JonnyHS

Sounds good. Bit of a distance for me too (in a 20 yr old Favorit - if I ever get it MOTd!), but I love driving so no bother! The joint with bikers thing would make it more likely to succeed I'm sure, despite my apathy towards two-wheelers (sorry!). Dark Hedges filled from end to end with Skodas? That would make the calendar! Game of Skodas....

No promising or organising anything yet, but is there any interest at all in a meet in NI? Couple of comments on the facebook group made me think there might be, but maybe the yearly catseye-removing-Jetta-fest at Dubshed ticks all the boxes already! Just testing the water , and not looking anytime soon as my Skoda is still off the road! Would be a little embarrassing if I organised some sort of meet and then had to turn up in a Zafira! Comments welcome, and if you are up for it, venue suggestions! MEET is at Oxford Island Discovery Centre on Sunday 24th July at 1pm Jonny

Only just catching up on this now. Nice work, Shame it has to go, but hopefully it will be snapped up by a fellow enthusiast! Particularly like the steering wheel!

And a wee insight into part of the delay (excuses, excuses, I hear you say.) http://vid1060.photobucket.com/albums/t458/jonathansimmance/Moving%20House%20GAZ_zpsy1mdpkrr.mp4 So pleased that the quick thinking and confident removals guys thought of a legal way to move my un-taxed, un-insured, un-MOT'd, un-powered car.

And a wee peek under the bonnet. Some rocker cover rubbers to replace. At least I am hoping that's the extent of the small oil leak issue...

Back on four wheels after months of axle stands and jacks. Oh dammit. I forgot to replace the centre cap before taking the picture.

Bet y'all thought I'd slipped into the can't-be-bothered-now-I've-started category... If truth be told, having 3 youngsters (7,4 and 1) gets in the way a bit, as does moving house, as does being useless at mechanics. Now we're settled in the new place and the car hasn't got to be moved to get the caravan out (!) I've got cracking again. We moved out into the sticks, and local folk (some even have banjos) have started stopping by to "admire" the Fav. There's a bus driver who rebuilds/rallies Felicias, and has various older models in his stash. He's missing a Favorit, and wants mine. There's also a security guard (formerly a mechanic) who collects random older vehicles. He also wants mine. I said no. Repeatedly. Both totally understood, and have helped out most usefully with parts (strut brace!), advice and banter. Advice has also been flowing from within these pages (Favorit Ken and Ricardo M prominent amongst many). I HAVE FINALLY REPLACED THE CV BOOT!!!!!!! Finally, as in well over 6 months later. Every bolt thas taken at least a week of penetrating oil, and a great deal of huffing and puffing (plus that tiny window of good Northern Irish weather). After each bolt is loose, I discovered that I didn't have either the right socket or enough wd40 for the next bolt. Then the brakes went on the family 7 seater, so I had to reassemble the Favorit temporarily to get my axle stands back... I have also replaced the drivers window regulator with a part from Germany, so I have two fully working front windows, neither of which leaks very much. I mean obviously the footwell is still awash after it rains, but it's definitely not coming in the windows. I also managed to fit the strut brace (after taking a bit of advice to jack it up first), but not for any reason other than I had one. My immediate to-do-list is now as follows. Reassemble interior now seatbelt is fixed Clean and scrub interior (especially mouldy upholstery) Bleed/test brakes Replace battery Take it for MOT There are naturally many more things I will be attempting, but I'm not going to start taking anything else apart until I have a certificate (or at least a list of jobs needed to get one!). I have some pictures for you, but photobucket is being a pain, so later. Jonny

It's on. Just the one the local parts place had. We'll see. Not a daily, so will only get limited use anyway.

Brilliant. Thanks very much.

Thanks. It's the one that holds the ball joint into the hub that I need. Then of course there's the other ones in the same job, hub nut and trackrod. I've tightened them for now, but wouldn't want to mess it up and have it come apart at 60mph! PM'd reply!

