GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk7 => Topic started by: VWRed on 23 January 2022, 20:34
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Just wondering what the general feeling was regarding the use of their car. The reason I ask is that I think I'm beginning to worry too much about mine. It's in great condition but I worry about the paintwork getting scratched, adding too many miles to the odometer, hitting potholes in case it buckles a wheel, is their a huge repair due soon as the car is now 9 years old with 60k on the clock, etc, etc. This is almost taking the fun out of driving it, in which case I may as well sell it now. Am I going mad????
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Yes, you are.
To appease your fears your only option is to stop driving the car and tuck it away in a heated garage. I suspect though that you don't want to do that. If you are going to drive it you have to accept that it's going to get stone chips, dirty and need maintenance which is yes, going to cost money. There might be an expensive job on the way at some point but chances are, there won't be. Not for some time anyway, 60k miles is nothing, I'd be willing to bet a well maintained car will do 2 or 300,000 miles. Just look after it, take precautions when you have to park it but most of all, drive and enjoy it!
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The best way to enjoy a car is to go out and drive it.
Scratches, wear and tear, maintenance are just facts of life. If you've done 60k then that's about 50p per mile in depreciation from new assuming a residual value of £0. The more miles you do the cheaper they become.
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Drive it and enjoy it and if it gets damaged or needs mechanical attention, it can be repaired. No one knows what may or may not happen and life’s too short to worry about these things.
As a friend of mine once said, you’re only here for a short while but you’re a long time dead.
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I'm on 95k in my 12 year old mk6. Only one repair bill of any size for a new dmf (also put in a new clutch just to be safe) and body and paint still in very good nick. Every day car. Drive it and enjoy it.
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My recent diagnosis from a main dealer during a routine service intensified my insecurities - a leaking thermostat/water pump housing (never needed to fill the expansion tank in a year), new front discs/pads (was going to get these done, routine maintenance), leaking front n/s damper (was told by another garage 2 months ago it was just misting and didn't need changing) and low voltage battery (no battery issues noted recently). Also found one of my newly refurbished Santiago alloys has a noticeable dink even though I can't recall touching a curb or likewise.
Not wanting to tempt fate but, what's the average cost to supply/fit a new clutch and exhaust (PP GTi), guessing these are the only other big items that'll need replacing in the next 40k miles or so.
Guess I need to put it down to a bad week at the office, book it in for the repairs to be done and just enjoy the drive!
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Just wondering what the general feeling was regarding the use of their car. The reason I ask is that I think I'm beginning to worry too much about mine. It's in great condition but I worry about the paintwork getting scratched, adding too many miles to the odometer, hitting potholes in case it buckles a wheel, is their a huge repair due soon as the car is now 9 years old with 60k on the clock, etc, etc. This is almost taking the fun out of driving it, in which case I may as well sell it now. Am I going mad????
I think everyone here cares about their car and has the same sort of worries and anxieties but cars are meant to be driven. I've just had to renew insurance which for a week or two after has left me with the feeling of being defiled and wondering if it's all worth it. Go for a drive and remind yourself why you bought the car and those feelings will ease. And share a picture of your drive on here. :cool:
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And share a picture of your drive on here. :cool:
I'll second that!
That is an unfortunate list of things to be done. The leaky thermostat/waterpump is annoying but given there's no regular cambelt change to pay for, it evens out.
What tyres have you got? I ask as when I ditched the Pirellis on my Santiagos for Michelins, I never had any more alloy damage. Much better rim protection.
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I've new Goodyear Eagle F1's all round, fitted 1k miles ago. Think they call it 'sods law' whereby you can run old alloys for years without any damage and then, as soon as you get them looking factory fresh after a refurb, 'ding', a chip appears and looks worse as the rest of the wheel is gleaming! Strange though, as I can honestly say I've been obsessively avoiding kerbs!?
The list of work is more annoying as due to the car running perfectly prior to the main dealer service, I thought it was a gem. I know it's part of the job to point out every little fault they find, but I'm still a little dubious about the battery needing changing as my OBD11 says it's fine and the video of the leaking thermostat/water pump housing was dark and blurry to say the least - hope the service technicians mechanic expertise is better than their camerawork :grin: The leaking damper is a strange one too as another respected mechanic a few months earlier said that slight misting is normal and nothing to worry about but guess if it's misting or leaking, needs sorting.
Any idea of clutch and exhaust costs to supply/fit and anything else I should ask the mechanic to do whilst the thermostat/ water pump is being replaced such as belts and tensioners?
