Enjoyable reading, and so familiar. I've experienced similar issues at the other end of the country, having spent most of my time in the trade in Dorset.
I remember the Maestro and Montego having a very fine ratchet on the handbrake lever, with a need for around 10 clicks free play. This caused havoc with mechanics as they were used to a 'universal' 3-5 clicks, with the result of auto adjusters not operating, as Old Jock says. I always hated the 'how many clicks' question, and I always answered with a question about ratchet pitch. That stumped them.
Despite autos having the physical lock in park, it is actually illegal to park without applying the handbrake.
Land Rovers of course had the handbrake on the output of the gearbox, giving that characteristic rock when applied. Seen many broken half-shaft splines from applying the handbrake while still moving.
We had a farmer with 4 Land Rovers, brought them in for service regularly. Each time the load bed would be full of produce, which was expected to be empty when returned. Potatoes, swedes, cabbages, carrots (that's a hell of a lot of carrots in a long wheelbase Land Rover). Every member of staff had a few carrier bags available at all times.
Favourite customer was probably Dorset Chocolates. Hand made chocolates, sold in a local shop, not cheap. Little factory unit on a trading estate. Whoever deliverd the Rover SD1 back after service would return with a carrier bag of 'misshapes', mostly nothing wrong. Big clamour for the share out on that one.
Less well received was the Jaguar XJ6 of a local chicken processing factory owner. Boot full of dead chickens to share. Sadly not 'oven-ready' as the factory output, just dead, needing plucking and emptying of innards. Bit of work, so only a few took them away.
Another memory, removing a dead mouse form on top of a Marina heater box. Had to remove the whole curved dash. Vet's car, mouse got in when at a farm, chewed a few bits of paper over a week or so, before expiring in a warm place. Expensive little blighter.
Sorry, hi-jacked the thread. Perhaps scope for a 'motor trade memories' thread in Leisure Lounge.
I remember the Maestro and Montego having a very fine ratchet on the handbrake lever, with a need for around 10 clicks free play. This caused havoc with mechanics as they were used to a 'universal' 3-5 clicks, with the result of auto adjusters not operating, as Old Jock says. I always hated the 'how many clicks' question, and I always answered with a question about ratchet pitch. That stumped them.
Despite autos having the physical lock in park, it is actually illegal to park without applying the handbrake.
Land Rovers of course had the handbrake on the output of the gearbox, giving that characteristic rock when applied. Seen many broken half-shaft splines from applying the handbrake while still moving.
We had a farmer with 4 Land Rovers, brought them in for service regularly. Each time the load bed would be full of produce, which was expected to be empty when returned. Potatoes, swedes, cabbages, carrots (that's a hell of a lot of carrots in a long wheelbase Land Rover). Every member of staff had a few carrier bags available at all times.
Favourite customer was probably Dorset Chocolates. Hand made chocolates, sold in a local shop, not cheap. Little factory unit on a trading estate. Whoever deliverd the Rover SD1 back after service would return with a carrier bag of 'misshapes', mostly nothing wrong. Big clamour for the share out on that one.
Less well received was the Jaguar XJ6 of a local chicken processing factory owner. Boot full of dead chickens to share. Sadly not 'oven-ready' as the factory output, just dead, needing plucking and emptying of innards. Bit of work, so only a few took them away.
Another memory, removing a dead mouse form on top of a Marina heater box. Had to remove the whole curved dash. Vet's car, mouse got in when at a farm, chewed a few bits of paper over a week or so, before expiring in a warm place. Expensive little blighter.
Sorry, hi-jacked the thread. Perhaps scope for a 'motor trade memories' thread in Leisure Lounge.
Common sense should prevail but it seems almost baffling to some. Parking up a car ain't rocket science, I certainly don't want to burst anyones bubble, but being unsure/struggling to understand this basic know how of your car makes me wonder..
