Factors To Consider When Buying A Hoverboard

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Hoverboards are fun to ride on and they help you cut traffic. For you to buy the right ones you need to consider a number of factors. These factors include:

Size

This is very important. The right size of hoverboard that you should go for should depend on your preferences. While you can tell the size of the unit by simply looking at, it’s also important to check the diameter of the wheels. As rule of thumb ensure that your unit can easily move you from one place to the other without straining it. If you are a big guy, go for a big hoverboard and vice versa.

Wheel sizes range from 5 inches to 10 inches. Small wheels are easier to control but unfortunately, you can’t use them off-road. If interested in riding your hoverboard on rough terrains, you should go for one with large wheels.

Quality of the battery

As you know, the hoverboard is powered by a battery and the last thing you want is riding your unit for a few minutes and being required to charge it. To enjoy riding in your unit you should go for a unit with a high-quality battery. For a great experience, go for a unit with a battery that is capable of lasting up to 8 hours. I’m sure you have come across explosive batteries. To avoid being injured by an explosive battery you should go for UL approved batteries. Before parting with your money you should check the UL certifications.

Quality of the unit

For your travel vehicle to last for a long time it should be of good quality. Some of the things you should look out for when making the purchase are the material used in making it. As rule of thumb ensure that the unit is made from high-quality materials. To protect the unit from water damage, you should ensure that it has a top-notch waterproof feature. If buying offline, always try on the hoverboard and ensure that it’s comfortable to rid on.

Store where you are buying from

Many people pay a lot of attention to the features of the hoverboard and forget where they are buying it from. To buy a high-quality unit, ensure that you buy from a reputable store. This calls for you to do a lot of research before you make the purchase. If buying online, you should read the reviews of the website and ensure that it’s reputable. To avoid getting scammed you should avoid a new website without an established reputation.

If buying offline, you should ask around about the reputation of the store. You should also visit the store and take a look at the quality of the products that they have in stock. You should avoid a store with poor quality products.

Conclusion

These are the factors that you should consider when buying a hoverboard. As mentioned, you should buy from a reputable store in order to increase your chances of buying a high-quality unit.

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Source by Satvik Mittal

Driver Etiquette – Do’s and Don’ts

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There are certain behavioral norms that we are used to following in regular interactions with other people. All that seems to go out the window when you are on the road. Road rage is far more commonly discussed these days than driver etiquette, but it’s our manners while driving that are most important.

What exactly should we be doing and how should we be acting while on the road? Here are a few guidelines.

DO

o Leave on time. If you’re rushed and racing to get to an appointment or meeting, you’ll be more stressed out and far more likely to ignore proper driver etiquette which could cause some serious problems.

o Let people pull in front of you. It really won’t delay your journey if you let one or two cars get into the line and you’ll save yourself and someone else a lot of frustration.

o Slow down. Going too fast means you could miss a sign or signal and end up in an accident. This isn’t just about etiquette, it’s also about safety.

o Give advance notice. If you’re going to turn, be sure to turn on your signal ahead of time, not just as you are about to make the turn. This lets the vehicles around you react appropriately.

o Dim your headlights. When coming up on another car, keep in mind that your brights can blind the other driver, whether reflecting in his rearview mirror or shining directly into the oncoming car.

o Move to one side when emergency vehicles come through. It might be tempting to race ahead, particularly if your turnoff is coming up, but keep in mind why they are in hurry and pull over.

o Let buses cut in. They are on a schedule and you’ll be able to overtake them at the next stop, which won’t take much time off your commute, but could make a big difference to those who travel public transport.

DON’T

o Expect people to guess what you’re thinking. It’s important to always let them know with signals what you are about to do. Expecting someone to get out of your way because you’re in a hurry is only going to cause problems.

o Tailgate. There is nothing more annoying than someone who just won’t back off, so move back and keep an appropriate distance between cars.

o Talk on the phone while driving. Studies have shown that you simply don’t have the same reflexes when having a conversation on the phone and using just one hand to drive. Instead, invest in a headless phone system or wait until you can pull over.

o Lose your temper. Take deep breaths or even pull over if you need to. Getting angry and giving in to road rage will only cause more trouble than it’s worth.

o Block cyclists and motorbikes. They might be annoying, but it’s not worth causing problems if they are trying to pass you on the shoulder.

o Drive too slowly. If you are going lower than the speed limit, make sure you move to one side so people can pass you. It’s rude to cause a hold up by driving too slowly.

