My 100th post topic-Working in a muddy puddle

NewcastleFalcon · Post by **NewcastleFalcon** » 08 May 2011, 21:16

We not quite my 100th post yet but close enough.

Are there any other FCF members who work on the street? Perhaps with a less than satisfactory kit of tools and equipment, but with a bit of creativity and ingenuity, and of course help from the forum, on more occasions than not the job gets done.

No tarmac on my street though, just a centuries old unmade road, which very rapidly turns into the muddy mess in the pictures.

Todays weather was particularly deceptive, heavy rain then bright warm sunshine blue skies, then heavy rain then bright sunshine. Just tempts you into working through the wet bits.........not pleasant.

Neil

andmcit · Post by **andmcit** » 08 May 2011, 21:21

Not pleasant at all - have you got some decent thick ply to sit/lie on when
you work on the car? Are the axle stands not prone to sinking into the mud
especially after a soaking of LHM?

andmcit · Post by **andmcit** » 08 May 2011, 21:23

How are you getting on with the steering rack weather notwithstanding?

NewcastleFalcon · Post by **NewcastleFalcon** » 08 May 2011, 21:28

Andrew

This is my 100th post

You were spot on with the rack removal advice-get the wishbone out of the way and it fiddles out without having to pop off those linkages.

Yes I had the piece of ply as it happens, but it was the size of a postage stamp and I found that extending an arm or a shoulder just sucked up the water /lhm etc from the soaking ground and I was literally soaked to the skin by the time I finished.

It isnt just pure mud there is a base of compacted stones which does support the stands before they sink into the mire completely. I always shove the tyres under the car as well.

edit I have posted an update on the rack on the other thread. Its out.

Thanks Neil

andmcit · Post by **andmcit** » 08 May 2011, 21:36

Well done!!

To help put a smile back on your face I made this for you:

NewcastleFalcon · Post by **NewcastleFalcon** » 08 May 2011, 22:04

Nice picture. A do it yourself lift that would get me clear of the mud

. If you didnt have the fork lift truck you could maybe raise it in stages with a trolley jack

Neil

rmunns · Post by **rmunns** » 08 May 2011, 22:50

I'm sure I'm not the first, but I find a sheet of insulation (about 40mm thick) is almost comfortable!

citronut · Post by **citronut** » 09 May 2011, 07:59

i spoz at least working in those conditions your blood doesnt get over heated

,

mudd mudd glorious mudd nothing quit like it for cooling the blood (citro blood of course )

we will have to change your user name to Hippo

regards malcolm

citroenxm · Post by **citroenxm** » 09 May 2011, 10:05

Have a look at my V6 Xantia blog and you will see Im outside "only" aswell.. with sinky stands and jacks, it can be a challenge, then wet weather - always stops play...

So I know how you feel...

Paul

KP · Post by KP » 09 May 2011, 11:23

wet weather stops play

I have only ever done on teh driveway/street type work with jacks and stands and braved most weathers but not snow yet.

I recall onetime putting a new roller bearing turbo onto my coupe and that was completed at 2am when it was still raining.

I use bits of old carpet on dry/slightly damp floor. for mud some bits of thick cardboard before the carpet goes down helps keep it mostly dry and keeps you warm aswell from the earth. easy to clean as well with a jet wash and some cheap hair shampoo from supermarket.

Post by **Paul-R** » 09 May 2011, 11:29

I too work outside in the drive or on the (fortunately matalled) road. No potholes to contend with and I have my favourite knealing cushion, a disgusting old cushion from a settee that must be at least 15 years old. I then try to put some large , thick pices or cardboard from packing cases to absorb any oul and slow down the cold seeping into my body.

This is made all the more poignant to me as up until some 20 years ago I had access to a workshop with four-post ramp, big compressor, air tools, spray booth and body repair facilities. Boy do I notice the difference!

What we both need is one of these http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BRAND-NEW-3-TON-M ... 51976e7697

It's my birthday tomorroww - any offers?

andmcit · Post by **andmcit** » 09 May 2011, 11:43

I'd love that scissor lift myself but ATM could just about muster the postage
cost towards it's purchase!

KP · Post by KP » 09 May 2011, 11:55

Im not sure i could trust it myelf. never heard of one collapsing but it would always be in the back of my mind. proper lifts are very safe and usually saftey checked often...

you can rent life time these days in lots of places all round the country for about £10-£15 per hour

Post by **Paul-R** » 09 May 2011, 11:56

andmcit wrote:I'd love that scissor lift myself but ATM could just about muster the postage cost towards it's purchase!

The place is just around the corner from where I live so things could be arranged.

Discount for quantity? Anyone else?

citronut · Post by **citronut** » 09 May 2011, 13:27

KP wrote:Im not sure i could trust it myelf. never heard of one collapsing but it would always be in the back of my mind. proper lifts are very safe and usually saftey checked often...

we had one side of a two poster drop to the floor once at a citroen service agents,

that used to be saftey checked regularly,

what was missed was the main bronze nut on the one threaded spindle had worn out, we had not noticed so it ran up and down on the secondry/fail saft bronze nut for who knows how long,

then it kept kicking the chain off that runs between the base of both pillers,

so one of the mechanic's adjusted the micro switch to stop this happening,

then one day the boss's son was putting an AMI 8 up in the air with his arm round the post nearest to the wall to reach the opperating switch,

got about half way up and the side nearest to him dropped tothe floor, with the other side still at half way up,

good job it was an A serie's citroen as all that happend the Ami got two black skid marks up both N/S doors, and not dents at all,

mind the boss's son was as white as a sheet and had to take the afternoon off,

regards malcolm