Michael McAleer answers your queries
From Gerry Molyneaux:
I purchased a Nissan Navarra 2.5 TD in February. It's actually a pick-up with rear seats and I'm very happy with it overall, except that I find the suspension too hard. I use it exclusively as a passenger vehicle and have no intention of taking it off-road.
I telephoned my dealer enquiring if the suspension could be softened in any way but was only told to let the air out of the tyres. I'm wondering if there is anyone who knows how to fix this problem?
First off, we must caution against unduly letting air out of your tyre unless it's okay to do so according to the pressure guide of the tyres. Another perhaps safer option would be to look for softer tyres, which are available for such a vehicle.
As for changing the suspension, we contacted Nissan who said: "The Navarra is designed to be a versatile off road, load carrying Pickup and as such should not be expected to compare to a passenger car, especially when the load bay capabilities are not being utilised.
"The suspension system on the Navarra model is designed to operate in conjunction with the other drive line systems. As these systems are specified to operate together to achieve these requirements, it's not possible to change the suspension without compromising the overall vehicle performance."
Of more relevance to you than performance would be the fact that it would also "compromise" your warranty under the eyes of Nissan. There are various garages that will carry out the work for you, but it may come at the price of your warranty. It's a difficult call, but considering the tax saving you made when you bought the pick-up, perhaps a harsher ride is the price to pay.
From: Deirdre Ní Chuanacháin
I would like to ask Bob Montgomery about the origins of the sidecar.
A few weeks ago I saw one parked outside a petrol station in Argostoli, Kefalonia.
It was completely black in colour and it had a date of 1938 on it, it could have been used by the Germans or the Italians on the Island during the second World War. The garage itself was in the old-style, like one of those petrol stations you see in a Hooper painting.
According to Bob: "The earliest known sidecar type passenger carrier for fitting to a two-wheeled vehicle was produced by an unknown maker for a pedal cycle in 1893. Sidecars for motorcycles began to appear after 1900 and one of the earliest combinations was the Montgomery in 1902. These early motorcycle sidecars were all of wicker construction and were very much in the style of Bath chairs used for carrying invalids, mounted on a lightweight chassis with a large wheel.
"When they first appeared they were referred to as 'ladies' attachments."
From John Larkin:
In your HelpDesk column on Wednesday (October 29th) Mr Ray Tolan of Co Meath asked if he needed to change the registration plates on his 1990 car so that he can pass the NCT, and you said that he does need to.
I'm sure that you will be pleased to give him the good news that he does not need to.
The EU star and "IRL" on a blue background as well as the local authority name in Irish were added to registration plates by regulations introduced in 1990, which came into effect on January 1st, 1991. Cars registered between the January 1st 1987 and the December 31st 1990 do not need to show these additional details.
Mr Tolan does not need new plates for this reason. However, his daughter's registration plates do need to show "An Mhi" to pass the NCT.
Thanks for the correction. Our mistake. Should have paid more attention to the NCT manual. Good news for Mr Tolan.
Send your queries to:
Motors Help Desk, The Irish Times, Fleet Street, Dublin 2
or e-mail them to motorshelp@irish-times.ie