Being polite on the road is just as important as having good table manners. How you act will affect the people around you and driving etiquette will also affect how you go through your day. Being nice to people is proven to make you feel better and boost morale, so it`s a good way to start the day off right, by letting someone move into the line ahead of you during rush hour.

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Source by Amy Nutt

Kaizen Conclusions

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Before we get down to kaizen conclusion it is best if we understand what kaizen is in reality. Kaizen is a Japanese word which means continuous improvement. Like the name suggests, the process of bringing in continuous improvements in the business process is called kaizen. The principles of kaizen are very flexible. Its elements can be easily implemented in several departments such as management, services, marketing, accounts, manufacturing, human resources and engineering. If its elements are implemented with care then it will assist the company in the aim of using its limited resources to the maximum so as to make the most profit with least cost. Wastage elimination is also made possible through kaizen. Kaizen cannot be applied in the organization until and unless employees are properly trained for it. Once the employees are given training on Kaizen and its principles they are able to utilize the best of their capabilities and attain several appealing rewards in return.

Due to flexible nature of kaizen, it can be easily applied in all kinds of organizations regardless of the nature and size. An organization as huge as Toyota can also implement Kaizen and a small home based business such as bakery or parlour can also use kaizen.

Kaizen conclusions are always beneficial; they always make sure the company has started operating on the right track which is giving them the best profit. The kaizen conclusions should not be doubted in any manner because the success rate of kaizen applications has been extremely high. All over the world, there have been companies which have used kaizen principles and profited drastically. The names of some of these companies would be Toyota and Honda the two big names of automotive company and then Fidelty investments, the famous Johnson and Johnson and none other than Canon, the brand with ultimate power. All these companies openly confess that the fame they are enjoying today is only because they applied the principles of kaizen and did not lose faith in it. Having faith in kaizen is highly important because it might sometimes tell you to change the entire structure of your organization but you should realize that it is because of your betterment.

Let’s take example of Canon a Japanese company which utilized kaizen and its principle to transform the entire structure of its organization. They were able to grow their productivity rate by three percent only after six months had passed by since they had implemented kaizen rules and regulations in to their operations. Canon made use of matrix management system to reduce waste and encourage the workforce to work at their best level. With time they started using more and more of kaizen principles and experienced more and more growth. Today they have branches in nearly all corners of the world and they give all the credit to kaizen and its principles.

The companies should realize the importance of kaizen especially if they w ant to reach the international market. They should not hesitate in applying its various rules and regulations. Initially, results might not be so obvious. Also, companies might be troubled with the idea of changing their entire operational structure because of kaizen. However, after some months as companies will start eliminating wastages and reducing expenditures they will appreciate Kaizen and its magical principals.

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Source by Sam Miller

Windshield Wiper Blades – A Look at Popular Brands Such As AutoCraft, Bosch, Kleenview, and More

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When it comes to windshield wipers, some people like to replace the entire blade every now and then in order to maintain optimum performance. No matter what kind of vehicle you drive, durable windshield wiper blades are a must. If they are cheap, they won’t knock away snow, rain, or ice efficiently. This could put you and your passengers at risk.

Many people find that replacing the entire blades rather than refilling the wiper makes things easier. This is because the refill might not match the current blades. It could just be a waste of money if you don’t know exactly what to order.

AutoCraft and Bosch are two of the biggest names in windshield wiper replacements. Their blades are top-sellers. They offer both winter and beam windshield wipers in every size imaginable. The 22-inch winter blade is designed with a tough rubber boot, which locks out ice and snow. Its metal construction gives it durability and strength – even in the coldest wintry conditions. In addition to the 22-inch model, there are also 17-inch, 19-inch, 20-inch, and 24-inch models.

