Hi, I own a 1995 M reg Ford Mondeo 1.8 LX saloon. Its got 166,000 miles on the clock, and other than that its in what I would call excellent condition for its age.

There is however a slight niggle.

When parking with and moving the car at slow speeds on full lock I get a VERY loud knock from what seems like the front passenger side wheel. This has been happening for at least 6 months. Its extremely predicatable and does it everytime.

Yesterday I took both front wheels off and inspected all 4 CV joints on the two drivesharfts. All are fully intact, including the gaiters. So theres no problem there.

This is where I am slightly baffled, the only sign of any "wear" I could see was a worn bush on the front passenger side wisebone.

Does this sound right, can anyone shed any light on this?
Is it possiable for a CV joint to be damaged behind a fully intact gaiter? I read that CV are over designed in terms of specification etc, and its unlikely that one should break, unless the gaiter fails.

Any thoughts would be great! many thanks
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Hi am new to this site just got a quick query for you guys and gals on here. I have a new style focus about 3 weeks old and done 2000 miles. When I give the car a bit of stick it starts to smell of wrotten eggs or poo if you prefer, but its a smell somewhere between the 2. Is this normal??? Also sometimes when I go to accelerate it smells like a struck match. Is this related to my wrotten eggs and it is something I should get looked at??

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I have a car up on ebay with a buy it now price of nearly 12k.
Someone has requested the registration number to 'do the usual checks'. I've stated there is no finance outstanding and HPI clear.

Is it safe to give out the registration number when all the other details are on the web?
Am I becoming paranoid?

Can anyone advise please
(btw, I'm nearly sure about the paranoid bit).

Thanks
Simon
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I've been reading Honest John's Telegraph column for some years now, read the motoring yearbooks, and regularly visit this site.
I've always wanted to know - Is he an actual full time motor trader with proper premises? Is so, what kind of cars does he stock? Where is he based? Is he honest?



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I am currently looking for a car which I can just use at weekends (and to haul a boat with). Bearing in mind I don't drive a great deal of miles, high mileage and low miles per gallon aren't a great concern.

One of things that has appeared on the radar in recent weeks is a couple of old 520's. These seem nice enough (for the age - 1990, 125K miles). My only concern is the cost of parts.

I realise that if I was crazy and took it to a BMW garage it would cost an arm and a leg, and that it is likely to cost more than a ford fiesta to run. However does anybody know how much more these cars cost to run, in terms of deposable parts?

I imagine body panels will cost a lot, but with cars of this age, whether the part costs £400 or £1000 doesn't really matter, I am not going to buy it either way. What does matter is; Will I be paying £500 a brake disc at a local specialist or are basic deposable parts really not much more than your average ford mondeo?

Thanks for your help
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