What's made you grumpy today?

[SB1500]

Disc brake caliper sliders?

You were spot on. The Toyota master technician finally got a chance to see the creaking while it was happening on Tuesday. They looked at it the next morning. Absolutely nothing dangerous or "wrong" but despite having 80% of life left, he suspects the brake pads on the front wheels are to blame. Recommended replacing them and while at it, re-greasing the sliding pins and the calliper pistons.

They quoted £250, said it wouldn't be covered under warranty as it's a consumable / maintenance job. Fair.

I presumed the CT had the same brakes of some random Toyota model of the same size but apparently not, they weren't able to get me them ordered in to do it myself. There's also a bunch off fittings and pieces that are Lexus only and not on Toyotas. Even though, as I spotted a few weeks ago, the current Corolla has bigger discs and brakes than any CT (since they were all the same power / engine / drivetrains). I suspect due to the 2.0 and 1.8 engines and up to 180hp on the new Corolla's.

Well, I'll probably live with it now, try for a few months to go hard enough on the brakes so that they actually get pressed (not just the MG2 recovering energy) and see if that can bed them in any better.

Not sure if these are originals.. they might be to be honest. But hey, good news all the same. ...I'm on the wrong thread now

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

You were spot on. The Toyota master technician finally got a chance to see the creaking while it was happening on Tuesday. They looked at it the next morning. Absolutely nothing dangerous or "wrong" but despite having 80% of life left, he suspects the brake pads on the front wheels are to blame. Recommended replacing them and while at it, re-greasing the sliding pins and the calliper pistons.

They quoted £250, said it wouldn't be covered under warranty as it's a consumable / maintenance job. Fair.

I presumed the CT had the same brakes of some random Toyota model of the same size but apparently not, they weren't able to get me them ordered in to do it myself. There's also a bunch off fittings and pieces that are Lexus only and not on Toyotas. Even though, as I spotted a few weeks ago, the current Corolla has bigger discs and brakes than any CT (since they were all the same power / engine / drivetrains). I suspect due to the 2.0 and 1.8 engines and up to 180hp on the new Corolla's.

Well, I'll probably live with it now, try for a few months to go hard enough on the brakes so that they actually get pressed (not just the MG2 recovering energy) and see if that can bed them in any better.

Not sure if these are originals.. they might be to be honest. But hey, good news all the same. ...I'm on the wrong thread now

So the diagnosis and suggested action has been made but no physical action taken? Any reason why you shouldn't remove the front callipers, check the pistons are free, grease the sliders, face the pads and reinstall? Or have they done that? maybe I've misunderstood.

 

[SB1500]

So the diagnosis and suggested action has been made but no physical action taken? Any reason why you shouldn't remove the front callipers, check the pistons are free, grease the sliders, face the pads and reinstall? Or have they done that? maybe I've misunderstood.

Yes, they had the car in to look at. Apparently they had taken the pads out to narrow down the creaking sounds to them. That's all they've done and they don't stick around long to explain it much sadly. They took no action other than looking into it since it potentially could have been a warranty issue or relating to the brake booster job they did.

I will be doing that in the next couple of weeks, cleaning up and looking at what's there and seeing what potentially needs ordered. Although even a full new set of genuine brakes and the trimmings would only be a few hundred versus... some sort of multi-hundred pound part that's on both sides and part of some elaborate structure of which any part / combination of parts together might have been causing the noise leading to a parts canon! lol

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

Mrs J set off this morning to do some shopping and get some cash out of the "hole in the wall" to include in the envelope with grand daughter's birthday card. She'd only been gone long enough for me to make a cuppa and settle down in the living room to watch the IOM racing on channel 26 - ITV4 - when I heard Becky's dulcet tones as she pulled up onto the hard standing outside the front door. That's strange, she can't have done the shopping in that time, wonder what's wrong, hope it's not Becky? I unlocked the front door and, almost before I had it open, Mrs J almost knocked me down as she raced into the living room and grabbed the landline phone.

Turns out she's had a disaster at the "hole in the wall". She fed her card in just as she always does and started to punch in her pin. She'd only got two numbers punched in before the screen started flickering and then went blank. Absolutely nothing happening, the machine is dead and the it still has her card! I think she just stood there in shock for a couple of minutes? Then, because nothing was happening, she seems to have punched a few buttons at random. The screen flickered but did nothing. Then she saw a number for help on the machine, so she rang it. I was starting to feel nervous when she told me that, but she was connected to a help service which asked her which bank she wanted to be connected to. She told them and the phone could be heard ringing out. A "real person" answered and asked which bank she wanted to speak to. Unfortunately the connection went through to a different bank than that she'd requested. As she was about to redial she noticed the machine was now displaying a message saying it was out of service Do Not Use, but still had the card. As she was only about a mile from home she'd high tailed it for home at that and was now ringing our bank.

