Jobs that are harder than they should be.
Discussion
What's happening here then? Did we fit new brakes at lunchtime?
Nope, we were changing a headlight bulb.
To replace, simply access the panel in the wheel-arch and change the bulb says TVR in the Chimaera handbook.
In reality you need to remove the wheel (I don't have a spare wheel so needed to borrow a trolley jack and axle stands from Classic & Sportscar), remove three seized screws (imagine all the road dirt and water they take), remove some sealant and poke your hand into the gap.
Simple
If it was a Vauxhall I'd be mad, as it's a TVR I call it character.
Any other (should be) easy jobs that take too long?
Nope, we were changing a headlight bulb.
To replace, simply access the panel in the wheel-arch and change the bulb says TVR in the Chimaera handbook.
In reality you need to remove the wheel (I don't have a spare wheel so needed to borrow a trolley jack and axle stands from Classic & Sportscar), remove three seized screws (imagine all the road dirt and water they take), remove some sealant and poke your hand into the gap.
Simple
If it was a Vauxhall I'd be mad, as it's a TVR I call it character.
Any other (should be) easy jobs that take too long?
I'm sure on my old Fiesta replacing the brake light bulbs was no harder than popping the bulb holders out from inside the boot. Imagine my surprise trying to do the same on a recent model and finding that you have to take the whole filthy light cluster off via a wingnut and two hex screws (although the manual says they're phillips head).
Changing the spark plugs on almost any modern car.
It used to be a case of open the bonnet, remove HT lead, unscrew plug.
The days you open the bonnect and have to remove the engine cover, which usually involves unplugging the MAF sensor, disconnecting the air inlet from the filter housing, un-clipping multiple cables and then trying to remove the engine cover itself, which is usually on so tight you could pick up the whole car with it. And you inevitably break all the clips so it will never go back on correctly again, and instead just rattle.
It used to be a case of open the bonnet, remove HT lead, unscrew plug.
The days you open the bonnect and have to remove the engine cover, which usually involves unplugging the MAF sensor, disconnecting the air inlet from the filter housing, un-clipping multiple cables and then trying to remove the engine cover itself, which is usually on so tight you could pick up the whole car with it. And you inevitably break all the clips so it will never go back on correctly again, and instead just rattle.
mnkiboy said:
Changing the spark plugs on almost any modern car.
It used to be a case of open the bonnet, remove HT lead, unscrew plug.
The days you open the bonnect and have to remove the engine cover, which usually involves unplugging the MAF sensor, disconnecting the air inlet from the filter housing, un-clipping multiple cables and then trying to remove the engine cover itself, which is usually on so tight you could pick up the whole car with it. And you inevitably break all the clips so it will never go back on correctly again, and instead just rattle.
^^^this, but on an A Class. This link gives an idea how flipping complicated it is.It used to be a case of open the bonnet, remove HT lead, unscrew plug.
The days you open the bonnect and have to remove the engine cover, which usually involves unplugging the MAF sensor, disconnecting the air inlet from the filter housing, un-clipping multiple cables and then trying to remove the engine cover itself, which is usually on so tight you could pick up the whole car with it. And you inevitably break all the clips so it will never go back on correctly again, and instead just rattle.
All the best lunchtime jobs involve a trolley jack and getting under the car. Even better when your boss comes and joins in as he's a fellow car nut.
Changing the alternator belt on an NA MX5 is one of those jobs that far more of a ballache than it has any right to be. Though it's probably due to my fat thumbed mechanical skills than anything else!
Changing the alternator belt on an NA MX5 is one of those jobs that far more of a ballache than it has any right to be. Though it's probably due to my fat thumbed mechanical skills than anything else!
Garlick said:
What's happening here then? Did we fit new brakes at lunchtime?
Nope, we were changing a headlight bulb.
To replace, simply access the panel in the wheel-arch and change the bulb says TVR in the Chimaera handbook.
In reality you need to remove the wheel (I don't have a spare wheel so needed to borrow a trolley jack and axle stands from Classic & Sportscar), remove three seized screws (imagine all the road dirt and water they take), remove some sealant and poke your hand into the gap.
Simple
If it was a Vauxhall I'd be mad, as it's a TVR I call it character.
Any other (should be) easy jobs that take too long?
Meh. Full lock, ambidextrous and great finger control (hello, ladies) and it's easy. Nope, we were changing a headlight bulb.
To replace, simply access the panel in the wheel-arch and change the bulb says TVR in the Chimaera handbook.
In reality you need to remove the wheel (I don't have a spare wheel so needed to borrow a trolley jack and axle stands from Classic & Sportscar), remove three seized screws (imagine all the road dirt and water they take), remove some sealant and poke your hand into the gap.
Simple
If it was a Vauxhall I'd be mad, as it's a TVR I call it character.
Any other (should be) easy jobs that take too long?
Garlick said:
In reality you need to remove the wheel (I don't have a spare wheel so needed to borrow a trolley jack and axle stands from Classic & Sportscar), remove three seized screws (imagine all the road dirt and water they take), remove some sealant and poke your hand into the gap.
With reassembly simply being the reversal of these instructions, I trust you cleaned up the panel and applied new sealant as well. 
jeremyc said:
Garlick said:
In reality you need to remove the wheel (I don't have a spare wheel so needed to borrow a trolley jack and axle stands from Classic & Sportscar), remove three seized screws (imagine all the road dirt and water they take), remove some sealant and poke your hand into the gap.
With reassembly simply being the reversal of these instructions, I trust you cleaned up the panel and applied new sealant as well. Podie said:
new_bloke said:
On the 3.0 S-type Jag, you have to remove the inlet manifold to change the left-bank spark-plugs.
Same on the Mondy V6s.
king awful to get.Most things on renaults are a pain in the arse oh and front brake discs and pads on the citroen c5 with the handbrake on the front makes it really annoying.
Merry said:
I've just been trying to remove 4 wheel nuts. Its taken well over an hour, involved lots of swearing and there is still 1 nut attached, which wont move.
Arghhhhhhhhh
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...Arghhhhhhhhh
This resolves the problem of garages using air guns most efficiently. I actually keep mine in the boot, taped to the back seat with the correct sized socket for my car so it's always there when I need it
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