THE GUBBERMINT ALWAYS KNOWS BEST

[Timewaster]

However given that THE FRENCH cannot be trusted to do stuff properly

I dunno, they seemed to have domestic manufacturers alright...

 

EFA

[myglaren]

GR8 4 going into limp mode

Non FAP 2.0 HDi

No Limp Mode FTW! Unlike the bag of shite Zafira that I chopped against it. What it does have is randomly opperating rear electric sliding doors. NFTW.

 

They can still go into limp mode.

My C5 has been doing it for ages now. Haven't discovered why but changed the battery and it seemed to have cured it - until today

[scaryoldcortina]

meh, closest I've got to a "limp mode" is cranking the bastard in gear to get it out of the way of traffic! Having said that, someone I know had a similar age megane convertable... It was all "no, they are really nice, no problem at all, not as bad as they make out etc..." until the day an electrical fault made it redline itself and refuse to swich off until the timing belt failed. (ps, it was a petrol one )

 

My news, we have a new capri! Had a good look today, I think it's going to live. I have pics, but can't find a USB A to mini B lead for the camera (card reader needs same lead )

[Lord Sterling]

I finally got the Rover 820e back from the garage after it took 2 and half days to get the correct p/s pipe delivered and fitted, even then the correct pipe had to have some modifications done. As I used to work at the garage I ended being 'borrowed' and spending most of the days shifting cars about.

 

The other morning my neighbour had the passenger side window put through on his Vauxhall Agila, he came and asked if I could help him replace the window as its assumed i'm 'good with cars' as I'm often seen with my head under the bonnet.

Thanksfully it was simple and straight forward apart from where the runner had been knocked out of place, we eventually got the runner back in place, new window fitted and bolted up to runner and replaced the trim.

[worldofceri]

My ebayed Scenic was collected today... Seller was due at the station at 10:10 where I'd agreed to meet her. GR9 I thought; Plenty of time to run down to Leamington to collect the towbar I've bought for the Volvo.

 

'Course, nothing in my life can ever go to plan. Rolling into Leamington I notice the battery light comes on when idling. Crap.

 

Deal is duly sealed on the towbar but by the time I get half way home I run out of electricity. The AA are swiftly called and arrive reasonably quickly and remarkably punctually - at 10:10, ironically.

 

Mr AA man charges the battery and pronounces the alternator borked. Terrific. He helpfully offers to follow me home to ensure I don't conk out again. I nip to my friendly local garage who determine that the best price for a new alternator they can get is £130 + VAT. And it's quoted as 1.9 hours labour! 'Hmm... I'm pretty sure you can't get it out without removing the driveshaft,' explains my mechanic.

 

I eventually arrive at the station an hour late and explain the situation to the buyer. I offer to reduce the price to £450 (perhaps a little hastily, not sure now). She agrees and gamely sets off - for Llangollen! I haven't heard anything back so I hope she made it...

[Conrad D. Conelrad]

The other morning my neighbour had the passenger side window put through on his Vauxhall Agila, he came and asked if I could help him replace the window as its assumed i'm 'good with cars' as I'm often seen with my head under the bonnet.

One of my neighbours once asked me to fix his plasma television on the basis that he'd seen me tampering with the engine in my Fiesta.

[Cavcraft]

Hmm. Sort of missed out on my (current) ideal shiter as I couldn't be arsed travelling the seven miles to go and see it when I had the chance to get it for a reasonable price and now it's fetching decent money on eBaY.

 

The Beemer is surprisingly me nicely. It's not fantastic on fuel but not too bad either. On top of that it's actually GR9 for driving a long at my normal rate (i.e quite slowly and within the legal limits) but also a bloody good laugh if you welly it. It starts picking up quite early on in the rev range then goes a bit mental but in a sort of controlled manor if that makes sense?

I'm now eying up an E46 coupe as I think the shape of them is rather nice, though the obvious downside to a two door when you've had two fastly growing kids doesn't make one an easy choice.

