transporting the beast?

[mickey]

gawd, it had to happen didn't it? put yer belt on, then turn the key..only its stuck, so you give it a wiggle..still nothing..ok, out ya jump, still smiling, grab the wheel and give it a shove..hmmn, it still doesn't move..ok, running out of ideas here. mild concearn turns to panic..reach for the WD40..half a can later, and getting rather jaded with the incesant beeping noise due to having your foot on the floor whilst rocking the rig in all directions..spare key? yep, try that..no movement..now you are hastilly ripping off panels..this is just daft, its only a turn of a key!

then it gets worst..a flambouyant rock too far and a resounding cluck suggests the steering lock has just engaged..arrggg..now your fingers are starting to bleed, those keys are sharp..put the auto selecter in nuetral, rock it some more, back to park..nope, it ain't happening..

situation..one stuck surf..a call to Tony is kinda reassuring as its evident this dilema isn't exactly unique and a helpfull rundown is soon being offered, toned down to managable levels, given my desperate assurances that mechanical things tend to escape me..

the next port of call is the toyota dealership not twelve miles distant..frankly, i brace myself for a grey import lecture, but not only are the good folk at kings lynn friendly, they are enthusiastically helpfull and sympathetic to my plea..i'm provisionally booked in on tuesday..

so far so good...but...an automatic gearbox, four wheel drive with a jammed steering lock? please help me guys, like i know you will...how do i get it to kings lynn?

[BUSHWHACKER]

You've lost me. What exactly is the problem?

[mickey]

sorry bushwhacker, just my lack of clarity again...ok, first concearn, getting a tow without damaging anything..the problem being, the ignition barrel is jammed up, and Toyota kings lynn are hoping to address the issue with a replacement component..i think? its the getting the surf from A to B thats giving me concearns..as stated, the steering lock is on, the rig is nose first in a tight drive and i'd hate for someone to rip me gearbox to shreds dragging her to hospital..

[BUSHWHACKER]

If it's gonna be towed, then the front wheels will obviously need to be off the ground.
To save your transmission from damage, remove the propshaft, but paint or Tipex some datum marks on the mating surfaces at both ends, so that it goes back on in the same place and is still balanced.

[Vagrant No2]

I have released a few locked up ignitions before . If you remove the trim from the column and you should see the ign swith on the back of the ign barrel . This is normally held to the barrell by 2 grub screws or sometimes clipped on . Remove the ign switch and there should be the rod poking out the barrell where it locks into the switch .
Now put the key in ignition and push the rod up into the barrell and wiggle the key , all at the same time . It is tricky but this has always released the lock for me in the past .
Try this , you have nothing to loose but 1/2 hr .

[BUSHWHACKER]

Try this , you have nothing to loose but 1/2 hr .

and possibly one or two of the screws from the shroud.

[mickeyboy]

Join the RAC, then call them on the morning the motor needs to go there. Tell them you don't want your baby taking home, you want it taking to the dealership!!!

[MattF]

Best choice if you do end up transporting it is on a flatbed.

[mickey]

thanks for the advice so far, as always, its much appreciated..taking the propshaft out was giving me a little concearn, not being the most practical of fellas, but, i'm kinda getting around to liking the idea of walking around the front garden with a lump of metal over my shoulder, sunglasses, cigar and covered in oil..i'm thinking that might look kinda impressive..seriously though, that kind of tip was just what i was hoping for, makes sense, ever to me and will save a lot grief, being pre-warned so to speak..


vagrant's advise was similar to tony's..what was discussed however, was the difficulty in removing the steering lock, and it was pointed out that my model has the ignition on the dash, as opposed to the steering column..does your advise still hold vagrant, if so, its an option i'll explore, given that having the vehicle towed away is a potentially embarrasing option..


regarding the RAC..well, i am an existing member of the 5th emergency service..ok, before you all roll your eyes and mutter "why didn't you mention that before"? i didn't think it covered recovery within five miles of home..on closer inspection, it would now appear that i've been given a complimentary "home start" due to long term membership...i've yet to scan the smallprint, but fingers crossed, this option includes recovery to somewhere other than home if the mechanic cannot get the vehicle started?

that being the situation, then armed with the advise already given, maybe i can specify a flatbed transporter, although on giving the details, ie automatic, selectable four wheel drive etc, i guess they'll work that one out for themselves..

thanks again..

[dirtydog]

when they see the surf they will automatically get a flatbed in (besides they look quite nice on the back)

if you have homestart like I did (dodgy fuel and couldnt drive) - i called up and asked to be taken to the garage and they did. job done.

good luck!

[mickeyboy]

that being the situation, then armed with the advise already given, maybe i can specify a flatbed transporter, although on giving the details, ie automatic, selectable four wheel drive etc, i guess they'll work that one out for themselves..

when they see the surf they will automatically get a flatbed in

When my starter packed up the guy from the RAC wanted to tow it 20 miles back home!
Never assume that they know what they're doing, tell them on the phone that it'll need a flatbed, it'll save you a bit of time.

[dirtydog]

'xept i was with AA... no harm telling though

[Linda]

Never assume that they know what they're doing, tell them on the phone that it'll need a flatbed, it'll save you a bit of time.

We tried that when a wheel bearing went - they still sent a little man in a van to check we wern't lying!! He didn't even bother to get out the car - just radioed them and said "I can't fix this you need to send a truck!"

Then we waited the required 6 hours for the truck... and then the driver tried to bully us into tipping him!!

That was AA.

But on the flip side when Tony called them last they were spot on and fast too

[mickey]

right..the call has been made..deciding that maybe stripping down the dashboard might not be a good idea, given my lack of mechanical prowess, i decided to entrust my beast to the pros..

the conversation with the wee young lass from the AA was painless enough, even though the outcome wasn't quite as anticipated..explaining that the vehicle was provisionally booked into the toyota dealership on tuesday on the assumption a barrel stuck so fast, would need replacing, the girl merely advised i call back an hour before i required the recovery.."erm, okay..so you don't need to send anyone round to check first then"? says me.."no, just ring us on tuesday, and we'll get your vehicle transported to kings lynn sir".."okay, good...erm, its an automatic, and four wheel drive, you'll need a flatbed" announces i, confidently..the sound of fingers typing resounds through the telephone earpiece with an accompanying "the member will require a flatbed lift...okay sir, thats all done for you, now just call again on tuesday about an hour before you need the recovery"

so..i need to work on tuesday..pick up at 8am..if i phone at 6am, then theoretically a very nice man will arrive at 7, ish in a shiny yellow flatbed and a cheery demenour..the neighbours might not yet be up to witness the indignity of it all..can't see the job getting done same day, as i've already been advised the relevant bits will need ordering in..but at least its getting sorted..

when i'm back on the road, i'll be able to address an ongoing radiator issue, but thats another story..i'll advise on service, AA and toyota and cost, as and when...ta for the input..its comforting to be in such knowledgeable company..

[Gizmo]

We tried that when a wheel bearing went - they still sent a little man in a van to check we wern't lying!! He didn't even bother to get out the car - just radioed them and said "I can't fix this you need to send a truck!"

Then we waited the required 6 hours for the truck... and then the driver tried to bully us into tipping him!!

That was AA.

But on the flip side when Tony called them last they were spot on and fast too

Sounds all too familiar...had a petrol car b4 and the car cut out on me just as I shoved it in reverse for my driveway. Called out the AA...when the guy turned up and started taking of the plastic shield he started talking about diesels....I retorted but its petrol!.......couldn't get the motor started so got brother-in-law to tow me with their Isuzu to the garage....ECU had a loose wire so no chance of starting without sorting this.