Outcome? card cancelled and new one will be with her within 5 working days. Bank account checked and no activity since her last transaction detected. So I think this has simply been a malfunction of that particular machine and we seem to be OK as regards our account. Also, the fact she only got as far as inputting just two of the pin number digits means that, even if a spy interface was installed on that machine and some low life now has her card, it won't be of much use to them as they only have two of the numbers - and the card is now cancelled. Still leaves a bit of an unsavoury after taste though!

 

[The Panda Nut]

Mrs J set off this morning to do some shopping and get some cash out of the "hole in the wall" to include in the envelope with grand daughter's birthday card. She'd only been gone long enough for me to make a cuppa and settle down in the living room to watch the IOM racing on channel 26 - ITV4 - when I heard Becky's dulcet tones as she pulled up onto the hard standing outside the front door. That's strange, she can't have done the shopping in that time, wonder what's wrong, hope it's not Becky? I unlocked the front door and, almost before I had it open, Mrs J almost knocked me down as she raced into the living room and grabbed the landline phone.

Turns out she's had a disaster at the "hole in the wall". She fed her card in just as she always does and started to punch in her pin. She'd only got two numbers punched in before the screen started flickering and then went blank. Absolutely nothing happening, the machine is dead and the it still has her card! I think she just stood there in shock for a couple of minutes? Then, because nothing was happening, she seems to have punched a few buttons at random. The screen flickered but did nothing. Then she saw a number for help on the machine, so she rang it. I was starting to feel nervous when she told me that, but she was connected to a help service which asked her which bank she wanted to be connected to. She told them and the phone could be heard ringing out. A "real person" answered and asked which bank she wanted to speak to. Unfortunately the connection went through to a different bank than that she'd requested. As she was about to redial she noticed the machine was now displaying a message saying it was out of service Do Not Use, but still had the card. As she was only about a mile from home she'd high tailed it for home at that and was now ringing our bank.

Outcome? card cancelled and new one will be with her within 5 working days. Bank account checked and no activity since her last transaction detected. So I think this has simply been a malfunction of that particular machine and we seem to be OK as regards our account. Also, the fact she only got as far as inputting just two of the pin number digits means that, even if a spy interface was installed on that machine and some low life now has her card, it won't be of much use to them as they only have two of the numbers - and the card is now cancelled. Still leaves a bit of an unsavoury after taste though!

All electonics. ONLY AS GOOD AS THE FUSE.

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

All electonics. ONLY AS GOOD AS THE FUSE.

Or, in this vase, not even as good as?

 

[porta]

£600 for a front shocker and a prop centre bearing on a 169 cross…I know some garages take the urine, esp at young women, but there’s MoT work and then there’s taking a kidney, liver, corneas, heart and lungs
Apparently it’s Fiat shocks that are the expensive part. Can get all the parts from Autodoc for £78, where are they getting theirs, Fort Knox

 

[SB1500]

Set up one of those fancy new Nextbase iQ dashcams last night. Of course it didn't rain all day until I went out and had pulled all the rubber trim off the side doors..

Grand job. Noticed they mention it uses the new 'USB-C' - great. But they've squared off the normally round sides of it, so you can't use normal cables. Okay. Should be fine, it's a dash cam.

This one doesn't have a screen which I'm fine with, but now everything is controlled by voice.

So if it doesn't hear you, or understand you, there is no alternative. You can't pick up your phone while driving either.

It's been a while since technology didn't understand NI accents... around 2011 with the first Siri / Google Assistant they got good at understanding anyone.

Around 2014 onwards, they finally got good at understanding us here too... At least words we say on the screen (whether or not the programme is able to do anything useful remains an issue for Siri users in particular to this day)

This has reminded me of what it was like!!! Hopefully I can find some middle ground or I'll need to practice an English accent to use with it..

 

[bugsymike]

Set up one of those fancy new Nextbase iQ dashcams last night. Of course it didn't rain all day until I went out and had pulled all the rubber trim off the side doors..

Grand job. Noticed they mention it uses the new 'USB-C' - great. But they've squared off the normally round sides of it, so you can't use normal cables. Okay. Should be fine, it's a dash cam.