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Just wondering what the general feeling was regarding the use of their car. The reason I ask is that I think I'm beginning to worry too much about mine. It's in great condition but I worry about the paintwork getting scratched, adding too many miles to the odometer, hitting potholes in case it buckles a wheel, is their a huge repair due soon as the car is now 9 years old with 60k on the clock, etc, etc. This is almost taking the fun out of driving it, in which case I may as well sell it now. Am I going mad????
I had very similar feelings. Every paint chip would give me an abnormal amount of stress. I put it down to the car being new and I was being too precious. Decided to sell the mk7.5 and buy a mk5 with 100k miles. I'm not bothered about the paintwork now on a 16 year old car!
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My recent diagnosis from a main dealer during a routine service intensified my insecurities - a leaking thermostat/water pump housing (never needed to fill the expansion tank in a year), new front discs/pads (was going to get these done, routine maintenance), leaking front n/s damper (was told by another garage 2 months ago it was just misting and didn't need changing) and low voltage battery (no battery issues noted recently). Also found one of my newly refurbished Santiago alloys has a noticeable dink even though I can't recall touching a curb or likewise.
Not wanting to tempt fate but, what's the average cost to supply/fit a new clutch and exhaust (PP GTi), guessing these are the only other big items that'll need replacing in the next 40k miles or so.
Guess I need to put it down to a bad week at the office, book it in for the repairs to be done and just enjoy the drive!
Did you have your tyres fitted after your wheels had been refurbished? It’s not unknown for alloys - especially diamond cut alloys - to be damaged by over zealous or inexperienced tyre fitters when they remove the old tyres and fit the new ones. Hindsight’s a wonderful thing, but it’s always worth trying to make sure your alloys are clean before getting new tyres fitted, and getting the tyre fitting place to agree the condition of your wheels before they start work (take pictures if necessary) - that way it’s much more difficult for them to deny causing any new damage.
Slight misting of oil on a shock absorber isn’t anything to worry about and IMHO if it is just a slight misting it should be fine. The water pump / thermostat housing are one of the very few weak points on the mk7 Golf and a number of owners on the forum have needed to have theirs replaced.
Be aware that it’s not unknown for VW dealers to find ‘issues’ with customers cars (brakes seem to be a favourite) as it’s a way for them to generate income. As your car is nine years old, I’d seriously consider not using the VW main dealer for servicing and repairs, but find a good reputable independent VW specialist. Servicing and repairs are likely to cost less at a good independent specialist, they’ll use genuine VW parts and you’ll probably get more personal, better service as they depend on customers repeat business for their continued existence. With the VW main dealer, you’re treated more as just a number, and they probably won’t care if you don’t go back.
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Did you have your tyres fitted after your wheels had been refurbished? It’s not unknown for alloys - especially diamond cut alloys - to be damaged by over zealous or inexperienced tyre fitters when they remove the old tyres and fit the new ones. Hindsight’s a wonderful thing, but it’s always worth trying to make sure your alloys are clean before getting new tyres fitted, and getting the tyre fitting place to agree the condition of your wheels before they start work (take pictures if necessary) - that way it’s much more difficult for them to deny causing any new damage.
I'm not particularly precious about my car, but I do this - even with my company cars because it still costs me money!
Luckily I had on my (company leased) Mk7 as they did indeed bugger one of my wheels. They weren't happy when i had photos... but did pay for the refurb.
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Good point regarding over zeleous tyre fitters. I had my Santiago's powder coated a few months ago and even after Costco fitting the Goodyear F1's (was a little worried letting Costco fit them but must say, the Croydon branch were very professional and at £390 inc vat supplied and fitted, great value), they were still mint.
A few months ago I went for a special offer on servicing from VW, £440 for 1 Major and 1 Minor service. The service in question was the first Major service, still have the Minor paid for next year and this will definitely be my last at the main dealer. Such a good point it feeling completely impersonal albeit all the staff have been put their 'customer facing' training. Don't like to be cynical, but there's got to be some truth in the need to 'upsell' once they have your car, a point being such as a slightly misty shock that an independent may say is OK, suddenly becomes an 'amber' warning on the VW health check, as does a 'low voltage' battery!
The annoying thing is that this is all recorded on the invoice and health check. We all know car buyers rightly like a full documented history when buying a car and as such, I feel like I should get all points sorted.