Pretty much given up trying to find a decent (and non-silver) CLK320 that isn't being sold by some complete fucking idiot/grabber/con-man/bellend.

 

Oh, looks like my son's first 'proper' (i.e chosen for and mostly paid for by him) is going to be a very tidy looking Pugrat 106 which a bloke at his work is selling.

[trigger]

After weeks of waiting for my V5 came back from the DVLA for the Bora it arrived this morning

 

My insurance company managed to write it off by mistake last year instead of my Passat after my car crash due to the personalised plate i had on it, Anyway I've got it all sorted now and cleared from the HPi register so I got the Turks at the pub-cum-car wash to give it a clean this afternoon and popped it on ebay as a classified ad.

 

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... RK:MESE:IT

 

The phone had literally not rang of the hook yet although i have been offered a Cat D BMW 325 Estate as a swap for it...

 

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/bmw-325-touring-e ... 27b9cce925

[oman5]

I use an ex-mailvan J4 clubman (sherpa/ldv 200 thing) as an everyday hack, and offered to help my mate move house. the steering's always been a bit shite, but after loading it up and taking his stuff to the new place it was a struggle to keep it in a straight line at anything over 40 mph. got it jacked up, discovered n/s kingpin is totally twatted. arse.

everyone reckons its a nasty job so its getting parked up for now and I'll resort to bancrupting myself with petrol costs in the old faithful ovlov 740.

moral? don't put a ton of workshop junk in a 18 year old piece of leyland shite.

been told its about 300 quid for a garage to do it (yeah right) and I don't have a press to get the old kingpin out. any ideas, bearing in mind i'm skint? don't wanna scrap it, its a neat veg oil burner

[Richard]

Is there any way you can strip it yourself and take the bit that needs a press to a garage?

[Mr Lobster]

Today I am mostly very disillusioned with old cars. My day started well...

 

 

but went wrong a couple of hours later....

 

 

 

There are days when I reckon giving up on old cars would be a good idea. Today is one of them

 

CBA resizing pictures in Photobook either at the moment

[Pillock]

Well LOBSTA, I can't see any fire damage, pools of oil under it, twisted body panels or severed limbs so what's up with it?

I often share your sentiments, and quite often this also happens when sat on the hard shoulder posting pictures of a knackered car on Facebook.

[Lankytim]

Today I am mostly very disillusioned with old cars. My day started well...

 

 

 

There are days when I reckon giving up on old cars would be a good idea. Today is one of them

 

CBA resizing pictures in Photobook either at the moment

 

Ha! See the matrix sign further along the Motorway? We had a blowout in the Allegro and ended up parked underneath it. No spare so had to be recovered! :(

 

In other news I have fitted an uprated Powerflex front engine mount to the Astra, the old one was knackered and was allowing far too much movement, apparently this is a mega weak spot on Mk4 astras. The Powerflex slides into the old one and stiffens everything up. Seems to have done the trick with jerky gearchanges from 1st into 2nd!

[dollywobbler]

Piss off Blitz. In my experience, there's nowt wrong with Renaults. There's nowt evil about them!

 

Well, older ones. Scenics do seem evil when you consider what Ceri's did. Sorry to hear that Ceri. What a shitter!

[M'coli]

I use an ex-mailvan J4 clubman (sherpa/ldv 200 thing) as an everyday hack, and offered to help my mate move house. the steering's always been a bit shite, but after loading it up and taking his stuff to the new place it was a struggle to keep it in a straight line at anything over 40 mph. got it jacked up, discovered n/s kingpin is totally twatted. arse.

everyone reckons its a nasty job so its getting parked up for now and I'll resort to bancrupting myself with petrol costs in the old faithful ovlov 740.

moral? don't put a ton of workshop junk in a 18 year old piece of leyland shite.

been told its about 300 quid for a garage to do it (yeah right) and I don't have a press to get the old kingpin out. any ideas, bearing in mind i'm skint? don't wanna scrap it, its a neat veg oil burner

Dr Heat and the Big Club.

