Fabcol

Hi, Many thanks for your replies. A very sensible suggestion @rum4mo I think lubrication is a must and well worth mentioning. Thanks so much Ray @Carlodiesel highly appreciated. I'm at the lowest point in my life I've ever been and now I'm getting kicked whilst being totally innocent. Because this case is litigation it involves two solicitors and now the bill is £6,000. I meet my solicitor face to face next Wednesday morning then it's time to make my neighbours realize the position they are now in; I believe I can sue for tresspass too; hopefully the drains will be fully sealed and the court awards full costs plus damages against my neighbours; if they decide to settle out of court it will cost them my legal fees. Going to court could damage them in many ways. They were warned. Thanks Alasdair @Alasdair1 What is the KYB cat please; is it Autodoc? I'd like to have a look for other bits I need. My Yeti is the 2016 2.0L TDI diesel 110hp SE.L with 50mm struts 2WD. I can supply the Reg.No before ordering; I did check on eBay but on size because it appears there are 50mm & 55mm struts. Mine are 50mm after a bit more hassle in my life; both my digital verniers had a flat battery each. I had considered sealing the drains with mortar thus forcing my neighbours to take me to court after they had installed the drains by trespass. However I'm a 78 year old dinosaur brought up to be honest and respectful and can only hope my neighbours end up paying £K's leaving my name and integrity sound. This drain problem is totally interfering with my life; I hardly slept last night because of the huge costs involved even before the case is drawn up and my neighbours informed by letter of impending court action. I'll leave the shocker job until after the case is resolved; I don't want to tackle it the way I feel at the moment and to have the garage install the springs to the struts I would have no transport to take the struts to the garage so I might just as well let the garage do the job whilst I still have a shirt on my back. The MOT isn't due until July but I want to keep on top of maintenance before something breaks causing extra problems and cost; I'm very keen looking after my Yeti; the bounce test is OK at each front corner; it's the best car ever. Sorry to bang on but it helps to focus me a bit. Your reply just popped up @Austin 7 Thank you, if I cleaned the struts wouldn't the garage know at MOT time just by a simple online MOT check; if a shock fails it could cost a lot more if it alo takes out a spring; the springs are OK but I'll replace the lot at one go. The cam belt also is due to be replaced at ten years due to service length and not milage. I've had no problems at all with my Yeti over the last ten years so it deserves lots of TLC. Kind regards, Col.

Hi, Many thanks for your replies. I think I might be better burning all my money because so many are after it starting with Reeves and now I've got neighbour trouble; four open drains have been installed to a flight of stone garden steps abutting my garden without permission; these drains are pipes open at their end and can discharge water into my garden. I own my property and Freehold outright. I've engaged a solicitor and already the bill is £3,648. I'm heartboken due to my wonderful wife passing away almost a year ago and I already am at the lowest point I've ever been in my entire life now neighbours are forcing their problem onto me; I'm fighting but it's all taking a great deal of my time and is highly stressful. All I want is to be left in peace and solitude but I keep being attacked from all directions. Sorry for the moan. Kind regards, Col.

Hi, Thank you @Prezafab for your interesting reply. My Yeti is fitted with Michelin all season tyres; living here on a steep valley side they are the difference between getting home or getting stranded in icy conditions. The tyres were fitted on my driveway by "Tyresonthedrive" I believe they are now Halfords. At the time the set of four cost £600 with free fitting. It's interesting to note your shocks are on 270K and still OK @skisbp The last MOT flagged the shocks up as misting; I did watch a YouTube video yesterday stating this misting is normal on Yeti shocks? If so why flag it up. I was concerned about breaking a spring because all four tyres have problems contacting our Kirklees roads at the same time; speed calming meaning no end of bumps in the road; bumps can be installed but not repair the bomb craters and it seems to get worse every time I drive the car. Thanks so much for your second mention regarding the springs @Carlodiesel the first about needing a spring compressor and the second which is very important about compressing the springs safely; I'm a National Coal Board mechanical engineer but I'm aware there could be Yeti owners needing new shocks and could become seriously injured or even killed if compression is suddenly released; YouTube has many videos covering this subject but it can't be repeated enough. I have excellent workshop facilties; I admit I don't like the look of the standard readily available spring compressors which could easily slip. Referring back to you @skisbp given the low mileage of my Yeti; if I just fit the shocks and check the other items it could end up an easier and cheaper job; the top mounts are important but I can check these once removed and if they require replacing I can buy with next day delivery. I do want my Yeti to remain in top condition and don't mind spending on it. A couple of years ago I dropped the wing liners and sprayed on Bilt Hamber Dynax-UB also doing the cills; suspension; doors & tailgate. I still need to do the bonnet. Thanks again everyone for your useful replies. Kind regards, Col.

