M&S

A paltry fine, but lets hope that they are now high on the watch list for trading standards from this day forward. I'm appalled that they are still trading, but there you go. Gloucestershire Trading Standards takes Direct 4x4 Salvage Ltd and No Fear MX of Coleford to court http://www.gloucestercitizen.co.uk/Gloucestershire-Trading-Standards-takes-Direct/story-19989448-detail/story.html

Maybe someone with recent experience should forward this thread and their experience to Watchdog? I can't believe that they are still at it!!

Same here

I think this is likely to have happened. I shall know for next time I guess! There isn't a bleed nipple on the master cylinder. Turns out (google) that audi brake fluid reservoirs are prone to cracking with as little as 10psi pressure. I did disconnect the battery as recommended in the Haynes manual, something to do with the ABS it says. Good news is it's still feeling better than ever now!

Just one thought, could the pressure bleeder be shutting off a valve in the ABS perhaps? Can't see how, I'd imaging the brake pedal pressure wold be higher than that of the bleed kit.

Well it's done, finally! New master cylinder and rear brake caliper fitted. Didn't go without it's problems though. The pressure bleed still didn't work, and the reservoir actually cracked (not at a seam but on the top!). I was only using a mountain bike tyre with about 15psi as well, to keep the pressure down! Thankfully I'd got another reservoir with the master cylinder. Bled it the old fashioned way and finally got there. No idea why the pressure bleed doesn't work on the A4?? It pushes fluid into the reservoir but no further. As I say, all done now but what a chew on. If anyone has any idea why the pressure bleeder wasn't working I'd like to know, never had a problem with it before and testing it off the vehicle it works fine. Never split a reservoir before either! Thanks for the tips above. Think I will chalk this one up to an "unkown" and hope it never happens again My top tip, don't use a pressure bleeder on an Audi

Cheers for the advice. I run 1.9 rear and 2.1 front but that's contis so they are actually quite a bit smaller than their sizing compared to other manufacturers. Might be fun to try some studded tyres. Might need some for my road bike as well though!

I haven't tried that. Will give it a shot in the morning as I've nothing to loose. There is no bias valve for the fronts but you never know, it might free some crud if there is a blockage or five anywhere! Actually it migh "back flush" the master cylinder which could free any crud if that is a problem. Good thinking, thanks.

Yeah, took the bleed nipples out and the holes in the calipers look clear. I am going to get a master cylinder tomorrow and replace that as I am completely out of all other ideas! Not convinced it will make any difference though, as I can get fluid pushing from it and out of the abs block. If everything was blocked I should get pedal pressure even if I can't bleed it? Never, ever had this before.

Hi guys. Tried pumping with the pressure bleeder attached, still nothing. Just come in because I am soaked, freezing and out of ideas still. But..I have undone the pipes on the output of the ABS module and pumped the pedal, and fluid gushed out so that's good I guess. If fluid is getting to, and through, the ABS module that would suggest blocked brake line, but all of them, and only after the ABS, seems highly unlikely. Removed thebleed nipples as well to check it wasn't those that were blocked. Need a new caliper now as someone had heli-coiled one of them in and made a right hash of it! I have been left thinking that the reservoir to master cylinder could be blocked, but tehre are two supply ports to the master cylinder. Again, chance of both been blocked seems remote and the fluid is new/clean as the servo and a brake pipe was replaced for teh MOT two months ago. Eliminated the rear bias valve (if it has one) as I'm getting nothing at the front. With the bleed nipple left out of the rear caliper for an hour, and having the pressure bleed on nothing has come out. So questions: If the master cylinder was faulty, would the pressure bleed not work? I'd expect fluid to come through regardless If the master cyclinder was faulty then how come I'm getting fluid to and from the ABS module when pressing the pedal? If both inlet ports on the master cylinder were blocked, again, how come I'm getting fluid at the output of the ABS module. And finally, why is no brake fluid coming out at the calipers This is driving me nuts. Doesn't help it's cold, dark, and very wet but even so!

Pretty skinny then. I might try some myself, see how the go on some single track!

This week has been a strange one. Last week I ordered four items (vehicle related parts) from four people. 3 have taken 8 days to arrive!

Audi A4, 1999 tdi. I have just been back out to it and the pedal feels a bit firmer than the nothing that was yesterday until after a few pumps, then it gets softer again (egine off). Not sure what's going on

I cycled in at lunch the other day when it was wet, then cycled home in the dark when it was frozen. Was like bambi when I hit black ice on a left hand bend. Both wheels sliding, opposite lock, proper tank-slapper moment left me sat on the cross bar but still upright! Road bikes, ice and cornering don't work well together! No idea how I didn't end up on the floor! Went out on the mountain bike on Sunday and teh trail was thick ice, made for an nteresting ride. I don't fear crashing so much off road as I know I won't end up under a truck! Would like to try spiked tyres but we don't have the conditions that you do! Do you go for big fat tyres to float on the snow or skinny ones to cut through?

