Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: Lizzie_Zoom on 11 October 2008, 18:55:27

Title: Good Day
Post by: Lizzie_Zoom on 11 October 2008, 18:55:27
Not only was the sun lovely and warm today, but I had a number of what I class as good results for the day.

First I was able to obtain all the parts I needed from my main Vx dealer for replacing my cam cover gaskets and a full clean out of the oil breathers that I plan to do tomorrow.  I even secured some discount with my TC even though the chap I have got friendly with in the parts dept said normally the parts I was buying wouldn't attract discount!  Result! :D :y

I then went to Halfords to buy some brake & clutch cleaner along with another 17mm 1/2" drive socket that I can keep separate from my main 1/2" & 3/8" drive socket sets for removing road wheels as required.  Whilst there, thinking about the threads concerning their TC, I got speaking to the manager, as you do.  I mentioned that I possessed an ABS TC that I knew they didn't accept, so I requested one of their trade cards.  "No problem" he said, and promptly after checking my driving licence and Autobanstormers trade card, entering all into the Halfords system, activated a Halfords Trade Card and immediately received a small discount on the 17mm socket ! Result 2! :y

I then returned home and immediately went to work stripping down the rear brakes as I have been vowing to do for weeks.  With callipers and discs off (pads excellent; handbrake shoes ok!) I thoroughly cleaned down all parts with the brake cleaner purchased earlier, and after reassembly adjusted fully my handbrake.  This was the full job I needed to do after my earlier recky of the underside of the car.  Stripped the heat shields, then went to work adjusting at the shoes / disc end and at the hand brake yoke.  

It is the first time I have had to adjust the handbrake on a miggy, and I couldn't believe the procedure! :o :o :o  Here am I working on a year 2000 car and I find you have to stick a screwdriver into a darkened hole in the disc hub to adjust a crude ratchet device! :o :o :o :o   Now I was mechanically trained on 1950s and 1960s cars where such devices were common, as of course they were on 1970s and 1980s vehicles, so I know them only too well (bloody things!!). So I was amazed to be adjusting such a thing again on a so called modern technology car! :o :o  Adjusting these devices was always far to inprecise for me, and once more this is what I found on the miggy!! ::) ::)

Anyway, reasonably quickly (after a problem with one of those bloody ratchets!! >:() I carried out the full adjustment procedure, reassembled all parts, wheels back on, and now the handbrake locks the wheels on the sixth notch!  Road test went well with all in order. :y  Result 3! :y

Lastly I have just had a wonderful bath and hair wash to rid myself of all the crud that once more fell on me from the cars underside. 8-) 8-) 8-) 8-)  In addition my dirty clothes are all in the wash to be ready for tomorrows cam gasket and oil breathers job!  Result 4!! :y

A damn good day!! ;D ;D ;D ;D :y :y  

Title: Re: Good Day
Post by: Bandit127 on 11 October 2008, 19:05:50
Nice one Lizzie.

I have my handbrake adjustment to do, so I am now reassured it's a plain and simple job - NOT :(

Livimg on my own - I wonder at your dedication in washing clothes that you are going to get dirty again tomorrow. Perhaps my lack of attention to detail is why my neighbours seem to find me a bit 'odd'  :)

Well done  :y
Title: Re: Good Day
Post by: Lizzie_Zoom on 11 October 2008, 19:13:08
Quote
Nice one Lizzie.

I have my handbrake adjustment to do, so I am now reassured it's a plain and simple job - NOT :(

Livimg on my own - I wonder at your dedication in washing clothes that you are going to get dirty again tomorrow. Perhaps my lack of attention to detail is why my neighbours seem to find me a bit 'odd'  :)

Well done  :y

Thanks Bandit!! :y :y

Three items can be a bit of a bastward I found -

Freeing off all the heatshield nuts and one bolt after loads of WD40; the first one of mine I went to undo sheered straight off!! >:(

Getting a spanner onto the yoke adjusting nut and being able to swing it enough; a complete lack of room >:(

The damned old fashioned, poor technology, handbrake shoe adjusting ratchets >:(


As for the washing; well us girls are different to men when it come to continually washing clothes!! :D :D :D ;)

Title: Re: Good Day
Post by: TheBoy on 11 October 2008, 19:18:01
Quote
Quote
Nice one Lizzie.

