September 2004
I have just been 'clamped' for parking in a space where the only notice up said building site area. There are no notices saying no parking or notifying that it is a clamping area. The 'clamp' consists of a length of thick chain with a site hat and padlock round it and i found a photocopied piece of paper with my registration number on it demandin £200 for release. If i angle grind the chain off does anyone know if the person/company who clamped it can get me to pay any money?
Read more
Whilst driving the sister in law and three kids with associated luggage from Birmingham to South Devon in SWMBO\'s Vectra (1.7 diesel)the brake warning light illuminated on the dashboard. I slowed down and pulled off at the nearby services. Almost filled my trousers when I pressed the brake pedal and it went straight to the floor with next to no braking. Hand brake gentle applied and down through the gears coming to gentle stop at the bottom of the slip road. Then limped very carefully and slowly into the service station car park. Sister in law and kids of to use the service station facilities whilst I get my head under the bonnet to discover no brake fluid in the reservoir. Long story short got the Vectra recovered home and a hire car the rest of the trip.
Anyway got the car home and cannot find any evidence of leaks on any of the wheel cylinders or associated pipes. When you depress the brake pedal I can hear what sounds like fluid being squirted from the master cylinder into the servo.
Quite convinced the master cylinder has giving up the ghost I have ordered a replacement but am wondering how or if I will have to take off the servo to drain it of brake fluid, or will it drain itself ?
Any comments gratefully received.
Steve.
Read more
Some cars have a sensor that detects any difference in pressure in the two circuits and causes a warning light to come on. This warns of the kind of gradual failure Dave mentions.
I think the expression "dual circuit" is misleading and potentially dangerous. It gives the impression that in all circumstances one half of the braking system will still function. A true dual circuit system would have twin master cylinders, totally unconnected and fed from separate reservoirs.
Hi,
I have a couple of slight problems with the front brakes on my E30 325. I changed the discs and pads last week, and in order to get the old discs off I had to drill off the cap of the small alignment nut (it serves to hold the disc in place against the hub when changing the wheel). Having now solved the immediate issue of needing to replace the discs and pads and got the car driveable, I'd like if possible to remove remains of the alignment bolts and install new ones.
Given that there's very little bolt exposed to try and grip with pliers or similar, I'm at a bit of a loss as to how is best to proceed. Any ideas?
The second problem is with the nearside caliper which has had the bleed nipple snapped off flush with the caliper body. Any idea how would be best to remove this?
All ideas appreciated, however daft you may think they are!
Cheers
Aruuu
Read more
I have done what Peter D suggests on disc retaining bolts several times before, to make it a bit easier use reverse direction drill bits and (obviously!) a drill which can be used in reverse (ie battery drill/screwdriver). Using reverse drills (available from good tool shops) has the tendency of helping to 'unscrew' the remaining thread when the drill is nearly through...
Do they actually cost more to make, or are the manufacturers simply ripping off people who can afford to buy cars with big alloys? Read more
Well Mike, looks like you've got me there...
Perhaps I should have said, a couple of year's ago they were cheaper. Perhaps that size has become more popular...
The sizes for the record are 215/55-16 vs 225/40-18.
Don't look a gift hourse in the mouth when you see something you don't quite like about this site.
In response to a previous thread that has now been locked, I cannot understand why people log onto a website (that has been set up for their benefit at no charge to them, provides them with serious money saving advice and a great chance to discuss all sorts of issues) and just critisize it publicly!
I think its right that constructive critisism should be channelled via the correct sources - e mail to HJ, Mark, DD or No Dosh (for light amusement whilst in the hard shoulder perhaps :) ), but to critisise it publicly, to me smacks of a lack of gratitude to those named above plus the many people who regularly make valuable contributions. It's like colleagues in the workplace standing up and critisising each other in meetings, when a quiet chat over a coffee would solve the issues.
I was taught as a youngster to be grateful for whatever was offered to me with good intentions. I never had to accept it but a polite no thank you was the order of the day should I choose not to.
When clicking on this site I do sometimes find things that don't suit me 100% but this doesn't detract from the enjoyment and value for (no) money that I get from it. So I stick with it and am public with my praise and discreate with my critisisms -when I have any.
Sorry if that sounds a little sanctimonious. It's just that I don't like to see peoples' voluntary work being picked to pieces.
Just let's support this site and see it grow. If there are issues such as banner ads that offend people, then as DD etc has said plenty of times before, e mail HJ or any of the mods with any concerns.
Good, got that off my chest!
H Read more
Home page BBC news. Next visited page HJ. Nothing else comes close.
--
Espada III - well if you have a family and need a Lamborghini, what else do you drive?
Hi, I have a 1991 Toyota Celica with standard 14\" 5 stud fit alloys. I\'ve just bought some refurbished 15\" genuine Toyota alloys with 5 stud fitment, but they just dont \'mate\' up to the studs on the car. I have actually seen Celicas, (the ones I bought are off an MR2)with these 15 inchers. I just presumed they would go straight on,but they don\'t! Is it a case of a different Hub assembly?? Any feedback gratefully received! Read more
You mean its the PCD (pitch circle diameter) that is wrong then from your description. There is nothing simple that you can do about it, I'm afraid to say you have bought the wrong wheels.
Could anyone please give me some advice on if there is an easy way to stop an irritating squeak from my accelerator and clutch? They both seem to squeak at the top when pressed and depressed.
Doesn't cause any problems driving - everything seems fine, it's just a bit annoying. I'm have no technical knowledge and am wondering if I can get the WD40 out and spray it somewhere to solve this!
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks Read more
Thanks for that. Looks like the WD40 will be coming out this weekend!
Pop up ads for ebay's Burburry handbags, Karen Millen tops and Prada shoes?
Come on HJ can't we at least have some power tools? Read more
Deep sigh:-
If you have a comment as to whether or not pop-ups should exist, it is far better done in e-mail to HJ at mailto:letters@honestjohn.co.uk - if you wish, by all means copy with me or the other moderators.
www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=21504
DD.
I have a mondeo on a P-reg 1996 24v and I have a problem with it. What is happening is that when driving along and only touching the throttle it feels like it is holding back then when I start to give it more throttle it almost starts to miss fire then all of a sudden it will clear it self and go, I have changed the plugs and leads but has done nothing I was told it could be the air flow meter but I tried that and still the same, I also tried injector cleaner as I thought it might help but it didnt although it has never got any worse I really need it sorted out as it just is not a smooth drive so any help would be great. Read more
Colipack problems (leading to misfires) are common on 24v Mondeos...
A possibility, but not "common" no one I've spoken to has ever heard of it, I think you're thinking of the Audi TTs.
Per car by car breakdown, the launch price of the Nissan Murano in the UK will UKP 29,800. In the US (per nissanusa.com) the price ranges from $28,300 to $29,250.
Taking the higher price, and adjusting for taxes and exchange rates (assume $1.8 = 1 UKP, VAT at 17.5% and import duty at 10%, for an overall tax rate of 29.25%):
$29,250 x 1.2925 / 1.8 = UKP 21,000
Thus, not adjusting for differences in spec (I imagine fairly minor), UK buyers are being ripped off to the tune of UKP 8,800, or 42%.
Comments please!
Steve Read more
Its the same with almost everything.
.jpg)
I appreciate that this is a resurrection of an ancient thread by a TV presenter who has failed to appreciate the tenuous link between the poster and anglegrinderman, but it is well worth referring this thread to DVD's advice on clamping & the requirement for clampers to be licensed under the Private Security Industry Act 2001. In many ways, this makes the TV program somewhat less interesting as rogue clampers are now well & truly stymied.
www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=31594&...f