Madam insists on a more modern car than me on the basis of their being so much more reliable...she also insists that 'her' car is serviced by professionals. A year ago I reported at MoT time it had a suspension knocking from the back end. Passed the ticket without a hitch, but rattle continued, until some months later when we were both in the car (me driving and on putting into reverse a very clear scraping on the road...got our and look under. LH damper bottom bolt missing - damper bottom eye on road. Given to garage to repair. They re tapped the hole in bottom arm and fitted another bolt. It lasted a week before it was rattling again, so I went under and found the bolt loose - and wouldnt go tight. So I fitted a 're-thread sleeve. (a fancy helicoil) Just before Christmas, we were on our way to France...car did a little vibration as I joined motorway and again when madam took the wheel a few hours later.. but on M25 sprint and brake it started again and quickly developed to a heavy juddering - driveshaft failing? Off the motorway I instantly smelt the issue, a locking on caliper...RAC called (another insurance she insists on), well call handling gave the patrol the wrong coordinates so we watched him on the geo tracking pass a mile away to a location 6 miles distant and then report we had gone! But by the time he did arrive I had the wheel off but without tools could not exercise the caliper . Half hour and we were away again...even just managed to catch the train we were booked for - by not queueing all the way round the tunnel terminal - there is a cunning dodge from the entry barrier straight to the French customs booths. All good for 2000 miles. MoT due on 2nd Jan. Oh and whilst you are at it, do a service...All good, but on our next drive out...at about 50 miles from home at 06:30 on sat morning oil light come on! Dive into Monmouth services....Its p155ing oil onto the ground...Lost about 4ltrs...so buy 5ltrs of oil - for £48 !!! and get it home where I rip off the undertrays and find its leaking from the oil filter housing. I cant fix it because I cannot shift the housing with any of my strap wrench or mole grips???? Back to garage again Monday who tell me the oil seal was defective with the new oil filter...Hmmm. But why so tight too? Anyway just in case I need to do the next oil and filter change....I'm ready to take over.
