How was your weekend?
Discussion
How was your weekend? Mine went something like this:
Saturday.
9.30am
Decide to fit Mod Wise light up-grade kit to Griff. Involves re-wiring o/s lights with feed from starter motor, plus brighter bulbs all round.
Jack front of car up and put on axle stands
Remove both front wheels - mutter as forgot to loosen studs on one wheel before jacking up
Remember to disconnect battery to avoid welding +ve lead from starter motor to chassis
Spend 10 mins upside in passenger footwell with spanner
Decide to disconnect ECU in case do something stupid
Spend 10 mins trying to stop the alarm going off as it thinks its being bypassed
Prise the inspection hatch off the wheel arch to get to headlamp wiring. Both sides
Struggle with the rubber boot on the back of the headlight
Curse as sidelight bulb drops into sealed headlamp lens
Ponder how to get it out for 20 mins
Struggle to remove the metal covering on the back of the lense - undoing two screws with pliers as haven't got the correct 'star drive' thingy
Manage to retrieve loose bulb using a pencil with a blob of sellotape on the end
10 mins to screw metal plate back on using pliers.
Spend ages trying to undo nut on starter motor with a couple of degrees of turn each time you connect the spanner (no room to get a ratchet on it, or get a decent swing with a spanner.) 13mm spanner BTW
Route wire along chassis tubes away from exhaust.
Get wires to front of car and ponder how to get into inner wing (drivers side)
Decide small hole into wing would look neatest.
After 30 mins trying to get wires up through small hole, abandon idea and go for large hole in mouth of car.
Thread stiff wire up through hole, then tie wires on and pull them through.
Easy bit - connect wires up using picture e mailed by David as guide.
Chuck wires for full beam down through hole and retrieve at bottom.
Stuff all relays etc into headlamp inspection hatch and hope they won't rattle and pull themselves apart
Replace rubber boot
Remove rubber boot from full beam spot.
Curse when bulb won't come out.
Connect up and replace boot.
Try again
And again.
Move to passenger side - only bulbs to do:
Curse multiple times re stubborn bulbs, boots etc.
Go back to secure all new cables with cable ties.
Laugh with joy as realise all cable ties too small to go round chassis tubes
Snort in the face of adversity as decide instead to replace headlamp inspection hatches.
Dance on the grave of despondency as realise have no black sealant to replace hatches with
Fart in the face of frustration when notice that all the Hammerite so carefully painted on outriggers mere weeks ago has been stone chipped into oblivion. Mental note to buy stone chip guard.
Headlights now v bright.
Decide to remove door mirrors.
Read Steve Heaths book
Remove speaker grill then speaker.
Reach in and find hidden nut.
Remove nut (eventually)
Locate screw at other end, hidden under reflector.
Heave on door trim.
No movement.
Re-read shpub
Heave again
Scratch head.
Insert arm into door orifice.
Remove skin from hand/arm.
Locate second nut.
Think midly unpleasant things about shpub
Remove nut.
Heave on trim.
No movement - scratch head.
Insert arm. Locate another nut. Re-do previous tasks.
Re insert arm. Locate another nut in ludicrous position that only a midget fingered midget could reach. Eventually remove.
Heave.
Bottom of trim moves. No way is top going anywhere.
Peel trim outer away from inner card.
Peek under.
Spot screws in inner card.
Remove outer with worrying 'glue giving way' noise.
Inner card secured with 6 self tapping screws. Explains refusal to move.
Plan untimely end to shpub. He mentioned nothing about any steps since 'Re-read shpub' above.
Disconnect wiring block.
Smile as sense imminent mirror removal.
Frown as shpub mentioned nut on inside of door fails to materialise.
Grimace as realise cannot even see into the
ing thing.
Apply digital technology and shove digicam into hole.
Pic reveals shpub lying about nut.
Death too good for shpub.
Remove mirror glass by sliding hidden tab. Finally something that undoes the way it is supposed to.
Poke around mirror inner.
Remove 3 screws.
Undo front of mirror housing.
Poke around collar.
Scratch head.
Re-read shpub.
Plot fate worse than death for shpub.
