Help me fix my Mother in Law's LS Focus...

[prydey]

Hi guys,

Rather than start multiple threads, I thought I'd just list the few problems she is having in one thread and get all the advice in one place.

car is a LS focus CL auto.

firstly, the auto. I've driven it, and its extremely sensitive on take off. almost like the torque converter is grabbing straight away or something. she complains that it on occasion lurches forward, and so now when stopped, has to have quite a bit of pressure on the brake to stop it if it has a 'moment'.

i'm thinking maybe its a bit slow to change back to 1st sometimes, and does so after coming to a stop, which would create a kind of lurch. otherwise i'm not too sure on auto's. checked oil when warm and its not a bad colour and plenty in there.

2nd, the handbrake is ineffective. i tried taking up the slack with the adjusting bolt in the cabin under the lever, but that didn't really achieve much. i think the problem may lie under the car somewhere. i believe these work by winding the piston out in the caliper. some advice here would be good too.

3rd, the front shocks/struts are cactus. this car is used very little and only short trips, so i don't need any sort of performance orientated part here. just after recommendations on a good value strut. monroe are fairly readily available. gabriel are at supercheap - any good? both inlaws are pensioners and so funds are scarce, which is why i'm trying to fix it on a tight budget.

4th, front left d/shaft is rooted also. outer boot was split which i noticed when i bought it about 4 years ago and nothing has been done about it. cv doesn't really knock at all, just groans on low speed turns (in and out of car parks etc). changeover d/shafts are pretty pricey, and do i need a puller or any specific tools to get it out of the gearbox?

its a great little car, just needs these little things tidying up.

thanks in advance for any advice, suggestions, help etc.