What's made you grumpy today?

[portland_bill]

Torx and

Torx and triple square are different enough that I suppose someone somewhere can justify them. But triple square and spline? what is that all about?

Competing inventions for the same end. Sadly, both adopted by different manufacturers, so more tools to buy.
What bugs me is the inconsistencies. The Panda, 2006, seems to use spline for the door check straps. Not sure there is any anywhere else. Silliness. At least VAG use triple square in various places on the Fabia, so at least 3 of the set will be used, sometime.

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

Competing inventions for the same end. Sadly, both adopted by different manufacturers, so more tools to buy.
What bugs me is the inconsistencies. The Panda, 2006, seems to use spline for the door check straps. Not sure there is any anywhere else. Silliness. At least VAG use triple square in various places on the Fabia, so at least 3 of the set will be used, sometime.

Sub assemblies sourced from different manufacturers - or even same manufacturer but different plant?

 

[portland_bill]

A couple of days ago, there was a message on my home phone, a simple announcement, person's name, company name, and phone number, and a request to call. The company name was mumbled. I listened 3 times, still could not make it out, so deleted the message.
Yesterday, a similar message, still no idea of the company, so deleted again.
Today, I was in, so answered the call. Company name is Advantis. Never heard of them. She would not give any more detail, as if just by repeating the name, I would miraculously suddenly understand who they were. Then, she wants to ask a few security questions, starting with my full name. But I still have no idea who she is, or why the call, so I asked her for her full name, home address and date of birth. She said no. She refused to tell me who she needed to speak to, and why, until I had confirmed who I was. To me, a phone call should work differently to that. I phone you, so I tell you who I am, who I wish to speak to, and briefly why. Then you can confirm that you are who I need, or you can tell me that I have a wrong number, or the person is out, or you have enough information to locate the person, and tell them who is calling and what about. That etiquette seems to have disappeared.
She then asked if I'd received any correspondence. No. So she said she would have to send more.
So I asked where she was going to send it. She would not tell me, as that would breach data protection. As I am dealing with a deceased uncle's estate, and also having to get involved with brother's affairs, this could be about either of them. Correspondence sent to uncle's house, 43 miles away, or brother's, 90 miles away, will just add to the pile on their doormat, as I have no immediate plans to visit either. I asked if she was about to send correspondence to Oxfordshire, Wiltshire, or Wales. Still refused to answer. Two of those will still result in disappointment, for them.

After the call, and the computer had booted, I've Googled them. Seems they are mainly a debt recovery company. So that'll be brother then. Uncle's affairs are all tidy, I don't owe anything, so it'll be errant brother. (Sadly, one cannot choose one's family.) Only debt I was aware of was water, and I've sorted that. Might have to take a 180 mile round trip to Wales. I wonder if Charlie (@varesecrazy) might be in for tea, as he's in the next village south.

 

[varesecrazy]

Maybe around P. B., With a little notice I can make a point of it

 

[bugsymike]

A couple of days ago, there was a message on my home phone, a simple announcement, person's name, company name, and phone number, and a request to call. The company name was mumbled. I listened 3 times, still could not make it out, so deleted the message.
Yesterday, a similar message, still no idea of the company, so deleted again.
Today, I was in, so answered the call. Company name is Advantis. Never heard of them. She would not give any more detail, as if just by repeating the name, I would miraculously suddenly understand who they were. Then, she wants to ask a few security questions, starting with my full name. But I still have no idea who she is, or why the call, so I asked her for her full name, home address and date of birth. She said no. She refused to tell me who she needed to speak to, and why, until I had confirmed who I was. To me, a phone call should work differently to that. I phone you, so I tell you who I am, who I wish to speak to, and briefly why. Then you can confirm that you are who I need, or you can tell me that I have a wrong number, or the person is out, or you have enough information to locate the person, and tell them who is calling and what about. That etiquette seems to have disappeared.
She then asked if I'd received any correspondence. No. So she said she would have to send more.
So I asked where she was going to send it. She would not tell me, as that would breach data protection. As I am dealing with a deceased uncle's estate, and also having to get involved with brother's affairs, this could be about either of them. Correspondence sent to uncle's house, 43 miles away, or brother's, 90 miles away, will just add to the pile on their doormat, as I have no immediate plans to visit either. I asked if she was about to send correspondence to Oxfordshire, Wiltshire, or Wales. Still refused to answer. Two of those will still result in disappointment, for them.