Sorry, me again, Anyone know what the torque setting is for the lower balljoint pinch bolt on the Favorit? I know it's originally riveted, but mine had already been drilled out and bolted. I have searched the forum with no luck and Google. The Haynes manual says "tighten to correct torque setting - see illustration" and then gives no setting. I have found some torque ratings in the manual, but it's not a very exhaustive list. What have I missed? TIA Jonny

I hadn't even realised this was here! Sorry I pestered for parts details. Will definitely search here first before posting in future. Thanks

That's easier to find. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VW-CADDY-26-0MM-DRIVE-SHAFT-CV-JOINT-CIRCLIP-SNAP-RING-/171421377302?hash=item27e982a316:g:sowAAOSwEK9Tx3vb#vi-ilComp

I searched for the whole CV joint kits online and they seem to come with everything - CV, boot, circlip, boot clips, grease and even a new hub nut. I found boxes of random assorted circlips. I found single circlips for other cars. Seems a shame not to be able to find just the clips on their own. Surprised Skoda can't help. May be best to try some of the Eastern European places. Skoparts or ebay.cz If you find any, let me know!

Ricardo you legend. Thanks

I had a good rummage in the grease and there is no sign of the clip at all. It certainly didn't need a hammer - it just pulled off! A neighbour (who's a bit Country about these things) said it wouldn't go anywhere once I had the ball joints and hub all reassembled, but I'm not sure his attitude towards health and safety is the best...

Thanks. I bought a boot alone. Was surprised there wasn't a clip in it, and even more surprised there wasn't one on the driveshaft!

Daft question number 325035 Changing the CV boot on the Favorit, and after much puffing and panting (and penetrating oil) I have dismantled it. The CV joint just came off in my hand with no effort at all, and there is no wee circlip in the driveshaft groove. It's not in the CV joint either as far as I can tell, so I take it this is laziness on the part of a previous fixer. I know the thing will probably stay put once ball joints and hub nuts are all put back together, but I also feel like I should really have a circlip in place. Local parts shop says I need one, but it doesn't come with either the CV kit, or the CV boot kit. Where the blazes do you get such things from? Also, while I'm here, is a new hub nut really necessary? Thanks for putting up with my daft questions. I guess the only stupid question is the one you don't ask... Jonny

Guess we'll find out. Will be down the mechanics soon to check.

Ok. It's on. Fits fine. Was advised to lift the car, so when the nuts were off the strut top bolts there was enough movement to get it on. Sorry if this was obvious, my first research online had suggested that the job should be done with the car on level ground, not jacked up... I have, of course, messed up, and overtightened one of the nuts. Now I can't get the spanner over it properly to loosen it. Never learn anything the easy way, naturally. Thanks again for all your input. Jon

It's all possible. I had just hoped it would fit straight on. Nothing is ever simple. Not to be defeated, I will get the camber checked out, and revisit my man up the road. I will post again when I make progress. Thanks.

Lol... Maybe it's just a little bit saggy! Felicia16v I will check camber this evening. Ricardo if indeed I have to start cutting and welding it is probably more trouble than it's worth. Appreciate your responses. Thanks all.

I have just measured it. You are (of course) spot on... A-A and B-B is 105.5cm. That's to the inner most edge of the hole. It's just over 106cm to the centres of the holes. I also measure the distance between strut bolts. 104.5 cm. Problem solved. When I said "he knows my car" I meant he knows which model I have. It was my assumption that he knew what he was doing! Would it be crazy to enlargen the holes by 5mm each in the right direction?

Thanks Rich, I have no idea what I have. The guy knows my car, and gave me the brace. It looks like a felicia brace, but I thought they were probably similar enough. http://i1060.photobucket.com/albums/t458/jonathansimmance/strut%20brace_zpsq9ath65i.jpg There it is. Jon

Thanks Ricardo, much appreciated. I will measure it, and try it the other way round. I can take picture too, but it might have to wait until morning! Jon