January 2010
Hi,
I have already replaced one side of my Ford Focus's rear brakes, replacing the disc rotor and the brake pads with very few problems. But on the other side I have been trying for hours to try and remove the handbrake cable from the rear brake calliper in order to fit the new disc / pads - but it just won't budge....it's a good 2 mm short of clearing the hook it's held in with.
How can I slacken the handbrake cable right off so I can get it unclipped?
Many thanks for any help...this has been very frustrating! Read more
Hello
I've always had my MB's oil changed at the main dealer. Usually every 11/12 months. hopefully they are fully aware of torques for drainage bolts/etc.
our recently acquired jeep hemi - not quiet sure if its every 3 or 6 months or 3 or 6k miles, whichever comes first. i only drive the jeep on the w/e's and hols - so will do little mileage.
do you guys always go to the main dealer if you have a new or relatively new car to get oil and filter changed, and what has been your experience re main dealer V the fast fit type outlets/
thanks in advance BR's" Read more
I'm thinking of investing in a vacuum extractor (e.g. Pela) which would pay for itself
the first time I use it though I'll be a bit nervous first time in
case I get the thing stuck or break off the tip or whatever...
I wouldn't worry, I've used a vacuum extractor on several cars and it works fine.
Just feed the tube in gently until you hear it touch the sump, they do get all the oil out despite the reservations about "sludge" - on a nearly new car running 9-10,000 miles per year on synthetic oil there won't be any.
When I had the BMW I noted that the main dealers all used vacuum extraction (although a more sophisticated centrally linked system) and when I started taking it to a BMW Indy he also used a Pela. I used to change my own oil between manufacturers scheduled services and I also used to do the oil services myself - so usually would change myself every 8K , 16K(scheduled oil serv) 24K and then to the Indy every 32K for either Insp 1 or 2 as required , if that makes sense. Sold the BMW with 190K up and still running fine and using no oil.
CR
I'm going to look at a Silver 5door Focus LX with 99k and screen price of 3999. Looks in good nick. thought I would try this Forum lark. Anyone help with thoughts? Thank, Paul Read more
It was also available on the early mark 2's. Had alot of mk2 LX's at a hire company that I used to work for and they were pretty basic. I think it was later replaced by the 'Style' model with those naff 'alloy look' plastic wheeltrims.
Well, after much internet pounding and countrywide searches, I've finally done the deal on a replacement car, and right on my doorstep. Put in contact with an Audi saleswoman through a relative and have secured a good deal, with a very substantial discount on a ........(drum role).........Audi A3 2.0d Sportback, S-Line, Black Edition in Misano Red. Just before signing on the dotted line, I managed to get the first service for free as well. It's in the showroom and ready for immediate delivery.
So the faithful Pug has one more week left. Rather than being excited, I almost felt guilty at discarding it. It's been so reliable and comfortable and I'll miss the amazing JBL stereo (although the Audi has Bose). But I think the VEL rates for cars with 219g/kg are only going to go one way, which could have made it ultimately very difficult to sell.
Talking about my surprise at the lack of available deals in december, the saleswoman said they were so busy because of the VAT change, they couldn't take all the potential orders. Even today, the showroom was very busy.
The one thing is...BMW, if you ever bothered to follow up enquiries, it may have been a 5 series. As the numerous dealers simple couldn't put the effort into returning calls, Audi got the cash. Read more
Wait until it warms up less risks of panel damage !
After years and years of talk it looks like things are starting to happen but is £30M still available.
news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/surrey/8437827.stm
www.shepperton-info.co.uk/articles/13/1/New-Walton...l
Quite an improvement !
www.geograph.org.uk/photo/94820
So if it starts this year I guess there will be two years of disruption before completion.
There will be three bridges side by side until all is completed.
For anyone deeply interested, a pdf file showing the plans.
tinyurl.com/y99h4yh
Read more
All a new bridge will do is jam up the traffic onto the HWM traffic lights faster. new bridge with improved traffic flow should mean a whole change in traffic management. A one way system should sort it. One way from HWM, hepworth way, high street, New Zealand avenue and hepworth way again. People filter in and out as they want at terrace road, hersham road and oatlands.
sorted.