I have my handbrake adjustment to do, so I am now reassured it's a plain and simple job - NOT :(

Livimg on my own - I wonder at your dedication in washing clothes that you are going to get dirty again tomorrow. Perhaps my lack of attention to detail is why my neighbours seem to find me a bit 'odd'  :)

Well done  :y

Thanks Bandit!! :y :y

Three items can be a bit of a bastward I found -

Freeing off all the heatshield nuts and one bolt after loads of WD40; the first one of mine I went to undo sheered straight off!! >:(

Getting a spanner onto the yoke adjusting nut and being able to swing it enough; a complete lack of room >:(

The darned old fashioned, poor technology, handbrake shoe adjusting ratchets >:(


As for the washing; well us girls are different to men when it come to continually washing clothes!! :D :D :D ;)

treat yourself to a set of rachet spanners :y
Title: Re: Good Day
Post by: TheBoy on 11 October 2008, 19:19:07
Quote
Not only was the sun lovely and warm today, but I had a number of what I class as good results for the day.

First I was able to obtain all the parts I needed from my main Vx dealer for replacing my cam cover gaskets and a full clean out of the oil breathers that I plan to do tomorrow.  I even secured some discount with my TC even though the chap I have got friendly with in the parts dept said normally the parts I was buying wouldn't attract discount!  Result! :D :y

I then went to Halfords to buy some brake & clutch cleaner along with another 17mm 1/2" drive socket that I can keep separate from my main 1/2" & 3/8" drive socket sets for removing road wheels as required.  Whilst there, thinking about the threads concerning their TC, I got speaking to the manager, as you do.  I mentioned that I possessed an ABS TC that I knew they didn't accept, so I requested one of their trade cards.  "No problem" he said, and promptly after checking my driving licence and Autobanstormers trade card, entering all into the Halfords system, activated a Halfords Trade Card and immediately received a small discount on the 17mm socket ! Result 2! :y

I then returned home and immediately went to work stripping down the rear brakes as I have been vowing to do for weeks.  With callipers and discs off (pads excellent; handbrake shoes ok!) I thoroughly cleaned down all parts with the brake cleaner purchased earlier, and after reassembly adjusted fully my handbrake.  This was the full job I needed to do after my earlier recky of the underside of the car.  Stripped the heat shields, then went to work adjusting at the shoes / disc end and at the hand brake yoke.  

It is the first time I have had to adjust the handbrake on a miggy, and I couldn't believe the procedure! :o :o :o  Here am I working on a year 2000 car and I find you have to stick a screwdriver into a darkened hole in the disc hub to adjust a crude ratchet device! :o :o :o :o   Now I was mechanically trained on 1950s and 1960s cars where such devices were common, as of course they were on 1970s and 1980s vehicles, so I know them only too well (bloody things!!). So I was amazed to be adjusting such a thing again on a so called modern technology car! :o :o  Adjusting these devices was always far to inprecise for me, and once more this is what I found on the miggy!! ::) ::)

Anyway, reasonably quickly (after a problem with one of those bloody ratchets!! >:() I carried out the full adjustment procedure, reassembled all parts, wheels back on, and now the handbrake locks the wheels on the sixth notch!  Road test went well with all in order. :y  Result 3! :y

Lastly I have just had a wonderful bath and hair wash to rid myself of all the crud that once more fell on me from the cars underside. 8-) 8-) 8-) 8-)  In addition my dirty clothes are all in the wash to be ready for tomorrows cam gasket and oil breathers job!  Result 4!! :y

A darn good day!! ;D ;D ;D ;D :y :y  

good day LZ :y

guess where i am right now, ridding my hair of rusty exhaust that smacked me in the chops earlier
Title: Re: Good Day
Post by: Lizzie_Zoom on 11 October 2008, 19:19:40
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Quote
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Nice one Lizzie.

