Amazed, no one ever greased my nipples ....
Discussion
I'm in the process of finishing some work on the Griffith pre Le Mans ...
I thought I would give her a full service prior to the annual trip. It amazes me how much we all pay for independent and main dealer service to not do the work they are supposed too.
I have had the Griffith serviced at both types, and to give you 2 examples ...
1 - Diff oil - Should be changed every 12k miles and checked every 6k miles .... I changed mine today, and it is the first time in it's entire life that it has been. The filling nut hasn't shifted in the 7 years the car has been on the road. It is an area where lot's of crud get's etc ... But when the manufactures not tamper seal is still in place it kinda gives the game away.
2 - Prop shaft UJ's - Greased them as they should be every 12k miles. These poor blighters haven't been done in god knows how long, as the amount of grease I had to push through them was ridiculous.
It really does p*ss me off when we all pay out so much money for these people to cut corners. I'm not naming names, or indeed knocking garage servicing as not everyone wants to grub about on the floor getting covered in diff oil (not nice). Indeed it has a lot to offer in terms of re-sale value.
I am sure a number of people will say their person does everything, and they are really great etc ... Well I thought I had a trusted relationhip. Reality, it's not their car and they are making money, and make more money by cutting corners.
It does still seem to me that as soon as it says TVR, then they try to baffle you with science and charge you the earth for not doing the work that should be done.
I thought I would give her a full service prior to the annual trip. It amazes me how much we all pay for independent and main dealer service to not do the work they are supposed too.
I have had the Griffith serviced at both types, and to give you 2 examples ...
1 - Diff oil - Should be changed every 12k miles and checked every 6k miles .... I changed mine today, and it is the first time in it's entire life that it has been. The filling nut hasn't shifted in the 7 years the car has been on the road. It is an area where lot's of crud get's etc ... But when the manufactures not tamper seal is still in place it kinda gives the game away.
2 - Prop shaft UJ's - Greased them as they should be every 12k miles. These poor blighters haven't been done in god knows how long, as the amount of grease I had to push through them was ridiculous.
It really does p*ss me off when we all pay out so much money for these people to cut corners. I'm not naming names, or indeed knocking garage servicing as not everyone wants to grub about on the floor getting covered in diff oil (not nice). Indeed it has a lot to offer in terms of re-sale value.
I am sure a number of people will say their person does everything, and they are really great etc ... Well I thought I had a trusted relationhip. Reality, it's not their car and they are making money, and make more money by cutting corners.
It does still seem to me that as soon as it says TVR, then they try to baffle you with science and charge you the earth for not doing the work that should be done.
I had stopped using anyone for servicing after the engine re-build, as I was fed up forking out a lot of money and still finding work to do on the car .. I never settled on anyone to serivce the car due to moves and no-one doing a good job .... Exmaple - Place in Bucks, ask them what oil they use, they confirm they will use the oil I want. Pick the car up and the oil pressure is 15psi down ... Get home, check what's in their and it looks like 0-40, check with garage ... "oh yeah mate, that's what we always use". Pour out of bottom of car and replace with real oil.
With my own ability there is no need for general servicing to be done by anyone but me.
Engine tuning is a different matter and it can still be the preserve of those that know, the rest is mechano and it's more about whether you can be arsed. Suspension set up can be done by those who have the kit etc, but the rest os jst getting your hands dirty. I just miss all the money I have given to garages over the years ....
With my own ability there is no need for general servicing to be done by anyone but me.
Engine tuning is a different matter and it can still be the preserve of those that know, the rest is mechano and it's more about whether you can be arsed. Suspension set up can be done by those who have the kit etc, but the rest os jst getting your hands dirty. I just miss all the money I have given to garages over the years ....
At my last service (which is supposed to include stripping and inspecting the brake calipers) all that was done was a bit of copper grease was wiped over the exposed rear of each pad to make it look like this had been done. The grease had also been wiped on the caliper hence it was obviously done with pad in situ). Also the door hinges had been greased. This shows a total lack of genius - the door hinges pivot on a poly bush and the last thing you want is the bolt ('hinge pin') thread being greased so it undoes a fraction each time you open the door.
