MOT Catastrophe
Discussion
The bottom line of this post is that I'd like some advice on replacing the passenger seat belt. However, the story behind it is one that I just can't keep to myself. So:
It's that time of year when a motorist finds themselves paying attention to the little details. You've checked the fog lights are still operational, the hazards are working, you've topped up the water in the screenwash and checked the nozzles are pointing vaguely at the windscreen, tyres are freshly pumped up and everything's in tip top condition. That's the position I found myself in yesterday afternoon as I burbled over to Mr Kwik Fit for an mot.
The usual pleasantries and "TVR Talk" were quickly dispensed, "don't see many of these on the road, lovely specimen." The S was parked in a bay facing the office, so it had to be reversed out of the parking space and trundled into the workshop. Reluctantly I handed over the keys. As I followed him to the car I explained where the bonnet release was, "yeah yeah" he replied sounding bored. I went on to remind him of the importance of locking the bonnet release back in place once you've shut it - this time he rolled his eyes at yet another overprotective TVR owner. I decided to step back and let the man do his job, after all, he's a pro right? I watch Mr Kwik Fit climb awkwardly behind the wheel and start her up. I'm standing back and watching with crossed arms, hoping it shows all the other waiting motorists that this beautiful machine is mine. Mr Kwik Fit has been in there for some time now. I've just taken a step forward to explain where reverse is, when suddenly, the car shoots FORWARD and smacks straight into the side of the building!!!
When I'd regained the powers of speech and sense I inspected the damage. The bodywork had escaped damage but both front indicator lenses were smashed. There's a lot of helpful threads on indicator lenses here, I think I'm going to go with the Kia option instead of the BMW E30 lenses. I agree the smoked and clear lenses look good on some S's, but I think my monza red would look better with an original orange look.
Apart from that, the mot revealed the passenger seat belt is knackered (locked in place, niether gives out nor retracts) which I'd overlooked in the prelim checks and was sure was working recently. Am I right in thinking it's just a case of unbolting it from behind (in the rear wheel arch) and fitting a new one? Any advice on where to pick up a replacement?
Apologies for such a long note for such a simple question, but I felt it's a story worth telling!
It's that time of year when a motorist finds themselves paying attention to the little details. You've checked the fog lights are still operational, the hazards are working, you've topped up the water in the screenwash and checked the nozzles are pointing vaguely at the windscreen, tyres are freshly pumped up and everything's in tip top condition. That's the position I found myself in yesterday afternoon as I burbled over to Mr Kwik Fit for an mot.
The usual pleasantries and "TVR Talk" were quickly dispensed, "don't see many of these on the road, lovely specimen." The S was parked in a bay facing the office, so it had to be reversed out of the parking space and trundled into the workshop. Reluctantly I handed over the keys. As I followed him to the car I explained where the bonnet release was, "yeah yeah" he replied sounding bored. I went on to remind him of the importance of locking the bonnet release back in place once you've shut it - this time he rolled his eyes at yet another overprotective TVR owner. I decided to step back and let the man do his job, after all, he's a pro right? I watch Mr Kwik Fit climb awkwardly behind the wheel and start her up. I'm standing back and watching with crossed arms, hoping it shows all the other waiting motorists that this beautiful machine is mine. Mr Kwik Fit has been in there for some time now. I've just taken a step forward to explain where reverse is, when suddenly, the car shoots FORWARD and smacks straight into the side of the building!!!
When I'd regained the powers of speech and sense I inspected the damage. The bodywork had escaped damage but both front indicator lenses were smashed. There's a lot of helpful threads on indicator lenses here, I think I'm going to go with the Kia option instead of the BMW E30 lenses. I agree the smoked and clear lenses look good on some S's, but I think my monza red would look better with an original orange look.
Apart from that, the mot revealed the passenger seat belt is knackered (locked in place, niether gives out nor retracts) which I'd overlooked in the prelim checks and was sure was working recently. Am I right in thinking it's just a case of unbolting it from behind (in the rear wheel arch) and fitting a new one? Any advice on where to pick up a replacement?
Apologies for such a long note for such a simple question, but I felt it's a story worth telling!
I think you should make Mr Kwik Fit source you original replacement lenses. His grief, not yours. Why put up with non-original replacements eh?
