.jpg "The AA get a chance to take a car from Bookham to Stroud")
Outside my house
Thursday
Thursday evening saw me leave Maidenhead and in the car park I felt the clutch pedal go soft. Kerbed one of my new alloys too. Bu&&er.
Sure enough no gear changes possible. I had to get home. But this meant negotiating the M4, M25 and a load of B roads with no clutch.
The entry to the M4 was fine. No queues but I was in 2nd gear so 45mph was hard work. Lorries overtaking and much flashing and swearing. Cant people see that a Porsche in the inside lane at 45 is in trouble.
M4 to M25 could have been a disaster but was empty so I had made it to the M25.
Queues ahead
The sign didnt look good. One stop and Im sunk. I see the queues in the distance and head for the hard shoulder with my hazards on. 25mph. Still people are beeping me thinking Im just trying to overtake. I love the forgiving and tolerant nature of the british motorist.
Oh no. Hard Shoulder ends for bridges in this section of the M25. What now.
Well I indicate and pull out for the bridge then pull back in.
Junction 10 looms. I know the lights phasing so I think I can get right round the roundabout to the A3 but only on a perfect perfect approach. Everyone is overtaking me on the long slip road and flashing and honking. I arrive just perfectly for the green and power through. Ive made it to the A3 without stopping.
The leafy lanes are OK apart from a nasty cross roads and The gate is open so I slot the car into the drive and switch it off.
I cant believe I did that journey in 2nd gear in the rush hour!
Friday
.jpg "The AA get a chance to take a car from Bookham to Stroud")
Outside my house
The AA procedure is almost identical to the RAC when dealing with a 928
- THEY: Arrive in a van after an hour
- THEY: Say "Its a 928 - thats a big one" or similar
- THEY: Open Bonnet and say "not a lot of room is there"
- THEY: Stare at engine for a few minutes
- THEY: Say "I think it needs to be recovered "
- YOU : Say "Paul Anderson in Stroud"
- THEY: Say OK
- YOU : Wait 1 hour more for the low loader to arrive.
Outside my house
The diagnosis is a failed clutch slave cylinder. Could have been much worse I suppose.
As I was writing the cheque Paul Anderson said "Not much left in that clutch either Im afraid"
But he didnt make me replace it yet - thats not the 928spares way! the bill was 148.40 - clutch slave cylinder, fluid, and labour.
At last a low bill!
In the nicest way Paul I hope not to see you for a while!
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