The grumpy thread

[dozeydustman]

  On 17/09/2023 at 22:31, Pieman said:

Instead of going out bowling, just find a crown green bowl and ten Pringles tubes, and bowl at home.

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I already have a set of garden skittles but it was pissing down.

[Dobloseven]

  On 16/09/2023 at 05:24, New POD said:

Just wear gloves. 

In other news...in the words of Frank Turner.

Give me one fine day of plain sailing weather and I...can fuck up anything, anything. I can fuck up anything. Anything can fuck up anything...repeat to fade. 

Thought that I could nurse my car for a week whilst I booked it in for a new water pump. Didn't tell my wife as didn't want to stress her.  On the way home from work I noticed steam. Stopped, topped up, and drove home. No overheating.

Told my wife that I would need use of her car next week, but don't worry, I've git someone who is going to look at it, confirm my diagnosis and book it in for next week. On Saturday morning. The assumption that I can use her car, that fact that I haven't phoned every garage in the area to get the quickest repair, meant that our night out at the cinema, was pretty shit. I take her for granted, and never take her into account her needs..etc etc. Doesn't help that it took 4 weeks to get her gearbox fixed, and there's an MOT less mx5 in the garage which needs some more work. 

It was all going so well. 

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If it's a 1.4 turbo Astra J, should be an easy job to change water pump. Did my Zafira C which I'm m guessing is similar, a few years back. Remember thinking that by the time I'd have taken it somewhere to be done, left it and then gone back for it, it was less bother to do it myself. No need to go underneath or under wheelarch. Engine bay designed to take a bigger diesel engine, so plenty of access. Almost a pleasure to do. Would guess a job time of1 to 1 1/2 hours for a professional. 

 

[Rocket88]

  On 18/09/2023 at 07:20, Dobloseven said:

If it's a 1.4 turbo Astra J, should be an easy job to change water pump. Did my Zafira C which I'm m guessing is similar, a few years back. Remember thinking that by the time I'd have taken it somewhere to be done, left it and then gone back for it, it was less bother to do it myself. No need to go underneath or under wheelarch. Engine bay designed to take a bigger diesel engine, so plenty of access. Almost a pleasure to do. Would guess a job time of1 to 1 1/2 hours for a professional. 

 

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So about two weeks work for most of us then…..😂😂😂😂

[dozeydustman]

Kia may have to go to the MoT centre to have the work done. It’s pissing hard with rain again.

I managed to make enough space in the garage for working on cars, then wife and stepdaughter decided to use this new space for ‘stuff that can’t stay in the house’.

I suppose the best I can do is keep dosing the  seized fixings with plusgas and do bits as and when weather and work dependant.

Wanted this done ASAP because the Saab is booked for its test next Monday and I know that needs jobs

[Timewaster]

  On 18/09/2023 at 09:00, dozeydustman said:

wife and stepdaughter decided to use this new space for ‘stuff that can’t stay in the house’.

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Oh, don't. I feel a rant coming on.........

[Pieman]

  On 18/09/2023 at 09:00, dozeydustman said:

Kia may have to go to the MoT centre to have the work done. It’s pissing hard with rain again.

I managed to make enough soace in the garage for working on cars, then wife and stepdaughter decided to use this new space for ‘stuff that can’t stay in the house’.

I suppose the best I can do is keep dosing the  seized fixings with plusgas and do bits as and when weather and work dependant.

Wanted this done ASAP because the Saab is booked for its teat next Monday and I know that needs jobs

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Park the car in the house and say "two can play at that game".

[w00dy]

Darwin Insurance doesn't allow you to cancel auto-renewal online so I had to go through all the bollocks of the automated phone system to finally get through to a person.

"Can I ask why you don't want to renew?"

"It's 71% higher than last year despite an additional years NCB and no accidents"

"Have any of the details changed?"

"No"

"Well I can't change the price then."

 

[andyberg]

  On 18/09/2023 at 13:35, w00dy said:

Darwin Insurance doesn't allow you to cancel auto-renewal online so I had to go through all the bollocks of the automated phone system to finally get through to a person.

"Can I ask why you don't want to renew?"