The price for the thermostat/water pump (£764 - VW OEM), front discs/pads (£432 - Brembo's), two front shock absorbers (£588 - aftermarket) and battery (£120 - Duracell Extreme AGM) in total is £1904 from my local reputable VW specialist. I have the cash available but is it worth getting everything done at once? My slight concern is I go for the £1904 and in a few weeks either the clutch, exhaust or turbo go..... now wouldn't that be nice! Should I be worried about these big label parts needing replacing soon on a 2013 60K GTi PP, or am I again just over thinking things?
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Has the indie inspected the issues and confirmed that the work needs doing now?
I would leave the shocks unless they affect the driving or are an MoT failure. Waterpump, depends on how bad the leak is. Battery would be my option if it really does need doing. I don't like being stranded...
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The indie hasn't inspected it yet, just asked them to quote for the work the main dealer listed. Being, I guess, slightly OCD, I feel as if I should get all the work done, so the car is 'mint'. Thank goodness for the sanity of the forum, I'm beginning to come around to thinking I should maybe just get the thermostat/water pump and brakes done - makes sense to other reader?
The main dealer didn't mention a leaking thermostat/water pump when it had a 'health check' back in August. This was following them looking at a slight squeak/creak from the front suspension which was diagnosed then as a leaking front shock. The indie who's quoted for the most recent work looked at it back then when getting the rear brakes done and said it was just a light misting and nothing to worry about. The thermostat/water pump may have failed in the past few months since the August health check, but makes me wonder??
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I would definitely not get any work done until you've had a second opinion!
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I realise I must come across as a complete cynic, but the whole thing is very suspicious.
The car is running perfectly well, no coolant leaks, battery perfect on a scan, no problems in driving, a blurred video.
After 10+ years of dealing 1-1 with a competent honest mechanic, I’ve developed a complete mistrust of main dealers.
I’ll bet most- if not all- that work doesn’t need doing.
Get the service done on your service plan, politely decline the work they’re offering, and leave it at that unless you notice a problem.
There’s no end to the work you can do to a car to make it feel like brand new again.
You have to accept cars get old- and start showing signs of age.
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I would definitely not get any work done until you've had a second opinion!
Agree 100%.
I’ll bet most- if not all- that work doesn’t need doing.
Get the service done on your service plan, politely decline the work they’re offering, and leave it at that unless you notice a problem.
Agree this too.
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Same here, I'm sure the whole point of those safety checks is to create work.
Tuck £1904 away somewhere and in 2 years time spend on something exciting.
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The health check is simply to drum up business.
I've had them try the upsell to me before and when I've said my cousin works in your other branch I know all about the checks, they seem to aways change the subject :grin:
Get a second opinion on anything they list on the health check.
Wouldn't surprise me if they dingged your wheel on the 2 post lifts arms, pulling the car in/out.
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I would definitely not get any work done until you've had a second opinion!
Agree 100%.
I’ll bet most- if not all- that work doesn’t need doing.
Get the service done on your service plan, politely decline the work they’re offering, and leave it at that unless you notice a problem.
Agree this too.
Or go to a specialist independent.
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Think I've learnt my lesson thanks to the wise words of the forum - a good independent garage is the way forward if you've a car that's not under a VW warranty, ie, over 3 years or older like mine. This is certainly true regarding servicing. I could play devils advocate and say that the main dealer is pointing out issues that I may not have noticed whilst driving, but are issues none the less, that could potentially become more serious over time, the thermostat/water pump being a prime example. However, the more realistic view is that you're being 'up-sold' on a minor issue, or worse, the issues are 'found' to instigate the repair.
It's so very tempting to want your car to have a complete clean bill of health from a VW main dealer, it's what so many buyer look for, but at what cost to the seller? If you take my scenario, prior to the service I had a wedge of paperwork that proved that the car was mint, any issues raised at a service promptly remedied. Now I have a VW main dealer inspection sheet/invoice that raises all these issues with the only way to get a clean record to have the work done.
Apologies if I'm complaining about a situation created by my own doing, and lets face it, with all that's going on in the world at the moment it's embarrassingly insignificant, just annoying!
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You don’t need to give all the bills when you move the car on.
A printout of the electronic service records will show that the car has full service history.
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Truly something to get over as it takes away driving pleasure, and I personally love to drive, find it relaxing, always have, and more so in a performance car with all around capability.
But do understand the feeling as have been there, but after one particular car took a few knocks (new bumper, new rear door, repaired wing) despite my caution, and the after was always fine, decided to just completely move on from worrying and attitude now is that if anything happens you simply get it fixed.
Someone just posted on here that their 2014 plate has clocked 108,000 miles and is running as well as ever, these cars will do way beyond 100,000 if maintained, and so again do not worry on such things, just run car to point want a change and then you sale it for what can sale it for, and move on to your new car.
