Foreboding inclinations

mjb · Post by **mjb** » Wed Mar 28, 2007 8:11 pm

Before I had my rear disks and pads sorted I used to have to occasionally go through the torture of spending half hour using the jack to get my car out of its parking spot when a pair of diskheads had blocked it in. Not a nice way to start your morning, especially as the Peugeot jack doesn't lift the car high enough to get more than about 6 inches after a good push

Thankfully with the handbrake now working sweetly I can just let the engine warm up and wheelspin on full lock until the front's clear. At 5am it wakes the whole (narrow, terraced, no front gardens) street up doing that judging by the amount of bedroom lights that go on. Awww what a shame, thankfully the street's motormouth old ladies hate bad parking with a passion too and understand why I have to do it

Blue406 · Post by **Blue406** » Wed Mar 28, 2007 8:30 pm

Ok, you need to explain htf you use a jack to get out of a tight parking spot.

And why the wheel spinning?

mjb · Post by **mjb** » Wed Mar 28, 2007 9:03 pm

Jack up the road-side rear corner as high as possible, push hard from the kerb-side and it'll fall a few inches out. Repeat until you can reverse out.

As for wheelspinning, put your handbrake on and the steering on full lock. Wheelspin it, and the car will rotate around in whatever direction you've turned the steering wheel. The handbrake (which only acts on the rear wheels) stops it from moving too much, but you must always rev high and absolutely DUMP the clutch otherwise you'll just crash into whatever's in front of you...

When you've got 2 feet to manoeuvre a 406 estate, you're somewhat limited in what you can do.

Post by **Welly** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 8:57 am

Nice start to the day

It wouldn't be worth having an expensive new car on your street, it would be forever getting nudged.

mjb · Post by **mjb** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 12:38 pm

Yeah, I've (somehow!) noticed quite a few scratches magically appear overnight :/

At least my wing missors are still attached *touch wood*. I wish I had automagically folding ones...

Blue406 · Post by **Blue406** » Mon Apr 02, 2007 2:25 pm

Well.....
I dunno what to make of the latest noise my faithfull pug is giving off now.

On start up and at certain rev ranges when changing gear I can hear a rattly squeek from the engine. It then fades but returns. I haven't managed to test and see exactly at what rev range it happens. It almost sounds like something needs oiling. Like a rusty supermarket trolley wheel.

Blue406 · Post by **Blue406** » Mon Apr 02, 2007 3:23 pm

Cheapest price for the work I need done £425 inc Vat.

Not looking good. Looks like this is going to cripple me.

Post by **Welly** » Mon Apr 02, 2007 4:30 pm

Oh dear Bluey, will the old girl be laid to rest?

Thinking about it, you can't give up now. We were hoping you would take it past the 200,000 mile mark

Can't you just leave it as it is?

Blue406 · Post by **Blue406** » Mon Apr 02, 2007 7:27 pm

I want to keep it going.

I'm between a rock and a hard place. No money to do the repairs that are needed and no money to get another car.

Benner · Post by **Benner** » Mon Apr 02, 2007 8:49 pm

What exactly is needing to be done blue?

Blue406 · Post by **Blue406** » Mon Apr 02, 2007 10:14 pm

A clutch replacement and oil sump reseal.

I can do the sump with the help of a mate, no issue. The clutch is looking to be a nigh on impossible job for me when you take into account that taking the steering wheel, wheels and rear light lenses is the most intesive bit of "mechanics" I've ever done.

Blue406 · Post by **Blue406** » Tue Apr 03, 2007 10:34 am

Was talking with a few people and a very good point was raised.

My 406 has never let me down. She's been faithfull and steadfast. I should do all I can to fix whats needing fixed as cars as faithfull as mine are few and far between.
I have to admit.... I agree whole heartedly and am trying my damndest.

As per usual, its the fiscality of it all thats threatening what I would call a premature death for my 6.

Still, there are 2 possibilites ahead of me. One in the form of a mechnically minded workmate who's done clutches before and one in the form of someone who works for Mercedes and has contacts. But he's in Germany which means nursing my ailing 406 till June.

Post by **Welly** » Tue Apr 03, 2007 11:06 am

Bluey, have you tried one of these 'Mr Clutch' places??

Captain Jack · Post by **Captain Jack** » Tue Apr 03, 2007 12:20 pm

I have to say, that's what's putting me off buying a new car. Because mine has been uber reliable and never once let me down - even though I abuse it sometimes. I'll keep mine going until it dies completely. Maybe get a 2nd car in the end but I will never get rid of mine.