Colin_P

Cheers Gents,

I decided to use some persil and mild bleach solution on the belts, came out a treat.

Cleaned the belts off and then had the car air all day with all the doors open and the seatbelts fully extended and that way with g-clamps and mole grips. Then back in the garage with a fan heater inside for an hour and a half.

Came out a treat.





A few general shots of the car as most have been of specific bits up to now. It is nothing special but should be good to go without hassle for another 5+ years now.

Bufty includinng the wheels.


Almost cleared the boot of crap









That is it, just about done now apart from the brake hoses. Just need to make sure it gets a good airing every now and then.

One I hope to actually be able to drive again.

Cossy Mike

iTrader: (4)

Awesome work and dedication

You've inspired me to keep hold of mine now!

Mine could do with a new rack and front arms as the steering has a worrying flat spot and feels like in wanders at times.

Think I'll start buying the bits for the summer and do it all at the same time

Colin_P

Hey hey.

Got signed off as good to drive.

Been out and about in my car which is a VW Passat.

Going to get the Focus taxed, back on the road and the Mrs will use it as her daily.

I'll also use it as well. Cannot wait to take it for a good spin after at this time.

Glenn_

iTrader: (1)

Cool matey good news. You can get rid of the passat and get another project l0l.

Colin_P

Attention will shift to the Pasty now. Need to do some cosmetic stuff on it as it is also a 10 year old car.

This evening I changed the damaged rear hose I fucked up with the wire brush a few months ago. Also changed both front hoses whilst the brake hydraulics were 'open'.

I'll get my son to help me bleed the system tomorrow evening and then it really is finished.... for now.

0150carmac

thats great news you done a cracking job off the focus

Glenn_

iTrader: (1)

Na just sell it lol.

zippyka80

Hi mate I have a focus myself I was just wondering how much the subframe and rear discs and springs was as my mot guy said car passed today but it just as age related rust and I want to catch it before it gets to bad did you paint arches as well As I think mine will be like yours worse as you take stuff off

Colin_P

Yes painted the arches after whizzing off any surface rust with a wire brush in the grinder. Need to properly paint the outer face of them though when it gets warmer.

As I did the suspension work over three years ago now the costs are from memory;

2nd hand subframe Ł50
Rear disc conversion including hubs, calipers and handbrake cable was Ł100

All the other bits I bought new, look on e-bay but remember it costing far more than was worth spending on the car!

But for any major rear suspension work as it is so easy to drop the whole lot down and out of the car, the 2nd subframe is the way to do it. That way if you are using the car as a daily you can get it all done over a weekend.

When I did the rear subframe swap I was using the car as a daily driver so started on a Friday evening, worked quite late and finished off on Sat morning.

I'm lucky to have a garage though but now start all big jobs on a Friday evening having been caught out a few times. Being caught out means not being to buy parts all weekend as everywhere is shut. Starting on a Friday eve means you can buy bits on the Sat morning before everywhere shuts!

zippyka80

Thanks mate sounds like the way I go as my focus is on move every day but I to think it shall be worth it as I think this shape focus is the best shape in looks it's just the underside is starting to get bad and I want to catch it before it gets to bad I start collecting parts ready for swap over later on in year keep up good work your car is a credit to you

Cossy Mike

iTrader: (4)

Your right with the sub frame, my local breakers quoted Ł50 for rear beam and Ł60 for front or both for Ł100.

I've just bought the front and rear sub frame bolts from Ford for Ł67, they came silver coloured so I've dropped them off for zinc.

Mine has the same dreaded flat spot on the rack, so next month when the weathers a bit better, I'm going to treat it to a new rack, new rod ends, complete arms, re-furb sub frame.

Then I'll purchase a rear frame and build it up



Thanks for the enthusiasm!

Colin_P

Mike, Zippy,

Go for it and I'm glad there is someone else taking care of some MK1's

Just like every other Ford before, one day there will be none left and then they will go up a bit in value.

The MK1 Focus in any guise is a special car, so good they are more than the sum of their parts.

The MK2 & MK3 Foci lost the sparkle the MK1 had and I liken them to the dreadful MK6/7 Escorts and that is like a domestic appliance. They might be packed full of whizzy high tech stuff (that will fuck up) but they are as dull as dishwater.