I would also get the front of the car inspected very carefully (I mean VERY carafully) as stress cracks can appear a good while after the initial impact. I would check the bonding of the hinge panel to the bonnet, and the hinges themselves... everything.
The seat belt just bolts into captive nuts in the chassis. As far as replacements go, I'm not sure...
I would also get the front of the car inspected very carefully (I mean VERY carafully) as stress cracks can appear a good while after the initial impact. I would check the bonding of the hinge panel to the bonnet, and the hinges themselves... everything.
The seat belt just bolts into captive nuts in the chassis. As far as replacements go, I'm not sure...
Edited by tvrgit on Friday 2nd May 11:06
I empathise 110%..............last time I visited Kwik Fit was in 200 with my beloved TR6
I watched in horror as the tw*t located the trolley jack under the sill and consequently mangled the sill and the lower front wing, I decided I would never, ever cross their threshold again.
It just HAD to be the indicator lenses, eh?
I watched in horror as the tw*t located the trolley jack under the sill and consequently mangled the sill and the lower front wing, I decided I would never, ever cross their threshold again.
It just HAD to be the indicator lenses, eh?
tvrgit said:
I think you should make Mr Kwik Fit source you original replacement lenses. His grief, not yours. Why put up with non-original replacements eh?
I agree... even if you decide to fit alternatives they should stump up for the cost of originals, which as we have seen are rare and pricey when they do show up...Kwik-F???
K
The garage agreed to pay for the replacement and needless to say the mot and retest are both being picked up by them. I'd intended to simply get the replacements, fit them and bill them, but must admit taking it to a tvr garage and letting them source the parts as well as give it a thorough check hadn't occurred to me. Cheers for the advice guys!
Sorry to hear about the bump - can't imagine how you must have felt.
Re. Seat belt replacement - I fitted Securon (www.securon.co.uk) SEC 500/15 belts to both sides a couple of years ago (were £37 each then) They have the advantage of a much shorter centre stalk so the belt fits round your hips rather than stomach and are a straight forward replacement.
I sourced mine from Car Builder Solutions (www.nfauto.co.uk).
Re. Seat belt replacement - I fitted Securon (www.securon.co.uk) SEC 500/15 belts to both sides a couple of years ago (were £37 each then) They have the advantage of a much shorter centre stalk so the belt fits round your hips rather than stomach and are a straight forward replacement.
I sourced mine from Car Builder Solutions (www.nfauto.co.uk).
[ I'd intended to simply get the replacements, fit them and bill them,
Note the Nissan Terrano/Ford Maverick Mk 1 lights fit perfectly including the back section. I have a set obtained from fleabay (yet to fit properly), but you can see the fit at my website. Using these means you don't need to go to the trouble of removing and refitting the lenses to the back section (and if twit fit are paying then buy new at around £35 each rather than the second hand £5 a pair I paid)
Note the Nissan Terrano/Ford Maverick Mk 1 lights fit perfectly including the back section. I have a set obtained from fleabay (yet to fit properly), but you can see the fit at my website. Using these means you don't need to go to the trouble of removing and refitting the lenses to the back section (and if twit fit are paying then buy new at around £35 each rather than the second hand £5 a pair I paid)
I feel so sorry for you, those gits
The only damage ever done to my S in the 9 years I ave owned it was in a specialists garage last year.
The only place I go for tyres now is natinal Tyres Plymouth, as the Manager is also the Devon region TVRCC organiser.
It took me weeks to get over what they had done, you must of been fuming
If you get stuck for lenses, try TVRCARPARTS as they had a couple of originals in stock that they were going to try & make replicas. They havnt done it, but they may well et rid of the originals now. Worth a phone call
good luck
The only damage ever done to my S in the 9 years I ave owned it was in a specialists garage last year.
The only place I go for tyres now is natinal Tyres Plymouth, as the Manager is also the Devon region TVRCC organiser.
It took me weeks to get over what they had done, you must of been fuming
If you get stuck for lenses, try TVRCARPARTS as they had a couple of originals in stock that they were going to try & make replicas. They havnt done it, but they may well et rid of the originals now. Worth a phone call
good luck
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