"It's 71% higher than last year despite an additional years NCB and no accidents"

"Have any of the details changed?"

"No"

"Well I can't change the price then."

 

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Ooo thanks for that. They are coming up as my cheapest insurance, my renewal is due. Still £150 (almost 100%) more expensive than last year mind. I'll give them a miss.

[Mac69400]

  On 08/09/2023 at 19:41, Mac69400 said:

Some arsehole punched a hole in my van door, opened it and looked inside, then fucked off. Fortunately one of my girlfriend's neighbours caught it all on CCTV.  We've got clear images of the car used, the reg, and the driver and passenger. 

I've reported it online, but I'm expecting a crime reference number and a referral to victim support. There's not much worth stealing in the van, but I've got to shift what there is into my girlfriend's house tonight, or go home and not get laid. Bastards. 

 

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As expected.

 

[andyberg]

  On 18/09/2023 at 13:56, Mac69400 said:

As expected.

 

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So the police have evidence of the culprits, can find their address from the car reg, and admit they have committed a crime. But still won't do the right thing and go arrest and charge them?

Jesus Christ on a motorbike!!! It's a bloody joke this country 😡😡

[MikeR]

my wife has just thrown out tons of shite , I was not allowed to sort out and chuck out ....

[artdjones]

  On 18/09/2023 at 14:02, andyberg said:

So the police have evidence of the culprits, can find their address from the car reg, and admit they have committed a crime. But still won't do the right thing and go arrest and charge them?

Jesus Christ on a motorbike!!! It's a bloody joke this country 😡😡

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Two show jumpers over there just got convicted of stealing £50k worth of fellow competitors tack. Suspended sentence. 

[Markeh]

You know, it's true. Scotland really does have some picturesque sights.

What beautiful scenery.

Predictably it was too good to be true that the puncture had actually been properly repaired, judging by the TPMS warning that came up for the same tyre today. Yet to hear whether it'll be a new tyre or not but I'm assuming it will be. Not losing as much air as it was but given I'm travelling 5 up with luggage I don't want to take a chance.

[Ghosty]

  On 18/09/2023 at 14:02, andyberg said:

So the police have evidence of the culprits, can find their address from the car reg, and admit they have committed a crime. But still won't do the right thing and go arrest and charge them?

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I got assaulted in Wolverhampton a few years ago. The copper admitted they knew exactly who it was but half of them got off on insufficient evidence and I couldn't positively ID the one they asked me to either from the identity parade they showed me on a tiny CRT. The court case got pushed back three times before I gave up pressing charges as I was moving away.

[rusty_vw_man]

After spending the day grinding cutting and welding my phone has a great new ‘textured’ screen thanks the various grinding metals that have embedded in the screen. It’s quite invigorating to use, and my finger tips have never been so smooth….. not sure I like it as a long term feature!! 

[High Jetter]

  On 18/09/2023 at 14:14, MikeR said:

my wife has just thrown out tons of shite , I was not allowed to sort out and chuck out ....

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My wife understands that she'd be on the pavement if she engaged in such despicable behaviour.

Hang on, has she been weightlifting?

[RoverFolkUs]

  On 18/09/2023 at 13:56, Mac69400 said:

As expected.

 

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Should have said they made their escape doing 23 in a 20mph. The entire fleet from your local station would have been dispatched 😂

[Metal Guru]

  On 18/09/2023 at 22:19, RoverFolkUs said:

Should have said they made their escape doing 23 in a 20mph. The entire fleet from your local station would have been dispatched 😂

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Or said you identify as non binary and they called you “he”.

[wuvvum]

Hub nuts.  (Not you Ian.)

I started to have a look at the rear brakes on the Visa between downpours, but to get the drum off you have to remove the hub nut and the outer wheel bearing.  Which is fine, but the nut has evidently been off a few times as it's been staked in so many times it almost certainly won't take another.  Can't do the old trick of swapping the nuts side to side either as that's already been done too, given that the nut has chisel marks on the other side as well.

So I need a new hub nut if I'm going to take the drum off.  But the only ones I can find look like this.