Mine did that, right before the gearbox went bang As you said that you have had an oil change that cured it for a while, I'd be thinking there's a problem in the gearbox. If you struggle to get it out of or into gear when after a long run I'd stop immediately and get it looked at. Otherwise there's a lot of noise and your gearbox will most likely be damaged beyond economical repair In my opinion, 25 miles isn't enough to get it that hot, especially this time of year.

Hi all, not technically Land Rover but a brake problem that could easily be and I trust you guys more than the rest of the web! I could really do with some help with... I'm trying to bleed my brakes as the pedal went quite soft. It gradually got softer. I pumped the pedal, it came hard, left it, next day still hard until I used the brakes. Now it is just soft all teh way to the floor and won't build up any pressure. I first thought master cylinder, but thought I'd try bleeding first. Put my pressure bleeder on as I have done for 15 years, and opened the bleed nipple. Nothing, nowt, nadda. Tried another caliper, same, nothing. Pressure bleeder is working as it's filled the reservoir, and I've upped the pressure, still nothing. Asking a friend to press the pedal and do it the old fashioned way isn't working either. I get the tiniest amount of fluid out, I mean a barely noticeable dribble, for each press of the pedal. Not enough to make it through a pipe. I mean it really is teh smallest amount. Any ideas? I've had problems before but managed to work them out, this time I am stumped. No leaks anywhere. If I had a faulty master cylinder surely I'd still get fluid through with the pressure bleeder, always have done before. Tried pressure bleeding with pedal up, mid-way and down and still nowt. Even tried with the engine running incase teh ABS module was blocking something, but that's made no difference. Even considered gravity bleeding but if the pressure kit isn't pushing anything through I doubt gravity would! Very confused and frustrated. Have NO brake pressure at all so can't even take the vehicle to a garage (wouldn't want to either!). Any tips?

Hi John, that's what I was thinking. Might save me a few quid on diesel as well, even if it's only a slight improvement in mpg. Thinking I shall give them a go, I can always sell them on ebay if I'm not happy, and will probably wish I'd bought two sets if I am I'm not off roading now, just green laning so don't need such an agresive tread in reality. The D2 used to do perfectly well on pirelli scorpion AT's that were almost bald for laning use.

Actually I've just saved a tenner per corner by choosing 235/70 tyres, so thats £85 each

I have managed to get a cracking price on these tyres and wondering if anyone has any experience of them? Of course, they are only a good price IF they are any good... I'm hoping to get a bit less road noise and better mpg than my Insa Turbo Traction Tracs. I understand they won't be as good in teh mud, but I am only greenlaning now, not trialling so can sacrifice a bit of this. I still want them to be good in the mud though, and they need to be BRILLIANT in the snow (not prepared to sacrifice that ability). I am open to suggestions but keep in mind I am able to get these at £95 a tyre, fully fitted and balanced locally, so you're recommendation would have to be £85 delivered... Very happy/comfortable using remoulds, but these seem a great buy IF they are any good.

If you aren't going to damage the tyre off-road it's probably worth spending a bit more on a tyre that will last longer in mileage terms. I'd rather spend less on a tyre and sacrifice mileage as I am more likely to damage a sidewall than I am wear the tread out. Saying that my Insas have done 35000+ miles and were half the price of BFG's, so yes, the BFG's last longer but not twice as long. And I have trashed a BFG AT in a couple of thousand miles before. Cut the side wall and so it was scrapped. THAT hurt!

I've been pulled over a few times here, but I was sat in a queue of saloons, vans and hatchbacks so don't think they "pick on" landy drivers. Don't care if they do to be honest as I've got nothing to hide.

Hi all, I'm in need of two front tyres and whilst I have been perfectly happy with my Insa Turbo Traction Tracks I would like something quieter on the road, in the hope that less noise equals a little more fuel economy. I still do occassional green laning but don't do pay and play or trials anymore so don't think I need quite such an aggressive tread. After LOADS of searching I like the look of the Kingpin Technic Tracker but can't find any reviews. http://tyresdirectuk.co.uk/shop/product-info.php?prodname=245/70R16-107P-Kingpin-Technic-Tracker-Tyres-&id=16243 Anyone used them or know someone who has? Anyone better at googling than me and can find a review? At £239 for a set of four to my door I'm not really looking for anything else. I'll stick with my Insa's if needed as money is very tight and two new insas will be £160 fitted. I'm sure I noticed a drop in fuel economy when I fitted the Insas, so if I can get this back it would be helpful! Cheers, Martin

I don't think so. I haven't done mine yet but pretty sure teh crossmember will need to be removed when I do. I'm more worried about unboilting it from the turbo than removing the crossmember!

That's rubbish! My Traction Tracks have happily done 35,000miles. Getting close to needing new ones but still a few k more in them.

Cheers guys.I've tried the winching (as a test) with the hi-lift and it is better than nothing, but there would have to be NO other option! Couldn't see the point or use of this bit of kit though. As said, seems it hooks into a chain. Not a great description for it! My favourite - after a tow) is still hi-lifty and waffle boards at the moment (in the UK). Cheers, Martin