Needless to say I won't be going there again. Any recommendations for competent servicing in Bristol / South Wales welcome...
Oh and despite the car being trailored home (ie not driven) I got 170 mls of ATF into the gearbox as well. So that wasn't done either.
Needless to say I won't be going there again. Any recommendations for competent servicing in Bristol / South Wales welcome...
Oh and despite the car being trailored home (ie not driven) I got 170 mls of ATF into the gearbox as well. So that wasn't done either.
Have to agree with the self service brigade. Not only because you know the work has been done, but also because I regard it as part of the enjoyment of owning the car. The daily hack goes to a man who changes the oil, greases the doors and stamps the book because there is no enjoyment in working on the everyday car. Fiddling with the Griff and getting to know how it works actually makes driving it more enjoyable.
Having bought one TVR from a pedantic self servicer with a limited number of stamps in the book and one from a dealer with lots of stamps and bills there is absolutely no doubt that the self serviced one was the better car.
A good compromise between the two is to find a local indy and hire a lift for a day along with the odd tool, bit of advice, oil disposal facilities etc. That way you can do the work yourself and seek advice and assistance if you get stuck.
Obviously you need to know your limits and not tackle things that you don’t feel happy with, particularly when they are safety related. Having said that there really is nothing very complex on the Griff.
Having bought one TVR from a pedantic self servicer with a limited number of stamps in the book and one from a dealer with lots of stamps and bills there is absolutely no doubt that the self serviced one was the better car.
A good compromise between the two is to find a local indy and hire a lift for a day along with the odd tool, bit of advice, oil disposal facilities etc. That way you can do the work yourself and seek advice and assistance if you get stuck.
Obviously you need to know your limits and not tackle things that you don’t feel happy with, particularly when they are safety related. Having said that there really is nothing very complex on the Griff.
Ballistic Banana said:
... Bar going around and checking the car afterwards you just hope they have done it all.
BB
BB
Or giving it to someone you trust like Talkwrench to do it again properly afterwards!
He's made it run a lot smoother and actually go round corners quite quickly now
Got myself some smart new Castle Race Engines leads too
oooh, and my starter motor spins like a young puppy now thanks to a new earth connection ... er, and the windows work a lot better
Edited by burriana on Monday 14th May 13:48
burriana said:
Ballistic Banana said:
... Bar going around and checking the car afterwards you just hope they have done it all.
BB
BB
Or giving it to someone you trust like Talkwrench to do it again properly afterwards!
He's made it run a lot smoother and actually go round corners quite quickly now
Got myself some smart new Castle Race Engines leads too
oooh, and my starter motor spins like a young puppy now thanks to a new earth connection ... er, and the windows work a lot better
And the steering rack now has lovely rip-free gaitors......
To be honest, I'm just glad that your car is now all sorted and a pleasure to drive again.
Though that 20% extra power is nice to have
Edited by talkwrench on Monday 14th May 15:45
Edited by talkwrench on Monday 14th May 17:34
Howdy from Miami (well, Boca Raton actually) Griffithers 
Just thought I'd scan PH while I'm supposed to be looking for our next hotel. Well, the weather although warm is windy and cloudy so I'm justifying being this sad based on that
Interesting that you mentioned pumping loads of grease into the propshaft UJ's Johno, I did the same while under the car last week and I actually pulled the grease gun off once to check it was working OK, there must have been bugger all in there.
Makes me think I need to check the diff oil now.
Is changing the gearbox oil on a LT77 an easy enough job, I was reading last week that issues with difficult gear selection when hot could be fixed by changing the oil. Although I asked for this to be done last year (or could have been the year before) I think I should do it if I get chance.
