Good news - and bad
The car is now home again with a new trailing arm and handbrake cable (that seems to have been broken by an over-vigorous RAC man), having been trailered up to the local garage who've always worked on it
Total cost: trailer £100, repairs £195; or, £45 more than I paid for the car ten years and 73,000 miles ago
The bad news came when I was settling up for the repairs. The garage is a family business and I was dealing with the owner's son, so I assumed his dad was on holiday, but when I asked after him the son told me that his dad had passed away in his sleep in March
Then, as I offered my commiseration, he added that his mother had died last week
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Reply to: Woe, woe, and thrice woe
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Previously on "Woe, woe, and thrice woe"
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Originally posted by NickFitz View PostSomewhere at home I must have the bill from when the offside trailing arm went a few years ago.
It took nearly a week to get the part that time. The garage chap explained that "Ford have got the part, they're just not sure where it is" to which I replied "Don't tell me, it's in a box in the loft and they can't remember which one?"
It could also have gone walkies.
Originally posted by NickFitz View PostI'd like to keep it going but there are other bits that either need doing or will very soon, so I'm not sure its viable
Mind you, the spanking brand new car that came as its replacement wasn't too reliable either. It can be a case of "better the devil you know..."
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Originally posted by NickFitz View PostSomewhere at home I must have the bill from when the offside trailing arm went a few years ago.
It took nearly a week to get the part that time. The garage chap explained that "Ford have got the part, they're just not sure where it is" to which I replied "Don't tell me, it's in a box in the loft and they can't remember which one?"
I'd like to keep it going but there are other bits that either need doing or will very soon, so I'm not sure its viableOriginally posted by NickFitz View Post1989 Ford Orion 1.6i Ghia Mk. II
Cheap Car Parts & Accessories, Engines, 4x4 Parts. Used Euro & Jap Car Parts From Online Car Breakers
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Yesterday I was backing my van out of the drive and there was this awful scraping sound. Panic. Then I found I had left a stool behind it when I was fixing the roof rack.
PS The sort of stool with legs and a seat.
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Originally posted by Lockhouse View PostWhat was the minor problem? That's a crime.
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Originally posted by NickFitz View PostSomewhere at home I must have the bill from when the offside trailing arm went a few years ago.
It took nearly a week to get the part that time. The garage chap explained that "Ford have got the part, they're just not sure where it is" to which I replied "Don't tell me, it's in a box in the loft and they can't remember which one?"
I'd like to keep it going but there are other bits that either need doing or will very soon, so I'm not sure its viable
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Originally posted by DaveB View PostYou should be able to get a new trailing arm and bush kit for less than £150 plus the labour to fit it.
Definately worth getting a quote first. Any decent garage should be able to give you a ball park figure over the phone.
It took nearly a week to get the part that time. The garage chap explained that "Ford have got the part, they're just not sure where it is" to which I replied "Don't tell me, it's in a box in the loft and they can't remember which one?"
I'd like to keep it going but there are other bits that either need doing or will very soon, so I'm not sure its viable
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Originally posted by NickFitz View PostMy beloved Super Monkey Car has undergone a catastrophic failure of its rear suspension - a fracture of the nearside trailing arm, to be precise
I managed to nurse it along to a parking place across the road from Newnham College, and was able to drive it onto the RAC truck for transportation to my parents' place pending final disposal.
There are no words to express my sadness over what seems to be the absolute demise of this most wondrous of vehicles
Shortly before this catastrophe we had driven past Jeffrey Archer's home in Grantchester. Coincidence?
You should be able to get a new trailing arm and bush kit for less than £150 plus the labour to fit it.
Definately worth getting a quote first. Any decent garage should be able to give you a ball park figure over the phone.
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Originally posted by NickFitz View PostThere are no words to express my sadness over what seems to be the absolute demise of this most wondrous of vehicles
Shortly before this catastrophe we had driven past Jeffrey Archer's home in Grantchester. Coincidence?
Btw, has Mr Hawking tried to run you over yet?
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Originally posted by NickFitz View PostMy beloved Super Monkey Car has undergone a catastrophic failure of its rear suspension - a fracture of the nearside trailing arm, to be precise
I managed to nurse it along to a parking place across the road from Newnham College, and was able to drive it onto the RAC truck for transportation to my parents' place pending final disposal.
There are no words to express my sadness over what seems to be the absolute demise of this most wondrous of vehicles
Shortly before this catastrophe we had driven past Jeffrey Archer's home in Grantchester. Coincidence?
I have regretted scrapping cars for minor problems in the past such as the original Fiat 500 and a 1952 Mercedes 190.
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Commiserations. It's quite a blow to lose a beloved companion and partner in crime.
Have you got a quote? You should at least make such a momentous decision armed with all the facts.
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Woe, woe, and thrice woe
My beloved Super Monkey Car has undergone a catastrophic failure of its rear suspension - a fracture of the nearside trailing arm, to be precise
I managed to nurse it along to a parking place across the road from Newnham College, and was able to drive it onto the RAC truck for transportation to my parents' place pending final disposal.
There are no words to express my sadness over what seems to be the absolute demise of this most wondrous of vehicles
Shortly before this catastrophe we had driven past Jeffrey Archer's home in Grantchester. Coincidence?Tags: None
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