[stuart_astra1.7]

just thought i'd let everyone know my car is in for its MOT as i type. Mechanic is doing the drop links first but fingers and toes crossed he finds nothing else as can't afford any other major expenses on the car just yet.

Can everyone wish my car luck as i think it will need it, cheers (Y)

 

[Nimraynn]

It'll be fine (Y)

That's what I tried telling myself last year though and it cost £600. :err:

 

[stuart_astra1.7]

what was wrong with yours?

 

[Nimraynn]

One of the rear calipers was seized and needed replacing.
One of the rear shocks had a massive leak and needed replacing, but did both for the balance.
Front wishbone needed replacing.
Handbrake cable was replaced, but weren't sure whether it was damaged during replacement of rear caliper or not, so they just did it for free to cover their own back.

I know there were one or two other things as well, but I can't remember what they were. I think about a week later I got a puncture as well so needed a new tyre :lol:

Mine is due again in November... should sail past everything except the smoke test... but I'm hoping to have that fixed before hand. :shock:

 

[Matty John]

Ye'll be fine min! Just dont worry and all will be just fine (Y)

Mike, ouch. That must hurt!

 

[stuart_astra1.7]

Jeeze!!! If i'm honest i only know of my drop links being faulty as i have that annoying rattle after every bump in the road. just had new tyres, alternator and PAS pump that cost me a pretty penny so can't be doing with much else on the car

 

[Matty John]

When was the brakes done? Any rust? All bulbs in?

 

[Nimraynn]

I knew about the shock, but didnt think it was that bad... didn't know about anything else... but the shock was apparently "beyond knackered". I thought it was more, slightly worn. :lol:

Only thing I know this year is the swirl flaps are knackered and thus causing government health warnings for toxic smoke everywhere I drive... Hopefully getting that sorted on pay day though so it should in theory pass. :lol:

 

[stuart_astra1.7]

all bulbs working fine, done 126k (i've done 12k of them). don't know when brakes were done as i haven't had them done yet. been treating it to some Millers for the last 5 tanks hoping emissions will be fine, i have no black/white smoke and she's running quite smoothly

 

[Nimraynn]

done 126k (i've done 12k of them). don't know when brakes were done as i haven't had them done yet.

Obviously depends on when they've been done previously, but this was around the time mine needed new front discs and pads... but the rears seem to have lasted forever :lol:

 

[stuart_astra1.7]

was looking at front discs, front offside squeeks at 80mph quite badly but the thickness of the disc seems fine, might just be the last noises of worn pads

 

[Nimraynn]

You'll find out soon then :lol:

It was around 120-125k when I replacement my front discs and pads. Now on nearly 170k and the fronts are still pretty good. Rear pads have just been replaced but discs have loads of life left. Don't know when, if at all, they were last changed.

Mine's quite a motorway muncher though, so in comparison to a town car, the brakes don't get as much use over the same sort of miles :shrug:

 

[Matty John]

Well front pads are about £25 odd so not bad and disks are 50 i think with an hour to fit all your looking at £150 odd for brakes. Not cheap!

 

[stuart_astra1.7]

just realised, has someone been messing with your name again Matty?

 

[jjbennett]

I'm sure I saw on mtec site, they do front and back discs for £25. I could have read it wrong tho

 

[jjbennett]

Ignore my post, just read back an they are £25 when you buy their brake pads as well. Totals to about £150 for new discs and pads all round.

 

[stuart_astra1.7]

PHONE CALL: failed on worn bushes on lower arms, nearside steering boot split, rear discs and pads worn to excess, and underinflated rear tyre (puncture). don't know a price yet, they said approx £250 inc labour

 

[Matty John]

just realised, has someone been messing with your name again Matty?

Yup lol

 

[Matty John]

PHONE CALL: failed on worn bushes on lower arms, nearside steering boot split, rear discs and pads worn to excess, and underinflated rear tyre (puncture). don't know a price yet, they said approx £250 inc labour

Ouch :/ not good

 

[Nimraynn]

Not good, definitely not an expense you want... but I suppose in all, not too bad :shrug: