Been trying for some weeks to improve the brakes on my daughters 2004 Ka. The pedal travel seems excessive and the braking efficiency seems poor. Took many attempts to remove the front bleed nipples. Been soaking in penetrating fluid every weekend with no success. Finally resorted to heating the caliper with a gas torch (not hot enough to damage anything except my thumb !) and applying freezer spray down a tube over the nipple. Eventually with mole grips I got them out. Replaced nipples and bled through a whole bottle of fluid. I hoped this would solve the problem but little air came out and brakes were the same. Bled rear at same time.

Stripped rear drums (by removing 4 bolts in back plate and not disturbing bearings) brand new shoes and cylinders were there. One adjuster was incorrectly fitted. Instead of its teeth engaging with its partner, it was sitting behind it so was doing nothing. That's thanks to Halfords who did brakes and MOT the week before we bought it. Set the 2 together and moved it on a couple of clicks so drum would just fit. Other side was ok but did same with adjuster. Pumped brakes but heard no clicks. Adjusted handbrake but pedal still same.... Read more

Hi,

I'm looking for a new car, and like the idea of changing from a MPV to a Crossover. However the key feature I want is three separate rear seats as in my Citroen C4 Picasso, rather than two seats and a middle bench that most cars have. (I'm not talking separately moving or flipping, a 66/33 split is fine).... Read more

Ok, So I got the too common EAC fail, cleaned up all the connectors and it hasn't came back since.

I have since replaced the throttle pedal as it was showing movements on a live diagnostics when no one was touching it and the car was idling way too high.... Read more

I'm now on my 4th diesel car - this time a C Class W203 CDI220 (2006) with 81000miles on the clock. Previous diesel cars I owned were all VAG cars (VE and PD engines), so this engine is all new to me in terms of it being common rail and Euro 4.

I'm just wondering what best practice/good habits are for a modern diesel? I'll be changing the oil every 8000miles (MB interval is around 16000 - TOO long to my mind!), and using a Bosch filter and low ash oil (to spec mb229.5). Even though the car does not have a DPF fitted, I've been told that the low ash oil is the best to use/more refined (correct ?). I'm also planning to use Comma oil Syner Z, as it meets the MB spec and I can get it cheaper, and am told it's Esso rebranded!... Read more

Hello, just a quickie- I want to report a UK Toyota dealership and basically get Toyota to sort themselves out, failing that I would like to take it higher- can you advise me on how best to go about this please?

Here are the facts- My wife bought a Toyota Yaris, they told her it was a 1.4 when I viewed it they said it was a 1.0, when I pressed them they admitted they got it wrong?? My wife really wanted the car all the same regardless of engine size, so we deposited it and went to pick it up, when we arrived I asked to see the service history and log books which they had fobbed my wife off with, they said the (try not to laugh) office was closed, but they would send them out- I asked if they had seen them and the salesamn said my wife had, she said she had never seen them so they were clearly lying! The back pedalling continued and so I asked them to sign a letter saying the doumentation would be sent out Monday, this was agreed.... Read more