This will make the detailers cringe, but my TCR not been washed since autumn, pointless! its filthy again within a day, so it always has a winter coat of muck on till Spring (It does have a Collonite coating though underneath that) and it might not look gleaming out there, but the rugged winter look actually kind of suits it.
Honestly, the day you move on from worry and just drive the car for the enjoyment is freeing, so try it
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This will make the detailers cringe, but my TCR not been washed since autumn, pointless! its filthy again within a day, so it always has a winter coat of muck on till Spring (It does have a Collonite coating though underneath that) and it might not look gleaming out there, but the rugged winter look actually kind of suits it.
Them's fighting words :angry:
Cars are there to be driven, if you don't drive it you're really doing more harm than good leaving it parked up outside. Besides if you're not wanting to drive it, you definitely don't have the right exhaust on it :wink:
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[quote author=VWRed link=topic=288436.msg2647451#msg2647451
Any idea of clutch and exhaust costs to supply/fit and anything else I should ask the mechanic to do whilst the thermostat/ water pump is being replaced such as belts and tensioners?
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Just had a new dmf & clutch fitted in the mk6 as pevious post - cost about £1000 but also new rear oil seal. No idea of exhaust price as still on original one at 95k miles and at last MOT told it was still very solid. Still not using any oil - same level at each oil change. Rear suspension arms can get a bit rusty so worth checking those. Cleaned mine a while ago, rust protection, paint sprayed and waxoiled. These cars last a long time if they get a bit of tlc so stop worrying and just drive. :smiley:
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I became a homeworker about 3 months after picking up my GTI, my mileage now is tiny -13.1k in 3 years.
But, when I do drive it, it’s a hell of a lot of fun and like an earlier post - relaxing.
I’ve always been a believer in preventive maintenance so it’s had an oil and filter change pretty much every six months plus a DSG fluid and filter change and Haldex oil and filter clean about 6 weeks ago.
I’ve kept it as clean as possible with a decent waxing every time - I also find washing cars relaxing (sad)
Couple of scrapes due my inept parking, but hey, just get them fixed.
It’s more of a hobby now - I could probably manage without it and use the wife’s Polo - but where’s the fun in that?
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This will make the detailers cringe, but my TCR not been washed since autumn, pointless! its filthy again within a day, so it always has a winter coat of muck on till Spring (It does have a Collonite coating though underneath that) and it might not look gleaming out there, but the rugged winter look actually kind of suits it.
Them's fighting words :angry:
Cars are there to be driven, if you don't drive it you're really doing more harm than good leaving it parked up outside. Besides if you're not wanting to drive it, you definitely don't have the right exhaust on it :wink:
Haha, I would love to be as skilled and as patient as those who detail, maybe then I would feel the glow that makes me do it over and over again, but much like the acceptance to just driving the car and not worrying about the what might happen, there is acceptance that i am neither skilled or patient enough to detail a car, especially in the winter! So we go our separate paths wishing each other the best.
Did laugh the other day at an Autoglym Transit that was bright white and sparkling, imagine that being in your job description, must clean white van to showroom condition every day?! Ewww :)
Mine will get a really good clean circa March, which when done is quite satisfying must admit, but till then its a wipe over of number plates and lights when at its worst and keep on movin :)
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This feels like an epiphany for me. Many of the descriptions of owners worrying about their car getting dirty, putting on too many miles, wanting to get every minor issue fixed so the car (albeit 9 years old) remains as it was fresh out the factory, etc, etc, yep is, or should I say was, hopefully me. It's not going to be straight forward, but from today I'm going to enjoy driving the car, as opposed to looking at it.
The general consensus seems it's worth getting the brakes done (an obvious yes as I know they need doing), the thermostat/water pump (even if the main dealer may be vastly exaggerating the problem, but with it being a know weak point on the Mk7, may as well get it replaced now as it's likely to fail at some point) and the battery (even though OBD11 say OK, looking at the battery it does look like the original so at least 8 years old). These I'll get done and leave the leaking/misting shock as it's not effecting the driving in any way and it seems a 'misting' shock is to be expected. I'll squirrel away any other cash towards a clutch, exhaust or turbo should they go, although again, with my car only having 60k on it, hopefully won't be soon.
Sound like a plan?
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I wouldn’t get the water pump done.
Keep an eye on coolant level- and if it drops, then the dealer was probably right.
I suspect many of these are done needlessly by dealers because it is a known fault.