I have my handbrake adjustment to do, so I am now reassured it's a plain and simple job - NOT :(

Livimg on my own - I wonder at your dedication in washing clothes that you are going to get dirty again tomorrow. Perhaps my lack of attention to detail is why my neighbours seem to find me a bit 'odd'  :)

Well done  :y

Thanks Bandit!! :y :y

Three items can be a bit of a bastward I found -

Freeing off all the heatshield nuts and one bolt after loads of WD40; the first one of mine I went to undo sheered straight off!! >:(

Getting a spanner onto the yoke adjusting nut and being able to swing it enough; a complete lack of room >:(

The darned old fashioned, poor technology, handbrake shoe adjusting ratchets >:(


As for the washing; well us girls are different to men when it come to continually washing clothes!! :D :D :D ;)

treat yourself to a set of rachet spanners :y

You're right TB, and they are on offer in my Halfords!! ::) ::) ::) ::) ;D :y
Title: Re: Good Day
Post by: Bandit127 on 11 October 2008, 19:24:46
Quote
As for the washing; well us girls are different to men when it come to continually washing clothes!! :D :D :D ;)

You are right there Lizzie.

The proof of the concept that you girls are different to men lies within the defintion of the word shoe in my experience.

They may look the same and be made the same way - but they are actually entirely different things from my observation point.  :)
Title: Re: Good Day
Post by: TheBoy on 11 October 2008, 19:25:52
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Quote
Quote
Quote
Nice one Lizzie.

I have my handbrake adjustment to do, so I am now reassured it's a plain and simple job - NOT :(

Livimg on my own - I wonder at your dedication in washing clothes that you are going to get dirty again tomorrow. Perhaps my lack of attention to detail is why my neighbours seem to find me a bit 'odd'  :)

Well done  :y

Thanks Bandit!! :y :y

Three items can be a bit of a bastward I found -

Freeing off all the heatshield nuts and one bolt after loads of WD40; the first one of mine I went to undo sheered straight off!! >:(

Getting a spanner onto the yoke adjusting nut and being able to swing it enough; a complete lack of room >:(

The darned old fashioned, poor technology, handbrake shoe adjusting ratchets >:(


As for the washing; well us girls are different to men when it come to continually washing clothes!! :D :D :D ;)

treat yourself to a set of rachet spanners :y

You're right TB, and they are on offer in my Halfords!! ::) ::) ::) ::) ;D :y
sadly, halfords trade discount does not reduce the price of sale goods, sometimes the opposite - you may want to pay for 'offers' goods seperately without card ;)
Title: Re: Good Day
Post by: LaserLance on 11 October 2008, 19:25:58
Hope you were wearing latex gloves and didnt break a finger nails whilst doing it  ;D ;D :y
Title: Re: Good Day
Post by: TheBoy on 11 October 2008, 19:26:54
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Hope you were wearing latex gloves and didnt break a finger nails whilst doing it  ;D ;D :y
i think she lives close enough to you to come and give you a clout ;D
Title: Re: Good Day
Post by: LaserLance on 11 October 2008, 19:31:06
yes i know  ;) ;) ;)
Title: Re: Good Day
Post by: Lizzie_Zoom on 11 October 2008, 19:40:04
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Quote
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Nice one Lizzie.