5.45pm
Draw stumps
Realise have not eaten or drunk anything all day.
Post pic on PH with plea for help.
5.46pm.
Log on to PH in hope of early response
Repeat last steps multiple times...
Sunday
Wake up
Clean house
Wonder why cat hair sticks to everything. Could cat hair sticky technology repace post-it notes?
Go to Halfords.
No large cable ties except light blue. Reject as B&Q sure to have large black ones..
Purchase inspection lamp, waxoyl , pressure spray, stoneguard paint.
Curse at lack of availability of suitable headlamp sealant
Abandon visit to B&Q on grounds of non-moving traffic caused by Xmas shopping nupmties and numpties crashing into other numpties
Curse
Sit in traffic
Curse
Visit Homebase
Curse at uselessness of Homebase
Return home.
Eventually.
Prod wing mirror.
Lean on wing mirror.
Swear at wing mirror.
Consider use of sledgehammer, but unable to identify component which will benefit from said tool.
Scratch head.
Install big off floodlamp in garage above front of car for no reason other than had one spare and knew could do it. Need to FINISH one job this weekend.
Bask under glory of successful floodlamp installation.
Mop up excess moisture from tears of frustration at all things TVR
5.00pm
Drive into Reading to see Harry Potter at cinema
5.30pm
Drive home - cinema full for Potter and Bond
5.35pm.
Plant bamboo shoots for insertion into shpub's fingernails at later date.
Car still on axle stands with no headlamp inspection panels, door trim, mirror housing and loose wiring hanging from chassis, with door mirrors securely and stubbornly fastened.
How was your weekend?
(P.S. No offence intended to shpub and his excellent book. My car is a 1999 model and the book was written some time before this.)
Saturday.
9.30am
Decide to fit Mod Wise light up-grade kit to Griff. Involves re-wiring o/s lights with feed from starter motor, plus brighter bulbs all round.
Jack front of car up and put on axle stands
Remove both front wheels - mutter as forgot to loosen studs on one wheel before jacking up
Remember to disconnect battery to avoid welding +ve lead from starter motor to chassis
Spend 10 mins upside in passenger footwell with spanner
Decide to disconnect ECU in case do something stupid
Spend 10 mins trying to stop the alarm going off as it thinks its being bypassed
Prise the inspection hatch off the wheel arch to get to headlamp wiring. Both sides
Struggle with the rubber boot on the back of the headlight
Curse as sidelight bulb drops into sealed headlamp lens
Ponder how to get it out for 20 mins
Struggle to remove the metal covering on the back of the lense - undoing two screws with pliers as haven't got the correct 'star drive' thingy
Manage to retrieve loose bulb using a pencil with a blob of sellotape on the end
10 mins to screw metal plate back on using pliers.
Spend ages trying to undo nut on starter motor with a couple of degrees of turn each time you connect the spanner (no room to get a ratchet on it, or get a decent swing with a spanner.) 13mm spanner BTW
Route wire along chassis tubes away from exhaust.
Get wires to front of car and ponder how to get into inner wing (drivers side)
Decide small hole into wing would look neatest.
After 30 mins trying to get wires up through small hole, abandon idea and go for large hole in mouth of car.
Thread stiff wire up through hole, then tie wires on and pull them through.
Easy bit - connect wires up using picture e mailed by David as guide.
Chuck wires for full beam down through hole and retrieve at bottom.
Stuff all relays etc into headlamp inspection hatch and hope they won't rattle and pull themselves apart
Replace rubber boot
Remove rubber boot from full beam spot.
Curse when bulb won't come out.
Connect up and replace boot.
Try again
And again.
Move to passenger side - only bulbs to do:
Curse multiple times re stubborn bulbs, boots etc.
Go back to secure all new cables with cable ties.
Laugh with joy as realise all cable ties too small to go round chassis tubes
Snort in the face of adversity as decide instead to replace headlamp inspection hatches.
Dance on the grave of despondency as realise have no black sealant to replace hatches with
Fart in the face of frustration when notice that all the Hammerite so carefully painted on outriggers mere weeks ago has been stone chipped into oblivion. Mental note to buy stone chip guard.
