Just Commodores Forum Community

It takes just a moment to join our fantastic community

Register

Max Ellery workshop manuals are shoddy garbage

Discussion in 'VR - VS Holden Commodore (1993 - 1997)' started by jeepster, Apr 25, 2010.

  1. jeepster

    jeepster Member

    Messages:
    143
    Likes Received:
    8
    Trophy Points:
    18
    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2010
    Location:
    WA
    Members Ride:
    VSII Ute
    I found one in an op-shop and still think I was ripped off.
    For example STAGES OF BELT WEAR: 1. NEW BELT: cracks or chunks
    I think that should be "no cracks or chunks" I guess they don't have a proofreader.
    I also found striker spelt as STRICKER and hooked spelt as HOCKED.
    Then stuff about spark plugs is repeated on different pages. Just padding out the
    page count without giving extra content.
    The book claimed to be for VR+VS, but almost every picture or diagram of V6 motor
    is for the older version.
    The section about removing front door trim doesn't mention the ventilation assembly
    at the top front corner of the door.
    If I hadn't thrown it out in disgust, I am sure I would find 100 more abominations.
     
  2. moff_man

    moff_man operation HQ under way.

    Messages:
    964
    Likes Received:
    4
    Trophy Points:
    18
    Joined:
    Nov 22, 2008
    Location:
    2710
    Members Ride:
    95 VR II berlina wagon v6, 72 HQ ute 253
    i found some haynes manuls to be the same, i had on for the vl and it was showing pictures of vb- vk's lol expecily the headlights
     
  3. old mate

    old mate New Member

    Messages:
    738
    Likes Received:
    7
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Joined:
    Aug 18, 2009
    Location:
    Gippsland, Victoria
    Members Ride:
    VB Sedan / GU Patrol
    i have the same book. it should read VR only.
     
  4. chrisdoesitbetter

    chrisdoesitbetter | → ³8°º™ ← |

    Messages:
    298
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Joined:
    May 3, 2009
    Location:
    Adelaide
    Members Ride:
    VR 3.8L
    i have a gregorys and a haynes manual, i think the haynes are crap as they cover something like 5 differnt models and sometimes it shows pictures from other cars! but the gregorys is very useful as it shows only VR stuff.
     
  5. stocky

    stocky New Member

    Messages:
    5,036
    Likes Received:
    79
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Joined:
    Jun 14, 2005
    Location:
    Melbourne
    Members Ride:
    1995 HSV Clubsport T5, 1991 VN Berlina
    Mine is an ellerys and it was quite good. Much better than the Gregories I have. The Gregories spelt install with one L every single time. They need the proof reader more than anyone else
     
  6. Brett_jjj

    Brett_jjj Well-Known Member

    Messages:
    6,805
    Likes Received:
    74
    Trophy Points:
    48
    Joined:
    Oct 16, 2009
    Location:
    Tamworth NSW
    Members Ride:
    vs commodore
    The gregorys VS V6 manual is excellent,,except for a few small errors that I have noticed..I have the haynes one that covers VN-VS, for both the V6 and V8.And its not the best though.Especially the wiring diagrams,they are just useless.There is some ok stuff in it though,thats why I have both manuals,that way if something doesnt look right,I can double check the other manual.I mainly use mine these days for the rated tensions that are listed when tightening up different nuts ,bolts etc with a torque wrench.
     
  7. chrisdoesitbetter

    chrisdoesitbetter | → ³8°º™ ← |

    Messages:
    298
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Joined:
    May 3, 2009
    Location:
    Adelaide
    Members Ride:
    VR 3.8L
    IMO the gregorys is better for the particular car you have, but the haynes shows stuff like servie intervals, troubleshooting etc. but its probably best to have both.
     