I have my handbrake adjustment to do, so I am now reassured it's a plain and simple job - NOT :(

Livimg on my own - I wonder at your dedication in washing clothes that you are going to get dirty again tomorrow. Perhaps my lack of attention to detail is why my neighbours seem to find me a bit 'odd'  :)

Well done  :y

Thanks Bandit!! :y :y

Three items can be a bit of a bastward I found -

Freeing off all the heatshield nuts and one bolt after loads of WD40; the first one of mine I went to undo sheered straight off!! >:(

Getting a spanner onto the yoke adjusting nut and being able to swing it enough; a complete lack of room >:(

The darned old fashioned, poor technology, handbrake shoe adjusting ratchets >:(


As for the washing; well us girls are different to men when it come to continually washing clothes!! :D :D :D ;)

treat yourself to a set of rachet spanners :y

You're right TB, and they are on offer in my Halfords!! ::) ::) ::) ::) ;D :y
sadly, halfords trade discount does not reduce the price of sale goods, sometimes the opposite - you may want to pay for 'offers' goods seperately without card ;)

Right thanks TB, I wasn't aware of that! :o :o :D :D :D :y
Title: Re: Good Day
Post by: Lizzie_Zoom on 11 October 2008, 19:42:24
Quote
Hope you were wearing latex gloves and didnt break a finger nails whilst doing it  ;D ;D :y


Well yes Lance, I was wearing latex gloves, but I have cut my finger nails down to do a whole series of jobs on the car! ::) ::) ::) ::)

The things us girls have to sacrifice to keep our cars going when we have no man around us! :'( :'( :'( ;D ;D ;D ;D ;)
Title: Re: Good Day
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 11 October 2008, 20:21:15
Lol, did my rear brake shoes and handbrake on Thursday evening.

I like the rear adjustment and its actualy mega precise.....as confirmed by the readings on the brake tester today!

I also swapped the spare tyres off the fronts again...... ::)
Title: Re: Good Day
Post by: Taxi_Driver on 11 October 2008, 21:20:05
Quote
It is the first time I have had to adjust the handbrake on a miggy, and I couldn't believe the procedure! :o :o :o  Here am I working on a year 2000 car and I find you have to stick a screwdriver into a darkened hole in the disc hub to adjust a crude ratchet device! :o :o :o :o   Now I was mechanically trained on 1950s and 1960s cars where such devices were common, as of course they were on 1970s and 1980s vehicles, so I know them only too well (bloody things!!). So I was amazed to be adjusting such a thing again on a so called modern technology car! :o :o  Adjusting these devices was always far to inprecise for me, and once more this is what I found on the miggy!! ::) ::)


Better a rachet device Lizzie that works  :y......than a haudraulic handbrake......that lets go after a while   :(

You may remember vx had probs with VeccyC and Signum handbrakes.....'modern technology' not quite working  ;D

When I had my VeccyC i had a letter from vx concerning the handbrake.......letter basically said apply handbrake with as much force as you can and leave in gear  ;D If that isnt an admission to our 'high tec' handbrake isnt doing what its suppose to.......then i dont what is  :D
Title: Re: Good Day
Post by: Lizzie_Zoom on 11 October 2008, 21:28:01
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It is the first time I have had to adjust the handbrake on a miggy, and I couldn't believe the procedure! :o :o :o  Here am I working on a year 2000 car and I find you have to stick a screwdriver into a darkened hole in the disc hub to adjust a crude ratchet device! :o :o :o :o   Now I was mechanically trained on 1950s and 1960s cars where such devices were common, as of course they were on 1970s and 1980s vehicles, so I know them only too well (bloody things!!). So I was amazed to be adjusting such a thing again on a so called modern technology car! :o :o  Adjusting these devices was always far to inprecise for me, and once more this is what I found on the miggy!! ::) ::)


Better a rachet device Lizzie that works  :y......than a haudraulic handbrake......that lets go after a while   :(

You may remember vx had probs with VeccyC and Signum handbrakes.....'modern technology' not quite working  ;D

When I had my VeccyC i had a letter from vx concerning the handbrake.......letter basically said apply handbrake with as much force as you can and leave in gear  ;D If that isnt an admission to our 'high tec' handbrake isnt doing what its suppose to.......then i dont what is  :D

