1. Remove VCU and props. 2. Check IRD pinion for play. Also rear diff. 4. Drain IRD oil and look for metal fragments. 5. Send VCU +- IRD to Bell for reconditioning. 6. Get a decent code reader (person or machine) for the rich condition. You’ll need to look at o2 sensor activity, fuel trims, MAF...

The last time I had a brake pedal that needed a double press it was a shoe that had come away from the mounting pin. The first press put it near the drum surface, then a quick second press was needed to get the extra travel, before the shoe retracted. A dead brake boost system normally makes...

4.5V to sensor sounds a bit low, and may drop even lower under cranking. If you unplug the sensor, what voltage do you get at the plug? Look up the wiring diagram for this 5V power supply feed, and see which sensors share it. What voltages do they get? Does unplugging any one of them allow the...

What tool are you using to push the locking ring in? There’s a proper tool, but I used a screwdriver or a pair of needle-nose pliers. They may not go together if there’s pressure/lack of give in the hydraulics. Is your clutch pedal all the way back up?

Try playing a heat gun over them.

12.1 is pretty poor. I’d say your battery’s knackered, but whether that’s cause or effect remains to be seen. Could be anything in the chain from alternator to battery, including cables and connections. Unfortunately we’re generally stuck with some young lad clipping on a battery analyser. I’d...

Do you mean the ball joint itself? The shaft should tighten into the taper. Try tapping the joint home while turning with the spanner - each tap should get you a little tighter. Some ball joint shafts have flats you can grip as well - push back the boot and have a look.

They should have let her sit in the cab, at least ;)

I bet your tensioner has seized in its bore, hence no longer tensioning properly. Might be worth taking it off and checking the spring is ok, and that everything’s clean and copper greased.

24mm comes to mind. It’s a shallow head, so I ground down the tapered lead-in of my ring spanner to get a more positive fit. Fit the spanner on, then wedge a suitable thickness of something between it and the car body. The body of my Halford’s ratchet turned out to be a good fit. Then link...

Unusual for FLs, but you’re in Scotland, so I guess it’s that spray of salt and grit that seems designed to pick off the older cars one by one. If there’s rust there, it might be elsewhere so have a check around and consider some Waxoyl or similar (after welding ;)). Rock the steering wheel and...

Horrible things. Mine had to be extracted with Irwin grip sockets. They got their nasty little rounded heads ground circular and proper-sized 13mm nuts welded on top. Tip: copper grease the threads.

Service kit arrived and soon to be fitted. I’ve stripped and cleaned the FBH, but can’t really test it yet. My mate has a Disco 3 as well, and he’s fitted a Turbotune box. He swears it increased the performance (which it seems to have done) while also improving mpg. Now, I’m a cynic. If you...

... which you carefully apply to the union nut, before realising you’ve flared the brake pipe before fitting the union nut. :oops::D Very useful post, Andy - thanks!

Yes, the fusible links are the bigger boxes amongst the fuses - just big fuses really. You can see if the link has broken. It depends on your experience a bit. Assuming the fusible links are OK, are you happy to dig back behind the passenger fusebox and find the CCU? There’s a black wire...

Smells a bit like the CCU - behind the passenger compartment fuse box. Check its earth.

Bang on. Buy a reasonable hippo for £2k, or buy a new Ford and have it lose £2k the minute you drive off the forecourt. No warranties so you’re free to choose your garage or even fit the parts you want. No rip-off dealer labour charges. If you sit down and calculate the costs of owning a new...

How dare you organise your drug deals on my thread!

Thanks. I did have a look through that thread before going down to see it.

I’ve just bought the thing for the wife. Quite a lot of car for £3750, and very tidy. The PO said he’s done a service, but I think I’ll do another one, just in case, and because I always do servicing in July. I have a Haynes manual - often a bit crap, but one or two tricky jobs and it’s paid for...