Barry Bodger at his level best

[highlander]

Classic!

I was out at the car last night, trying to fit my new JBL GTO938 speakers (courtesy of Mum & Dad as it's my birthday later this month). I asked for them because my OEM JBL speakers have been a bit "buzzy" on the rear right, ever since I bought the car.

Pulled the speaker grille off, and to my UTTER SURPRISE, this is what I found:




Interestingly, the screw in the first aid kit compartment, which is supposed to be a Torx screw, had been replaced by a Philips screw, which was screwed into a small cage nut instead.

I shudder to think what else Barry Bodger has been up to on my car :facepalm:

[sirwiggum]

Crumbs!
Beats my Ford Orion broken-cones-held-together-with-sellotape bodge

406 sound system was quite good. When the radio didn't self destruct.

[FarmerPug]

im sorry but i cant help laughing. why would someone pull out the speakers
the only bodge job i see on my car was the passenger door leccy window must have packed in and it was wired up again back to front and no sealing sheet put back on

[highlander]

I'm going back down to the car at lunchtime to try and fit my new JBL GTO speakers, so hopefully I'll be able to remove the duct tape and reveal the problem that spawned this particular bit of ingenuity.

[teamster1975]

Good old duck tape!

[highlander]

Well that was a wasted lunch hour. Spent it shoe-horned into the back of the car, desperately trying to get the new speakers in-situ. Got one in place (sort of), eventually, but it makes no sound - am guessing the spade connectors pinged off while I was trying to get the damn speaker into its place, but ran out of time before I could progress much.

I've come to the conclusion that when it comes to cars, I'm actually pretty much f*cking useless. The most I can do is drive the damn things. I seem to have a skill in turning relatively simple jobs into snowballing catastrophes

[FarmerPug]

ah dont worry about it i balls up a lot of times when i do things to a car and usually have to spend more time to put it right. but when you get it right its worth it.

[waue1978]

Well that was a wasted lunch hour. Spent it shoe-horned into the back of the car, desperately trying to get the new speakers in-situ. Got one in place (sort of), eventually, but it makes no sound - am guessing the spade connectors pinged off while I was trying to get the damn speaker into its place, but ran out of time before I could progress much.

I've come to the conclusion that when it comes to cars, I'm actually pretty much f*cking useless. The most I can do is drive the damn things. I seem to have a skill in turning relatively simple jobs into snowballing catastrophes

You're not alone. I get that more often than not too.

ah dont worry about it i balls up a lot of times when i do things to a car and usually have to spend more time to put it right. but when you get it right its worth it.

But you also need to remember that not all of us have the time to be able to do that. Family, work & domestic chores don't leave much time to be faffing around with the car.

[highlander]

That, and it's now also pissing down with rain

Rain is the real "dampener" on this sort of project (sorry). I have no garage or covered area in which to work on my car. Closing the door wasn't an option today as it was quite warm outside, and roasting inside it (the leather seats were hot to touch).

Oh well, if it's dry at lunchtime tomorrow, I will have another go.

[waue1978]

That, and it's now also pissing down with rain

Rain is the real "dampener" on this sort of project (sorry). I have no garage or covered area in which to work on my car. Closing the door wasn't an option today as it was quite warm outside, and roasting inside it (the leather seats were hot to touch).

Oh well, if it's dry at lunchtime tomorrow, I will have another go.

Snap on that one too. To be able to successfully tinker when your skills are limited you need a driveway (or garage) & plenty of time available. For those of us resigned to residential parking areas with full time jobs & families, nothing is a straightforward DIY job.

Will give you one helpful hint though - pop a blanket or sheet in the car for tomorrow. That way if you have another go & it's still warm, you're not resting on roasting hot black leather.

[teamster1975]

But you also need to remember that not all of us have the time to be able to do that. Family, work & domestic chores don't leave much time to be faffing around with the car.

Couldn't agree more, when I tell my wife I've got some jobs to do on the car she looks at me as if I've asked for an early night with her!
I've got to get the hand brake sorted on the Volvo before Saturday, the lever is pretty much vertical before it engages fully! The one good thing is that it has auto adjusters, Haynes reckons that these can stick and need cleaning & lubing.

[Eric]

I'm glad I'm not the only one that can turn any job into a clusterf**k and then leave it in a strop vowing never to touch it ever again.
Only to go out half an hour later because I can't stand the thought of something not being finished.

And then repeat...

[Doggy]

I've got to get the hand brake sorted on the Volvo before Saturday, the lever is pretty much vertical before it engages fully! The one good thing is that it has auto adjusters, Haynes reckons that these can stick and need cleaning & lubing.

Don't sweat it - as an experienced 406er, you will have learned to manage perfectly well without a handbrake.

Now, you just have to master life without a headlight switch.

[sirwiggum]

I tried to change the COM2000 and ended up with a soldering iron fixing the airbag connector clips, and the airbag ECU holding clip broken.

I tried to change the oil and ended up draining the gearbox

I tried to get rid of some rust bubbles on the passenger doors and ended up with several shades of blue.

For the handbrake I left the 406 in to a garage, £300 later had something that just about worked.

With the autobox can now leave it in 'P'.

[Captain Jack]

Wiggy, look on the bright side:

I tried to change the COM2000 and ended up with a soldering iron fixing the airbag connector clips, and the airbag ECU holding clip broken.

At least you honed in your soldering skills.

I tried to change the oil and ended up draining the gearbox

The gearbox was treated to new oil - never a bad thing.

I tried to get rid of some rust bubbles on the passenger doors and ended up with several shades of blue.

But no rust.

For the handbrake I left the 406 in to a garage, £300 later had something that just about worked.

Er... OK no positive here but mine can hold a lorry after replacing the shoes and the seized cable.