How the actual cunting fuck am I supposed to stake in a 2mm thick steel collar, on a nut that can only be tightened finger tight or it crushes the bearings?  The answer, as I discovered with the similar nuts provided with the wheel bearing kits for the Mazda, is that I can't.  All the hammer and chisel does is to make a dent in the outside of the collar, the inside edge doesn't move until you chisel all the way through it, and even then it's almost impossible to bend down into the slot in the stub axle - and completely impossible whilst trying to maintain the correct (minimal) torque on the nut.

What was wrong with the old brass nuts with a nice thin collar?  And why is everything these days totally unfit for purpose?

[Coprolalia]

Ongoing grumble (in amongst others).

Our house is a 1930s terrace. Neighbours on one side are students, with proper slum landlord owners. The slum landlords are a pair of outwardly successful dentists, and I've contacted them in the past about going halves on preventative maintenance work, but they're never interested.

The house next door has the original sash windows, currently rotting out. Gutters falling off, soaking the front of the house. Various other things that could be fixed and prevent future worse costs, but are being ignored.

Over the summer I noticed some of their slates had slipped, leaving a hole into their attic. The hole includes some of the party wall with our property. 

Contacted the owners multiple times to get them to fix it, no response.

Guess I'll be going up there to check for damp later...

[Rocket88]

  On 19/09/2023 at 13:54, Coprolalia said:

Ongoing grumble (in amongst others).

Our house is a 1930s terrace. Neighbours on one side are students, with a proper slum landlord owners. The slum landlords are a pair of outwardly successful dentists, and I've contacted them in the past about going halves on preventative maintenance work, but they're never interested.

The house next door has the original sash windows, currently rotting out. Gutters falling off, soaking the front of the house. Various other things that could be fixed and prevent future worse costs, but are being ignored.

Over the summer I noticed some of their slates had slipped, leaving a hole into their attic. The hole includes some of the party wall with our property. 

Contacted the owners multiple times to get them to fix it, no response.

Guess I'll be going up there to check for damp later...

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If they’re local, go and sit in reception with a “ your dentist is a slum landlord” placard…..

[Metal Guru]

  On 19/09/2023 at 13:54, Coprolalia said:

Ongoing grumble (in amongst others).

Our house is a 1930s terrace. Neighbours on one side are students, with a proper slum landlord owners. The slum landlords are a pair of outwardly successful dentists, and I've contacted them in the past about going halves on preventative maintenance work, but they're never interested.

The house next door has the original sash windows, currently rotting out. Gutters falling off, soaking the front of the house. Various other things that could be fixed and prevent future worse costs, but are being ignored.

Over the summer I noticed some of their slates had slipped, leaving a hole into their attic. The hole includes some of the party wall with our property. 

Contacted the owners multiple times to get them to fix it, no response.

Guess I'll be going up there to check for damp later...

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If you haven’t got legal insurance on your house insurance, make sure you do when you renew. Then get a solicitor on it.  They’ll ignore you forever, but if they think they might cop for some hefty legal costs , they might well decide to do the repairs instead. 

[ruffgeezer]

Useless lazy parcelforce walker not ringing the doorbell, or indeed leaving the parcel with any of the  neighbours whom were all in (indeed those opposite were in the front garden) 

He'd better leave it tomorrow or it will be another strike against the workshy cunt.

[richardmorris]

  On 19/09/2023 at 18:54, ruffgeezer said:

Useless lazy parcelforce walker not ringing the doorbell, or indeed leaving the parcel with any of the  neighbours whom were all in (indeed those opposite were in the front garden) 

He'd better leave it tomorrow or it will be another strike against the workshy cunt.

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Had a sorry you were out email from them today at work. We weren’t out and they didn’t attempt a delivery, as at the time they claimed I was outside washing the windows.

[Popsicle]

  On 19/09/2023 at 00:18, wuvvum said:

Hub nuts.  (Not you Ian.)

I started to have a look at the rear brakes on the Visa between downpours, but to get the drum off you have to remove the hub nut and the outer wheel bearing.  Which is fine, but the nut has evidently been off a few times as it's been staked in so many times it almost certainly won't take another.  Can't do the old trick of swapping the nuts side to side either as that's already been done too, given that the nut has chisel marks on the other side as well.