After the call, and the computer had booted, I've Googled them. Seems they are mainly a debt recovery company. So that'll be brother then. Uncle's affairs are all tidy, I don't owe anything, so it'll be errant brother. (Sadly, one cannot choose one's family.) Only debt I was aware of was water, and I've sorted that. Might have to take a 180 mile round trip to Wales. I wonder if Charlie (@varesecrazy) might be in for tea, as he's in the next village south.

I have been inundated with spam calls recently, I would like to know what BT actually does for the money I have paid them!
I have a grown up son with a long history of mental health problems, I got a phone call asking to call on him at my address I replied he doesn't live here and this is not his address and asked his business, he replied that he had some papers for him and then hung up. I learnt later that day that the same man had served eviction notice for his Sanctuary housing that he had been living in before going to hospital, this at the front door of a hotel that my son had booked that day from his mobile phone, so to my mind the only way that could have happened is if that person had access to his bank and phone details!!! This harassment to some one with that condition can only makes his illness worse and as he only has his sickness payments how they think they are going to get money from him, god only knows as he has been ill for over 20 years!

 

[portland_bill]

Maybe around P. B., With a little notice I can make a point of it

Thanks, be good to meet sometime, put the world to rights. I'll look at the diary and see what looks good. Are you there weekdays, or still only at weekends currently?

Edit: Details to be sorted on PM.

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

A couple of days ago, there was a message on my home phone, a simple announcement, person's name, company name, and phone number, and a request to call. The company name was mumbled. I listened 3 times, still could not make it out, so deleted the message.
Yesterday, a similar message, still no idea of the company, so deleted again.
Today, I was in, so answered the call. Company name is Advantis. Never heard of them. She would not give any more detail, as if just by repeating the name, I would miraculously suddenly understand who they were. Then, she wants to ask a few security questions, starting with my full name. But I still have no idea who she is, or why the call, so I asked her for her full name, home address and date of birth. She said no. She refused to tell me who she needed to speak to, and why, until I had confirmed who I was. To me, a phone call should work differently to that. I phone you, so I tell you who I am, who I wish to speak to, and briefly why. Then you can confirm that you are who I need, or you can tell me that I have a wrong number, or the person is out, or you have enough information to locate the person, and tell them who is calling and what about. That etiquette seems to have disappeared.
She then asked if I'd received any correspondence. No. So she said she would have to send more.
So I asked where she was going to send it. She would not tell me, as that would breach data protection. As I am dealing with a deceased uncle's estate, and also having to get involved with brother's affairs, this could be about either of them. Correspondence sent to uncle's house, 43 miles away, or brother's, 90 miles away, will just add to the pile on their doormat, as I have no immediate plans to visit either. I asked if she was about to send correspondence to Oxfordshire, Wiltshire, or Wales. Still refused to answer. Two of those will still result in disappointment, for them.

After the call, and the computer had booted, I've Googled them. Seems they are mainly a debt recovery company. So that'll be brother then. Uncle's affairs are all tidy, I don't owe anything, so it'll be errant brother. (Sadly, one cannot choose one's family.) Only debt I was aware of was water, and I've sorted that. Might have to take a 180 mile round trip to Wales. I wonder if Charlie (@varesecrazy) might be in for tea, as he's in the next village south.

