alanb007

I agree with previous posts. I got stopped on the M5 while being a tad naughty. I was totally suprised when he just asked me to watch my speed in future and walked back to his car. I gave him no grief and no crap - and got no ticket. Courtesy costs nothing - being a prat can cost a lot! For those sensible Police Officers out there - thankyou

Each to their own, but in my view, if you are on the road, it's a Police magnet! Yuk!

I agree. When he came over to me and asked for my licence, I was totally compliant and did bleat or whinge or give him a hard time. I was ready to take it on the chin. I wonder if he did a licence check before he pulled me over as I had (still have) a clean licence? Whatever the situation, he was definitely one of the better ones Alanb

Guys, thanks for the comments. I am sitting at home having a Crown Lager knowing how lucky I was. When I passed a few cars, I must have got to 130, but only for a short while. I was sure I was toast when I was pulled over. I have to admit that today I was a wimp and stuck to the speed limit wherever I went. I could never live it down (with the family) if I had a lucky escape, ignored the warning and then bought a ticket to the Policemans Ball! Alanb

I was driving out West along the M5 last night and was pulled over by the Police. I had going along at about 120kph with a bit of a squirt to get pas some traffic. I had been checking my mirror and noticed a car was keeping up with me, so I started to slow down. 5 seconds later the flashing lights started. I pulled over and waited for the bad news. The Highway Patrol guy told me that everything was being recorded, both video and audio and then told me how long he had been following me and also gave me what speed I had got up to. He took my licence and then looked in the car to see I had my family with me. He then said "drive carefully, stick to the speed limit and look after your family" He then walked back to the patrol car. No ticket, no fine, just a friendly bollocking. So, dude, thankyou for how you treated me! I did not expect it and probably did not deserve it, but greatly appreciated nonetheless. All Police are not the same, which was proven for me last night. He may be an member of this site and if so - dude, I owe you a beer! Thanks!!

I have just had the 75,000 km service as well. Mine came to just over $1100 dollars, but this included new rotors for the Premium brakes (obviously pads as well) By the time I got to to this distance, the rotors were really worn down, I thought the pads were supposed to wear out before the rotors??? I know that I could have sourced and fitted the parts more cheaply by doing the work myself, but I don't have much time at the minute, so I paid the money. I am not complaining as I know what Ford charge, but just giving my experience of 75,000 km service For your bill, I would expect to see some major bits getting replaced Hope this helps

Well, got a call from Woolworths today and they will make sure I don't pay any excess, which is good news. So those fellow members that suggested I should not be out of pocket are quite correct - onya boys! So, now I am just waiting to get the car back. Should be ready by Friday. Can't wait to get back in it and have a cruise. I guess I had better be carefull with double demerits this long weekend. Alanb

Thanks for the thoughts guys. The grate did not hit the sump. If you look at the photograph, you will see "splash marks" where the sump bottomed out on the concrete. Also, with other pictures I took, there is no oil on the grate (which I would expect with the hole being so big) Only the drivers side wheel went into the channel. I have added a photograph from under the car when it was at the smash repairers waiting for the assessors to check it out. You will see that the hole in the sump matches where the splash marks are. Also, I had a look at the sump at Ford. The hole only tells part of the story, there are also some serious cracks in the area. So, in my view, its consistent with hitting the concrete, not the grate. I should get ti back this week - I miss the power! alanb

Nope, she is absolutely bog standard. I would hate to think what would have happened if it was lower!

The title says it all. As you will see from the piccie, the grate at the exit from the Servo was not in place correctly. The first thing I knew about it was when the car dropped and then a God awfull noise. I reversed back and then saw the oil, so I switched the engine off quick smart! All of the oil was on the driveway in a matter of seconds! Now its with the insurance company - $500 excess to kick the claim off and they tell me that there is very little chance of getting anything out of the Servo. To say I am unimpressed is an understatement. Alanb007

210 kph on the main straight at Eastern Creek on a track day. It was good fun as I did not have to look out for boys in blue! The limitation was the driver, not the car!

