Taxi life with a wanked out converted french panel van

[silverbullet]

Aghast!

Battery light came on while driving my wanked out French converted panel van t’other night.

Cursory online research found that I’d be parting with €380 for the cheapest nua alternator, Fuck that says I.

Anneyway kerbside motors (me) had the alternator out and down to almax off the Walkinstown roundabout, they had it for all of 2.5 hours, replaced the regulator and it was ready to be fitted once again, not really ideal working on your back in sub zero temps, however it’s done and was back working last night.

Almax repair €70
Nua fanbelt and tensioner along with a 15mm & 16mm ratchet spanner was €107.

All in €177.

Two years and 11 months left to go.

Les at Airport Auto Electrical would have sorted you out with the alternator. Handier, if you're still northside.

Resident of Ballyfermoët now 8 years. Door to door to Almax was 10 mins

Have you made an honest woman of her yet?

[Panel]

Update overdue,

May, failed the NCT on a broken spring, €54 fitted it myself

June, clutch release bearing went, took out the clutch fork and pressure plate for good measure.. €600 to replace it with the local mechanic and was back in bizz

Two days ago, failed the NCT on the imbalance on the front suspension.. 3% imbalance.. NCT tester tried it twice but alas no joy.. imma stitch in time type of guy so I’ll replace the two front shocks.. Somora in Fonthill have the two brand new for €108 for the two.

2 years… 3 months… and 7 days left to go on her licence.

[Rat Catcher]

If the imbalance is on the same axle as the spring you replaced in May and you only changed one side that could be the cause. Given that it's got a few years left I'd be inclined to replace both shocks and springs, particularly as it's the front axle.

[Panel]

If the imbalance is on the same axle as the spring you replaced in May and you only changed one side that could be the cause. Given that it's got a few years left I'd be inclined to replace both shocks and springs, particularly as it's the front axle.

Yes indeed, after I changed the offside spring in May it’s passed with no major imbalance.

Nua front shocks and springs to be fitted once the weather clears up.

[silverbullet]

If the imbalance is on the same axle as the spring you replaced in May and you only changed one side that could be the cause. Given that it's got a few years left I'd be inclined to replace both shocks and springs, particularly as it's the front axle.

Yes indeed, after I changed the offside spring in May it’s passed with no major imbalance.

Nua front shocks and springs to be fitted once the weather clears up.

Does the imbalance show when you're in, or out of the car?

[Panel]

If the imbalance is on the same axle as the spring you replaced in May and you only changed one side that could be the cause. Given that it's got a few years left I'd be inclined to replace both shocks and springs, particularly as it's the front axle.

Yes indeed, after I changed the offside spring in May it’s passed with no major imbalance.

Nua front shocks and springs to be fitted once the weather clears up.

Does the imbalance show when you're in, or out of the car?

Haven’t lived the dream of being a NCT tester just yet.. However they’re now hiring panel beaters 

All the old yokes would get a immediate pass

[Rat Catcher]

Maybe over time having an imbalance in the springs causes the shocks to compensate / wear at different rates? I think all manufacturers specify replacing them in pairs.

I haven't done the shocks on the MKIII Octy yet but I did replace both springs at a cost of €170 including new strut top mounts, pinch bolts and drop links back in Feb (2025). Gretta failed the NCT on a shock imbalance during her taxi days in Nov 2016 with a mere 195,860 kilos on her clock. I got Aiden to replace the shocks, coil springs, strut (top mount) bearings and strut dust covers which including the PS wishbone cost €436 for parts and labour and another €40 for Collin to set the tracking on his then brand new machine. The wishbone lasted until she failed the NCT in May 2023 (376,637 kilos) when I replaced it myself along with brand new main dealer bolts (one bolt broke during removal), a pair of track rod ends and the PS ball joint at a cost of €162. The shocks are still in her but she broke one of the springs (a few weeks after seeing the MKIII get a new pair of springs) back in April (2025) so got a new pair of springs, top mounts, dust covers, pinch bolts and drop links which I fitted myself at a cost of €131. I didn't bother doing the shocks on that occasion as they both met manufacturer specifications and she might be replaced with the MKIII next year depending on EV grant availability. The MKIII shocks also tested within manufacturer specifications when I done her springs so I reused them, the rationale being that she might be scrapped next year.