May 2015
Hi all, I have been told that my drivers front side coil spring has cracked and needs replacing. The garage has said I should replace both along with stabiliser link, geometry check and labour. They have quoted me
Coil Spring (single) x 2
Stabiliser link x 2
Geometry check and front toe adjustment
Labour hours x 1
Cost £245
Does anyone know if this is a good price? (I think it is)
Should I have them both done?
Thanks in advance
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Does anyone know if it's possible to buy red diesel in smaller quantities? Say 20L in a jerry can?
I don't live in the sticks so no farming/agricultural connections! Read more
What about the marinas around the Thames and Wey. Do they sell fuel?
Hi, I bought a Land Rover approved Freelander 2 from the main dealers in November last year after being given assurances I would have nothing to worry about maintenance wise for at least a year as it had a Land Rover warranty. The car was 7 years old but bought from and known by the dealer and had done 43000 miles. Having had two company Freelander 2's previously I was confident that I knew the fuel running costs and having the warranty set my mind at ease to do the deal. In March however the car needed servicing, the service flagged all brake pads needing replacement and one pair disks. This set me back with the service nearly £900 so already I am over what I had intended to spent split over just a year assuming nothing else goes wrong. I queried the warranty and was told all this work was wear and tear so no cover. After complaining finally got 10% off but really not happy given how long I know my brakes etc lasted when driving the model before so must have been very worn when they did the approved car check. I'm now wondering whether to cut my loses and sell he car, it's on finance through Landrover so need to make sure the remainder will be covered given this experience. My worry is am I regularly going to get bills of this size in which case it makes sense to get rid of it and go back to a cheaper brand but from new so I don't have the uncertainly. Anyone any ideas?? I need something that has an upright driving position, ok for long drives and can carry large loads. I live in a very rural areas hence the 4x4. I guess the main question is is it worth the risk of hanging onto it to try and get my moneysworth from the repairs or get shot of it before it costs even more! Read more
Garages perpetuate the myth that they won't work properly if only 1mm left.Brakes work satisfactorily till the screech of metal on metal
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I have a Nissan almera 55 reg, with i believe the N16 key fob.
It started giving me problems unlocking the car remotely, so i changed the battery and went through the re-programming of the key fob.... Read more
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Sealy have produced a bit of kit that can perform a regeneration on the PDFit links into the computer and increases the revs and the fuel intake thus increasing the engine temperature would this be enough to complete a full regeneration of the PDR Read more
Sunflower oil or straight vegetable oil used in a diesel engine does not attract duty since July 2007 as long as the annual usage does not exceed 2500 litres.
The sting in the tail is-...
I picked up this car yesterday and three times today (on a 300 mile round trip) a light has come up on the dash while accelerating under load. It then goes to limp home mode.
The symbol is a car outline with a vertical spanner in the middle of it. If I turn off the car for a few seconds and restart it goes off and the car returns to normal performance.... Read more
I am going to replace the glow plugs and try cleaning the maf sensor and egr valve and see how that goes :). Thanks for the advice so far :)
Hi,
I have an issue with my wifes 55 plate vauxhall meriva central locking. It will not lock/unlock using the remote key. You can use the key in the door. First turn- drivers door. Second turn unlocks the rest. I've checked the fuse. Could it be a relay issue? We have tried reprogramming the key. We have also bought replacement key fob inners and tried to reprogramme that too. Any ideas would be greatly recieved. Read more
Hi, yes. The radio turns off whenyou turn the engine off. Its just the central locking. Thanks
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In case anyone didn't happen to see the programme, Honest John appeared in the BBC 1 consumer rights show "Don't Get Done Get Dom" yesterday morning! Presenter Dominic Littlewood, as it happens, is actually a former used car dealer!
Still currently available for viewing on BBC iPlayer, link here:... Read more
I have heard a few stories about 1.0 eco boost petrol engine clutch failures in the Fiesta and B-Max.
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my nissan primastar spedo has stopped working and will only do 2600 rpm has had a live data check etc but nothing is showing up any ideas Read more
Hi Nissanbob
I'm not sure where the ABS module is located, but I agree you should have a look around looms/electrical connectors. If you look under the bonnet, near side, left hand front corner, you'll see a black plastic cover under the expansion bottle. Remove this and there are some fuses/relays and loom connectors to check. I would carefully disconnect these connectors and inspect the pins etc for damage/corrosion.
In that same area there is the main ECU. On my van it was protected by a metal frame with tamperproof bolts (I removed these and just fitted normal bolts when finished). I have heard of problems with these terminal where the loom enters the ECU. It's a bit of work but I think it's worth having a careful inspection of these ECU connectors.
Might be worth having the battery off whilst your tinkering.
Chris.
I am considering changing the gearbox oil in my 10 year old Mini, owned from new and with only 34,000 miles. Any thoughts? Read more
Same here. Even lifting the gearstick gaiter and giving the plastic ball base of the gearstick a quick spray of grease makes a difference in gear changes.


I sometimes replace both but usually only if they look in poor condition, and only because it will save the owner coming back for the 2nd one at a later date, and I always explain the reasoning to the customer and let them make the decision.
The safety argument for replacing both is nonsense, completely....