This one doesn't have a screen which I'm fine with, but now everything is controlled by voice.

So if it doesn't hear you, or understand you, there is no alternative. You can't pick up your phone while driving either.

It's been a while since technology didn't understand NI accents... around 2011 with the first Siri / Google Assistant they got good at understanding anyone.

Around 2014 onwards, they finally got good at understanding us here too... At least words we say on the screen (whether or not the programme is able to do anything useful remains an issue for Siri users in particular to this day)

This has reminded me of what it was like!!! Hopefully I can find some middle ground or I'll need to practice an English accent to use with it..

What is a mobile phone?

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

Encountered a couple of real idiots today. Went down to my deceased brother's house and business premises again today - it's just shy of 100 miles round trip. Really good outward journey with people traveling at sensible speeds and overtaking slower traffic appropriately. On the return journey we took a different route as we were swinging by our younger boy's home. About 15 minutes into the journey there's a nice big long straight so I locked the cruise in at 60mph (this is a 2 lane blacktop) and noticed at car coming up very fast behind me. As it went to overtake I noticed it's a Polestar, a design I quite like the look off. Must have been doing a good 30 mph more than me, He was really moving. By now I was nearing the end of the straight, going into a darker wooded section of road, when an electric VW came up behind me at "rocket ship" velocity. Maybe they were racing? Anyway, thank goodness he didn't try to do a blind overtake but had to stay behind me for a wee while as heavy traffic was coming the other way. He really wasn't happy, weaving around behind me and generally being an *r*e. Anyway then there were a lot of roadworks signs with a 20mph speed limit and a warning for loose chips. The chips had been very generously applied. Round the next bend and the road ahead is clear. He went past me like a banshee and disappeared at enormous velocity scattering and kicking up an absolute storm of chips. As there were no cars behind me I stood on the brakes and slowed to something like walking speed to let him clear away and reduce the impact of the road chips. I stopped in the next layby and there is only the slightest of visible marks on the leading edge of the bonnet. With some luck they will buff out. What an absolute prat! It's really spoilt my day.

 

[StevenRB45]

Ah the old lease car flyby...

So much easier to be an absolute meat flute in a car where you neither pay for the tyres or stone chips.

 

[PuntoHowTo]

Encountered a couple of real idiots today. Went down to my deceased brother's house and business premises again today - it's just shy of 100 miles round trip. Really good outward journey with people traveling at sensible speeds and overtaking slower traffic appropriately. On the return journey we took a different route as we were swinging by our younger boy's home. About 15 minutes into the journey there's a nice big long straight so I locked the cruise in at 60mph (this is a 2 lane blacktop) and noticed at car coming up very fast behind me. As it went to overtake I noticed it's a Polestar, a design I quite like the look off. Must have been doing a good 30 mph more than me, He was really moving. By now I was nearing the end of the straight, going into a darker wooded section of road, when an electric VW came up behind me at "rocket ship" velocity. Maybe they were racing? Anyway, thank goodness he didn't try to do a blind overtake but had to stay behind me for a wee while as heavy traffic was coming the other way. He really wasn't happy, weaving around behind me and generally being an *r*e. Anyway then there were a lot of roadworks signs with a 20mph speed limit and a warning for loose chips. The chips had been very generously applied. Round the next bend and the road ahead is clear. He went past me like a banshee and disappeared at enormous velocity scattering and kicking up an absolute storm of chips. As there were no cars behind me I stood on the brakes and slowed to something like walking speed to let him clear away and reduce the impact of the road chips. I stopped in the next layby and there is only the slightest of visible marks on the leading edge of the bonnet. With some luck they will buff out. What an absolute prat! It's really spoilt my day.

One thing i wish id had done when I got my Golf was paint protection film (PPF) like a thin clear wrap that protects the car from scratches and stone chips. The only issue is, back in 2015 when I got it, this film was quite new and very expensive. you could pay to have just front areas of the car done but it looked awful so I decided against it. after 100k mostly on motorways the stone chips have taken their toll. Not that most people would notice but I do whenever I wash it.