Nissan Micra 1.2 tekna 2008
£6995 8000 miles
Main dealer
16'' alloy wheels
6 CD autochanger
Air-conditioning
Anti-lock braking system (ABS)
Automatic lighting system
Automatic rain sensing wipers
Battery Save
Bluetooth integration
Body coloured bumpers
Body coloured door handles
Body coloured door mirrors
Body coloured roof spoiler
Brake Assist
Central door locking
Drive computer
Driver's and passengers airbag
Electric Brake Distribution (EBD)
Electric door mirrors
Electric front windows
Engine immobiliser
Friendly lighting system
Front fog lamps
Headlamp levelling
Keyless entry with superlocking
Power assisted steering (PAS)
Rear Park system
Tilt adjustable steering wheel
Tinted front headlamp covers Read more
As already mentioned, Renault electrics cause problems on these Micras unfortunately. Read the HB CBC page for more info.
The ol' workhorse has done his time with us and after 5 years he's beginning to show his age and grumble. I'm giving him a year and will replace all the little bits that are starting to fail (if they do in this time), but will be saving towards a permanent replacement.
I thought I'd tap your knowledge as to whether there will be any suitable new models coming out this year which I could consider. I have a list as long as my arm of requirements, mostly because the Almera came so well equipped it will be hard to give up a lot of what I already have; and I try to add at least one more piece of equipment to the list with each car I have.
Ideally, it will be smaller than the Almera. There's just two of us and we cover approx 10-12k a year, a large majority of city driving (around many roundabouts), with the occasional (1-2 times per month) 250 mile 'round trip to Bristol and back from MK.
Must haves (or certainly, would-very-much-like-to-haves. This is the trimmed version):
Reversing sensors (because many cars seem to have flared rear bumpers and vision when reversing is poor -I like the peace of mind that sensors give).
Air Conditioning
Electric as-much-as-possible (windows, mirrors yadda yadda)
Heated mirrors (is it just me who despises having to clear them in frost?)
Some warranty remaining (at least 1 year)
Less than £150 a year to tax
40mpg or more combined.
Optional:
Heated front screen
Leather seats
Have considered so far:
Yaris (TR or T-Spirit model)
i20 (Comfort / Style)
Jazz (don't think I can afford the new model yet)
Mazda 2
Budget probably around 8-9k, depending on what I can get saved up. I'm a big fan of Jap cars, having driven a '96 Civic prior to the Almera (and loved it to bits), not so keen on the VAG group (despite liking the newest Seat Ibiza) due to reliability issues, and certainly nothing French unless someone can convince me that their reliability has improved over the last few years.
Lastly (promise!), having had the dullmobile and seeing an RX8 and Civic Type R in the family I'd like something that looks sporty, even if performance doesn't necessarily reflect that. The Almera is relatively costly to run without returning a very good MPG (34 around town) and that disappoints me somewhat.
Sorry for the long post, I was always taught not to be vague but this I fear may be taking the proverbial biscuit! Thanks in advance for any suggestions :-) Read more
suzuki swift, get a high spec one, ideally pre reg for a good price
i looked around the motorfactors anti freeze. and none stated that they were suitable for toyotas, , ive a 1.4 diesel o2. do i have to use main dealer ? Read more
I would stick with the OE antifreeze on Toyotas. So take a trip to you dealer.
Does anyone know where the top up hole on these is please and do I fill it with GB oil until it seeps out?
Thanks
H Read more
1.2 cm hexagonal at the front of the gearbox apparently.
Hi to all & Happy new year (for the people who own non french cars it probably will be)!
Ime having yet another 307 niggly problem(NO)you say lol !
Car starts ok,when running slight missfire(even when warmed up)accompanied by slight popping sound/no smoke though.driving feels sluggish(no smoke)but diesel knock sound?
If MAF discoupled whilst running engine smoothes out,popping sound dissapears as you hear solenoids at G/Box disengage & driving becomes more responsive & more power,could this be Maf or solenoid valve fault as launch diagnosis has revealed no faults & there are no lights on display ?thanks(fast300zx). Read more
Hi,
Im having exactly the same problem slight missfire between 1000 - 2500 rpm and car also seems to run better with maf disconnected. I have had a new sensor fitted car ran perfect for 20min then once again same prob slight missfire and rough idling, im at my wits end did you manage to sort the problem ???
Also had my injectors tested and compression test done no faults there also have no warning lights oin dash
Browse
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Thanks Diamond.
Can't believe I didn't try that, thanks. I must have my head on funny tonight as I (stupidly) assumed that it could only be tightened from there. Two days under my car in freezing conditions with only a paraffin lamp...probably the fumes!