The Bosch OE blade features a brackletless design that provides an efficient wipe. You can expect results that enhance your visibility and safety. It’s a good replacement for most OE wiper blades. The all-steel frame allows for it to remove even the smallest droplets for a perfectly clear view.

Other popular blades that you might want to consider include the Rain X Weatherbeater and Kleenview. The Rain X Weatherbeater blades are available in many different sizes, with the 22-inch being the top seller.

The reason why these blades stand out is due to their lasting durability. They are made out of an innovative steel frame that prevents corrosion. The design allows for embedded friction reduction to ensure a smooth and streak-free wipe. The rubber (natural squeegee) resists tearing and cracking caused by wiper fluid and salt. Overall, the blades meet all OEMs’ standards.

The blades from the Kleenview brand are engineered for superior wrap on curved windshields. The steel frame with which they are made has an aerodynamic design. It provides a good amount of durability. The installation process is easy thanks to the pre-attached universal adapter. The great thing about these blades is that they are compatible with most vehicles, including small cars, large cars, and trucks.

These are among the best windshield wiper blades money can buy. Do a bit of research on each brand and order the one that will best suit your windshield needs.

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Source by George Botwin

How to Deal With Excessive Back Sweating – Simple, Easy Tips to Cover and Reduce Sweating

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No one likes to be the sweaty one in a group where everyone else seems to be perfectly dry. It’s embarrassing to be concerned about your sweat spots and body odor. It’s even worse when you have excessive back sweating never knowing if it’s showing up to others or not.

There are techniques to help deal with back sweating. Some of these mask the sweating while others attempt to reduce overall sweating so that you can be more comfortable.

Get breathable clothing. Clothing can sometimes cause or make the situation worse. Find clothing that is breathable and reduces sweat. Lighter clothes will tend to feel cooler but show more sweat while darker clothes are warmer but can mask sweat. It might be advisable to look into synthetic undershirts made for runners as they are designed to wick away sweat and dry faster.

Use antiperspirant on your back. Antiperspirant can be used on other parts of the body. The same concepts there for your back sweating problem. The only issue with this is that it’s harder to apply all by yourself.

Get a beaded seat cover in your car. One of the big sources of back sweat stains happens when you are driving in your vehicle. The beaded seat cover, although not as comfortable, lets your back have a bit more air helping to reduce the sweat stains. It’s a good technique to avoid showing up already sweaty.

Try body powders to dry out the skin. Body powders are made for the hands, armpits, and feet to dry out sweat. These can also be used on the back to help prevent sweating.

Use natural solutions to sweat control like vinegar or limes. One technique for sweat is to apply limes or use vinegar, normally malt or white, to the problem area when it’s completely dry. Then let the limes or vinegar dry out completely. It’s best to do this at night before bed as these can cause staining to clothing.

Reduce the body’s overall sweating. There are a variety of factors that lead the body to sweat. When sweating your problem area like your back will show the most. Reducing the body’s overall sweat will keep your back much more dry. Things like drinking plenty of water, a healthier diet, and exercise do actually assist in making the body more efficient with cooling itself and regulating body temperature. You will also reduce body mass which in excess heats up the body.

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Source by Herb Leibacher

The Difference Between Monoblock Wheels and 3 Piece Forged Wheels

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In the wheel industry monoblock and 3 piece are two of the most popular types of forged wheels. The terms “monoblock” and “3 piece” refer to the construction of the wheel, but the similarities end there. In fact, there are many differences between the two types that make each ideal for different kinds of automotive applications.

Monoblock wheelsare also referred to as “one-piece” wheels, meaning that they are forged into a single part without any removable components. During the manufacturing process a monoblock wheel begins as a single, round block of 6061-T1 aluminum alloy. The aluminum block is compressed and subjected to intense heat which creates a dense grain structure and forms a round, blank piece of metal. The single piece of aluminum alloy is then flow-formed and placed in a CNC milling machine where the spokes are formed to finish the manufacturing process.

