What did you do to your mk6/7 today?

[coacher]

Not been home for 3 months so haven't even seen it let alone touch it. Emptied out the crap from the back and found out why the seat is making a strange noise and is loose. One of the brackets is broken.

[ned]

Just got my van back 03 plate 199383 miles and failed its mot N

[v8dave]

The ball joint is possibly the worst to do.
Everything else is spending money but straight forward.

[ned]

It was the ball joint I was hoping wouldn't fail bloody ford I read there a pain to do.

Just got the ball joint £11.95, bulb £1.00, part worn tyres 2@ £15 each,

Brake lines the garage quoted £132 with the vat.

Thinking about it it could have been like every other mk6 and needed lots of welding done plus the bit of paper stopping the abs light from being on passed N

[loot]

No rust ned?

[ned]

No rust ned?

Not any that is an mot problem just a bit of surface rust but sshhhhhhhh don't let the other mk6 owner know they'll be throwing salt water all over my van But then the rusty mk6's don't have the satanic tdci engine

Only advisory was near side front brake pipe slightly corroded, may get the garage to do that as well as the other brake lines. N

[Punto443]

That's no bad Ned, a mornings work

[ned]

I was shitting bricks all day that it would need welding or the abs light bypass paper would fall out, knew the tyres were shot 4000 miles they've done.

Hopefully have the van earning its keep by Friday.

I can now buying some more bit for it, roof marker lights is on the cards. N

[knobby1]

knew the tyres were shot 4000 miles they've done.

4000miles..!! That's only ~6,400km..?? My new tyres were fitted when my van had just passed ~30,000km...it's now done just over 97,000km and only ~1/2 worn....what gives? Are your tyres made of cheese?

Lord Knobrot

[ned]

knew the tyres were shot 4000 miles they've done.

4000miles..!! That's only ~6,400km..?? My new tyres were fitted when my van had just passed ~30,000km...it's now done just over 97,000km and only ~1/2 worn....what gives? Are your tyres made of cheese?

Lord Knobrot

Think they were made from dog muck They were part worn when I got them, found out 1 was a snow tyre the rear two are continental and are doing well, I don't think our braille roads help either N

[Tango330]

Feel your pain Ned

I hate MOT time, mine comes up in December

[ned]

Feel your pain Ned

I hate MOT time, mine comes up in December

Ouch December that is painful, its the waiting that worries me what mood is the inspector in, has his wife left him so he's now going to screw everyone on everything.

I always try and get the appointment just before lunch, my theory is they'll be hungry and rush it through N

[Tango330]

Feel your pain Ned

I hate MOT time, mine comes up in December

Ouch December that is painful, its the waiting that worries me what mood is the inspector in, has his wife left him so he's now going to screw everyone on everything.

I always try and get the appointment just before lunch, my theory is they'll be hungry and rush it through N

Good plan, might try that one myself

Keep saying I'll MOT it again in summer so at least I can fix it in warmer weather, but it never happens

[MrFlibble]

It was the ball joint I was hoping wouldn't fail bloody ford I read there a pain to do.

I've just done mine (both sides). You need a big splitter fork that's wide enough to go either side of the tapered shaft. Most ball joint forks are too narrow between the prongs. I used Laser 5497, but the forks still weren't thick enough to split the joint before the back of the fork hit the joint shaft. So, I took the wheel hub nut washer (which I was going to replace anyway) and used the angle grinder to cut open one side to create a U-shaped shim, and once that was in, the fork was able to split the joint reasonably easily.

The other problem is getting the ball joint out of the steering knuckle. In this case, I'm afraid I wimped out and bought a specialist tool:

http://www.emotivsales.co.uk/ford-trans ... -2969.html

It's eyewateringly expensive, but it turns what would otherwise be complete ball-ache of a job into a doddle. If you were nearby I'd offer to loan it, but Cheshire's a bit far, I'm afraid

Front offside brake pipe is pretty easy to do (again, I've just done mine); the front-to-back one can be a bit tricky because it's routed over the fuel tank; you might be able to get away with just cutting out and replacing the rusty bit (hopefully the bit right at the back) if you can get to some good, uncorroded stuff. Make sure you have a decent flaring tool for doing the steel pipe; I can thoroughly recommend this one:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hand-Held-On- ... 1954387320

Despite me being a complete beginner to brake pipes, it's always done a perfect flare every time. From what I've heard, the cheap ones are a bit hit-and-miss and are a complete PITA on steel pipe.

Also, watch out on the brake pipe unions as, on my mk6 at least, the front ones are M12 but the back ones are M10. Bloody Ford

[BBang]

Gave it a treatment with this

belladd.jpg

service cleaner and 50 litters of diesel