Newbie Wedge Embarrassment
Discussion
Finally jumped in and bought a Wedge a few weeks ago, enjoying every minute. Always wanted one since as a kid I could hear the neighbours wedge crossing from one end of town to the other.
Thought I would show it off at the local school and pick up my 8 year old in it. What a bad idea. When I arrived I could not lock the drivers door for some reason, thinking would only be a couple of minutes left it unlocked. Upon return with my child and parents passing by I could not for the life of me open the door. Door handle made a clunk and then all floppy. aarrghh. Tried the passanger door which was locked and neither key would unlock it. Locked out of my new car with an 8 year old and all his friends and parents walking by, shrank into my shoes and headed back into school until the coast was clear.
Upon return no further luck, managed to get hands under the roof cover but not far enough to reach the door locks, finally gained entry by *************************
Guess I will be striping the door down tomorrow.
By the way my 8 year was not impressed either, too low down, too fast (although I was only doing 30), and smelt of burning.
Anyone else had some bad stories?
Thought I would show it off at the local school and pick up my 8 year old in it. What a bad idea. When I arrived I could not lock the drivers door for some reason, thinking would only be a couple of minutes left it unlocked. Upon return with my child and parents passing by I could not for the life of me open the door. Door handle made a clunk and then all floppy. aarrghh. Tried the passanger door which was locked and neither key would unlock it. Locked out of my new car with an 8 year old and all his friends and parents walking by, shrank into my shoes and headed back into school until the coast was clear.
Upon return no further luck, managed to get hands under the roof cover but not far enough to reach the door locks, finally gained entry by *************************
Guess I will be striping the door down tomorrow.
By the way my 8 year was not impressed either, too low down, too fast (although I was only doing 30), and smelt of burning.
Anyone else had some bad stories?
Edited by Dr Griffin on Tuesday 9th October 14:03
Hi and welcome to the mad world of wedges..I think we all have stories to tell as regards to our wedges..Good..Bad and horrendous..They are not for the faint hearted and they really get under your skin..pop some piccy's up of the beast and never be afraid to ask any question even if it seems dumb..As regards to the lock then pop the door card off and check the rods that are attached to the cylinder, Sometimes they are the type that have been bent and when you try to open the door they start to straighten out and then there is no tension to pull the lock open...Ziga
Thanks for the replies, thought I might be stepping out in front of the firing squad!
Did consider going topless today due to the weather but thought it may be too show off, wish had now as would have saved some dignity.
Thanks for the advise mrZigazaga, will consult the bible and the Maintainance tips page on this site. Goes to the top of the list of a million and one things to do.
Cheers everyone, keep up the good work.
Did consider going topless today due to the weather but thought it may be too show off, wish had now as would have saved some dignity.
Thanks for the advise mrZigazaga, will consult the bible and the Maintainance tips page on this site. Goes to the top of the list of a million and one things to do.
Cheers everyone, keep up the good work.
Oosh. That happened to me in the summer, when we had one. I was showing off the car at work. Turned car off to get out, couldn't. So window down and hand out window to exit via external handle while work colleagues looked on and chuckled. I was so embarrassed I got a half day to go home and repair.
Door trim off, and there are 2 rods in the door held together with a wee plastic union which was a little worn and kept popping off. One from door latch and one from internal door handle.
After a good rumage around i found some bits n bobs, and after scraped knuckles, sweat and a few choice words the car Opens, Closes, Locks.
Job done.
Pest of a job though.
Good luck.
Si
Door trim off, and there are 2 rods in the door held together with a wee plastic union which was a little worn and kept popping off. One from door latch and one from internal door handle.
After a good rumage around i found some bits n bobs, and after scraped knuckles, sweat and a few choice words the car Opens, Closes, Locks.
Job done.
Pest of a job though.
Good luck.
Si
I wouldnt worry...I live in one of the worst post codes in south east london..Apparently...Trust me if someone wanted to get into a soft top they would use a stanley..How many wedges have been stolen in the last 5 years??..10 years??..These days your hot hatch is more of a likely suspect...A gang of hoodies had a right go at me when i was discussing getting a new front spoiler with a neighbour..They thought i was getting a new car..In their immortal words " What blood..You tellin me dat u r gettin rid of ur motor after all da work u done".."Rah man"..I got plenty of "Safe" when i explained i was talking about the spoiler...
Doc
Welcome to the mad world of the "Wedge"
Ref you door lock rods and clips. The problems is they are over 20years old and have become brittle and I haven't found any new replacments. So when you push the rob back in, I find a small cable tie will hold it in place!
May your TVR problem be small ones!
Andy
Welcome to the mad world of the "Wedge"
Ref you door lock rods and clips. The problems is they are over 20years old and have become brittle and I haven't found any new replacments. So when you push the rob back in, I find a small cable tie will hold it in place!
May your TVR problem be small ones!
Andy
Mr Tank said:
Ref you door lock rods and clips. The problems is they are over 20years old and have become brittle and I haven't found any new replacments.
Hi Mate..As andy say's..Although i did manage to locate door rod clips however getting ones with the correct fitting for the hole was not easy but i have found some that fit with the help of some air/water line..You need two per lock, If you need i can send some but i have a link and the part number if anyone needs...Cheers..Ziga
Ah Ah good to see its not just me that has faced the embarasement of trying to show off only for it to backfire.I did the same thing with my daughter only i returned to see a pool of water under the car and steam coming from under the bonnet but i got a lot of kids thinking it was a cool car and my daughter loves it being low,noisy,fast and smelly.
Hi, Ok first post edits made so no references to how to break in.
Thanks to Mr Tank & Mr Zigazaga, door panel off this morning and can see two of these plastic clips have come off, looks like someone has been here before by the evidence of plastic electrical tape holding the plastic sheeting on, and the use of some freeze bag ties around some of the other clips. Off to the hardware shop for some smaller cables ties.
Thanks for the comments everyone.
Thanks to Mr Tank & Mr Zigazaga, door panel off this morning and can see two of these plastic clips have come off, looks like someone has been here before by the evidence of plastic electrical tape holding the plastic sheeting on, and the use of some freeze bag ties around some of the other clips. Off to the hardware shop for some smaller cables ties.
Thanks for the comments everyone.
Heres the new toy, needs a good polish up. Anybody familar with it? Came from Devon and was a fleabay purchase a month or so ago, passion not common sense!. Previous owner has spent a lot in last couple of years and the cockpit is pretty tidy too with new carpets, upholstery, new seats and new dash.
Has been around mates for past couple of weeks to make sure its not a death trap. Did have a bit of a boil on first run, leak on one of the hoses and the fan was not working. Some work done on the anti roll bar link bushes, and exhaust rehung and tightened. Just hoping to have cured overheating issue.
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