Hello, thanks for the replies.

The brake discs are off after a fight. I have the old disc bolted on backwards and have been smacking that and the bolt heads (via a socket).

I have a new cunning plan, I'm going to try to position a couple of scissor jacks between the disc face and the axle and try to preload it with them. If I can I will then start applying some heat and lots of sharp smacks with my mini sledge hammer!

Still no movement, any tips?

I was warned that pulling the hub out of the upright would probably be the hardest part. So far it is not disappointing. I have been hammering and levering at it for 45 mins now. Stopped to make a brew and look up some new swear words...

Scrub that, I was trying to lever the collar out. D'oh!

Well that's going well, the ABS sensor is stuck tight, it wont budge at all.

Any tips or don't dos? Am I safe to put a pair of swan-neck pliers on it and try to rotate it out?

Hello folks,

Today I am tackling the front axle ball joints (not that the rear axle has any).

Martyuk (was great to finally meet you last night after all the advice and encouragement you've sent in my direction over the years and good to know that there is someone relatively local with all the right knowledge, cheers.)has very kindly lent me the extraction tools and his 'well loved' ball joint splitter which is fortunate as my own one isn't big enough. He has also lent me a spare old brake disc for 'bashing' duties.

So far I have got the vehicle on axle stands with both front wheels off, cleaned the alloy corrosion from the hubs and scraped the accumulation of dirt from the axle ends. After a brief battle I have managed to get the nearside disc retaining screw out and the caliper out of the way but the disc itself will not budge no matter what I throw at it. I might have to resort to heat. Te brake discs are in a worse state than the old one Martyuk has lent me so I'll be replacing those in a couple of months.

The hub retaining bolts are all loose and I'm about to attempt to prize the ABS sensor out.

I'll keep you all updated as to progress.

Smiler

Thanks for the replies, good to know it's an earth path through the drivers door.

I am going to see Marty on friday so will ask him, cheers.

I have checked the connections to the handle and all is correct. I can here the micro-switch making in the push button too.

I am going to be removing the door handle to replace the cam/lever so if there is any way of checking the connections out (i.e. which pins to check for continuity etc...)? Also, do I need to do anything before unplugging the door handle to prevent the BECM or security system having a melt down?

Cheers.

Hello folks,

I have discovered the cause for the clanging coming from the drivers door each time it's closed. The roller mechanism inside the door for the check-strap has broken apart. Does anyone have a spare knocking about? I have been offered one on the facebook page for £15 delivered but money is fast running out now and I still have my brake lines to sort and the steering drag link to replace for the MoT let alone what else I might find (the tailgate has now gone dead as well to add to the list).

Excellent, mine won't currently set anyway so an ideal opportunity. I do have a small twin wire plug floating around behind the front interior roof light with nowhere apparent to plug it in...

That's sounding like a viable option. I take it that the presence of a sunroof doesn't overly complicate matters? (the sliding sunroof panel also needs re-trimming unsurprisingly).

I'd be interested, I definitely need a new head-lining but the piggy bank may not stretch to it by then. Would still be good to come over though and lend a hand to se how it's done for when I can afford to do mine.

Cheers, mine is a single exhaust tip system.

Lemforder ball joints and axle seals ordered.

Right, brake pipe. Copper or Kunifer? How much do I need? What diameter?

Lemforder it is then. I don't have a spare brakes disc so I'll have to improvise.

Looks like the old Escort will be appearing on ebay this weekend.

Awesome, thanks guys.

Do they have to be Lemforder or are Bearmach just as good? or even Allmakes? I won't even mention Britpart)

Thanks for the support, wasn't looking forward to the brake pipes either but getting more comfortable with the idea now.

Martyuk, that's an awesome offer, thanks, I'll be in touch!

Morat/Orangebean, I fortunately have access to a nice big hydraulic press in work, so long as the offending item can be taken to it. Not much use in this instance but handy if I need to do wheel bearings in the future.

gordonjcp, I have had these ones pointed out to me on a diagram so in this case it is these ball joints.

Once I get the front ball joints done I shall try to get it moved to the car-club work shop at work and up on the ramp to change the brake pipes (and gearbox fluid & filter). Might be hard pushed to make the 10 day deadline for a retest but we'll see.

Thanks for the guidance, offers and words of encouragement, I class this forum as one of the most important tools in my toolbox. :)

I am very pleased with the garage, can't fault them.

I will start to trawl RAVE in a moment but off the top of your heads, is this a job I can achieve on the driveway (with a suitable size can of profanities)?

Brake pipes are going to be a right pain...

My new toy went in for its first mot today and has failed.

Failures:
Brake pipe excessively corroded off-side rear (front to back)
Brake pipe excessively corroded Nearside rear
Drag link end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged - nearside front
Drag link end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged - offside front
Suspension arm ball joint excessive play - nearside front lower
Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged - nearside front
track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged - offside front

Advisory:
Suspension ball joint cover deteriorated - offside front lower

I think I need a hug...

I shall try to get a better look tomorrow. It certainly isn't in keeping with the rest of the vehicle and the car phone is the only after market addition I have found other than what appears to be an older hands free kit (microphone on dash and speaker under drivers seat) which might be connected to the car phone anyway as there is no obvious mobile connection.

I shall try to get a better look tomorrow. It certainly isn't in keeping with the rest of the vehicle and the car phone is the only after market addition I have found other than what appears to be an older hands free kit (microphone on dash and speaker under drivers seat) which might be connected to the car phone anyway as there is no obviou mobile connection.