Hi, I've just bought a pair of B4 Bilstein front shocks costing £120 for the pair through eBay; my original shocks are 50mm but I had to check first before placing the order. I'll order the springs and other items too. I'll do this job my usual way; the hard way? Kind regards, Col.

Hi, Thanks so much for your welcome reply @Carlodiesel Much appreciated. Bilstein & Munroe are names I've known forever. In order to save lots of time I'm considering buying complete units to simply bolt into place if I can buy either Bilstein or Monroe? I found complete units on eBay under GH-Parts @ £499 the pair which looks expensive. Whilst I'm working on the suspension I'll look at the associated rubber bushes too. I'm keen to keep my lovely Yeti for as long as possible; I never want to own either an hybrid or full EV; I'm sure with care my Yeti will outlast an EV made today. 10 years old with only 34,000 miles on the clock; it's due for its second cambelt and another brake fluid change too. It's going to hurt my pocket this year but money well spent. Kind regards, Col.

Hi, My 10 year old 2.0L diesel SEL Yeti finally needs new front shocks. (Bomb cratered roads around Huddersfield) I'd very much appreciate recommended best shocks to buy please? Kind regards, Col.

Hi, Many thanks for the tip @Prezafab I notice the back inner corners of the rear doors tend to gather lots of dirt around the seals. May I please ask; are the seals easy to remove and replace. I've got a small touch up bottle with brush of black magic paint and have given the door bottom corners a coat whilst the corners were rust free rather than waiting for rust to appear and when I sprayed the door cavities last year I blasted a lot of rustproofing into the corners. I did slip up because I hadn't realized the canister lance fitted into the cill drain holes; a bit late after I'd drilled two holes in each cill top and plugged them. I'm concerned with what's happening behind the cill outer covers but I think these can't be replaced if removed? I know I'm fussy and extra keen but our Yeti is a big part of our lives. Kind regards, Col.

Hi, Thanks for asking @Expatman A good question. My wife and I want to keep our Yeti in top condition for as long as we can. I admit as it turned out I've gone over the top with rustproofing but I'm a dinosaur remembering when I owned a garage business in my twenties when cars like the Ford Anglia 105E's and many others of the time rusted as I looked at them; it was common to open a Ford Anglia boot to find a pair of cart spring ends laughing at me. Yes cars are much better these days regarding types of steel used and the change from positive earth to negative earth. Last year when I dropped the wing liners I found lots of leaves and debris behind the bottom rear corner of the front nearside packed against the cill end; I cleared this and with it dry I blasted lots of Bilt-Hamber heavy duty DYNAX-UB all under the wheel arches and suspension parts I could reach. I bought 5L each of Dynax S-50 And Dynax UB. I'm doing the rustproofing for my peace of mind whether it's needed or not; it certainly won't hurt doing it. The Yeti is now telling me it's had more rustproofing carried out with the powerful smell whilst shopping this morning. I want to avoid rust long term; I don't want to be faced with this kind of thing in years to come; not a Yeti but still a Skoda; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNAaKQJi3r8 Kind regards, Colin.

Hi, Thanks @Prezafab for the tip. As usual it was dark and overcast today so this afternoon I ran the extension lamp out to have a good look. I thought whilst the panel is off I may as well use the rest of the canister; I've paid keen attention to rust proofing the inner bottom corners and all along the bottom joint putting a lot on; I've gone over the top and used the full canister just on the tailgate knowing it's now fully rustproofed. I used a small brush and coated every metal clip with grease; trying to align the panel using the lamp was difficult at first but then I noticed a plastic post on the bottom of the cover near the center and also a hole in the tailgate to accept it; now it was a doddle; push the plastic post into place and as you rightly say the metal clips snapped home one by one; now I've had the panel off it will be great deal easier next time to remove it and the greased clips should help. A very poor image but shows the tailgate to be like brand new; the variation in colour isn't rust it's how the factory sprayed the paint; I couldn't be more pleased finding it rust free. I've still got the bonnet cavities to rustproof but doing the tailgate was hassle in the dark so I might wait until next year; it's possible the bonnet too will be rust free but I want to rustproof it anyway; better spending a bit of money now than a lot of money later. Using these Bilt-Hamber canisters with the normal spray head and also the wand fitted is incredibly easy but care is needed to catch any run off; run off can be removed with white spirit. It's not cheap but worth it. I've had a big pressure washer for years but it's too much work setting it up just for the car. I've now got one of the above as an attachment for pressure washing under the car and also a brand new smaller pressure washer to use it with. Having bought these two I thought I'd buy some snow foam which I've never used before; With winter imminent I wanted to check the battery condition so bought a battery tester; the battery is 100%. Out of interest I needed to do a welding job on my Howard petrol rotavator; the rotavator is housed in hut up the steep garden and too heavy to get down to the workshop without dismantling it; I have an industrial Pickhill Bantam arc welder; this is too heavy to try to get up to the rotavator and it needs a 32A mains supply. I've bought one of the above which is fantastic value and did the welding job in minutes; I've been arc welding for over 60 years and am very impressed with this tiny welder which I can now use in future in or out of the workshop. I like plenty of toys to play with. Our Yeti is a keeper as long as it doesn't start costing a fortune for spares or repairs; it's also good for the environment; with care it will last for many years. Kind regards, Col.