Being that monoblocks are made from a single piece of aluminum alloy, they are the lightest of forged wheels. Their low weight is sought after as they help to reduce unsprung mass which can reduce acceleration times, enhance braking, and improve handling. Monoblock wheels are often less expensive than their 2- or 3-piece forged counterparts, as fewer parts are used for construction. However, if a monoblock wheel is damaged or bent they are difficult to repair, often requiring a complete wheel replacement.

3 piece forged wheels offer different advantages over monoblocks, mostly from a styling standpoint. A 3 piece wheel has three main parts: a center, the outer hoop or “lip”, and the inner hoop. The manufacturing process of 3 piece wheels is similar to that of a monoblock, except more aluminum alloy blocks are used due to the increased number of parts. After all of the pieces are milled, they are fastened together using a number of perimeter bolts and sealed using Silicone RTV.

The construction of 3 piece forged wheels allows manufacturers the ability to offer a wider range of widths and fitments for customers. 3 piece wheels are also the most customizable as any of the components can be easily painted or chromed to create a unique color scheme. If they sustain any damage it can be readily replaced. In addition, 3 piece forged wheels retain the highest resale value amongst used wheels. 3 piece wheels are not without their disadvantages. They are the most expensive forged wheels because of their multi-piece manufacturing, and if the RTV Silicone seal is broken, leaks can form.

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Source by Braxton Herring

Types of Automotive Lifts

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Here are the different types, available from garage equipment supply dealers:

In-Ground

This type of vehicle lift is assembled below the garage floor. It consists of one or more pistons, depending on the maximum weight capacity. Lifts with one or two pistons are used for compact, mid-sized and full-sized cars. Lifts with three or more pistons are used for larger vehicles, such as buses and RV’s.

Two Post Surface Mounted

The most common vehicle lift utilized today is called a Two Post Surface Mounted lift. On each column, there are lift arms. These are controlled mechanically, electronically or hydraulically.

Multi-Post Runway Automotive Lift

The most common type is the four-post mounted lift, which is extensively used by oil change, transmission, and muffler service shops. You’ll find this type of auto lift in wheel alignment service stations as well. The car is driven onto the two runways and raised, exposing its underside.

Low/Mid Rise Frame Engaging Lift

This type of vehicle lift engages the vehicle’s frame in lifting. There are two ways this type may operate. One way is scissors-style, moving straight up. Another is parallelogram-style, moving forward or backward, while raising or lowering. This type is commonly used for brake, tire, and wheel services as well as auto body repair.

Drive-On Parallelogram

The Drive-On Parallelogram is a surface-mounted vehicle lift. It has two runways where the wheels of the car should be placed. It has a lifting mechanism that moves the vehicle a short distance forward or backward while raising or lowering. The direction depends on the way the lift is mounted.

Scissor Lifts

The Scissor Lift can either be of a fixed pad type or a roll-on frame/underbody engaging type. It has a lifting mechanism that’s similar to the parallelogram lift. Their main difference is that the scissors lift goes up and down on a straight vertical path.

Movable-Type Wheel Engaging Lift

This type of vehicle lift is used for vehicles that are longer than conventional cars, such as buses and trucks. It consists of several lifting columns in sets of two, four, six, or more. The columns can be moved and connected with the other columns so that their movements are synchronized.

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Source by Anna M. Barlow

Tarps Used For Pond Liners

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A pond in the backyard is a great way to make the landscape beautiful. Ponds are gorgeous with exotic fish and aquatic life, but they do require maintenance and care. The best type of care for this type of structure is a proper pond liner. The most used and least expensive type of liner is a tarp that is heavy duty and strong enough to keep the pond life safe. These tarps are flexible, waterproof, UV protected and tear resistant. They are essential for maintaining the structure of a pond.

How to Purchase a Tarp for a Pond

The first thing to consider is what type of climate do you live in warm or cold. What is the location of the pod is it in the direct sunlight or the shade and the cost and quality requirements. The best type of liner to use is one that is flexible and adjustable. There are PVC, Butyl, and Ethylene liners that are used as pond liners. These liners come in several earth tones to match their background, they are inexpensive and they last for years. There are also performed liners that are built to the specific size and shape of the pond. Also there are concrete liners which are made from cement, sand, gravel and water. These concrete liners have to be put in by professional installation to ensure the quality and longevity of the structure.

