Robbed!! All au fords have major flaws!!

[blackers10]

i believe more "valuable" items are best left in the boot
as nobody can see in there

at least your $10000 car doesnt go missing thanks to smartlock and shield eh??

and for the people thinking theives are going to know how to do it from reading this.... they would already know..
and those type of lowlifes probably dont get on the forum just to see what to take..

[HLC]

PM please Stavros...

[5tumpy]

There's an old saying guys "Locks only keep honest people out".... The only thing you can do is to not leave anything valuable in your car... Sometimes it's unavoidable, but as demonstrated here it's so easy to find a way into a car if you want, that the only answer is to take your valuables with you, don't leave money in plain sight, and make your car look as boring inside as possible...

As a method of braking into a car, this isn't anything new is it? I've seen this done before on cars other than AU's, isn't it called "Door Spiking"?

My only worry would be as Laminge said, what do you do if your battery dies, sure you could hide a door release on the outside of the car, but what happens if someone stumbles on that too?

I don't think there's much point worrying about it personally, if a thief wants in, they'll get in, we've just gotta hope that they do it in the least damaging way possible...


Oh and also, BF's don't have Tibbe locks....

[Night]

Anyone thought of installing an aftermarket deadlock system? Make it a remote one and it will be near imposible to get in no matter how much you damage the door handle. I owned a VK calais once and removed all locks from the doors. The only way to enter was by remote and if that failed then there was a switch hidden in the boot to unlock the doors and a jumper point if the battery died. Don't know how relevant that would be to a AU cause it's a completely different setup but even if you knew about the hidden switch then you were going to have a bit of attention drawn to you while the alarm was screaming it's off.

[Eu-GenixX]

no one pays attention to alarms anymore these days either... :S...

an alarm went off at the shops the other day.. and as i was looking around to see where it came from... not one person i saw gave a toss.. they just kept walking and going about their business... and didn't even turn around....

[Stav]

People do pay attention to alarms.The photos here are of my new handle.You can see that the lock bolt and also the secondary fastenning position is made of plastic .The anchor point is very dissapointing to say the least.I have to find some type of epoxy resin to seriously strengthen this area.if the lock is attacked the handle will be broken so I will permanently fix the lock to the handle.

[ronwest]

Originally Posted by Stav

I have to find some type of epoxy resin to seriously strengthen this area.if the lock is attacked the handle will be broken so I will permanently fix the lock to the handle.

There are probably a few around these days but one that I have had great success with over the years is "Devcon Plastic Steel".

I've used it to build up ovalled bushes, repairs to aluminium components, bonding plastics so that the bond is stronger than the parent material, etc.

Satisfaction guaranteed ;)

[blackers10]

Devcon or Loctite both are leaders in the epoxy and adhesives markets

but their price tag matches their brand status

your local Blackwoods can get it in for you or Motion Industries branch should have some on the shelf

[BillC]

I to would like to be PMed on what the issue is. Looking at this folder suggests its something to do with the locks ? Mine is the series three. Is the issue accross all series models of AU ?

[Peuty]

Originally Posted by JC

Did you guys know that any Ford Falcon key from EB onwards, will LOCK any Ford (Falcn). ie, an EB Tibbe lock key will lock a BF. I have locked a few AUs and BAs in my time (in carparks) - and have only thought once, what if they left the keys in the car - oh well, I was doing them a favour!

Same also applies for the first series Focii as well.

[irlewy86]

Still easier to break into a Commodore

[Sox]

The Navman holder was the give-away.
Modifying your locks won't achieve anything, a determined thief will always get what they want. If they can't get in through your door locks, they'll try the next easiest method.

Unfortunately nothing is safe from theft, all you can do is make it uninviting for them. That is, by leaving nothing desirable in plain view for them.

Think about what they're looking for, they're scanning your car for any potential easy money items. In your case they spotted the Navman holder and assumed it was in the glove box or under the seat like so many are. They bombed out on that, but got your laptop instead. That's a lesson learnt for you.

The most important thing to remember is, a determined thief can't be stopped, no matter what you think.

I never leave anything which I'm not prepared to lose in my car when unattended, never.

Rick.

[FTE217]

I'm with you Sox here and well said, in all my years never known 1 Ford having a great door handle, XD's used to fall off just looking at them !
Phhht another beat up ffs.....
Very sorry about the theft Stav but them's the times and you can't help bad luck which you seem to have plenty of I'm afraid. Must be the curse of all those more powerful car owners you blow off ! Sorry again for you.

[DJM83]

Ditto Sox. sorry Stav for for unforseen circumstances but if i were a theif and seen a navman holder that would be an invitaiton that there is actually a navman in the car. anyway let us know how you go

[Mark One]

I only find out about such a huge flaw now? Now I'm gonna have to find some rear door handles.