  8. Barnzey

    Barnzey New Member

    Messages:
    29
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Joined:
    Apr 13, 2010
    Members Ride:
    VS Ute
    I agree I brought the ellery VS manual becauce the ellery manual I have for my AU and BA falcons are great but the VR/VS is crap and disappointing should of brought a gregory
     
  9. dirt drifter

    dirt drifter white trash hillbillie

    Messages:
    523
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    18
    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2009
    Location:
    massive hole in the ground
    Members Ride:
    VS 5L M6 VS 6L M6
    yeah the ellery's manual isnt too flash, but it does have fault code reading, wiring diagrams and torque settings. its enough to get u out of trouble but the gregorys would be better no doubt
     
  10. bandit10

    bandit10 Member

    Messages:
    709
    Likes Received:
    5
    Trophy Points:
    18
    Joined:
    Jan 29, 2010
    Location:
    Victoria
    Members Ride:
    VE SS
    the ellery's also seems to think the VR/VS automatic transmission has a kick down cable..!!
     
  11. Reaper

    Reaper Tells it like it is.

    Messages:
    6,419
    Likes Received:
    5,657
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Joined:
    Aug 15, 2004
    Location:
    SE Suburbs, Melbourne
    Members Ride:
    RG Z71 Colorado, 120 Prado , VDJ200 Landcruiser
    The only workshop manuals worth having are the original GM Holden ones. The few aftermarket manuals I have used are riddled with errors with some of them that will lead to expensive failures if not realized. They are only good for lighting my open fire.

    Reaper
     
  12. Brett_jjj

    Brett_jjj Well-Known Member

    Messages:
    6,805
    Likes Received:
    74
    Trophy Points:
    48
    Joined:
    Oct 16, 2009
    Location:
    Tamworth NSW
    Members Ride:
    vs commodore
    Any manual is better than none at all if the person attempting the repair or service procedure has little or no experience with cars.I always recommend to people on here that if they have little experience, that they should get themselves a workshop manual (preferably a factory one) and read it first before attempting any work on the vehicle.Ive seen some dangerous things done by people who had no idea what they were doing.
     
  13. chrisdoesitbetter

    chrisdoesitbetter | → ³8°º™ ← |

    Messages:
    298
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Joined:
    May 3, 2009
    Location:
    Adelaide
    Members Ride:
    VR 3.8L
    i agree, i have read the gm manuals and they are the most in depth of them all, bloody expensive though comapred to gregys or haynes
     
  14. chrisdoesitbetter

    chrisdoesitbetter | → ³8°º™ ← |

    Messages:
    298
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Joined:
    May 3, 2009
    Location:
    Adelaide
    Members Ride:
    VR 3.8L
    i second that ^ any manual is still better than uncommon sense
     
  15. dirt drifter

    dirt drifter white trash hillbillie

    Messages:
    523
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    18
    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2009
    Location:
    massive hole in the ground
    Members Ride:
    VS 5L M6 VS 6L M6
    i didnt know the general public could get hold of them, will a dealership sell me one? now i want one regardless of what they sting me for it
     
  16. stockyvrcalais

    stockyvrcalais New Member

    Messages:
    324
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Joined:
    Mar 23, 2009
    Location:
    Melbourne
    Members Ride:
    VZ SSZ UTE
    i too have a haynes, and i think is garbage, its all over the place and complicated
     
  17. launertic

    launertic New Member

    Messages:
    3
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Joined:
    May 10, 2010
    Members Ride:
    VS caprice v6 supercharge
    i needed one for my vs caprice v6 supercharger, the vr-vs book only covered v6 and v8 not a supercharge, i sooner found out that the v6 supercharge motor in the vs is the same as the vt supercharge motor, can anyone confirm this cause im still confused.
     
  18. benno9911

    benno9911 Donating Member

    Messages:
    231
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    16
    Joined:
    Jan 28, 2010
    Location:
    Warrnambool
    Members Ride:
    03 VY S2 Exec
    all they need now is the bush mechanic book and will all be set
     
  19. charvel

    charvel New Member

    Messages:
    13
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Joined:
    Apr 12, 2010
    Members Ride:
    VR Wagon
    Last edited: May 11, 2010
  20. smokyJ

    smokyJ New Member

    Messages:
    42
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Joined:
    Apr 27, 2010
    Location:
    Lake Macquarie
    Members Ride:
    VS III 5spd Ute
    they don't need books, the diagrams are written in the stars :p
     

Share This Page