Lots of heat and a big f-off hammer and drift.

[M'coli]

Try fucking reaching around the A-pillar at 120MPH at Road America, while Simpson-belted in, in a Turbo 505, to manually wipe the windshield wipers with a cord during a rain squall, with all sorts of snorting SSGTs, SSAs, SSBs, and SSCs 2-inches in front, back, and sides, expecting you to have your car fully functional, you know, like any other goddam new car in the world but one with French Electrics!!!!)

If I had the chance to drive around Road America I'd make damn sure my wipers were up to the job - that place rocks.

[dollywobbler]

When did I ever say I wanted a drive free of French cars? Seems a bit of an odd thing to say when the only car I often trust to drive long distance is a 602cc French car...

 

The BX is the best car I've ever owned. I now regret selling it and am seeking another... Yes, the electrics may be flaky (though The Prince of Darkness is an English invention) but when it comes to getting the balance between ride and handling spot on, I certainly don't see America delivering.

[Conrad D. Conelrad]

There are days when I reckon giving up on old cars would be a good idea. Today is one of them

:nodding:

 

Not been stranded on the motorway, but I spent the day trying to renew the Herald's driveshaft UJs and dreaming of white goods on finance. All I've got to show for the day is a one halfshaft with its UJ still firmly in place.

[seth]

Not been stranded on the motorway, but I spent the day trying to renew the Herald's driveshaft UJs and dreaming of white goods on finance. All I've got to show for the day is a one halfshaft with its UJ still firmly in place.

 

I've done the very same job today. What are you doing to try and get it out?

[HillmanImp]

That's a shitter with the Scenic. Thinking of getting rid of mine and getting a Jag as they are so fucking cheap it would be rude not to.

 

Considered having a punt on this the other day but need to tart up the Scenic and flog it first.

 

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1996-JAGUAR-XJ6-LWB-AUTO-BLUE-/180642144510

 

However I know naff all about them? Is it going to be a whole world of pain?

[CreepingJesus]

been told its about 300 quid for a garage to do it (yeah right) and I don't have a press to get the old kingpin out. any ideas, bearing in mind i'm skint? don't wanna scrap it, its a neat veg oil burner

 

They can be done DIY. But it won't be easy, and will involve some proper violence. Jack 'er up, axle stands under the chassis, whip the brakes etc., off. Extract the cotter pins (a selection of drills/stud extractors/taps come in handy), apply some heat, and big hammer-type persuasion to the kinpin. It might take two minutes, or two weeks of battering. There's a variant method using an axle stand, and a hydraulic jack to drop the weight of the motor onto the kingpin, with a drift between pin and stand.

Alternatively, remove the axle, and find an engineering shop/garage with a press, and pay them cash to do the press bit only. Otherwise, £150 a side isn't an uncommon quote - they do 'quote up', 'cos they know full well how much of a bastard they can be to do.

Some other reading material...Total LDV Sherpa, and LDV-Sherpa.co.uk (you might need to sign in to see that one)...which come with diagrams, lists of suppliers for parts and reconditioning and other odd tricks and notes.

Funnily enough, I never did them on my LDV: but I did recon a few Tranny front axles for Wisemans Dairies (after they'd been rallied...). In a warm dry workshop, with compressed air aplenty and a 20t press! So much easier!

[Conrad D. Conelrad]

Not been stranded on the motorway, but I spent the day trying to renew the Herald's driveshaft UJs and dreaming of white goods on finance. All I've got to show for the day is a one halfshaft with its UJ still firmly in place.

 

I've done the very same job today. What are you doing to try and get it out?

 

I've tried belting the flange with a rubber mallet, pushing the joint out with a G clamp and knocking it out with a socket. Just seems very reluctant to budge. Might have better luck tomorrow when I can do it outside.