Headlights now v bright.
Decide to remove door mirrors.
Read Steve Heaths book
Remove speaker grill then speaker.
Reach in and find hidden nut.
Remove nut (eventually)
Locate screw at other end, hidden under reflector.
Heave on door trim.
No movement.
Re-read shpub
Heave again
Scratch head.
Insert arm into door orifice.
Remove skin from hand/arm.
Locate second nut.
Think midly unpleasant things about shpub
Remove nut.
Heave on trim.
No movement - scratch head.
Insert arm. Locate another nut. Re-do previous tasks.
Re insert arm. Locate another nut in ludicrous position that only a midget fingered midget could reach. Eventually remove.
Heave.
Bottom of trim moves. No way is top going anywhere.
Peel trim outer away from inner card.
Peek under.
Spot screws in inner card.
Remove outer with worrying 'glue giving way' noise.
Inner card secured with 6 self tapping screws. Explains refusal to move.
Plan untimely end to shpub. He mentioned nothing about any steps since 'Re-read shpub' above.
Disconnect wiring block.
Smile as sense imminent mirror removal.
Frown as shpub mentioned nut on inside of door fails to materialise.
Grimace as realise cannot even see into the
ing thing. Apply digital technology and shove digicam into hole.
Pic reveals shpub lying about nut.
Death too good for shpub.
Remove mirror glass by sliding hidden tab. Finally something that undoes the way it is supposed to.
Poke around mirror inner.
Remove 3 screws.
Undo front of mirror housing.
Poke around collar.
Scratch head.
Re-read shpub.
Plot fate worse than death for shpub.
5.45pm
Draw stumps
Realise have not eaten or drunk anything all day.
Post pic on PH with plea for help.
5.46pm.
Log on to PH in hope of early response
Repeat last steps multiple times...
Sunday
Wake up
Clean house
Wonder why cat hair sticks to everything. Could cat hair sticky technology repace post-it notes?
Go to Halfords.
No large cable ties except light blue. Reject as B&Q sure to have large black ones..
Purchase inspection lamp, waxoyl , pressure spray, stoneguard paint.
Curse at lack of availability of suitable headlamp sealant
Abandon visit to B&Q on grounds of non-moving traffic caused by Xmas shopping nupmties and numpties crashing into other numpties
Curse
Sit in traffic
Curse
Visit Homebase
Curse at uselessness of Homebase
Return home.
Eventually.
Prod wing mirror.
Lean on wing mirror.
Swear at wing mirror.
Consider use of sledgehammer, but unable to identify component which will benefit from said tool.
Scratch head.
Install big
off floodlamp in garage above front of car for no reason other than had one spare and knew could do it. Need to FINISH one job this weekend. Bask under glory of successful floodlamp installation.
Mop up excess moisture from tears of frustration at all things TVR
5.00pm
Drive into Reading to see Harry Potter at cinema
5.30pm
Drive home - cinema full for Potter and Bond
5.35pm.
Plant bamboo shoots for insertion into shpub's fingernails at later date.
Car still on axle stands with no headlamp inspection panels, door trim, mirror housing and loose wiring hanging from chassis, with door mirrors securely and stubbornly fastened.
How was your weekend?
(P.S. No offence intended to shpub and his excellent book. My car is a 1999 model and the book was written some time before this.)
Andy from APM e mailed me the solution (thanks!!). It involves a hammer and I will therefore enjoy the task immensely.
By the way - don't be put off the Mod Wise light kit. I did exaggerate a bit for dramatic effect. Its obvious you will need sealant and cable ties and I should have suitably equipped myself beforehand. It's pretty straightforward, if a little time consuming. I haven't yet tried them out yet, for obvious reasons - but they are noticeably much brighter than the old lights when I turn them on in the garage.
I refuse to be beaten by some poxy mirrors....
By the way - don't be put off the Mod Wise light kit. I did exaggerate a bit for dramatic effect. Its obvious you will need sealant and cable ties and I should have suitably equipped myself beforehand. It's pretty straightforward, if a little time consuming. I haven't yet tried them out yet, for obvious reasons - but they are noticeably much brighter than the old lights when I turn them on in the garage.