Colin_P

Sorted.

Got the x3 brake hoses swapped over and the braking system bled with the help of my eldest (13 year old) son last night.

Taxed tomorrow.

As she stands today

zippyka80

That is true any model mk1 is good they just need looking after nice to see car getting sorted I see yours is a ghia too mine is as well except mine is a 1.6 petrol nice to see your son getting involved I hope mine is the same he likes all things with wheels at mo is face thing is turning anything up with wheels and spinning them that inclues the pushchair so there is hope

Colin_P

And so it should.

Just passed the MOT with no advisories and a comment from the tester "That is one seriously clean car".

Well chuffed by that comment alone.

MOT time is funny, although I had no rears of it failing when it on up on the ramp I always get that feeling and thoughts of will it, won't it. It is a legacy of when younger running some proper old sheds that really were touch and go. Much older and wiser now, I really put some effort into making sure all things are good and the car is as clean as possible.

I might even take it and use it for work next week and make the Mrs use the newer VW.

Glenn_

iTrader: (1)

My matey mots my cars and he has never failed one of my cars yet. I take my friends cars there too and say out of the 20 cars ive took there he has only failed one cause it was a fooking dog and I was pissed off with taking the shed to him.

Colin_P

Gents,

The time has come. I'm selling the car.

I'm currently under another 6 month medical driving ban so with regret I'm looking to sell her.

Please have a good read of this thread for details of the car.

The car itself is in very good mechanical condition but there are some areas of the bodywork that need touching up. This should not be too much of an issue as it is in solid gloss black which is easy to blend and polish in. If you are after a well sorted MK1 this is your the car for you.

To summarise the car;

1999 1.8 TDDI, 154,000 miles, 5 door Ghia hatchback.
Tax until the end of July 14
MOT, 9 months (no advisories on the last one)
Leather interior with two stage heated front seats.
Variable intermittant front wipers.
Fuel computer.
Ghia interior lights
Fixed flange towbar
15" Ghia multispoke wheels, two nearly new tyres, two worn 75%

At the asking price will come with;
A set of 14" steel wheels fitted with winter tyres.
A mass of spare parts, fluids etc.

Looking for Ł650 or near offer.

I'm located in Maidenhead Berkshire.

opposite lock

iTrader: (3)

Hi Colin my mate is interested in this , have you got a number for him to call you? Or Davids number is 07961 240948.

Thanks
Mike.

Colin_P

PM replied to.

Mister G

What a great thread and a man after my own heart! Also sent you a PM!

Glenn_

iTrader: (1)

Bargain imo.

Colin_P

The car is now sold.

Glenn_

iTrader: (1)

That didn't take long.

Colin_P

No it didn't. Put on Pistonheads and had three people straight away wanting to look. The first bloke who came bought it, no haggling nothing.

Sad to have seen it go considering the love and attention I gave it.

For the first time ever we do not have a Ford in the family

Everyone is driving VAG's now ...... except me as I cannot drive.

Glenn_

iTrader: (1)

VAGs aahhhhhh.I don't mind them but there are just as good as other makes of cars.They arnt any better.

Colin_P

I like them as they seem to have sorted the rust issue and I have VCDS / Vagcom for the diagnostics.

But the modern ones are just as crap as any other make as they are strangled by emission control systems.

I'm sure I'll regret flogging the Focus though.

Glenn_

iTrader: (1)

They don't seem to rust as bad as fords but I think the mk2 focuses and mk3 mondys don't rust as bad as the old ones.

A lad at work has a mk5 golf edition30.Its got rust bubbles on both front wings.Rust bubbles on the rear arches and a scab of rust on the bottom of the boot lid.

Colin_P

I don't like the modern stuff. The VAG's I like are from the mid 90's to the mid 00's. I think that was the pinnacle of their achievements. From then on things have gone downhill. They are a fragile as any other make.

Glenn_

iTrader: (1)

Ive always thought vws are boring to look at too.

jammerrs

I've just read this thread, what an absolute credit to you. the car looked fantastic with very well sorted additions.

i own a st170 and would love to get the underside done like this

i hope the new owner enjoys it to

keanu

Hi i am extremely impressed and cant believe you sold it so cheap after all that work. i was wondering where could i get new sill skins for a mk1 3dr