November 2002
I've finally decided to sort out my intermittent power steering troubles. The only problem is that my (excellent) garage can really only fix the problem by replacing components one at a time till the problem's solved.
In order to avoid the hassle, time and cost involved, does anyone know of a good, trustworthy, power steering specialist in the South of England? I can't see one in the directory, but I might just be being blind.
I'm in Southampton but I'll travel for the right place.
Thanks,
V Read more
Hi,
I've been offered a 1997 R Volvo S40 2.0CD automatic (with leather and the handling pack) in metallic black for £5000.
The car's done 50,000 miles and has a full Volvo service history.
Anyone had experience of the car?
Chris. Read more
Some good while ago there was a link to an excellent site that laid bare the mysteries of lubricating oils in lay terms. I can't find it with "search" - can anyone point me in the right direction? Thanks
Read more
Looks like the Chris longhurst sites are back up again.
www.chris-longhurst.com/carbibles/index.html?menu....l
How does a cruise control system cope with a steady and relatively long slope?
What prompted this train of thought was travelling down the A41 on Sunday from Aylesbury towards Watford, there's a 2K section which has a fairly steep and steady slope. I was in the Omega(auto) doing around 50mph at the "top" and it started to gather speed fairly quickly, even in a manual car you'd have to use the brakes or shift down, not to exceed 80+'ish at the bottom. (Though the roundabout there helps prevents this too!)
How would a modern cruise control system cope with conditions like this (assuming you don't disengage it) - AFAIK it's not connected to the braking system so would it just let the car gather excess speed?
Chad.R
P.S I know the Driver would have to be asleep not to notice - the questions purely hypothetical.
Chad.R Read more
Cruise control with auto has the advantage of NOT disengaging when changing gear, unlike a manual with CC. This applies whether the box changes automatically or in override.
Downhill the CC will shut the throttle as far as necessary. If it's fully closed and you're still going too fast, just override into 3rd, or even 2/1 if necessary.
Why do the likes of Tiff Needell, etc, think they can drive faster with the TC switched off, whereas all the Formula 1 cars have it switched on?
Is it purely for TV footage so you can see how wonderful Tiff, etc, are at coming out of a bend sideways with the rear tyres smoking? Or is it actually true that you can go faster with it switched off? Read more
Excellent point ... one for the legal minds !
Saw in the paper on friday that a guy who had a £20(?) fine from the DVLA (about a SORN i believe) and in court he invoked the right of a duel to the death of a DVLA nominated champion.
Might be quite amusing to see Read more
If it did BrianW, there'd be nobody left ! Mind you I'm not sure that we'd noitce any difference.
My sister-in-law was recently involved in an incident where her car was struck by a couple of motorcycles.
She was not held to blame by the police.Motorcyclists were prosecuted.
However , the motorcycle riders , who were uninsured and banned ,sued her for damages. The insurance company has admitted liability and is going to cough up.
What's the point in having insurance when you can just get one of the 'no win no fee' lot to recover your losses? Just think of all the insurance premiums you'll save. Read more
The circumstantial evidence seems to suggest that S I L was
at fault for the accident
so it does seem unjust that uninsured towrags have the
same rights as somebody with TPF&F insurance.
So they were acting irresponsibly (criminally?) by riding without documents. She was acting irresponsibly (criminally?) by knocking them off.
If by, your logic, their act should deprive them of rights so should hers.
--
These are my own opinions, and not necessarily those of all Toads.
Hi all
The heater fan on my stepfather's 89 Cavalier has packed up completely, after working for a short period on only the maximum setting.
I am guessing this is the speed control resistors which from what I can gather from elsewhere are attached to the fan motor (can anyone confirm?).
How do I get the fan out to gain access to these resistors? Is it an easy job?
Any comments most appreciated.
Dan J Read more
I can confirm the resistor pack is attached to the motor. From memory, you'll need to remove/lift up the plastic trim that sits between the windscreen and bulkhead. The job "can" be done with the motor in situ, albeit a bit awkward. The resistor pack is clipped onto the motor right next to where the electrical multiplug is. Once you get a replacement resistor pack, you'll see what you're looking for under the bonnet. Again from memory, it cost over £20 (from Vauxhall), and that's prices from a couple of years ago.
Pulling up at a friend's house you are greeted enthusiastically by his dog, which jumps up onto the boot and badly scratches it, the roof and rear wing. Friend was not present to witness this, and is unaware.
Do you:
A - Think nothing of it. Dogs are like that, and the paintwork was not brilliant anyway
B - Give him the bill for a respray, and probably end a valued friendship
C - Mention it to him, emphasise that whilst for yourself it is not that important because of the general condition of the car's paintwork, he ought to be aware in case the dog does the same to a new car or one that has just been expensively restored.
D - Say nothing, claim on the insurance, lose excess and NCB, and make an excuse never to go there again.
Or some combination, or something else?
Anyone any advice? I have done nothing yet, but am annoyed, because I hate dogs and love Triumph 2000s.
Read more
This is an interesting one. A similar thing happened to me when I had a cheap Escort (the car wasn't much better either :))). An alsation jumped up to me when I had just parked it. The owner was walking it on a lead when it did this and was very embarressed. Probably due to the overall condition of the car he did not stop to see if there was any damage (you would never have noticed if there was anyway).
I suspect your friend would have felt guilty for not exercising proper control over his dog. He may indeed have the hound insured and would therefore be covered for third party damage.
My view would be to mention it to him but don't ask for payment. If he offers - fine.
Why is it that manufacturers now seem to favour colour coded bumpers or integrated bumpers? So many other drivers seem to use my car as target practice that the colour is being stripped off that soon it will be black (as bumpers should be).
Also can't understand why people buy cars without rubbing strips down the side. Read more
i much prefer my land rover bumper. galvanised steel, still only £35.
the serviceover riders are good too


In the interests of a Happy New Year, I thought I should let you know what the results were to a few technical questions I've asked on here. If anyone's interested, that is.
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Wow, amazing how many problems I just lived with. Never resolved, managed another 100,000 miles before selling it. Just got used to heavier steering< I guess.
V