezing and crashing for every pic I upload; a bar appears at the top and I have to 'stop' the function before the page comes back.

 

Sorry if covered elsewhere!

 

[Guest Hooli]

Thanks, access to the lower one is pretty tight due to the radiator.

 

I might get one of these type of hack saws and slowly saw 'em off!  Conventional hack saw has access issues too.

 

 

I used a job like that as the perfect justification to buy a dremel.

[Simonsays]

Can any Volvo fan tell me what this switch does?

 

I'm guessing it's alarm related?

[The Moog]

Can any Volvo fan tell me what this switch does?

 

I'm guessing it's alarm related?

Turns off ultrasounics in car if leftdogs/old people inside

[Simonsays]

Turns off ultrasounics in car if leftdogs/old people inside

Cheers!

 

Ultrasonics off if the switch is illuminated?

[oldcars]

Can any Volvo fan tell me what this switch does?

 

I'm guessing it's alarm related?

Direct hotline to the SVM.

[Guest Hooli]

Can any Volvo fan tell me what this switch does?

 

I'm guessing it's alarm related?

 

Beam me up Scotchy

[Simonsays]

Beam me up Scotchy

I'll get Q to wire it to the ejector seat

[sierraman]

Can any Volvo fan tell me what this switch does?

 

I'm guessing it's alarm related?

It gets rid of smelly farts if you press it.

[loserone]

How closely related are the nubira and the cavelier?