 

Edit: yes I did, hammered out in the rain. What a bloody awful job.

[Angrydicky]

Lobster, what a lovely 4! MWC is a local reg, I've been trying to make out that fantastic dealer sticker in the back window but have failed! What does it say?

[trigger]

Crossways Garage which is in Halstead.

 

They are still going but are no longer a Renault dealer. http://www.xways.co.uk/

[Mr Lobster]

Well LOBSTA, I can't see any fire damage, pools of oil under it, twisted body panels or severed limbs so what's up with it?

I often share your sentiments, and quite often this also happens when sat on the hard shoulder posting pictures of a knackered car on Facebook.

 

 

Nothing too bad. Alternator belt wasn't sufficiently tight and after and hour of heavy rain and wipers the battery decided to call it a day, engine cut out and with no remaining battery power it wouldn't restart.

 

RAC were there within twenty minutes though and were excellent!

 

Seems ok now, getting a bit hot but that should be straightforward, either thermostat stuck or fan switch not playing. Will investigate later in the week.

[Mr Lobster]

Lobster, what a lovely 4! MWC is a local reg, I've been trying to make out that fantastic dealer sticker in the back window but have failed! What does it say?

 

'Tis indeed from Crossways Garage originally, dealer sticker and plates confirm. Its been local to East Anglia all its life (until now), and had spent fifteen years dry stored until unearthed last year. Its mega solid underneath, just needs a few minor cosmetic bits and it'll be a really clean car.

[trigger]

Just because I'm nosey Lobz but whereabouts in Essex was it from?.

[Mr Lobster]

Dunno

 

I got it from Somersham in Cambridgeshire, before that it was owned by a guy from Gt Yarmouth, and someone from Essex originally. So the seller told me anyway.

[scooters]

been told its about 300 quid for a garage to do it (yeah right) and I don't have a press to get the old kingpin out. any ideas, bearing in mind i'm skint? don't wanna scrap it, its a neat veg oil burner

 

They can be done DIY. But it won't be easy, and will involve some proper violence. Jack 'er up, axle stands under the chassis, whip the brakes etc., off. Extract the cotter pins (a selection of drills/stud extractors/taps come in handy), apply some heat, and big hammer-type persuasion to the kinpin. It might take two minutes, or two weeks of battering. There's a variant method using an axle stand, and a hydraulic jack to drop the weight of the motor onto the kingpin, with a drift between pin and stand.

Alternatively, remove the axle, and find an engineering shop/garage with a press, and pay them cash to do the press bit only. Otherwise, £150 a side isn't an uncommon quote - they do 'quote up', 'cos they know full well how much of a bastard they can be to do.

Some other reading material...Total LDV Sherpa, and LDV-Sherpa.co.uk (you might need to sign in to see that one)...which come with diagrams, lists of suppliers for parts and reconditioning and other odd tricks and notes.

Funnily enough, I never did them on my LDV: but I did recon a few Tranny front axles for Wisemans Dairies (after they'd been rallied...). In a warm dry workshop, with compressed air aplenty and a 20t press! So much easier!

 

 

really really inportant to grease the kingpins on a very regular basis with Sherpas - pig of a job but plenty of support on the 2 sites quoted...axel off may seem like a nightmare but is often the best way -

[dollywobbler]

Does look a beaut.

 

2CV's MOT is up soon and I've finally got around to booking it in for an MOT. Always a bit scary trying a new MOT station, but this local place sounded quite pleased at the prospect. Had to hastily order a pair of new tyres as the rears are getting a bit naughty. They should arrive tomorrow - £39 for Toyos, which really isn't too bad considering the correct Michelins are now getting on for £100 each. Hoping there are no horrors lurking for the test. Will need to get the grease gun out to give the kingpins the best chance of passing and I might even adjust up the rear brakes.