Each to their own, but I could not justify thousands of dollars for the genuine GPS system. (plus SWMBO would make sure it never happened!) I use the windscreen adapter (a decent one) and my IPAQ PPC with TomTom I needed the PPC for work, so I had one anyway. $30 for the windscreen adapter I then trawled the net for the "evaluation" version of TomTom with the latest Australia maps. ie it added up to a hell of a lot less than factory fitted and also, no hassles of using it in any vehicle I even built a small circuit for the PPC to play its voice commands through the sound system ie it cuts the radio off when it gives direction. Really happy considering what it cost me Good luck if you go the expensive option, I am sure it will look better than my setup Alanb

You should have used a Brillo pad on the Expensive Daewoo when he wasn't looking!! alanb

Sorry dude, that's barf material for an Aussie Ford (You did ask for opinions!) alanb

I use Jobsons on Taren Point Road, just over Captain Cooks Bridge in the Sutherland Shire. They sorted my T out (as well as my Mazda and Falcon) Worth a go

The clutch on my T has been suffering the same "deadness" to it. Talked to the Ford dudes this morning as I dropped it in for the 45,000 service. They advise they need the car for 2 days as the clutch is "too heavy" and they will sort it out. (under warranty) I have always treated the clutch carefully, so I know it nothing I have done. Can only be the pressure plate I have to say that Dominelli Ford have been good with any issues I have had with the car. Today they replaced the drivers door solenoid and the shroud around the gear lever. No grizzles or complaints, they just got on with the job. So, not good to have the problem, but at least I don't go through grief with the dealer. Alanb

Driving around the burbs I get around 440 to 460km's per tank, but with 80km left on distance to empty. I did a Sydney to Canberra run last week where I stuck to the speed limit (too many cops out) Got around 580km on the tank, with a few litres left in the tank. So, seems similar to other experiences in this thread. Alanb

Although I like the standard spoiler, the bobtail does look kinda cool. I have to say the double exhaust makes the bigger difference though! Well done, looks magic Alanb

Same problem with mine. Ford changed the pads just before 15,000km with the "new" type of pad. The squeal went away for about 5,000km and has been with me since. I have now got up to 42,000km and I have given up bothering about it. As mentioned earlier in the thread, its only there under light braking and goes away with heavy application of the brakes. So, for some fun, I now deliberately make them squeal when I see someone waiting at the lights with their window open. ha ha ha ha Evil I know, but if I can't get rid of it, I might as well share it! Alanb

My Mark 1 T had a squeek in the rear suspension. It took them 3 goes to get it right. Thankfully it has not came back after another 20,000km of driving. They greaed the bushes etc but I believe on their last attempt they removed the spring and worked their magic. (I assume they removed any edges and then greased the whole lot) Keep taking it back, they will get it right in the end! Alan

Ah well, back to the top. I haven't laughed so much in ages! I have a suspicion that this thread is going to run for some time

You may not have the same problem I do, but have a look under the car at the rear of the gearbox. Look around the first flange on the prop shaft and see if there are any traces of oil. My gearbox leaks a bit at the oil seal and the oil throws up onto the exhaust. You might some staining on the exhaust. So, a definite oil smell. Ford have tried to fix it once but need to have another go at the 30,000 service. Good luck finding your problem Alanb

Go for the Premium brakes, you will not regret it! If you are going to give the T a good squirt, then believe me, they are worth it. I agonised when making making my choice, but have not regretted it since! Alanb

When I picked my T up, the engine wouldn't idle. I fell for the bullsh*t which went along the lines of "don't worry mate, after about 300k, she'll be right" The real fix was to replace one of the components in the overhead cam assembly. So it ran like crap for 2 days until I could get it back to Ford. So, make sure she purrs like a kitten before driving away! Good luck Alanb