( I also think the hurried , blurred video is suspicious- i had that with a couple of tyres they tried to get me to replace- he focused on the “ cuts” for less than a second, I couldn’t see them when I slowed the video down, nor when I inspected the tyres)
There’s no rationale to changing something because it’ll fail eventually- you may as well scrap the car now, using that logic😂
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Haha, I would love to be as skilled and as patient as those who detail, maybe then I would feel the glow that makes me do it over and over again, but much like the acceptance to just driving the car and not worrying about the what might happen, there is acceptance that i am neither skilled or patient enough to detail a car, especially in the winter! So we go our separate paths wishing each other the best.
Did laugh the other day at an Autoglym Transit that was bright white and sparkling, imagine that being in your job description, must clean white van to showroom condition every day?! Ewww :)
Mine will get a really good clean circa March, which when done is quite satisfying must admit, but till then its a wipe over of number plates and lights when at its worst and keep on movin :)
It's down to each to their own really, I just enjoy cleaning the car it's relaxing and apparently very good exercise.
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Good point regarding the thermostat/water pump. It doesn't seem that tricky to look to see if there's signs of a previous/current leak yourself, either from underneath or with a mirror from above. If I get time tomorrow I'll give it a go and post a pic or two for the forums opinion! The video shot by the VW technician was terrible and when collecting the car and asking the reception how bad the leak looked, they said I should have received a video that showed it. I've even tried viewing the video on my 27" iMac screen but the resolution is so low it's just a blur :grin:
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It’s often a very slow leak as I understand it, so signs can be subtle-
That said, he should’ve been able to take a satisfactory photo/ video with the car up on a ramp.
Exactly the same with my tyres- he’d drawn big yellow marks around what he said were cuts.
It was extremely suspicious the way he only very briefly focused on the “ cuts”, so I couldn’t actually see them on the video.
I had it booked for MOT with them too ( and they were telling me the tyres were a fail) - I told them to take the yellow marks off and not do the mot.
I got it through the mot elsewhere the following day, with no problem at all.
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Funny you mention the MOT. I also had the MOT done at the same time as the service at the main dealer.
Although the Vehicle Health Check indicates the the Brakes as being RED 'Worn' ('Potentially dangerous, MOT failure or safety related') and the Suspension-Damper-Front Left as being AMBER 'Leaking' (Advisory, will require future work), the MOT came back as a PASS with NO ADVISORIES.
I believe I'm correct in thinking that if the brake pad/discs are close to their minimum limit it's an MOT Advisory and if a Shock Absorber is leaking it's a Fail or at best an Advisory??
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Both would be a minimum of advisories. My wife’s Polo failed on a leaky damper.
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Haha, I would love to be as skilled and as patient as those who detail, maybe then I would feel the glow that makes me do it over and over again, but much like the acceptance to just driving the car and not worrying about the what might happen, there is acceptance that i am neither skilled or patient enough to detail a car, especially in the winter! So we go our separate paths wishing each other the best.
Did laugh the other day at an Autoglym Transit that was bright white and sparkling, imagine that being in your job description, must clean white van to showroom condition every day?! Ewww :)
Mine will get a really good clean circa March, which when done is quite satisfying must admit, but till then its a wipe over of number plates and lights when at its worst and keep on movin :)
It's down to each to their own really, I just enjoy cleaning the car it's relaxing and apparently very good exercise.
Just cleaned my number plates :) but as the gloss black side skirts are colour coded to the car, think will have to relent and do a jet wash and then bucket at weekend to tide me over till Spring
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So, this morning I jacked up the car (with axle stand :grin:) and took the attached shots of the Shock Absorber (the gator is exposing the shaft as it's jacked, when lowered it covers it completely), thermostat/water pump pre and post a wipe (whilst it was jacked thought I'd give it a wipe so I could feel for any moisture and better enable the monitoring of any leaks - there was no moisture), and the front near side brake disc/pad. Any comments as to the condition of the parts gratefully received!!
(https://i.postimg.cc/fTs7h3Jf/Front-Brake-Wear.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/py05fLQm)
(https://i.postimg.cc/k5L8YG08/NSF-Shock-Close.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/jWQLLxdd)
(https://i.postimg.cc/9fDZBZnC/NSF-Shock-Wide.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/CZVRhB0Q)
(https://i.postimg.cc/135pfL0g/Water-Pump-Post-Clean.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/VdpShZV1)
(https://i.postimg.cc/vZq593X0/Water-Pump-Pre-Clean.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/68Z7xVkZ)