I tend to do most maintenance myself on the older cars.
The Mitsubishi Pinin required a new exhaust manifold flexi downpipe and I decided to give it to the local garage to change.
At the same time I asked them to investage a noise from the front nearside road speed related, and the brakes being a bit soft.
The brake issue they came back to me saying the brake fluid was brown (strike against another local garage who claimed they flushed the brake system after the MOT because of soft pedal, only 10 months ago) and the sliding calipers where a bit seized. I authorised a full flush, clean up the calipers, and full new discs and pads all round. Four Pagid discs and pads less than £250! Brakes all good.
They fitted the new downpipe but the o2 sensor was seized solid, requiring a new one. Okay fair enough.
Couldn't find the source of the noise.
Got her back, and within a few miles the joint between the downpipe and manifold was blowing. Took it back and they fixed it.
With another few miles it is blowing again....
Anyway I've just bought fresh diff and gearbox oils, probably never changed in its life, so jacked the whole car up late yesterday.
So I'll change the oils, and have a look at the exhaust gas leak myself.
With the front wheels both off the ground you naturally (don't you? ) give the wheels a rock and a spin to check for any play or noise.
Straight away noticed a huge amount of play in the front nearside wheel bearing, nothing on the offside.
How can you strip down to fit new discs etc, and not give the wheel a rock and spin afterwards, especially after I asked them to investage the noise?
I think the problem is that the garage has become too successful, and they have grown too big with more mechanics of questionable quality.
I need to find a smaller local garage I think, or, do it myself!!