Yes I know TD you are right :y :y :D ;), but why has a better system not been invented? ::) ::) ::)

Is it like the windscreen wipers; no one has come up with a better solution of clearing water from a glass screen? :-? :-?
Title: Re: Good Day
Post by: Taxi_Driver on 11 October 2008, 21:39:54
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It is the first time I have had to adjust the handbrake on a miggy, and I couldn't believe the procedure! :o :o :o  Here am I working on a year 2000 car and I find you have to stick a screwdriver into a darkened hole in the disc hub to adjust a crude ratchet device! :o :o :o :o   Now I was mechanically trained on 1950s and 1960s cars where such devices were common, as of course they were on 1970s and 1980s vehicles, so I know them only too well (bloody things!!). So I was amazed to be adjusting such a thing again on a so called modern technology car! :o :o  Adjusting these devices was always far to inprecise for me, and once more this is what I found on the miggy!! ::) ::)


Better a rachet device Lizzie that works  :y......than a haudraulic handbrake......that lets go after a while   :(

You may remember vx had probs with VeccyC and Signum handbrakes.....'modern technology' not quite working  ;D

When I had my VeccyC i had a letter from vx concerning the handbrake.......letter basically said apply handbrake with as much force as you can and leave in gear  ;D If that isnt an admission to our 'high tec' handbrake isnt doing what its suppose to.......then i dont what is  :D

Yes I know TD you are right :y :y :D ;), but why has a better system not been invented? ::) ::) ::)

Is it like the windscreen wipers; no one has come up with a better solution of clearing water from a glass screen? :-? :-?

As in other post Lizzie.....Vx tried the haudraulic 'modern' method as the new upto date alternative....

VeccyC's and Signums dont have a seperate handbrake setup (ie no handbrake pad or drum). They use a cable from handbrake lever to rear brake pad calipers to apply handbrake via the brake fluid to the rear brake pads  :y

Never need to adjust em.....as take up is done via brake fluid

Nearly worked  ;D ;D
Title: Re: Good Day
Post by: Taxi_Driver on 11 October 2008, 21:59:50
I'll expand on why the VectraC/Signums handbrakes had/have a problem in case you dont know Lizzie....and was probably vx's attempt at a 'modern' handbrake....if not, prolly to save money  ::)

As said in last post.....they dont have seperate handbrake shoe setup....they use rear brake pads via handbrake lever and brake fluid.

Some of the VeccyC's/Signum's had a problem with rolling away after handbrake was applied.

The 'theory' i like to believe as to why this was happening....

Pads/discs get hot during normal braking....and expand...
So the 'new technology' was using the pads and disks that have expanded during normal driving.....
The handbrake gets put on using these expanded parts.....parts cool and contract.... so force between the two materials decrease.......and hence why the handbrakes were letting go.....

Thats my opinion on why vx had probs.....but its only my opinion and maybe totally b*llocks.....and i never said it.....so nobody can sue me  :y ;D
Title: Re: Good Day
Post by: feeutfo on 11 October 2008, 22:13:18
[/quote]
treat yourself to a set of rachet spanners :y[/quote]

You're right TB, and they are on offer in my Halfords!! ::) ::) ::) ::) ;D :y
[/quote]

Diamond ring, gold earings, silver neckless...?  nope... ratchet spanners! Respect to Lizzie Zoom :y
Title: Re: Good Day
Post by: cem_devecioglu on 11 October 2008, 22:16:32
Lizzie my vote is for you :y
Title: Re: Good Day
Post by: Lizzie_Zoom on 12 October 2008, 01:59:48
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treat yourself to a set of rachet spanners :y[/quote]

You're right TB, and they are on offer in my Halfords!! ::) ::) ::) ::) ;D :y
[/quote]

Diamond ring, gold earings, silver neckless...?  nope... ratchet spanners! Respect to Lizzie Zoom :y[/quote]

