July 2007
We've talked about this before, but I thought it might be useful to relate how I had recently seen it performed without removing any bits other than the back cover for the headlamp unit! I changed the dip-bulb myself previously ..... but only after loosening the battery and with a great deal of cursing and misery.
I took the car to my local dealer. I explained the problem to the chap on service reception and asked if I'd get on better if I removed the battery completely. He explained that if I did that, I might get slightly better access, but the lower lip on the battery shelf would still present something of an obsticle. I could see what he meant.
A young technician arrived on the scene, grinning and saying "I bet it's the one on the battery side - it always is - it's like toast landing butter side down!" He said it was a couple of months since he had done one - but appeared comfortingly confident nevertheless.
He performed the operation exactly as stated in the car's (supplied) manual. He struggled a little getting the plastic light-unit cover off and on (poor fit) but took out and replaced the bulb - re-engaging the spring retaining clip all by feel. He said that he done his first few using a mirror - which is what I had done before.
If this bulb blows again, as it undoubtedly will, I will have a bash myself - but I will try loosening or removing the battery because I think it may help a little and I will check the fixing mechanism with a mirror BEFORE removing the old bulb.
When the old bulb came it, it was very blackened, which someone has previously suggested may be due to a poor earth.
BTW, he said that the operation was more difficult on Diesel Foci due to the bigger battery ...... maybe a case for moving it out of the way. Read more
1.6 16v doch 2003 astra inside the inlet manifold there is a rattle what can this be Read more
The '98-'00 Astra 1.8 had a variable intake manifold, basically long and short pipes with butterfly pipes controlling the flow.
I think, but not sure, that the variable intake manifold was added to the 1.6 from '01-on. If so, then something may have come loose.
Hello, I haven't dropped in for a month or so, but should appreciate your thoughts on this.
My 1999 T Vectra hatch manual petrol 1.8 in near pristine condition with 60k on clock and a brand new MOT was run into from behind at low speed whilst queueing to turn right at traffic lights on Saturday morning. Damage amounts to a bust rear bumper bar.
The driver has accepted liability, and his insurance company have contacted me to arrange repairs. As these will coincide with a holiday trip to Scotland, they will arrange an equivalent hire car for me, plus they will pay congestion charge and parking - as a resident of the congestion charging zone these would not normally cost me money and they have agreed to pay.
What's this going to cost them? I'm going to guess that a new bumper will be £500. Two weeks car hire of a Vectra (they have agreed to give me a 'class E' manual from Enterprise-rent-a-car in Bloomsbury on the grounds I won't drive 1500 miles in a Corsa in one week), plus parking, congestion charges etc. isn't going to leave them much change if any from £500.
What's the car worth? I suppose I might get £1500 with a following wind; more likely £1,000. A dealer might give me £500, do you think?
I must therefore be in danger of being written off. I'd much rather have 1000 cash out of their ins co and find a second hand bumper from somewhere and fit it myself.
How can I achieve this?
Many thanks. Read more
Bellboy, sorry I forgot to take a picture. But I did promise to update when I did the bumper.
Picked one up last week, £30 from a bloke who breaks Vectras, in the right colour, 20 mile round trip from where I was going anyway, so half an hour.
10 torx bolts to remove. 4 T30, off in seconds. 4 T20, off in seconds. The last two were T25 (whoever designs a car such that a simple-to-change component requires three different-sized heads?) And of course my 4,380-piece tool set didn't have one, so pop down to Halfords - needed to go to B&Q which is next door anyway - for the right piece - £3.15 later. (Pop to market for some flowers on the way back, £40 parking fine as discussed elsewhere, can't really blame the car for that.)
Armed with right tool, off in 2 minutes; new one on in 10 minutes. Washed rest of car to stop it from standing out. It has taken me 18 months to get round to it...
I was driving along in a built up area probably doing about 30 mph and glanced up at my rear view mirror to see a police car (Astra) belting up the road with sirens and all lights going. I was positioned on a bend and knowing it would be bad for all if I froze to let it pass on that particular point I kept up my speed until it was safe for him to pass. He/she hammered right up to me and swerved violently to pass me....then slowed down to 30mph because there was a speed camera there. Once past he hurtled off into the distance causing due panic ahead.
Surely police cars are immune from speed cameras aren't they? Especially when on an emergency call. Maybe he just late for his tea break or something and if that's the case he's an idiot. Read more
I'm afraid nobody puts
on blues and twos to pick up kebabs.
