Car Security

[Series 1]

The recent spate of E Type thefts in my area and the threat of a fantasy gang of forum members coming for my car (unless I'm nice to them!) has made me consider my security measures. I'm going to now install a retractable post in front of my locked garage despite the car being mechanically and electrically immobilised and covered by CCTV.

Regardless, I worry that a professional gang could overcome all of these measures if determined enough. Why wouldn't they be with values where they are now? A lot of people around me (and I'm sure you) know I have the car but why advertise it's location unnecessarily? I proudly put my car on Zeemaps some years ago but now realise it pinpoints it's location very accurately and I've posted a photo of it in front of the garage. I feel rather stupid.

It's about to disappear off the map (as soon as I remember the correct email address and password). I've also removed my village from my profile here. Am I becoming too paranoid?

Right, I'm off to trim my beard.

Angus

[288gto]

Quote "Am I being paranoid?"

Yes, they are more likely to drag you out of the car at gunpoint two miles down the road. Only travel in convoy now.

On a serious note, a local car alarm guy was telling me he is fitting more Anti Jacking immobilisers these day. A system whereby you send a signal to the car after it has been taken to immobilise it. Hopefully they then abandon the car and it is recovered via the gps tracker.

Simon

[64etype]

Deterrence when left unattended outside a private, fortified garage. In addition to all the standard hidden switches and audio alarms use wheel boots/locks for one each front and rear axle. Install solenoid actuated plunger door locks. Concours owners gasp....

A competent thief with a truck or trailer will "foil" electronics with a tin foil blanket or some such. Onboard video that continuously transmits bad guy faces and license plate/vehicle description to a recorder is the only electronic device that's worth a flip in my estimation.

[Herzeg]

Hello All

Just to throw my twopenny in. I'm seven months into my ownership and have the following:-

1. Battery immobilser - fitted when I got it
2. Tracker - I got a SkyTrak which came as one of the freebies when I insured the car. I pay £80 or so a
year and they send me a monthly report and it warns me of battery voltage drops. Will probably look at the
one with the app next year that was discussed in another post as this lets you check, rather than opening
the garage door and discovering it's empty! I was a self install and I found somewhere hidden which still
works.
3. Superspoke wheel. Easy to fit and does what it says. My sister came over from abroad and I took her
husband for a spin. We agreed to meet at a coffee shop in 30 mins. I walked in holding a steering whell and
the look on her face was brilliant. I said her hubby had a go, crashed it and that was all that was left.
Worked a treat for 30 seconds. Just need to get the wife to make me a little briefcase type carry bag for it.

I like the smartwater idea and am thinking of installing a remote alarm/immobiliser of some sort. Whilst I have a guaranteed value and would not lose out, it's the emotional side when you have got you car to where you want it and someone nicks it. The annual costs of these devices is covered by the piece of mind

John

[chrisvine]

John,

I think this might be what you're after!



I also went for the Superspoke and opted to fit the mechanism myself. Overall I'm pleased with it but I had a slight problem getting the horn push to sit flush with the wheel (they've offered to look at this). However I find the wheel & boss is able to rock quite a bit in the receiving part of the mechanism attached to the steering column (pushing either side of the wheel in the direction of the steering column).

How have you found it?

Chris

[Polse7317]

I had the same problem with the horn push which can't be pushed when the part (4) is fitted on the column.


I am not sure that cut the steering shaft is the solution to the problem....? but it would give some room for the part 4 to be pushed

[chrisvine]

Hi Yves,

I didn't describe my horn push issue well. Mine is a S2 where the horn is operated from the indicator switch rather than the central boss on the steering wheel.

i think the same central boss is used across the S1/S2 cars, it's only the S1 cars that have the horn operating rod within the steering column.

Superspoke recently sent out a retro-fit nylon collar which should be place over the upper steering column shaft (before the split collar is fitted. Did they send you one of these? I'm not sure it this will alter the geometry to overcome operating the horn with the central 'E-Type' boss.

Chris

[BRM]

Yves,

Chris's car is a series 2 like mine and doesn't have those parts - the horn is on the indicator stalk.

Chris,

I also have a Superspoke mechanism which I fitted myself. My " horn push " doesn't sit flush against the wheel either but I think that is partly because someone in the past has levered it off without undoing the grub screws and broken it so there is now a mass of glue on the back.

They did send with the kit a self adhesive foam rubber ring about 3mm thick to go between the horn push and the wheel, though I never worked out quite why that should be needed and I didn't use it.

Other than that it is excellent. The wheel goes on with a nice clunk and once fitted is completely solid. No movement at all.

[chrisvine]

Brian,

That's the same problem as I have. The Bakelite disc is sitting 3-4mm proud of the steering wheel. I sent them some pictures and dimensions to explain where I think their boss needs to be altered. The issue is that the metal attachment on the Bakelite horn push disc is deeper than the space they've allowed in the detatchable part of their mechanism.

I think they need to machine a deeper recess to fully accommodate the horn push boss.

