www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk

Looks like putting my head in the sand isnt going to cut it anymore with my car.

have a ford focus 2005 saloon type,
I need wheel bearings, new bushes, 4 new tyres and the heatshield is now falling off too.... not to mention a full service


oh and the battery light has been on for Fuc$ing ages which is most likely an issue with the alternator bushes.

and I have zero pounds to pay for any repairs.....

I know what you mean Dave, they are a pain! Whens your MOT and can you prioritise what you need and do it bit by bit? Can any one lend you any money or anything you can do yourself (with a friend), service/bearings etc? I hope that you sort it.

I am trying to sell my convertible but the battery and electrics went, sorted that, took it for a test drive down a dual carriegeway and a wood pigeon flew into the grill and broke it and the bumper fixings! So car off sale for two weeks, finally got it sorted someone coming over tonight.....weather permitting! It is ruddy raining now! This is a plea to whoever controls the weather....can I please have an hour of sunshine between 5 and 6pm tonight...please!

MOT is in december... but as a priority, i think the bushes and tyres are getting fairly important which is looks to be around £800

£800 sounds like a lot of money, where are you getting it done?

no where yet..... just priced up parts so far tyres and fitting = £360 bushes (withought fitting) = £220

I assume that you have done a check and looked at online? I saved a load recently by buying from KwikFit online and then going in and them fitting. I think it was 10% saving ish.

Ouch - sounds nasty!!!!

Can you do the work yourself (except tyres)?

I had a crack at wheel bearings, wishbones and ball joints a while back - annoying, but not really hard if you got the tools handy. Only needed to buy (brother had it though) one tool, to seperate the ball joint...it was a tapered tool.

Heatshield (the undertray?) - just cable tie it back on.....they all go brittle and fall off eventually. A 7mm drill bit and cable tie it to the chassis. Easier to take off later. You'll find most garages do that after repairs anyhow.

BG

Have a look at black circle tyres on line I got two front budget tyres fitted for £140.then go on euro parts for the other stuff

thanks for the ideas guys, unfortunately I cant afford to buy any parts either at the moment, so a bit screwed on that front too.. damn having no liquidity.

Some of the larger car scrappers offer part worn tyres for around £10 -£15 a time and even change them for you (usually their already on rims so just change the whole lot over) Our local scrapper Albert Looms, charges £10 for part worn tyres on rims and will even change your own tyres (brought in) onto your rims for a fiver (including balancing)
Last car I had needed 3 tyres for the MOT and I went to Looms's and got 3 almost new tyres for £30.

Feel for ya Root.
I spent £2300 just over 2 months ago, on what appeared to be a decent motor Been using a lot of oil, managment light came on, took it to my garage, to be told he reckons the rings are knackered.
£1500+ to get a recon engine in.

Dealer uninterested. Looks like we will be taking him to court under the Sale of Goods act.
Now need to get a report done from the main dealer, then park the car up and wait.

Nothing but a pain in the backside. In the meantime, I will probably end up having to buy another car ffs.

Dont grow on trees does it

Park the van outside the garage with a sign written on the side......see how long it takes their interest to pick up. Under no obligation to move it, especailly as it's broken down......

If i went near the place, id have an overwhelming urge to drop him.
Best avoided. At the moment