A recently acquired new and exciting vibration prompted me to contact, via an advert in "Low Flying", a certain Nick Potter (ex Caterham Midlands, now doing his own thing) in Lubenham near Market Harborough.
It turns out that something about the propshaft has gone all wrong, or something, and that's what's making the rattle. "What's the damage?" I enquire. "I've got to take the diff off to get to it. If it goes smoothly, we're talking £200. If it doesn't and I need to break things to get to it, then the meter's running". OK, fair enough.
"Oh, by the way" he says, "Your front brake pads are metal-to-metal, your track rod ends have excessive play and your off-side wheel bearing need doing."
"Oh, OK."
Still, the MOT is due next month and one (or all) of the above would probably constitute a fail, so it needs doing.
On the upside, the girlfriend has allowed me unlimited access to her car - a 1.8 diesel Ford Focus.
It's just not the same. I'm used to an instant shove when accelerating in any gear. The Focus doesn't come with that. I'm just not used to having to change down from fifth to fourth when going up a hill.
Hey ho, I just want my car back, all fixed and that.
(I hope he takes credit cards)