I've found the wheel attaches very solidly from a rotational point of view (as you would expect!!). It's when I hold either side of the wheel, I'm able to push/pull quite a bit making it feel rather 'wobbly'!

Chris

[BRM]

Chris,

Just seen your last post at the same time as mine. Did you fit the collar you mention ? I had one in the kit, though it was metal, but I didn't know what it was as it wasn't mentioned in the instructions. It actually prevents you pushing the steering wheel too far forward when you adjust it. Without it the release ring on the boss contacts the knurled adjuster and partially releases it if you push the wheel too far forward. I only realised this when I was pushing the car around - fortunately - and the wheel which I thought was locked came off in my hand !

[mgcjag]

Hi Brian....that is a major concern to anyone that has a superspoke.....especially as you say there was no mention in the fitting instructions......you should not be able to leave out a small part and have your wheel fall off......did you contact Superspoke and let them know......also could be worth you putting a new post warning users on here of the potential problem.....Steve

[chrisvine]

Brian

I'd completed misunderstood the need for the additional collar. I had thought it was to avoid pulling the wheel too far towards the driver. Your description now makes sense as it limits the travel to avoid accidentally operating the release mechanism.

I've sent them some feedback of how I think the product could be improved as I also think the grub screw holes are too close to the plane of the steering wheel. So much so, they could easily clamp on the Bakelite rather than the metal section mentioned above.

Steve - I agree it's a worrying safety concern. Although I think this issue must have been brought to their attention as they did contact purchasers to inform them of the issue and provide the fix. I'm assuming new kits provide the corrective collar. Fortunately I hadn't fitted mine at the time.

Chris

[BRM]

Steve,
Yes I was obviously concerned when I worked out what was going on. I emailed Steve at Superspoke immediately thinking that I had stumbled on a design fault of which he may not be aware. I didn't want him facing legal action for a wrecked car - or worse.

He then explained what the collar was for and apologised profusely for the lack of clear instructions and said he would look at rewriting them urgently. I would hope that he's done that.

[mgcjag]

Hi Brian/Chris.....just looked at the install video on there site....no mention of the sleeve

[Herzeg]

John,

I think this might be what you're after!



I also went for the Superspoke and opted to fit the mechanism myself. Overall I'm pleased with it but I had a slight problem getting the horn push to sit flush with the wheel (they've offered to look at this). However I find the wheel & boss is able to rock quite a bit in the receiving part of the mechanism attached to the steering column (pushing either side of the wheel in the direction of the steering column).

How have you found it?

Chris

I love it. Have shown to the machinist specialist in our house and ordered one!

Regarding the other posts, I don't know if Superspoke changed their instructions but it was quite clear on mine that you had to fit the collar first. Mine went on first time, the only problem I had was getting the boss to sit centrally. Never got it 100% but close enought to not look odd.

John

[mgcjag]

Just been talking to Steve Simmons at Suoerspoke......he is currently looking a changing the web instructions to include fitting sleeve/collar and will possibly post here on the forum instructions to ensure that the collar is installed.....he did mention that a redisign is underway to do away with the collar

[Steering wheel Steve]

Hi all,

Steve Hook has kindly spoken to me this morning about the various comments and feedback regarding our Superspoke Quick Release mechanism on this forum.

For the avoidance of doubt, we have edited the Quick Release fitting video featured on our website, please click here > https://youtu.be/PudAeOSJvjY to watch the fitment video - (specifically at 3 minutes) to include the fitment of the spacer which was supplied with the Quick Release mechanism. This is in addition to written instructions and photos sent via email to the relevant Superspoke customers who required a spacer.

Not all Quick Release customers have required a spacer because on the Series 3 E-types the spacer fitment was fitted as standard, as seen in our video (please click here > https://youtu.be/PudAeOSJvjY to watch the fitment video - specifically at 3 minutes) you can clearly see the standard spacer as indicated.

If you have any concerns, or would like to order a quick release please contact me, Steve Simmonds, on 0044 +1684 593226 and I will be more than happy to ease any concerns you have. Many thanks for the positive and constructive feedback as we have a history of dealing with concerns very quickly!

All the best

'Steering Wheel Steve'

[johnben]

Hi all

Like most I am reviewing the security on my car, anyone know how much the Superspoke is?
Also looking at a tracker system, lot of stuff around, do you really get what you pay for as there is quite a price difference between some units? appreciate any info.

John
2 + 2 1967

[Stuart Exelby]

John - basic cost of the Superspoke for the E-Type is here....http://www.superspoke.co.uk/jaguar-quick-release I hear that Tracker itself is pretty good using VHF systems and self-powered systems to try to get over some of the issues of signals not getting through containers or structures the vehicle might be hidden in - although I think the VHF system is not useable in some countries in Europe - so if you regularly go to those, you need to look at alternatives. Much of Europe is covered though. I think it's a case of using combinations of good security and sensible precautions.

[mgcjag]

Hi John...if you look back through this thread you will see a recomendation by Julian for a tracker he has fitted...he is the only person i know that got his car back after being stolen by using the tracker