Other Uses for Heavy Duty Liners

Heavy Duty tarp liners are used for camping, cars, trailers, boats etc. These tarps are light weight, easy to handle, flexible, waterproof and tear resistant which is excellent for these heavy structures. They are also mildew resistant and have a required thickness to reduce wear and tear. Roof and rack covers are great for temporarily repairing a leaky roof it helps to prevent major damage and keeps the integrity of the roof intact. The improper use of cheap coverage on a leak can lead to mold and eventually destruction. The best types of tarp to use on these structures are heavy duty and silver tarp.

Conclusion

Heavy duty tarp is an excellent multi purpose, poly liner that can be used to cover many things from ponds, to campers to vehicles and boats. It is an inexpensive way to make repairs and protect major structures, by keeping them secure and away from the elements. When selecting a tarp or liner to cover a particular structure it is best to know what type of tarp you need by analyzing the area and weighing the options that are best suited for the situation.

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Source by Robert Page

Where Can I Drive My Go Kart? Seems Illegal in Most Places

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Most people get glassy eyed when they see a go kart (people who love go karts that is) and tend to forget about where in the world they are going to drive their go-cart.

Sometimes the images in your mind go to race tracks and passing Ferraris, but “Really now! Are you going to be driving this thing on a race track?”

I received this email from a reader about go karts (and sadly it is a common question)

Hi, I got stopped by a police officer for operating my go kart on the sidewalk, and he said I could be charged with: Operating a vehicle without being licensed, driving to endanger, driving a non-certified vehicle, and told me I had to be over 18 to operate any gas powered anything. I understand now that I can’t drive a go kart anywhere pretty much but where should I go?

Because the question “Where Am I Going To Ride This Go Kart?” was not asked at the outset, now you have a very depressed individual, considering getting rid of the gokart all together.

One issue is about “Where” the other about “Age.”

I am not legal authority, but I can tell you some basics: Un=Liscensed motorized vehicles cannot drive on roads.

About the age, that varies from state to state.

You need to look into your state statutes and codes to get verification on legal data. Consult a local attorney for that informaton…

But that aside, it is a good idea to know where you will be driving this go kart.

In your driveway?

On your uncles farm?

(Obviously not on the street because that is against the law)

In cornfields?

In your yard?

Do you have a big enough yard to ride a go kart?

Are their laws against go karts in your neighborhood?

Have you permission to ride it in the parking lot across the street?

Riding a go kart involve more than just you on a gokart.

It affects people around you in the following ways:

– A go kart is a driving projectile.

– A “unknown talent” is setting its course.

– The coarse is not set, but can change from moment to moment.

In short a go kart coupled with a driver is like running with the bulls in Spain.

Those around the go kart have no clue as to whether it is going to strike them or not.

So before you get upset that you cannot drive it “anywhere” realize that people around you have to take on a burden. A burden of concern and care. Will they, or you get hurt?

There are Legalities

Additionally, the Go Kart is not legal on the roads for various reasons, primarily because of its low profile (people can’t see you) and its lack of many other essential road handling and accident preventitive components.

This set of questions is probably the most difficult to acknowledge, because there are so many obstacles. And I don’t mean trees and cars, I mean regulations about motor vehicles. You cannot just blast down the road with your go kart. Sounds like a fun idea, but in reality it is dangerous and against the law.

If you end up buying this go kart, or even making it, you may end up with a very depressing set of conclusions:

I can’t ride it anywhere!

And even if I could, I can’t put it in the car to get it where I want to ride (its too big)!

So ask the question first. Get an answer.

The answer maybe as simple as networking with some people to find a place to ride: ie your uncles farm! (but there is even more than just your uncle at stake there too… remember there are 10 questions, not six)

There are various go karting clubs out there and you can join them. You do not have to be a go kart racer to join these clubs, it is just place where you can enjoy the go kart. Be sure to get in contact with them in your area before investing in the go kart and all that goes with it (ie helmuts, gloves, suits, etc..)