We're in the middle of trying to sort out a similar thing following my brother's death. Several bills were not paid before his death and now, some 6 months later, a debt collection agency, acting on behalf of a very large well known utility company, are harassing his office assistant because her name appears on one of the bills. She was only ever a part time occasional paid employee so is in no way liable, but try telling them that. Threats are being made of officials visiting to collect the debt and she's very worried about how this may affect her credit rating. These people are Rottweilers. I've now authorized our solicitor to sort this out which is going to be an additional cost to me but I feel morally I've got to do it.

Do not ignore mail which is coming through the door. We're in the same position with my brother's cottage. about an hour and a half drive, on a good day, away from us so we just turned off gas, elec and water and locked it up. Decided to check it about 4 months later to get things sorted for the auction of his stuff and there was litterally shed loads of stuff in envelopes behind the door which required immediate, if not sooner, attention. Now I'm going down there every 3 or 4 weeks.

I have been inundated with spam calls recently, I would like to know what BT actually does for the money I have paid them!
I have a grown up son with a long history of mental health problems, I got a phone call asking to call on him at my address I replied he doesn't live here and this is not his address and asked his business, he replied that he had some papers for him and then hung up. I learnt later that day that the same man had served eviction notice for his Sanctuary housing that he had been living in before going to hospital, this at the front door of a hotel that my son had booked that day from his mobile phone, so to my mind the only way that could have happened is if that person had access to his bank and phone details!!! This harassment to some one with that condition can only makes his illness worse and as he only has his sickness payments how they think they are going to get money from him, god only knows as he has been ill for over 20 years!

Spam calls on landline? We had a lot of problems with this some time ago so paid for BT call blocker. Pretty useless with lots still getting through. Then, back in the spring, we had to renegotiate our broadband and phone package with SKY. I did the usual "reluctant client" bit to get a better price and, as part of their offer, they gave us their dedicated call blocker for free. It works by interrogating the caller and then supplying the name to us and asking if we want to accept the call. Regular callers you can give immediate access to you with a bypass procedure. It all works splendidly. Regular callers, family etc, get through immediately because their number is stored for immediate connection and all others just have to take a minute or so to go through the process. It seems to frighten off all the "wide boys" as I don't think we've had a single spam call connect since it was put in place!

 

[The Panda Nut]

A couple of days ago, there was a message on my home phone, a simple announcement, person's name, company name, and phone number, and a request to call. The company name was mumbled. I listened 3 times, still could not make it out, so deleted the message.
Yesterday, a similar message, still no idea of the company, so deleted again.
Today, I was in, so answered the call. Company name is Advantis. Never heard of them. She would not give any more detail, as if just by repeating the name, I would miraculously suddenly understand who they were. Then, she wants to ask a few security questions, starting with my full name. But I still have no idea who she is, or why the call, so I asked her for her full name, home address and date of birth. She said no. She refused to tell me who she needed to speak to, and why, until I had confirmed who I was. To me, a phone call should work differently to that. I phone you, so I tell you who I am, who I wish to speak to, and briefly why. Then you can confirm that you are who I need, or you can tell me that I have a wrong number, or the person is out, or you have enough information to locate the person, and tell them who is calling and what about. That etiquette seems to have disappeared.
She then asked if I'd received any correspondence. No. So she said she would have to send more.
So I asked where she was going to send it. She would not tell me, as that would breach data protection. As I am dealing with a deceased uncle's estate, and also having to get involved with brother's affairs, this could be about either of them. Correspondence sent to uncle's house, 43 miles away, or brother's, 90 miles away, will just add to the pile on their doormat, as I have no immediate plans to visit either. I asked if she was about to send correspondence to Oxfordshire, Wiltshire, or Wales. Still refused to answer. Two of those will still result in disappointment, for them.

After the call, and the computer had booted, I've Googled them. Seems they are mainly a debt recovery company. So that'll be brother then. Uncle's affairs are all tidy, I don't owe anything, so it'll be errant brother. (Sadly, one cannot choose one's family.) Only debt I was aware of was water, and I've sorted that. Might have to take a 180 mile round trip to Wales. I wonder if Charlie (@varesecrazy) might be in for tea, as he's in the next village south.