Hi, Yesterday afternoon after a huge struggle I finally removed the tailgate lower inner panel and what a fight it was with metal clips I thought were welded in. I'm indebted to "The Plumber" for his excellent post; https://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/288429-removing-tailgate-interior-trim/#comments I live in West Yorkshire which as usual is a black hole; yesterday and today just the same; yesterday I struggled to see what I was doing using a torch to locate the clips; this afternoon I thought I'd be smart so turned the Yeti around on the driveway the rear end now facing the valley; it was even worse but once again using a torch I masked off the lights and wiper motor etc not wanting to cover these with rustproofing. I then set about using the Bilt Hamber Dynax S50 with the wand; the wand was inserted as far as it would go into all the holes and openings and all were given a good dose. I expected to find rust but was truly amazed to see the cavities and bottom inner lip still looking brand new; this really cheered me up and a good blasting of Dynax S50 should keep it this way. I tried taking images but even with the flash the results were poor. It was so dark at 3 o'clock I called it a day; I'll refit the cover at a later date; perhaps the sun might even put in an appearance but I'm not holding my breath. One thing is certain; I'll be greasing the metal clips before reinstalling the cover. I used an assortment of kit to remove the panel. I used wallpaper scrapers; a knife and finally attacked the panel with one of the above; next would be dynamite; these panels are very difficult indeed to remove but if I need to remove it again next time will be much easier and quicker; the clips let go with a loud bang. Just one screw to fully remove from the grab handle; the top inner clips took a bit of finding and getting free. I don't know what kind of job I've done today because it was so dark but I put plenty of rustproofing on. What's happened to Screwfix website; I search for Screwfix and it brings up Amazon and others? I copied the picture from Toolstation. It might be next July before I can work outside again and see what I'm doing; I love Yorkshire but I don't love its climate. I should have kept my pit lamp and battery? Kind regards, Col.

Hi, Having bought the Bilt-Hamber rust proofing canister with lance I was keen yesterday morning to finally rust proof the bonnet and tailgate of our Yeti before winter hits us. The Yeti lives on the driveway so is permanently outside; I lifted the tailgate and couldn't see a thing it was a black hole; all day yesterday it was dark and gloomy; I don't want to mess around with an extension lamp so I gave up. I should have known better because I live in Yorkshire; at least it wasn't bucketing down with rain. Today is also dark and gloomy; Just me moaning. A bit of good news though; the new battery tester shows the battery at 100%. Kind regards, Col.

Hi, I sympathize with you Prezafab; why should you pay more than anyone else who drives a car; we can only drive one car at a time and most cars occupy similar road space. The government are behaving like Robin Hood robbing the rich but giving the money away on crackpot schemes. I've just been on another forum I'm a member of; How much industry and business has been lost due to VAT being added; we're being robbed from every angle. I've just bought a pressure washer for use on our Yeti; my big pressure washer is too much hassle to set up just to power wash the car; I've also bought 5L of snow foam; under carriage cleaner washer attachment; electronic battery tester 12V/24V and another Bilt-Hamber S50 700ml aerosol. Last year I used a lot of Bilt-Hamber for rustproofing but didn't manage to do the bonnet and tailgate. I used Dynax-UB for the exposed areas and want to complete under the floor pan and cills; I've done the inner cills. This is why I've bought the new pressure washer with attachment; our Yeti is going to be very well looked after. Kind regards, Col.