And finally, I did some digging of my own on riding gokarts on trails. There are usually stipulations on what type of go kart you can ride on a trail. For example in the state I live in, the trails require that the go kart have suspension and a full roll cage by a reputable manufacturer. You will also need to get a permit. The age of the drivers is also limited.

So look into ATV trails and see what you come up with.

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Source by Robert Gamble

Improving the Ground Clearance on an Austin Healey 3000

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I bought our Austin Healey at the end of 2005 to add to our classic car fleet. I have owned (and still own) a number of classic cars including an Austin Healey Sprite but this was our first foray into Big Healey ownership.

They are very robust cars based on a strong steel chassis with a fairly lightweight body, 3 litre engine with four speed gearbox with overdrive. They were raced and rallied to great effect in the 1950s and 1960s and one of the contributors to this success was their roadholding. The cars have fairly basic suspension based on a rigid axle and a pair of cart springs with lever arm dampers giving it a firm ride with very little body roll and are fairly low to the ground. Herein lay my problem.

Ever since I bought the car the exhaust pipe, which runs under the rear chassis rails and the rear axle, drags on the gravel as I drive from our house onto the road. The exhaust also catches on the ever increasing number of speed bumps that seem to be reproducing almost of their own accord. On one occasion while our Healey was out on hire, the customer obviously hit something fairly low and broke one of the exhaust brackets. The car came back from the hire with the exhaust held onto the rear bumper by a twisted wire coat hanger.

After replacing the damaged bracket I checked with a local Austin Healey specialist to see if there was a way or raising the ride height. His answer was no, but if we wanted to race the Healey he could lower it for us. Not really helpful. I continued to soldier on assuming there was nothing I could do and this was just a feature of the car.

Then when we were on this year’s MSA Euroclassic touring Spain and France in our E-Type Roadster I spoke to one of the Austin Healey drivers on the run and explained my problem. He said that his local specialist had actually managed to raise his Healey, rather than lower it, so it appeared it was possible, although he wasn’t sure exactly what had been done. Unfortunately the company he used was some way from me so not very convenient. On one of my trips to AH Spares I mentioned my dilemma, armed with the knowledge that a fix was possible. He said that the problem was probably just old, soggy springs and that replacing them with a new set should return the ride height to normal. The cost of these wasn’t excessive and fitting them within my technical capabilities.

Four weeks ago I collected a pair of new springs and a complete set of fixings, U bolts, bump stops etc. Over the subsequent weekends I removed the old springs and fitted the new ones. While under the car I noticed one other small problem which may have been a contributing factor. The rubber bump stops bolt onto the top of the axle and as the suspension moves the bump stops hits metal boxes bolted to the underside of the wheel arches. Sounds fine in principle but the metal box is hollow and over the years, both of them appeared to have taken a bit of a pounding and the bottom of the boxes had bent upwards, by at least 1 cm.

I unbolted the boxes and hammered them back to the right shape. There was some rust in the bottom of the boxes which had probably contributed to them weakening over the years. Clearly a design flaw, there were no holes in them for rain water to drain away, so no wonder they rusted, but as they now had rust holes there was no need to drill holes to correct the omission. I assumed that the weakened boxes would again bend over time so packed them with pieces of wood cut to the right size. This should be firm enough to stop the boxes being crushed again, while soft enough to absorb some of the shock of being bit by the bump stop.

Assembly complete, I told the car out on a road test. It passed the very first ‘gravel test’ as it didn’t drag on the gravel when leaving the drive. Road holding felt fine, no obvious change and no bottoming out on rough roads. I am sure the exhaust will still catch on speed humps and there is nothing I can do about that.

On the return to my garage I measured the ride height to see how much difference it had made. The car now stands a full 4 cm higher than before. So a couple of hundred pounds and a few days work and my problem of four years standing is now fixed.

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Source by Tony Merrygold