Thanks Chris! :y :y

Diamond rings etc will not keep my car going, but tools and me will ;D :y  

Ever since I started working on cars at 12, then properly at 17 I have always valued good tools, so I have always kept on updating my collection to suit the jobs and cars I am currently working on.  Shouldn't go wrong with the right good quality tools used in the right way! :D :D :D :y
Title: Re: Good Day
Post by: Mr Skrunts on 12 October 2008, 02:07:09
I have some good tools, they just dont get any use any more.  ::) :-/ :-X :y
Title: Re: Good Day
Post by: Lizzie_Zoom on 12 October 2008, 02:10:46
Quote
I have some good tools, they just dont get any use any more.  ::) :-/ :-X :y


 ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;)
Title: Re: Good Day
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 12 October 2008, 09:08:51
Quote
I'll expand on why the VectraC/Signums handbrakes had/have a problem in case you dont know Lizzie....and was probably vx's attempt at a 'modern' handbrake....if not, prolly to save money  ::)

As said in last post.....they dont have seperate handbrake shoe setup....they use rear brake pads via handbrake lever and brake fluid.

Some of the VeccyC's/Signum's had a problem with rolling away after handbrake was applied.

The 'theory' i like to believe as to why this was happening....

Pads/discs get hot during normal braking....and expand...
So the 'new technology' was using the pads and disks that have expanded during normal driving.....
The handbrake gets put on using these expanded parts.....parts cool and contract.... so force between the two materials decrease.......and hence why the handbrakes were letting go.....

Thats my opinion on why vx had probs.....but its only my opinion and maybe totally b*llocks.....and i never said it.....so nobody can sue me  :y ;D

Major floor in the above that you are missing.

Vx (and the other manufacturers) have not designed thier own braking system for 10's ofyears.

The setup used on the signum/vectra C is the same as that used on the Astra, BMW's, VAG, some Fords etc etc etc.....

Common issue with a clmped disc handbrake.......as the disc cools and shrinks, the pressure applied by the pads reduces. The only way round it is to insert a spring in the cable setup to store some energy.
Title: Re: Good Day
Post by: Martin_1962 on 12 October 2008, 09:57:00
Quote
Quote
I'll expand on why the VectraC/Signums handbrakes had/have a problem in case you dont know Lizzie....and was probably vx's attempt at a 'modern' handbrake....if not, prolly to save money  ::)

As said in last post.....they dont have seperate handbrake shoe setup....they use rear brake pads via handbrake lever and brake fluid.

Some of the VeccyC's/Signum's had a problem with rolling away after handbrake was applied.

The 'theory' i like to believe as to why this was happening....

Pads/discs get hot during normal braking....and expand...
So the 'new technology' was using the pads and disks that have expanded during normal driving.....
The handbrake gets put on using these expanded parts.....parts cool and contract.... so force between the two materials decrease.......and hence why the handbrakes were letting go.....

Thats my opinion on why vx had probs.....but its only my opinion and maybe totally b*llocks.....and i never said it.....so nobody can sue me  :y ;D

Major floor in the above that you are missing.

Vx (and the other manufacturers) have not designed thier own braking system for 10's ofyears.

The setup used on the signum/vectra C is the same as that used on the Astra, BMW's, VAG, some Fords etc etc etc.....

Common issue with a clmped disc handbrake.......as the disc cools and shrinks, the pressure applied by the pads reduces. The only way round it is to insert a spring in the cable setup to store some energy.


Lets think - rear disc handbrakes I have seen.

Ford Zephyr Mk4 rods through caliper - leaked like hell

BMWs - usually use mini shoes in a mini drum - work

Volvo  - usually use mini shoes in a mini drum - work

VX/Opel mini shoes in min drums - work

I bought a apir of Chrysler 180 calipers for my Sunbeam - never managed to get the seal kit to overhaul them - leaky seal was - the one for the brake rod.