The Garage - Friday 30th January 2015

NSF Drop Link
for R&R

Work throughput status: "High"; Work for me to do status: "Plenty"; Friday Feeling status: "Happy"!

It was very much a case of "straight to work" assisting Dan with a VW Passat.  Dan was servicing OSR & NSR Discs and Pads and I was invited to assist, attending to OSF & NSF Drop Links and NSF CV Gaiter. Working alongside Dan is always a pleasure, as he is very task focussed, rather than chatter (more akin myself), and we had the total job calmly boxed off and back on 4 wheels, in about an hour and a half (considering off and on other minor assignments also)!   

Hub Nut Removed
and top bolts prepared
for Removal

With clear access to the CV Gaiter it was time to clean up and then locate the damage site, which was not easy to see at first glance.  As I intimated to Dave in a text later that evening;  I have learned "loads" since working with the team at AA Automotive, however today I learned something else; and that is: "NEVER" shout across the workshop "Jim! I've found the hole"!  Just one of those "immediate hindsight" moments! (LOL)!

Split CV Gaiter

Ahem! Anyway, having regained my composure I managed to R&R all components satisfactorily, prior to re-torquing all to Autodata specification.



There then followed a period of general housekeeping for about 30-40 minutes, and then, with all returned to a tidy and presentable order, it was time for lunch.

Testing Relay using Jump Pack
across terminals 86 & 87

After lunch we then had a Vauxhall Corsa in with a potentially catastrophic failure, caused by the owner attempting to jump the battery with 24 Volts! Remarkably the wiring loom appeared intact, and I initially observed as Dan probed all the fuses for continuity, using a multimeter. These also all proved OK, and then using Autodata, we both checked the operation of all the Relays for proper functioning.  Andy and Dave then departed with a handful of tools on a mission to "Jacksons", for a spare Control Module and a replacement Relay.  Upon their return, and further elevated inspection, it became apparent that the Starter Motor was "singed", to say the least, and possibly the Alternator also, although this was unfortunately the point where I was required to bail out for my evening job, and I very much look forward to an update from Dan and Dave next Thursday.  Thanks again for a "very" humorous and fruitful day guys!