[FoxtrotGolfXray 5.0]

I always use the Advanced Search function, as it allows far more options.

If you're not able to remember the author, I find it useful to show the results as posts rather than threads, as the threads option just shows you a whole thread that matches your search criteria, as opposed to the posts option which just brings up the matching post. If you are then interested in the whole thread from that post all you need to do is click on the title of that post and it will take you to the location of that post within the thread.

Also in the Advanced Search, you have the ability to search via sub forums. If you can recall an issue is about a Territory, for eg, then there's little point looking in a Mustang folder. try and select the most relevant sub forum. Alternatively, head to the forum you want and then use the 'Search this forum' which appears in the right hand side of the header.

It can be a little challenging if you're after a fairly generic term eg, 'wheel nuts', but as Raptor said practice makes perfect.

Hope that helps.