Just thought I'd scan PH while I'm supposed to be looking for our next hotel. Well, the weather although warm is windy and cloudy so I'm justifying being this sad based on that
Interesting that you mentioned pumping loads of grease into the propshaft UJ's Johno, I did the same while under the car last week and I actually pulled the grease gun off once to check it was working OK, there must have been bugger all in there.
Makes me think I need to check the diff oil now.
Is changing the gearbox oil on a LT77 an easy enough job, I was reading last week that issues with difficult gear selection when hot could be fixed by changing the oil. Although I asked for this to be done last year (or could have been the year before) I think I should do it if I get chance.
barreti said:
Howdy from Miami (well, Boca Raton actually) Griffithers
Just thought I'd scan PH while I'm supposed to be looking for our next hotel. Well, the weather although warm is windy and cloudy so I'm justifying being this sad based on that
Interesting that you mentioned pumping loads of grease into the propshaft UJ's Johno, I did the same while under the car last week and I actually pulled the grease gun off once to check it was working OK, there must have been bugger all in there.
Makes me think I need to check the diff oil now.
Is changing the gearbox oil on a LT77 an easy enough job, I was reading last week that issues with difficult gear selection when hot could be fixed by changing the oil. Although I asked for this to be done last year (or could have been the year before) I think I should do it if I get chance.
Just thought I'd scan PH while I'm supposed to be looking for our next hotel. Well, the weather although warm is windy and cloudy so I'm justifying being this sad based on that
Interesting that you mentioned pumping loads of grease into the propshaft UJ's Johno, I did the same while under the car last week and I actually pulled the grease gun off once to check it was working OK, there must have been bugger all in there.
Makes me think I need to check the diff oil now.
Is changing the gearbox oil on a LT77 an easy enough job, I was reading last week that issues with difficult gear selection when hot could be fixed by changing the oil. Although I asked for this to be done last year (or could have been the year before) I think I should do it if I get chance.
Dunno on LT77, but T5 is easy enough.
What is your nickname for Le Mans and your passengers ?
Wheel stud worked thanks, although not the same as the ones on there, will show you at Le Mans ..
Think I'll stick with Scooter Hooter for Lemons. Passenger is Grandad2 - I think, but Gary knows because I ordered shirts for both of us.
Good to know you've got all four studs attached now. as if its not bad enough people trying to drive over you, we don't want bits trying to get off the car too
Good to know you've got all four studs attached now. as if its not bad enough people trying to drive over you, we don't want bits trying to get off the car too
Totally agree that enthusiastic and knowledgeable DIY is preferable to many a "professional" job. That's sadly true in many walks of life - where there's a profit to be made there are corners to be cut.
I'm fortunate in that I have a local garage who is a car nut, who restores old fezzas and races Lotus, and who has many fair trade awards to his credit. He's also a very nice guy. He always shows all the part he's replaced, without being asked, and explains why they had to be replaced. A rare gem, and I use him for all our cars.
I'm fortunate in that I have a local garage who is a car nut, who restores old fezzas and races Lotus, and who has many fair trade awards to his credit. He's also a very nice guy. He always shows all the part he's replaced, without being asked, and explains why they had to be replaced. A rare gem, and I use him for all our cars.
Guess I must be lucky then re the choice of garage. After a service visit I get the " I also did X, Y & Z, you don't need to worry about the ___, but the --- will need replacing soon".
That's why I've been using the same indie for over 4 years. But again, as I said I must be lucky.
Also when grubbing around under the car it's very reasurring to see fresh paint markers that have been applied to various nuts'n'blots.
That's why I've been using the same indie for over 4 years. But again, as I said I must be lucky.
Also when grubbing around under the car it's very reasurring to see fresh paint markers that have been applied to various nuts'n'blots.
griffdude said:
burriana said:
griffdude said:
That's why I've been using the same indie for over 4 years. But again, as I said, I must be lucky.
And they are?
If they're good, spread the word
Edited by burriana on Wednesday 16th May 13:04
Guglielmi Motorsport, Daventry, Northants
This one does not surprise me
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