Eyerseys Autotrader adventure

[Peanut Gallery]

No! - Sorry to hear, but as you say, not too bad for age and mileage!

Someone, a while ago, suggested I use the ST swing arm - please do not quote me on that - built a lot stronger than the normal focus range, but the same size. Just a thought if you want to go down an upgrade route!

[Eyersey1234]

Thanks I'll see what the garage say. Could explain why the steering wobbled at high speed, I had wondered if there was a problem with a tyre or wheel.

Edited by Eyersey1234 on Thursday 24th June 10:34

[Bobberoo]

Lower control arm? Don't let them put cheap ones on they won't last more than a couple of years, also beneficial to do both as the Geometry will be better.

[bungz]

Likely arm ball joint. Would have to be pretty buggered to cause wobble when driving though they usually just knock.

On cheap arms they tend to go again quite quickly.

Id say that's not a terrible result though, they are not super hard/expensive to swap.

Another year of cheap motoring

[Eyersey1234]

I think the clutch is on the way out as its biting very high and won't stall if the pedal is lifted with it in gear and the engine running. Anyone any idea roughly how much a replacement clutch will be? There's no sign of it slipping

[Bobberoo]

Eyersey1234 said:

I think the clutch is on the way out as its biting very high and won't stall if the pedal is lifted with it in gear and the engine running. Anyone any idea roughly how much a replacement clutch will be? There's no sign of it slipping

Depends entirely on where you go Eyersey, first Focus cost us £845 for DMF, clutch and slave cylinder, i went to a specialist who only does clutches and gearboxes for the one in Rio the Rioja Racing slug and that was £685 for the same, and they used LUK comps!!!

[Eyersey1234]

Bobberoo said:

Depends entirely on where you go Eyersey, first Focus cost us £845 for DMF, clutch and slave cylinder, i went to a specialist who only does clutches and gearboxes for the one in Rio the Rioja Racing slug and that was £685 for the same, and they used LUK comps!!!

Thanks Bobberoo

[Eyersey1234]

Focus is in for new tyres today. I am at a crossroads though, do I pay out to get the clutch done with a view to keeping it 2-3 more years or bite the bullet and upgrade now?

[bungz]

I got one done for 700.

I would work on the basis that the car is basically worth nothing/scrap with a dead clutch and as it is an estate you will always see the majority of that money back despite its mileage with a MOT and paperwork for a clutch / dmf

Basically if the rest is right I don't think there is much risk.

[Eyersey1234]

The clutch isn't slipping yet but I suspect won't last much longer.

[Peanut Gallery]

I hear you, I kept doing one more repair thinking that was the last and I had a sorted Focus. And one more repair. And one more repair. And one more thing to live with.

However, you seem to have a sorted rest of a car, and not much in the way of rust.

Do you enjoy driving it? - Engaging to drive?

Although I really enjoy driving the much newer S-Max, it just gets the job done, the steering is just smooth, the engine pulls, but you just feel sort of dis-connected.

[Eyersey1234]

Peanut Gallery said:

I hear you, I kept doing one more repair thinking that was the last and I had a sorted Focus. And one more repair. And one more repair. And one more thing to live with.

However, you seem to have a sorted rest of a car, and not much in the way of rust.

Do you enjoy driving it? - Engaging to drive?

Although I really enjoy driving the much newer S-Max, it just gets the job done, the steering is just smooth, the engine pulls, but you just feel sort of dis-connected.

I do enjoy the car, it drives really nicely and there isn't much else wrong with it that I am aware of, just a slight oil and coolant leak which could be coming from anywhere so just something to keep an eye on at the moment. I have been advised on another forum I am on to get the clutch done as it would be a shame to see a good car die for want of a clutch.

[Bobberoo]

I agree with the consensus, if the car's still enjoyable to drive, reliable and still in decent nick, spend the money on a clutch, if you buy something else you could just as easily buy a load of problems.

[Eyersey1234]

Thanks for the advice everyone. The garage are preparing me a quote for the clutch so I'll make a decision when they give me it.

[mercedeslimos]

A firm believer in better the devil you know.

[Eyersey1234]

I should have a quote for the clutch by Monday. Having given the matter a lot of careful thought I am more likely to be sticking with the Focus than not.

[Bobberoo]

Sounds like a good decision to me.

[dandam]

mercedeslimos said:

A firm believer in better the devil you know.

Agreed

[mercedeslimos]

dandam said:

mercedeslimos said:

A firm believer in better the devil you know.

Agreed

To the point that I've put 2 clutches into my parents' car in 5 years, as it's a brilliant car.

[Eyersey1234]

Garage has quoted £623 including VAT, labour etc which isn't too bad considering. Surprisingly according to their supplier it has a solid flywheel not a DMF.