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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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.

Result 3!

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!!

A damn good day!!