Seen with my own eyes mate, followed a police car at 60mph on a 70 DC, we both took the sliproad off, in no hurry, up he comes to some lights on red and he flicks on the lights and goes through rather than have to bother himself by stopping. Turns them off once he's cleared the lights. Still in no hurry. Lights change a couple of seconds later and I follow him again, all the way to the sandwich shop where I pass him.
There's no way he was on a call when he turned his lights on and jumped the lights. I know and I saw what happened. "He might have got a call for those 2 seconds that he had the lights on, and then the call was cancelled" won't wash with me. He was just driving leisurely at a nice speed and couldn't be bothered to stop.
Don't say it never happens because everyone knows it does.
I had an advisory on these last year so have have taken advantage of a dry day to undo the worn ones, starting with the accessible one (offside).
It was surprisingly easy to get off mainly because the last time they where changed, the inner balljoint was not peened into the shaft (nor locktited) :-o
The query I have is that whilst GSF list both 17mm & 14mm threads inner tie rods for the 740, these are shown as being suitable for '87 and later cars. My vehicle is a '86, is there really likely to be any difference in the steering rack; the catologue also lists a replacement rack to fit all models from'84 to '92.
GSF say that the model year shown is only a guide and the rods will probably fit (mine is the 17mm thread)
any of the resident volvo owners undertaken this job?
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One mans junk is another mans treasure Read more
My wife has a 1998 Alhambra (otherwise badged VW Sharan and Ford Galaxy), and we would like the centre seat (the first passenger row) to have a three-point belt rather than just a lap belt. I know I can just put a seat in the boot and it'll have a three-point belt, but that takes up bootspace which I'd much rather have for luggage.
Any solutions? For instance would a seat out of a later model have a 3-point belt, and would it fit the floor mounts? Read more
Like previously said the 3 point belt was fitted to late models and isn't a retrofit as the roof bar isn't on earlier models and mounting to take the assembly would go straight through the skin.
Paul
Anyone come across a problem with the 2.0 hdi citroen xsara (2001) engine whereby the engine is prone be to very slow at pulling away in first gear and intermittent non starting. I thought it was the fuel pump as is the usual culprit on this model so had that changed recently and the problem was better but seems to be still there, the lack of power low down under accelleration has never gone away?? Read more
Hi
I bought myself a Deauville motorcycle from the Oxford police auction.
It is a white one with 20,000 miles. Looks like it was well serviced.
Having done over 1000 miles and averaging 58mpg, it quite satisfactory. And although all the magazines say it is slow (with 55bhp), it is fast enough for me.
Because it is white and has chevrons at the back, it is quite amazing how drivers especially on the motorway seem to slow down with me about. And even more amazing, having noticed the worser drivers, they seem to drive quickly on the fast lane, and as they get closer (metres away) they start slowing down. No wonder they have so many dents - drive too fast, and don't look far ahead and don't take care.
Really brilliant bike - and great getting respect on the road. I don't know when I will get bored with it though?
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& to clarify a bit further, the ones Force are selling have been retro-fitted original civvy spec Honda suspension, so as not to surprise anyone, once they reach a zillion MPH!!
VB
Coastguards have slammed an audacious bid by Top Gear stars Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May to DRIVE across the Channel.
The daredevil trio all attempted to make the crossing across the world?s busiest shipping lane in three specially-adapted cars for the hit BBC TV show.
And, remarkably, one of the vehicles actually reached the French coast.
tinyurl.com/ynwmtf (Shortened link to an article on www.kentnews.co.uk)
tinyurl.com/3x7m4m (Shortened link to The Daily Mail) (better pictures)
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No it's not perfect
The only people I've heard of who might enjoy Top Gear and similar are Harry and Janet Nodule.
A hoot to drive in town. Has the advantage of feeling significantly faster than a Honda Civic 1.4.
Many have commented on the 'shopping trolly' ride quality. But it is light years away from the original Panda which really did have Flintstones suspension system: you could feel every single ridge even on the motorway.
Another advantage: it is faster than any Aston Martin. At least in the multi-story car park it is.
If you have a real sense of humour, I believe there is a 4x4 option.
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Mr Clarkson gave it a v positive write up - His article was something along the lines of cars you could buy for less than your kitchen or holiday or something. Ie the idea that your car might not be the second most expensive purchase you make.
Browse
I had great difficulty changing the same bulb on my diesel Focus, actually going as far as to cutting off a bit of the lip on the cover to enable its refitting. Someone helpfully pointed out afterwards, that I should just have undone the two top bolts on the headlamp to tip it forward for clearance... Of course marking the brackets position before removing the bolts.