The Focusaurus :) ... May Contains traces of Ford!

[FarmerPug]

in the countryside the solution is always just to build a new house in a field, but i think that causes the landscape to be ruined, unless its one of these houses designed to blend in with the surroundings, or surrounded by trees.

[rwb]

<rant>
I think that the problem is people who buy houses for reasons other than to live in them.

It's really peeving that the massive increase in house prices has enabled those who got in at the bottom to leverage their investment and buy more houses while simultaneously keeping first time buyers out. The problem was exacerbated by banks increasing the amount you can borrow for a given income, giving those with accrued capital further leverage. In short: the rich get richer.

Renting is horrid, and letting agents are cu*ts

The least painful fix is for house prices to stay constant over the long term. This means they're not an attractive investment, and inflation gradually decreases the price in real terms.

However, I would also like to see some punitive measures against people who buy houses for purposes other than to live in them. For example, the owner (not the occupier) should pay full council tax irrespective of whether the property is occupied. Councils (and their permanent residents) in regions with a lot of second homes, e.g., the south west, would benefit, and again this makes property a less attractive investment. In practice the cost will be passed on to the tenant, but the point is that it makes buy-to-let much more risky and less attractive.
</rant>

[FarmerPug]

does people need to build such rediculosly oversized houses, ive seen a family of 4 living in an 8 bedroom house, is that necessary. And too many new houses built out in the countryside are big ugly monstrocities that never get painted, the recession put an end to that.

[Bailes1992]

Ohhh no... whats this...



A Focus in a thread about house prices


Oh wait

[highlander]

Your house is in the background of that car picture Sam, so you're still on topic

[FarmerPug]

theres a nice paint job, sort of meeting the brickwork, i dont know what the effect is but it works well. Theres a focus in the way of a nicely built wall.

[steve_earwig]

I just clocked this on That Will Buff Out and I thought you'd like it

[Bailes1992]

I just clocked this on That Will Buff Out and I thought you'd like it

My car's pretty swift... I think so anyway

[Doggy]

if the back seat of a focus was big enough to make out in.....

My lads got a Focus, (feels like a diesel go kart after the Dogmobile).


I'm gonna enjoy this.....

Cheers, Steve.

[Bailes1992]

Little update, not too much. Finally got the tool to change my track rod so did that yesterday...

Old track rod...

Threadlock on the old one...

Fitted...


Decided to service the car while I was at it. I tried to take the oil filter off using one of these...

What a load of crap! Couldnt get a grip on the filter at all. In the end used these gloves to get it off...

They worked perfectly

Anyway while I was at it I decided I was fed up of squeely brakes so have a little tidy up.
Took them apart, got the pads out and give both sides a lick of paint...



The pads had some rough edges, so this was all filed away...
Before...

After...

Then greased up the sliders...

And the pins...

Greased up the pads...

And then stuck it all back together



Much tidier I think

[NollingtonHards]

Dont get me started on the oil filter removal tool. Just ripped my one to pieces last sunday so i had to wait til wednesday to get it off, took a hammer and chisel.

Just had to get it off my chest ha

[Gary406]

best way get oil filter off.

long strong screwdriver. hammer it through the centre and use it to twist it off.

Just remember not to over tighten your new one

[DiscoPol]

best way get oil filter off.

long strong screwdriver. hammer it through the centre and use it to twist it off.

Best way??

the best way is to simply unscrew it and pop on a new one, knowing that the last time you did the job you didn't over-tighten the thing,

but the method of last resort, then yes the bloody big screwdriver and a hammer will do the trick, it just p1sses oil everywhere tho

[Bailes1992]

Yeh nto really the best way Eh Gary :p
More last resort to me. A good pair of gloves did the job

[Welly]

Honda, they have proper removal tool, you blitish change your royal and reary make mess on froor......


This looks a bit handy too......