I bought a Haynes manual for my Nissan Almera direct from Haynes.
I was not impressed with the quality of the paper when I first looked at it, but after using it outside and getting caught in the rain I have decided it was printed on blotting paper.
Car workshop manuals, like cookery books, should be printed on non-absorbent paper. I have emailed Haynes with similar comments and am waiting for a reply.
Anyone else noticed it?
-- Chris Melluish
non-absorbent
What that haynes:
Wonder who will be the models for the sex life book! bet they are two ugly old gits
Martin
It brings a whole new meaning to the warning, "If you're working underneath, either work with a friend or tell someone so they can check up on you periodically..."
Hi Tim, could you tell me how you would go about getting hold of these? TIA Guy
"Chris Melluish" mumbled:
Too busy wondering where the content went to worry too much about the descending paper quality.
I got both of mine from eBay, but have seen them elsewhere (owners clubs etc). I would not like to ask how legal they are!
Bought the same manual from Halfords last week - had to order it but saved on the P&P. I agree about the poor quality of the paper, but Haynes now have a solution to the problem - they're selling a clear plastic cover for about £1.50! Hard luck if you need to turn the page with greasy hands. You could always scan the relevant pages and keep the book clean.
Terry D.
Most supermarkets will sell you 24 for that price - in a nice conveneient roll :-)
Haynes manuals are so useless no-one ever takes them outside after a quick glance at them on Xmas morning...
looked
The content has always been rubbish so why not use rubbish paper too? Those old haynes manuals might at last have a use: emergency toilet paper.
It has always been my intention to one day force someone from haynes to publicly admit all the faults in their manuals. But life is too short.
MrCheerful
Rebuilding a diff ie new crown wheel and pinion or changing the bearings etc has always been a very specialist job with special tools etc needed.
You'd be amazed how utterly clueless some people that work on their own cars actually are.
But you don't end up with a book full of useful notes....
non-absorbent
Yep, bought a Ka manual a while back. Had a look at the new version of the manual and it looks broadly the same but on the sort of paper you'd normally print a bible or unix manual on.
I have done 3 lsd units in the last 15 months and its the first time in 20 years of diy motoring. I used engineers blue and a dial indicator to get the backlash right. But as long as haynes stop publishing this info because its beyond our capabilities how can we have a go at sorting something thats broken and may need to be replaced with an exchange one anyway. If its broke you cant make it more broke by having a go.
"Gary Millar" mumbled:
Really? I can usually manage if I try.
I reckon that Haynes lifted this sort of information right out of the maker's manuals - I really can't see them working it out themselves by dismantling as they do with the simpler things. And since most makers have ceased to make their manuals available, Haynes have had to drop this sort of thing.
IMHO, it's not that common a job to have to re-build a RWD final drive from scratch, though. I've once contemplated it when I wanted to change to a non standard ratio, but in the end didn't bother.
I bought one for a 3 series bmw - same instructions for every job, "Take it to a dealer.....". In contrast, the one for my motorbike is actually helpful and suggests how to fabricate alternatives to the factory special tools. Did they used to have proper engineering drawings in ( years ago ) or is my memory kidding me ?
Steve
Try the Bentley manual. American, which means LHD & a few subtle differences, and expensive but your get your money's worth of pages. I've been happy with my copy.
I've got one - yes, very expensive, I've used it for :
- changing discs/pads
- changing clutch
- changing throttle cable
Unfortunately they're not as good as they could be :
- it doesnt tell you how to make the disc pad warning light go out
- it doesnt tell you that the starter motor will fall off when you remove the gearbox and there is no drawing to help you reassemble it " by braille". They also dont mention the totally invisible dowel at the top of the gearbox - a drawing would sort all of this out.
- no drawing of the inaccessible throttle cable ends
I've emailed Mr. Burke at Bentley with my suggestions :-)
Steve
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