 

[portland_bill]

Encountered a couple of real idiots today. Went down to my deceased brother's house and business premises again today - it's just shy of 100 miles round trip. Really good outward journey with people traveling at sensible speeds and overtaking slower traffic appropriately. On the return journey we took a different route as we were swinging by our younger boy's home. About 15 minutes into the journey there's a nice big long straight so I locked the cruise in at 60mph (this is a 2 lane blacktop) and noticed at car coming up very fast behind me. As it went to overtake I noticed it's a Polestar, a design I quite like the look off. Must have been doing a good 30 mph more than me, He was really moving. By now I was nearing the end of the straight, going into a darker wooded section of road, when an electric VW came up behind me at "rocket ship" velocity. Maybe they were racing? Anyway, thank goodness he didn't try to do a blind overtake but had to stay behind me for a wee while as heavy traffic was coming the other way. He really wasn't happy, weaving around behind me and generally being an *r*e. Anyway then there were a lot of roadworks signs with a 20mph speed limit and a warning for loose chips. The chips had been very generously applied. Round the next bend and the road ahead is clear. He went past me like a banshee and disappeared at enormous velocity scattering and kicking up an absolute storm of chips. As there were no cars behind me I stood on the brakes and slowed to something like walking speed to let him clear away and reduce the impact of the road chips. I stopped in the next layby and there is only the slightest of visible marks on the leading edge of the bonnet. With some luck they will buff out. What an absolute prat! It's really spoilt my day.

In early 1987, I was overtaken by a prat on a freshly gravelled road. His spray of gravel actaully shattered my then toughened windscreen. It was a van from a windscreen replacement company, with their premises a couple of miles ahead.
I followed him 'home', and drove straight into the workshop behind his van, not bothering to park outside first. That got the attention of the young 'supervisor' on duty that Friday afternoon. I explained the problem, and suggested, firmly, that they owed me a windscreen, free. Young supervisor was not able, or perhaps willing to authorise such a thing, so called his manager, despite manager being on holiday. Manager mostly angry about being called at home on a day off, initially denied the claim. I suggested that instead, I'd pop along to the local police station and make a report for careless driving, than let my insurance company chase them. Perhaps the local paper might like the story too. Replacement screen authorised.
Next problem, no direct clear toughened screen in stock. I'd have to wait until Monday. I'm 20 miles from home, a big hole in the front of the car, and only on-street parking at home. They broke it, they need to find a solution - that afternoon. They did have in stock, a tinted laminated screen, but thought I might like to pay the upgrade difference. I said no, but they'd have to fit that anyway.
Young lad now panicking, did not want to disturb his manager again, but was not sure about the extra cost, so called the area manager. That was a short call, with area manager not happy with being bothered with such trivia, and also not happy that an employee had caused the issue.
Screen fitted. Win.

 

[bugsymike]

In early 1987, I was overtaken by a prat on a freshly gravelled road. His spray of gravel actaully shattered my then toughened windscreen. It was a van from a windscreen replacement company, with their premises a couple of miles ahead.
I followed him 'home', and drove straight into the workshop behind his van, not bothering to park outside first. That got the attention of the young 'supervisor' on duty that Friday afternoon. I explained the problem, and suggested, firmly, that they owed me a windscreen, free. Young supervisor was not able, or perhaps willing to authorise such a thing, so called his manager, despite manager being on holiday. Manager mostly angry about being called at home on a day off, initially denied the claim. I suggested that instead, I'd pop along to the local police station and make a report for careless driving, than let my insurance company chase them. Perhaps the local paper might like the story too. Replacement screen authorised.
Next problem, no direct clear toughened screen in stock. I'd have to wait until Monday. I'm 20 miles from home, a big hole in the front of the car, and only on-street parking at home. They broke it, they need to find a solution - that afternoon. They did have in stock, a tinted laminated screen, but thought I might like to pay the upgrade difference. I said no, but they'd have to fit that anyway.
Young lad now panicking, did not want to disturb his manager again, but was not sure about the extra cost, so called the area manager. That was a short call, with area manager not happy with being bothered with such trivia, and also not happy that an employee had caused the issue.
Screen fitted. Win.

Afterwards they probably bo**ocked the lad, saying "How many times have I told you , use the plain van when throwing out the stones you idiot , not the sign written one!!!"