More likely a scammer. I wouldnt incur expense for it. Either they can start to act like normal people or *od orf as they say.

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

Really couldn't believe this one. I was out quite early for the supermarket run to Lidl this morning. Usually means I beat the crowds, but not so lucky today so it was after 10.30 before I was driving away. This store is built on the side of a hill above the old wire works and is accessed down a sloping road from the main road above. It was a nice sunny morning so I had Becky's window down as we climbed the hill on our way out. A very LARGE Mercedes SUV "thing" coming down the hill towards me making a "nasty noise". It obviously then braked as the entry road turns sharp right into the parking area at the bottom of the ramp and the noise was truly horrific. The pads must have been completely through to the metal and then some, I've not heard one so bad in a very long time. The driver didn't bat an eyelid, parked up and went to get a trolley. Is she just going to continue driving it until it fails to stop? that's an event which will be happening very soon! Although I usually keep my lip buttoned up these days, I would have found it hard not to have had words with her and informed her of the jeopardy she was putting herself and other road users in if she'd pulled up next to me in the car park - I'd probably have regretted it though - she looked young and "aggressive" and I look old and "wobbly" - maybe because I am old and wobbly?

 

[bugsymike]

Really couldn't believe this one. I was out quite early for the supermarket run to Lidl this morning. Usually means I beat the crowds, but not so lucky today so it was after 10.30 before I was driving away. This store is built on the side of a hill above the old wire works and is accessed down a sloping road from the main road above. It was a nice sunny morning so I had Becky's window down as we climbed the hill on our way out. A very LARGE Mercedes SUV "thing" coming down the hill towards me making a "nasty noise". It obviously then braked as the entry road turns sharp right into the parking area at the bottom of the ramp and the noise was truly horrific. The pads must have been completely through to the metal and then some, I've not heard one so bad in a very long time. The driver didn't bat an eyelid, parked up and went to get a trolley. Is she just going to continue driving it until it fails to stop? that's an event which will be happening very soon! Although I usually keep my lip buttoned up these days, I would have found it hard not to have had words with her and informed her of the jeopardy she was putting herself and other road users in if she'd pulled up next to me in the car park - I'd probably have regretted it though - she looked young and "aggressive" and I look old and "wobbly" - maybe because I am old and wobbly?

She deserves all she gets, problem is we may meet her from the opposite direction!
In the past I have been amazed at what some guys expect their wives to drive, though these days with all the feminine "powers" I would expect her to demand better

 

[varesecrazy]

She deserves all she gets, problem is we may meet her from the opposite direction!
In the past I have been amazed at what some guys expect their wives to drive, though these days with all the feminine "powers" I would expect her to demand better

When we first met... my OH had a 1050cc 127, there was often a RED light on the dashboard

It signified the Handbrake lever being in the UP position..
But it made very little difference to performance Or retardation

Most drum handbrakes of that era seemed pretty mediocre, but of course cheap and easy to service

Windback mechanisms and seizing calipers a joy yet to be envisaged

 

[The Panda Nut]

Really couldn't believe this one. I was out quite early for the supermarket run to Lidl this morning. Usually means I beat the crowds, but not so lucky today so it was after 10.30 before I was driving away. This store is built on the side of a hill above the old wire works and is accessed down a sloping road from the main road above. It was a nice sunny morning so I had Becky's window down as we climbed the hill on our way out. A very LARGE Mercedes SUV "thing" coming down the hill towards me making a "nasty noise". It obviously then braked as the entry road turns sharp right into the parking area at the bottom of the ramp and the noise was truly horrific. The pads must have been completely through to the metal and then some, I've not heard one so bad in a very long time. The driver didn't bat an eyelid, parked up and went to get a trolley. Is she just going to continue driving it until it fails to stop? that's an event which will be happening very soon! Although I usually keep my lip buttoned up these days, I would have found it hard not to have had words with her and informed her of the jeopardy she was putting herself and other road users in if she'd pulled up next to me in the car park - I'd probably have regretted it though - she looked young and "aggressive" and I look old and "wobbly" - maybe because I am old and wobbly?