I refuse to be beaten by some poxy mirrors....
alt said: Andy, surely it would have been better to visit our friendly dealer who would have assisted FOC?
Splutter!!!
I can imagine....
Me: Hello - I'd like some help getting the mirrors off my doors please
Friendly dealer: (sucks in air) Well I'm sorry sir. The doorsandmirror is one complete unit. Would you like me to order you a new doorandmirror....
Me: Yes please
Friendly dealer (5 weeks later): Ah Mr Griff2be. The new seat cover you ordered has arrived...
My weekend was brilliant.
10.30 am crawl out of bed.
11.30 drive to Mitsubishi/Subaru main dealer.
11.45 Thrash the nuts off an Impreza P1.
12.15 Thrash the nuts off an Evo VI.
13.00 Have a pub lunch.
13.30 Wife decides that we simply *have to have the P1. Who am I to argue.
14.30 Return to dealership.
15.30 Finish haggling.
16.00 Buy car.
16.45 Manchester City lose 3-1. Doh.
17.00 Begin a week of waiting for the car.
Wheeee
10.30 am crawl out of bed.
11.30 drive to Mitsubishi/Subaru main dealer.
11.45 Thrash the nuts off an Impreza P1.
12.15 Thrash the nuts off an Evo VI.
13.00 Have a pub lunch.
13.30 Wife decides that we simply *have to have the P1. Who am I to argue.
14.30 Return to dealership.
15.30 Finish haggling.
16.00 Buy car.
16.45 Manchester City lose 3-1. Doh.
17.00 Begin a week of waiting for the car.
Wheeee
griff2be said:
Me: Hello - I'd like some help getting the mirrors off my doors please
Friendly dealer: (sucks in air) Well I'm sorry sir. The doorsandmirror is one complete unit. Would you like me to order you a new doorandmirror....
Me: Yes please
Friendly dealer (5 weeks later): Ah Mr Griff2be. The new seat cover you ordered has arrived...
It's such a shame that you have another day-to-day car (I'm assuming) as you were deprived of that great impending doom feeling brought about by the knowledge that all these bits lying all over the garage floor on the Sunday evening need to be reassembled to form a complete car capable of taking you to work on the Monday morning. 
Still, sounds like you had a fun weekend all the same. Shame you missed out on Harry Potter - might have given you a few ideas on how to get that mirror off.
Still, sounds like you had a fun weekend all the same. Shame you missed out on Harry Potter - might have given you a few ideas on how to get that mirror off.
I have experienced that feeling of mounting panic as Sunday draws to a close and the car is still in bits.
But yes, I do now have a hatchback for the dull motoring and I was able to flounce off in a huff when the mirror wouldn't play.
I did go back and tidy up a few tools - but a workshop isn't a workshop if you don't trip up over a few trailing wires or stub your toe on a club hammer.
Its rather nice to be able to work on it a bit at a time - if it p1sses me off then I can cool off and come back later. Before the TVR I never had this luxury.
When the heater for the garage arrives later this week it will be even better. Beer fridge - perhaps an armchair, maybe a TV and a link to the satellite receiver. Hmm.....
I've now ordered some Sikaflex and cable ties. Clearly TVR owners should always have some in stock!
But yes, I do now have a hatchback for the dull motoring and I was able to flounce off in a huff when the mirror wouldn't play.
I did go back and tidy up a few tools - but a workshop isn't a workshop if you don't trip up over a few trailing wires or stub your toe on a club hammer.
Its rather nice to be able to work on it a bit at a time - if it p1sses me off then I can cool off and come back later. Before the TVR I never had this luxury.
When the heater for the garage arrives later this week it will be even better. Beer fridge - perhaps an armchair, maybe a TV and a link to the satellite receiver. Hmm.....
I've now ordered some Sikaflex and cable ties. Clearly TVR owners should always have some in stock!
I know how you feel, I’ve been there my self hence :-
Sikaflex sounds expensive, I use Homebase or B&Q, Black silicone bathroom sealant and if its for those wheel arch panels you can use any colour, it all turns dark grey after a trip out in the rain.