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

In early 1987, I was overtaken by a prat on a freshly gravelled road. His spray of gravel actaully shattered my then toughened windscreen. It was a van from a windscreen replacement company, with their premises a couple of miles ahead.
I followed him 'home', and drove straight into the workshop behind his van, not bothering to park outside first. That got the attention of the young 'supervisor' on duty that Friday afternoon. I explained the problem, and suggested, firmly, that they owed me a windscreen, free. Young supervisor was not able, or perhaps willing to authorise such a thing, so called his manager, despite manager being on holiday. Manager mostly angry about being called at home on a day off, initially denied the claim. I suggested that instead, I'd pop along to the local police station and make a report for careless driving, than let my insurance company chase them. Perhaps the local paper might like the story too. Replacement screen authorised.
Next problem, no direct clear toughened screen in stock. I'd have to wait until Monday. I'm 20 miles from home, a big hole in the front of the car, and only on-street parking at home. They broke it, they need to find a solution - that afternoon. They did have in stock, a tinted laminated screen, but thought I might like to pay the upgrade difference. I said no, but they'd have to fit that anyway.
Young lad now panicking, did not want to disturb his manager again, but was not sure about the extra cost, so called the area manager. That was a short call, with area manager not happy with being bothered with such trivia, and also not happy that an employee had caused the issue.
Screen fitted. Win.

If there's any justice the cost would have been taken out of his wages?

 

[SB1500]

when an electric VW came up behind me at "rocket ship" velocity

When I notice this, it's time for the window washer jets to kick in and do some overtime. Usually they back off, especially on a dry day on newer cars with auto wipers as I'd imagine it smears their windscreen.

He went past me like a banshee and disappeared at enormous velocity scattering and kicking up an absolute storm of chips.

Two distinct times I remember this happening (2015 and 2018) both VAG cars also... where later down the road the same car was crashed and the idiot standing beside it no longer with the ego. Once someone had ran into the back of another car right at the entrance to their kids high school... imagine the shame there. Other time was a Skoda saloon of some sort flying past everyone on the road to Belfast (a lot of roadworks at the time), car was wrapped around one of those huge concrete barriers for a temporary lane and the guy standing looking like he was shouting down his phone at someone.

The only kicker about the law of Karma is, when that guy who ruined your car does get what he's owed, you'll not get to see it or be remotely aware - but it will happen. He'd do the same to anybody else, and some people out there would probably be willing to take it to silly levels to 'make him pay' for it.

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

When I notice this, it's time for the window washer jets to kick in and do some overtime. Usually they back off, especially on a dry day on newer cars with auto wipers as I'd imagine it smears their windscreen.


Two distinct times I remember this happening (2015 and 2018) both VAG cars also... where later down the road the same car was crashed and the idiot standing beside it no longer with the ego. Once someone had ran into the back of another car right at the entrance to their kids high school... imagine the shame there. Other time was a Skoda saloon of some sort flying past everyone on the road to Belfast (a lot of roadworks at the time), car was wrapped around one of those huge concrete barriers for a temporary lane and the guy standing looking like he was shouting down his phone at someone.

The only kicker about the law of Karma is, when that guy who ruined your car does get what he's owed, you'll not get to see it or be remotely aware - but it will happen. He'd do the same to anybody else, and some people out there would probably be willing to take it to silly levels to 'make him pay' for it.

Thanks for that. I saw him coming as his "pal's" performance had made me extra aware of my rear view mirror - I use my rear view mirror more than many anyway - so was already braking quite hard as he went by me. I'd slowed to probably about walking pace when he actually went past me (The large signs were enforcing a 20mph speed limit anyway- which I was complying with because the amount of chippings on the road were quite excessive in my opinion) Thinking about someone else kicking his, might have been a her I suppose? backside is a very comforting thought! He actually started to overtake me on the corner - in fairness there is clear line of sight round it - and was scrabbling for grip on the chippy stones, pity he didn't just slide off into the ditch, then I could have had a really satisfying laugh.

 

[SB1500]

Thanks for that. I saw him coming as his "pal's" performance had made me extra aware of my rear view mirror - I use my rear view mirror more than many anyway - so was already braking quite hard as he went by me. I'd slowed to probably about walking pace when he actually went past me (The large signs were enforcing a 20mph speed limit anyway- which I was complying with because the amount of chippings on the road were quite excessive in my opinion) Thinking about someone else kicking his, might have been a her I suppose? backside is a very comforting thought! He actually started to overtake me on the corner - in fairness there is clear line of sight round it - and was scrabbling for grip on the chippy stones, pity he didn't just slide off into the ditch, then I could have had a really satisfying laugh.

Well, anyone driving a modern electric vehicle who has such a disregard for their safety probably have a similar disregard for the condition of their vehicle.

But unlike most normal cars, the second those tyres begin to give up - or are replaced with anything less than long lasting top of the line Michelins or good makes - he won’t be so lucky on roads like that. And the torque / force that they don’t understand or respect will send them into a ditch if they’re lucky (and not a tree or 44t lorry)