Sunday, September 27, 2009

What to do next............its not that tricky

( Me being attacked by a swarm of angry bee's...... for having dirty hands ?)
Yes, exactly what to do next ?.
Last post saw me having undone the rear half of the spring, undone the axle "u bolts" and one damper drop link.
Thats exatly how the situation is now, only worse.
So how can it be worse if I've not done anything ?
The situation at Uni is :-
1st week, all week, very fast paced and lots to imbibe and inwardly digest.
2nd week, easier but the real enormity of 1st week hits home with and essay to finish by end of the month.
3/. Knowing this would happen at Uni since the drop of the axle/springs, I looked up the parts and cost involved to get the back end sorted.
It went something like this :-
Plan 1/.
a/. All new bushes at the back, deffo. Poly bushes and Blue "fast road use".
b/. New "lowered" pair of leaf springs. ( to suit chrome bumper model ride height, mine was a rubber bumper model to be lowered )
c/. New Chrome bumper shorter drop link ( pair of )
d/. Spax suspension would be nice ( so would a pair of parabolic springs too) but they are all out of the question, money wise.
e/. new bumpstops top & bottom.
f/. new rebound straps.
g/. Lowering kit from MGOC
Reality after a few searches ont tinterweb..................way too expensive !!!!.
I'm not sure if the spring price was per pair or each, either way £80 is a lot.
It all came to ....................wait for it ............. £ 330 approx.

So plan 2/.
a/. as 1/.
b/. Second hand springs.....................price dunno yet
c/. Second hand drop links.................£ 5.oo each
d/. Forget............too expensive
e/. as 1/.
f/. as 1/.
g/. Is it really needed ?, some stuff can be re-used or I already have it above.
Reality.......................Still too expensive. Its just over budget.
By the way at this point it would be good to mention what my budget is - see below



























NOTHING !!!
yes, thats right. I've got bugger all.
So in light of this and my new found wisdom a re-think was done. The reality is this.
a/. Poly bushes @ £ 37.00 set ( rear only) OR Std stock rubber ones ( Noooooooooooo!!)
b/. Refurb the springs ( they have sagged anyway, shorter drop links will tell)
c/. Second hand drop links £ 10.00 total
d/. Second hand rebound strap.........price......dunnoo ( but less than £10.00 total )
e/. - g/. forget.
So I might as well be planning a total new re-shell since thats about as realistic as the above when you aint got no cash.
So thats why the post is called " What to do next ". Its definitely not tricky. The answer is Nothing.
Uni will keep me busy for the next 3 weeks anyway with the dreaded assignment essay. After that the weather will turn and maybe a little too cold but much more likely too wet.
I'm determined though that its not going to be one of the dreaded "Unfinished projects" for sale.
I might have to think of ways to improve the lot of Lostsock and family, after the essy though.
More soon.





Monday, September 21, 2009

Is that an axle in your eye ? No its a leaf spring actually.

What a strange title. Let me explain. You knew I would anyway.


Many years ago, when I had money, time and a restless nature I had a desire to fulfill a long lost dream. That was to restore an old car. So I looked on good old e-bay and bought an old banger from 1977, well in need of renovation and with a good supply of parts suppliers and knowledge base available. So In good old Lostsock fashion I decided to document its renovation.
That's what started me on the blog thing. Rather than take loads of photos, why not make a narrative text as well to assist others and maybe solicit some help for myself.
I did and the oddities of the chosen Blog supplier prevented me from linking both of my blogs each way.
Now the real reason for the post and a little light reflection and observation on our good old health system.
During the last few weeks prior to Uni starting I've done some work on the car. Its sort of well on the way to being finished after years of body work repair. Next job on the list was replace rear springs and bushes, clean up and paint with whatever ( Underseal, Red lead, etc)











This involved me with some time flat on my back......careful.... working spanners and hammers on nuts that have not been touched for 33 years. So, 33 years worth rust fell onto my drive during said operation, only taking a detour into my Right eye. For some months my Left eye has been odd in the morning ( Deduced by wifey to be the same cause). Insomuch as sticky eyelids and a general soreness. So after said weekend and the start of Uni saw Lostsock not his usual chirpy self. Plagued by a dull headache behind the eyes and head.
So, Monday morning saw me attend the Docs at 8 am sharp. Not to see a doctor. Simply to stand in line when the surgery opens so I could book an appointment as soon as.

Its pointless trying to telephone as it rings for ages once you get the answerphone message and options. Then appointments are for in at least 1 months time. Well not really but generally far enough away to stop people with trivial illnesses wanting to attend.
I was 4th in line at the reception desk. The desk is manned by the Practice Manager. Not a woman who would win any charm contests. So I heard all the 3 previous peoples illnesses since the PM had to ascertain to whom to send them ( Nurse, Doctor or Room for arguments) , their age and date of birth and their address.
So What happened to patient confidentiality then ?................
Is the P.M medically trained ?....................methinks not ( Hope the Practice is Insured )

It didn't help when the guy in front of me insisted he needed his blood testing because his wife is Ill ???????????? and they didn't do it at the hospital last night because he'd he fainted. Is this a breach of confidentiality ?. There's been lots posted on various sites regarding this topic and say, Facebook. A certain Government ministers wife revealed some potentially sensitive details... allegedly. Some excellent medical related sites have even closed down voluntarily for fear of the dreaded Confidentiality police. Hope they don't come knocking for me...............errrrrrrrhemmmm.

But seriously, should we have to do this ?. I fully understand why the Practice Manager is a sourpuss ( The general Public...) but it should still not be allowed for the jaded, impatient and almost rude to be people facing. Neither should Non medically trained staff be making clinical decisions. Don't you agree ?. Could we do it as radiographers , i.e I.D patients in the waiting area. No. Tell them they have a nasty break ?. No. I am full of praise for all aspects of our wonderful NHS. It is still the envy of the world, has some great people and services. It is Europe's biggest employer and thereby is its problem. Its very difficult to employ 100% perfect and professional people. Unfortunately its the minority that stick in peoples minds. I for one am determined not to be a whingeing employee. Its depressing anyway listening to some people whingeing to others.

I have Conjunctivitis by the way so my vision today is a little cloudy................heeee heee. That's because there's been most of a 1977 British Leyland axle and leaf spring in it the last few months ( Nay years).