As Clint Eastwood would say (Dirty Harry)
A mans gotta know his limitations....

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

She deserves all she gets, problem is we may meet her from the opposite direction!
In the past I have been amazed at what some guys expect their wives to drive, though these days with all the feminine "powers" I would expect her to demand better

What was surprising me most was how such a relatively new car could have got into this condition, it must have covered some funny miles.

As Clint Eastwood would say (Dirty Harry)
A mans gotta know his limitations....

Ok punk, if you say so!

 

[The Panda Nut]

I went back to my local garage yesterday to try and settle up for teh aux belt and a contribution to teh 2nd cambelt job. CHatting with the No2 man he was saying how rare it is these days even to get civility let alone someone offering to shoulder some of the unexpected costs. He them showed me the pads he had just removed from focus. The owner didnt want to pay up as his car had been MOT's the other day. Basically 25% of the pad was missing and it was worn to under 2mm. The remainder of the pads were delaminating from the backing. He wanted it left alone. Blamed the garage for it as they had serviced the car two years ago. All very sad.

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

I went back to my local garage yesterday to try and settle up for teh aux belt and a contribution to teh 2nd cambelt job. CHatting with the No2 man he was saying how rare it is these days even to get civility let alone someone offering to shoulder some of the unexpected costs. He them showed me the pads he had just removed from focus. The owner didnt want to pay up as his car had been MOT's the other day. Basically 25%of the pad was missing and ot was worn to under 2mm. The remainder of the pads were delaminating from the backing. H ewanted it left alone. Blamed the garage for it as they had serviced the ar two years ago. All very sad.

I think a lot of people are now a days running cars when they just can't really afford it. Of course this is nothing new but in days gone by it was possible for either the owner or a knowledgeable friend to cheaply do a lot of the repairs themselves, not so much now and folk just don't have the money to maintain them as they should. A lot of people think that as long as the car passes it's MOT then it's Ok for another year and have no idea that regular services/oil changes are not optional. If you're not knowledgeable about cars then I highly recommend that you schedule your car for it's annual service at the same time it's MOT is due. That way a lot of the silly little things which it might fail on will be eliminated and you won't then forget, later on, that it's service is due.

 

[The Panda Nut]

What was surprising me most was how such a relatively new car could have got into this condition, it must have covered some funny miles.

Ok punk, if you say so!

Having the money to buy an expensive car certainly does not mean you have the brains to driveit properly. The speed at which many of these things are driven round here is probably not just a local behaviour.

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

Having the money to buy an expensive car certainly does not mean you have the brains to driveit properly. The speed at which many of these things are driven round here is probably not just a local behaviour.

Good point. A lot of that goes on round here too. I think modern cars insulate the driver too much from what's going on outside and tyres and suspensions are now a whole order of things better than when I was young. Also they accelerate much more quickly so can achieve unsafe speeds in locations like housing estates etc almost without the unobservant/uninterested driver realizing. As for people using mobile 'phones, it's almost reached epidemic proportions around here - when was someone you know last pulled for using one behind the wheel? and yet we see them chatting away or texting almost every time we drive anywhere.

 

[AndyRKett]

Is she just going to continue driving it until it fails to stop?

Or maybe it won't stop one day.... then she might reconsider her choices.

 

[The Panda Nut]

Competing inventions for the same end. Sadly, both adopted by different manufacturers, so more tools to buy.
What bugs me is the inconsistencies. The Panda, 2006, seems to use spline for the door check straps. Not sure there is any anywhere else. Silliness. At least VAG use triple square in various places on the Fabia, so at least 3 of the set will be used, sometime.

Pussies. Just get the bit you have and a lump hammer on it. Bash it enough and itll do

 

[bugsymike]

Pussies. Just get the bit you have and a lump hammer on it. Bash it enough and itll do

Isn't that a special dealer tool only