If your tie wraps are too short put two together end to end.
Cheers,
Simon.
Sikaflex sounds expensive, I use Homebase or B&Q, Black silicone bathroom sealant and if its for those wheel arch panels you can use any colour, it all turns dark grey after a trip out in the rain.
If your tie wraps are too short put two together end to end.
Cheers,
Simon.
simon.b said: I know how you feel, I’ve been there my self hence :-
Sikaflex sounds expensive, I use Homebase or B&Q, Black silicone bathroom sealant and if its for those wheel arch panels you can use any colour, it all turns dark grey after a trip out in the rain.
If your tie wraps are too short put two together end to end.
Cheers,
Simon.
Sikaflex is expensive, but only the best for my Griff! Some of the gaps on these inspection panels are quite big - so I wanted to do the job properly. I have loads of white sealant - sanitary sealant, frame sealant, low modulus glass sealant - but I thought it would look a bit crap.
Black bathroom sealant sounds a bit gothic!
I did think about linking the ties, but again, thought it might look a bit naff. Once the proper ones arrive I'll remove the miriad of existing ones and make it all neat.
Perhaps I should get out more?
Looking foward to taking a hammer to the mirror when I get home!!
I've said it before, but don't use 'silicon' sealant it can have a nasty effect on paint, it's OK if you're NEVER going to repaint ANY of your car but personally I wouldn't take the risk. Use Sikaflex or Tigerseal polyeurothane based one (they're stronger if you're using them for sticking stuff too)
Any thoughts I might have had about uprating my lights has just been well and truly stamped out. Why not send the entertaining tales of woe to Sprint?
While I'm on, why don't they make the covers glass instead of perspex? It would let more light through and not gradually turn frosted by microscopic scratches...
>> Edited by simpo one on Monday 25th November 18:52
While I'm on, why don't they make the covers glass instead of perspex? It would let more light through and not gradually turn frosted by microscopic scratches...
>> Edited by simpo one on Monday 25th November 18:52
I own a 92 Griff and went down the exact same road as you reading the book and looking for that allusive nut that holds the mirror on, forget the book (but it is very good),the mirror is held in place with one allen screw locating it onto a centeral hub, if you turn the mirror or hub anticlock wise it should start to unscrew but obviously be very careful of the wiring loom.
Hope this helps
Chris.
Does Tigerseal need some kind of power driven applicator (as I've heard Sikaflex does), or can you use a normal ratchet "gun"?
incorrigible said:Use Sikaflex or Tigerseal polyeurothane based one (they're stronger if you're using them for sticking stuff too)
Can you get it from B&Q, Homebase etc?
simpo one said: Any thoughts I might have had about uprating my lights has just been well and truly stamped out. Why not send the entertaining tales of woe to Sprint?
While I'm on, why don't they make the covers glass instead of perspex? It would let more light through and not gradually turn frosted by microscopic scratches...
>> Edited by simpo one on Monday 25th November 18:52
Simpo - please don't say that!!! The light kit is fine - the problem is the palarver (spelling?) you have to go to to get at the bulbs on a TVR. As I've never changed a bulb on the car before it took me some time - but if I did it again it would take a fraction of the time.
The door trim and mirror took longer than the lights, by the way.
Its a pity that the car is still off the road as I can't report the difference in light output. However, I reckon its pretty good, going by the four scorch marks on the garage door
Might just send the experience into Sprint. It was intended as humourous reading more than anything.
I'd hate to think I had damaged David (Mod-wise)'s sales as the kit is excellent
and well worth getting. Would you be reffering to a caulking gun old chap, try and keep up with the terminology
craigalsop said:Does Tigerseal need some kind of power driven applicator (as I've heard Sikaflex does), or can you use a normal ratchet "gun"?
Can you get it from B&Q, Homebase etc?
Power one gives a smoother (constant) output, basically a sealed container with an PCL air line connector at one end, but your standard B&Q is fine
I'd recomend an air one if you've already got a compressor though, they're only about a tenner
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