Grumpy old buggers thread

[Tins]

Mine had two sockets, one in the toolkit with the wheel brace. First time I went to use it it didn’t fit the wheel . Grr. Found the other one under the back seat. So, what is the other one for? Seems they were worried someone would steal the driving lights. They are still there. I can’t get them off. Guess why.

[V8Ian]

For reasons mentioned elsewhere, following a visit to my son in Yass last week, instead of the returning in the 110, I drove their D2 back.

The radio was not working. Basically because the battery had gone flat (this car does not get much use now that the oldest has a licence and here own car). I attempted to reset it using the code in the owner's manual. It did not work. And what's more, locked us out for hours. I asked my son for his help. And all was revealed. The code I was using was wrong. There are two owner's handbooks and audio accessory supplements in the car - some years ago one of the kids threw up on it, so they got a replacement (second hand on line). Both books had the code written manually in them. But only one referred to this car. And you can guess which one I was using! As the radio was locked out for hours, and I wanted to get home before hoppy time (which is early this time of the year), I had a very quiet trip.

Now I have been driving cars with radios for over sixty years, and have never had any attempt at theft, even though security was pretty rudimentary on some of my early Landrovers. In y experience, these security precautions have never been anything except an absolute pain! Anyone else?

I had a two series Volvo stolen once. It was recovered minus the cheap Sony radio and door speakers. The scum caused more damage than the radio was worth.

[RANDLOVER]

Mine had two sockets, one in the toolkit with the wheel brace. First time I went to use it it didn’t fit the wheel . Grr. Found the other one under the back seat. So, what is the other one for? Seems they were worried someone would steal the driving lights. They are still there. I can’t get them off. Guess why.

You don't have a gas axe? I have had success undoing security fasteners by cutting a slot in the head with a Dremel, for a flat screwdriver.

[Saitch]

You don't have a gas axe? I have had success undoing security fasteners by cutting a slot in the head with a Dremel, for a flat screwdriver.

[RANDLOVER]

I think the council should've installed a root barrier when they planted the tree in my front lawn, as for the last few years I've had to dig out a tree root every year. The first two were about the cross section of a cricket bat handle, the next about the size of the bat, and the latest was the cross section of two cricket bats face to face.

[V8Ian]

I think the council should've installed a root barrier when they planted the tree in my front lawn, as for the last few years I've had to dig out a tree root every year. The first two were about the cross section of a cricket bat handle, the next about the size of the bat, and the latest was the cross section of two cricket bats face to face.

Next time, brush the tree end of the root with diesel.
Knowing your council, is it a leopard tree?

[Tins]

You don't have a gas axe? I have had success undoing security fasteners by cutting a slot in the head with a Dremel, for a flat screwdriver.

Nah. If I really want them off I have plenty of means. Except the original socket.

[RANDLOVER]

Next time, brush the tree end of the root with diesel.
Knowing your council, is it a leopard tree?

It is some sort of gum nut tree, definitely not a Leopard, I don't want to kill the whole tree.

Edit: Just did a Google image search and it says it is a Blakely's Red Gum, but that doesn't seem quite right so some kind of eucalypt.

[BradC]

In y experience, these security precautions have never been anything except an absolute pain! Anyone else?

Back in my high school days I had a holiday job at the local Cash Converters mainly repairing car stereos that had been sold, hooked up backwards and returned.
I can confidently say the pain in the arse security on car radios at the time did wonders for the local yobs passing that one by to find an easier target.

It was probably a defined period in the late 80's to early 90's where car stereo theft was through the roof. So as much as a pain as it is, back in the day it was useful. Now, nobody is going to buy a second hand car radio, so the novelty has well and truly worn off.

[RANDLOVER]

Years ago I installed a car radio with my mate, when I turned it on I found wasn't working, I checked the wiring and found some crossed over, turned out my mate was colour blind! I took the radio back to the shop and they gave me a new one.

Later I had a radio with a clip off face which I hardly ever took with me, I'd just unclip it and hide it in the car somewhere. Also never had a car radio or wheels stolen.