So I need a new hub nut if I'm going to take the drum off.  But the only ones I can find look like this.

How the actual cunting fuck am I supposed to stake in a 2mm thick steel collar, on a nut that can only be tightened finger tight or it crushes the bearings?  The answer, as I discovered with the similar nuts provided with the wheel bearing kits for the Mazda, is that I can't.  All the hammer and chisel does is to make a dent in the outside of the collar, the inside edge doesn't move until you chisel all the way through it, and even then it's almost impossible to bend down into the slot in the stub axle - and completely impossible whilst trying to maintain the correct (minimal) torque on the nut.

What was wrong with the old brass nuts with a nice thin collar?  And why is everything these days totally unfit for purpose?

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It would be a ballache but could you drill a hole through the axle and use a castle nut and split pin?

[MikeR]

Precut some vertical slots on the staking bit of the nut to form some preset staking points ,bit like fingers pointing up ,  then press in the preset stake to the nearest fit ? 

[somewhatfoolish]

  On 19/09/2023 at 00:18, wuvvum said:

Hub nuts.  (Not you Ian.)

I started to have a look at the rear brakes on the Visa between downpours, but to get the drum off you have to remove the hub nut and the outer wheel bearing.  Which is fine, but the nut has evidently been off a few times as it's been staked in so many times it almost certainly won't take another.  Can't do the old trick of swapping the nuts side to side either as that's already been done too, given that the nut has chisel marks on the other side as well.

So I need a new hub nut if I'm going to take the drum off.  But the only ones I can find look like this.

How the actual cunting fuck am I supposed to stake in a 2mm thick steel collar, on a nut that can only be tightened finger tight or it crushes the bearings?  The answer, as I discovered with the similar nuts provided with the wheel bearing kits for the Mazda, is that I can't.  All the hammer and chisel does is to make a dent in the outside of the collar, the inside edge doesn't move until you chisel all the way through it, and even then it's almost impossible to bend down into the slot in the stub axle - and completely impossible whilst trying to maintain the correct (minimal) torque on the nut.

What was wrong with the old brass nuts with a nice thin collar?  And why is everything these days totally unfit for purpose?

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If you have a means of mounting them in a drill you could thin the collar down with an angry grinder; alternatively fit the nuts, mark where you need it thinner and take just that bit down with the angry grinder. Failing that buy them and post them to a shiter with a lathe. 

[MikeR]

  On 19/09/2023 at 00:18, wuvvum said:

Hub nuts.  (Not you Ian.)

I started to have a look at the rear brakes on the Visa between downpours, but to get the drum off you have to remove the hub nut and the outer wheel bearing.  Which is fine, but the nut has evidently been off a few times as it's been staked in so many times it almost certainly won't take another.  Can't do the old trick of swapping the nuts side to side either as that's already been done too, given that the nut has chisel marks on the other side as well.

So I need a new hub nut if I'm going to take the drum off.  But the only ones I can find look like this.

How the actual cunting fuck am I supposed to stake in a 2mm thick steel collar, on a nut that can only be tightened finger tight or it crushes the bearings?  The answer, as I discovered with the similar nuts provided with the wheel bearing kits for the Mazda, is that I can't.  All the hammer and chisel does is to make a dent in the outside of the collar, the inside edge doesn't move until you chisel all the way through it, and even then it's almost impossible to bend down into the slot in the stub axle - and completely impossible whilst trying to maintain the correct (minimal) torque on the nut.

What was wrong with the old brass nuts with a nice thin collar?  And why is everything these days totally unfit for purpose?

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See my comment above ..

[dozeydustman]

Went to bed early last night feeling crap.

Woke up this morning with sore throat, cough and a 39 temperature.

So have the wife and stepdaughter.

[New POD]

  On 19/09/2023 at 21:16, somewhatfoolish said:

If you have a means of mounting them in a drill you could thin the collar down with an angry grinder; alternatively fit the nuts, mark where you need it thinner and take just that bit down with the angry grinder. Failing that buy them and post them to a shiter with a lathe. 

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Cut castles in the top with a dremmel and then drill one hole through the end of the shift for a splitpin.