Hi, Many thanks Prezafab for your well thought out reply. I've browsed the web a number of times looking at new cars but after a short while my eyes glaze over with boredom; most modern new cars blend into the background all looking alike with a tyre at each corner; EV's are even worse with sheet metal panel front which is totally bland. I fully agree with you and our Yeti with care should see me out; I've finished polishing it this afternoon and just visited our local pharmacy in it; Yeti's are such a pleasure to own and drive; however many times I look at other cars I always think what a brilliant car we already own. I've just bought a car pressure washer through eBay at around £58 and also 5L foam at around £10; I have a large pressure washer but it's a pain setting it up. I wonder if the garage I now use to service the Yeti will hire me the use of one of the bays for half a day Saturday afternoon allowing me to do a proper rustproofing; it costs nothing to ask and will be considerably cheaper than paying for professional rustproofing; I've still got plenty of Bilt Hamber thin & thick rustproofing; all I need is to get under the Yeti in safety. You and I Prezafab know only too well the amount of rain we receive in Yorkshire; not only do we need to rustproof our car we too could do with a good coating of rustproofing; 3 days consecutive dry days and we have an hosepipe ban; Yorkshire's a truly wonderful place to call home; I was born here and I'll die here. Like you Carlodiesel; Bron and I have traded in our car at 3 years old or less and done so since 1991; Skoda upset us stopping Yeti production a year after we bought our new Yeti; we'd be on our third Yeti now and looking forward to a fourth new Yeti next year. Our Yeti has scrubbed up like brand new. I only looked at VW because of the way DMK in Wakefield wanted to replace the front pads and discs when they didn't need replacing so unfortunately DMK and Skoda are out of bounds to us. I wonder what's in store for next time the Yeti needs taxing; it's £35 per year at the moment. I see on YouTube EV owners are now having to pay a lot more for their insurance so they are being punished at every turn? Kind regards, Col.

Hi, Out of curiosity and looking on the web at modern cars I thought perhaps a VW Tiguan might make a decent replacement for a Yeti. What a total put off for me; I don't want a car without proper handbrake or key less entry. Surely a 12.9" TV on the dashboard can't be a safety feature and no manual transmission. Trying to obtain full spec I find very difficult indeed; browsing the web brings up no end of lease deals etc but what about all the full car details we used to see as brochures? A spare wheel at around £350; my first car an Hillman Minx convertible came with five wheels and cost an whole £5 cash. I admit to being a 77 year old dinosaur but I thought a car was supposed to be transport not mission control; a brand new diesel or petrol Yeti stripped of all the unwanted electronics would be fine for me; no infotainment; no blue tooth or phone connections; no radio; no heated seats but it must have handbrake; heater and spare wheel with jack; if I ever reach the point of not having enough strength to pull up an handbrake I think I should stop driving completely. I don't use a mobile phone. The government about ten years ago got motorists into diesel cars and once this was done then diesel owners were stabbed in the back; now the government are pushing EV's but as I expected EV owners are now being stabbed in the back; the free road tax which was a selling point will go up in smoke April next year if the EV hasn't already gone up in smoke; public charging is more expensive than filling up an ICE car unless with an home charger; motorists are just cash machines for the government and it's long overdue for a revolt against the government; they've gone too far; I'm totally biased and admit it I want a car as transport to drive looking ahead at the road not looking at a TV screen; amazingly I can park our Yeti without needing lots of electronics and I have a pair of eyes to watch all around as I drive using old fashioned mirrors for emergency vehicles and tail gaters coming up behind. Last year I did a lot of rustproofing to our Yeti but living on a steep slope I'm not keen on jacking the Yeti up to rustproof the floor pan; there are no rustproofing centers in or near Huddersfield; the nearest I can find are Doncaster or Nelson. At 8 years old if our Yeti was an EV what would it be worth assuming someone wanted to buy it; white goods have been disposable items for years now cars are becoming disposable items; for anyone owning an EV then it's their money and their choice; I don't want an EV or even want an EV on our property. For what an EV costs an awful lot of spares/repairs can be carried out on an ICE car; I'm a Yorkshireman and would have nightmares with an EV depreciation. I've rambled on enough and hope I haven't offended anyone; I washed and dried our Yeti yesterday and polished one side; when it warms up outside after dinner I'll finish the polishing; I'm using "Bilt Hamber Auto-Balm" the Yeti scrubs up like a brand new car and it's got street presence. Kind regards, Col.

Hi, Many thanks for asking Urrell. Yes I tightened the screws solving the leak. I've since ordered a dozen of these screws through eBay shortly to arrive; I'll replace all five and have a few spare. I politely emailed the garage owner explaining what I'd found and he replied with an apology admitting his mistake saying there's no excuse; he carried out the service and has been honest about it.. When DMK Wakefield tried to rip me off stating new front brake discs & pads were needed at a cost of £352 when the brakes still had many more years of service left in them I looked around for a recommended local service garage. Right from the start I liked and trusted this garage owner and in spite of this easy mistake I'll still trust him with future servicing. I don't throw stones because I've made many silly mistakes and I know this garage owner will be more diligent at the next service. I posted asking what this filter was in order to check it was indeed a diesel filter because I'm used to petrol engines having an oil filter this size; I didn't understand the three pipes in its top but obviously now I'm more experienced. I'm sure the new screws will be OK but I'll update once they arrive. Why don't Skoda resume Yeti production after all the EV's are upsetting so many owners who want to return to ICE's. We'd happily buy another brand new diesel or petrol Yeti; eight years old and we still love our Yeti as if it was brand new. Kind regards, Col.