JohnP001

Has anybody started an inexpensive fairly straight forward job, only for it to turn into a major expensive one?

Well this is what’s happened to me over the past few weeks.

I’ve decided to change my AVO 2.25” coilovers on my Escort Cosworth to a set of Koni’s with Ahmed Bayjoo springs. Purchased Koni’s and springs form Mike R, (thanks Mike), and as I’m still waiting for a few bits and bobs from Zoo to start the job, I decided to do a quick change oil and oil filter on my wife’s Golf VR6. I get the car into the garage and onto the axel stands and drain the oil. I can see a fairly large oil leak from behind the oil cooler, as there’s oil everywhere. Now this is a difficult area to get to, as the VR6 engine is a tight fit in the engine bay.

So I decide to take off the front bumper, head lights, radiator and AC radiator. Great, got good access and it’s off within a few minutes. But when removing the headlights, one has a large crack and stone chip in, so will need to be replaced. Here we go……

Seeing that it’s the weekend, and I can’t order the parts from VW till Monday, I decide to have a look at the suspension, as she’s complained that the car’s not handling as well as it used to. Take the front tyres off, and they’re wearing on the inside, hmmmmm, doesn’t look good. Looking at the shocks from with in the wheel arch they look very dirty. Could it be oil? By the way, they’re also AVO 2.25” coilovers, and have been in for approximately 6 years. So out comes the one of the front struts, and dismantle to inspect. When pushing on the plunger, it just drops into the shock with hardly any resistance, and I can hear the air bubbles inside. Hmmmm not good, so all the shocks come off, and needless to say, they’re all in a very bad condition. These will have to be replaced. Hmmmm those front brake discs don’t look good either, got a massive lip on the outer edge. Measured the front disc’s, and they’re on the border line, so will have to be replaced. Back discs are rusted, and not binding very well, and look crap, so will replace these as well. So off come the discs. Seeing that I’m replacing the rear discs and these have the wheel bearings incorporated, might as well replace the wheel bearings and seals.

Now that I know what needs replacing, I speak to the wife so she can select a set of shocks, discs and brake pads. Just as I like my Escort Cosworth, with power and good handling, she enjoys the same. Therefore what’s good for the goose is good for the gander. So a set of Bilstein G12 tuning kit shocks and springs, G88 40 groove Tarox brakes and pads, new style looking headlights, and all the parts needed to fit the shocks etc. rear bearings, etc. etc. I’m now ready to start installing. Cost approximately £1300, and all starting with the replacement of an “O” ring worth 65p.

rs nutta

yep i have last year i thought id build myself a bmx cheap and ended up spending over £400

Mike Rainbird

iTrader: (3)

Cars, you just gotta love 'em!

CossieRich

iTrader: (1)

vroooom ptssssh

gutted

Still tho, atleast you know her car is now SAFE and more than likely to pass it's next mot no problem!

89xr2

My frame cost that much

Car's eh. Who'd have em

JohnP001

But looking on the bright side, my Escort Cossie is in the garage next for new shocks etc. and she knows the way I drive, and has mentioned to me that I need a better seatbelt than the standard. So I could be in for nice new seats and 5 point harnesses in the very new future… She also agrees that I’ll have to replace the two to make it balanced.

89xr2

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