[Stav]

Originally Posted by Bluedriver

I'm with you Sox here and well said, in all my years never known 1 Ford having a great door handle, XD's used to fall off just looking at them !
Phhht another beat up ffs.....
Very sorry about the theft Stav but them's the times and you can't help bad luck which you seem to have plenty of I'm afraid. Must be the curse of all those more powerful car owners you blow off ! Sorry again for you.

Guys I accept my day for what it is.Bad and good stuff happens.I would like to make this lock a bit tougher.

[HLC]

Originally Posted by Stav

I would like to make this lock a bit tougher.

and then they'll smash the window such is life. :(

[Stav]

Im just carrying too much stuff to leave weak links.The lock will be tougher.I will also make a cage in the back of the wagon with padlocks etc.

[Sox]

Originally Posted by Stav

Im just carrying too much stuff to leave weak links.The lock will be tougher.I will also make a cage in the back of the wagon with padlocks etc.

I can understand that, however just don't be lead into a false sense of security, because if they want it, they will get it.

The other thing to be mindful of, the more difficult you make it, the longer they will take, which is a good thing as they like to get the job done fast. However, it also gives them the idea that their must be something really worth taking for you to have gone to so much trouble.

Unfortunately it's a 2 edged sword, and a battle we can never really win.

Rick.

[Stav]

I have a strong comprehension of the problems in security.Whatever you think of to secure can be thought at to be unsecured.The trick is a good level of security ,common sense and luck.

[Night]

So does anyone think that a deadlock is a good idea? Even if they smash a window they aren't going to open the door! They have to crawl through the glass they just smashed and hopefully cut themselves in the process, and for of those people thinking it's a waste of time making it harder for theives then why don't you just leave the keys in the ignition for them. I can't understand why people are not interested in making thieves work for their money, they can smash the crap out of my car in the process for all I care but at least I will have some pleasure in knowing they aren't going to strip it and make some money from it! It's insured and it will get fixed.

[Stav]

Holden commodores do have a key deadlocking system on their cars.I dont know how effective it is and thief resistant.

[MRJUCY]

Sucks to hear mate, good luck with coming up with something better you could be able to sell a few if it's any good.
At the end of the day if someone wants to get in they will no matter what you do but you can make it enough of a pain in the that they wont bother with yours & do the next car along instead.

[RspecAU]

Originally Posted by HLC

and then they'll smash the window such is life. :(

Bullet proof glass in the car would stop them from smashing them. I know that would be costly but if that saves you paying out for an insurence claim and you live in a place that has a big crime rate (which is almost everywhere) then i think that would be worth the cost.

[Mark One]

Originally Posted by Davo3460

why do you people whine so you can break into a BMW easier than a ford you just cant drive it away as with a ford 4 christ sake grow up it,s a hard world

Oh so if someone breaks into my car and steals from me I should just sit back and say "Its a hard world"? Sounds like a cop out to me.

[Night]

Originally Posted by Stav

Holden commodores do have a key deadlocking system on their cars.I dont know how effective it is and thief resistant.

Nothings theif resistant but it is pretty good. Most of my mates don't deadlock their commo's which I can't understand cause it's mostly the cars that aren't deadlocked that are pinched. I'd be really keen to hear from anyone who has fitted a deadlock to their fords, even if I was to put a rear handle on the drivers door I would still install a deadlock in it.

[Night]

Just remembered something I was told a few years back. If you kick the front corner a car with airbags right where the airbag sensor sits (use a good solid pair of boots) then it unlocks the car. It's supposed to be a safety issue that incase of an accident all your doors are supposed to unlock. Now I don't know how true this would be cause I ain't going to try it on my car, but I could imagine if this was to be true then you would have to be a fairly big boy and hope you don't brake your foot in the process.

[Stav]

Night I wont be trying this at home. The cost of a foot or airbag is quite expensive .

[GK]

Originally Posted by Stav

Night I wont be trying this at home. The cost of a foot or airbag is quite expensive .

Good to see that your sense of humour has returned Stav. LOL!

GK

[Stav]

Today I took the family down to Burwood westfields.Since my door lock and handle were broken nearly one year ago I was just too lazy to put the new one in. After shopping with the family I returned to find my navman on my windscreen wiper.My cars console had been ransacked.The broken door handle I left on the car was hit again and the door opened.These guys moved fast.The new pioneer deck was left behind as I remove the face and carry it with me when I leave the car

The car thieves found my navman and left it behind on my windscreen because it has been broken for well over 9 months now. Buttons were missing and it just doesnt work.I just havent bothered throwing it yet.

All in all I can say the thieves broke in and found nothing but bannana peels,old chicken bones and a broken navman.. Ah yes..also had rubbish scattered through the car from all the workload last week.


I might have to install my new door handle now..