Working With Others L3 - Team ATV Task Monday 1st December 2014

Under the Bonnet Checking Fluid Levels

Part of our course is dedicated to completing work towards an element entitled Working With Others (WWO).  Since November we have been split into 3 teams on a Monday morning, ours being called Team ATV.  The purpose is to prepare students in the art of communication and organisation, by undertaking meetings and taking minutes etc, in order to prepare for organising a complex event requiring multiple tasks and group coordination/cooperation.  Today was the Grand Finale in terms of all our preparations, as it was the undertaking of the event itself - a Winter Service with Oil and Filter Change, and a 4 Wheel Alignment on a Mazda Bongo 2.5TD (very much identical to my own as it happens)!  The task was split across 2 workshops with the service taking part in Workshop A/B and the alignment in Workshop 3.  Jamie and Isaac worked together well, in fact I think we "all" worked together well, achieving all the objectives we set ourselves, although elements of coordinating communications required a bit more polishing.

Draining the Oil

The service went well and a couple of minor issues regarding track rod end boots and suspension arm boots were validly raised and recorded on the Service Sheet sourced by Jamie Jackson.  Having nearly a year before my next MOT it was duly noted for 2015 to budget into schedule. 

Having heard of a delay in Workshop 3 regarding access to the wheel aligner, the pace of events were duly relaxed in order to aim off accordingly.  After returning from lunch it was into Workshop 3 and onto the Wheel Aligner.  Our first issue was trying to locate the Make and Model within the Aligner's memory bank.  As the vehicle is a Japanese Import, its' details do not appear on Autodata either, so Carl Black was on hand to manually select a suitable vehicle and alter the Toe and Camber settings, according to

Alignment Confirmed

a Workshop Manual I had brought in with me. With all systems go - all readings returned "green figures", so no adjustments were actually required.  This was due mostly to the fact that I had replaced the Steering Rack earlier in the year, under the watchful guidance of Andy Kirby at AA Automotive, who also assisted with his budget alignment equipment (which appears to be just as accurate).  A very enjoyable and satisfying day indeed.  All that remains to complete this task is the completion of all of our WWO Level 3 Workbooks, which are currently underway also. Thank you very much Isaac and Jamie - Good Job completed to standard and on time!  Thanks also to the understanding and pre-emptive Staff in terms of ensuring all the facilities and tools were available in time also!