IDH

Thanks.

Thanks for the Life-style lesson Tim-spam will remember to live life with reasonable care!!! Reasonable care is also to warn others of a potential hazard.

Thanks Mike, just what i wanted to hear. B)

As a safety precaution may be worth putting a non permanent clip of some description(perhaps a bulldog clip) on the strap at the ceiling level when the belt is extended. This would stop the belt retracting when not in clunk-clicked in - remove the clip when you want it to retract into the hold. Could prove helpful when the little ones are in the back.

Sounds awful. we had a similar incident when we first go our '04 facelift Galaxy, ironically the new three point belt on the middle seat was a selling point to me for safety as on our previous '51 plate there was only a lap belt. We had a a relative sitting in the right rear seat leaning forward to get out and as our passenger who was in the middle of the middle row was releasing the belt it flew back and hit her in the mouth causing a lot of pain and fortunately no serious injury. Certainly requires a warning notice somewhere at least!!

On the technical specifications they each have a 12v car power adaptor. IDH

Hi, I have aquired two portable in car DVD players which will each use a 12v car power adaptor. I am concerned about the power drainage from the car battery when using the systems. (Need two as my children will have interest in different DVD's). Does anyone have any experience or advice when using in car DVD systems does it affect the battery life - will it put excess strain on the battery using two at the same time? Going on ski trip in new year so consider when using in the Winter with lights on/ wipers on /heater on etc?? The technical specifications indicate 'Power depletion <15W' and 'power consumption is 8 Watts per unit'. Does anyone have any advice or put my mind at ease when using - Dont fancy being stuck in the middle of Europe with a flat battery!! Many thanks

local essex ford changed the brake pads - hopefully problem solved.

Went to the local Essex ford, he was helpful and suggested the brake noise was due to the harder metallic compound or Glazing of the pads, although understood it was annoying! he hadnt had any others in because of it, more noticable at low speed because of lower engine noise. He was happy all else was OK as no steering vibration, pedal feeback etc. I've booked it in on Monday and he is going to take a look clean any dust residue and perhaps de-glaze if required - if it's solved the problem all well and good otherwise suggested i take it up with the warranty manager to get some new pads!! As a lot of life in these and only 11k miles. He said the gearbox felt OK but wants to take a drive when engine is cold when the problem was noticeable (1st to 3rd)- and said the cables may need slight adjustment but will advise on Monday. Hopefully will get all sorted out then.

Thanks for this - now putting my mind at ease - I've been having thoughts that i'd bought a dog of a car with a dodgy gearbox and Brakes!! and was wishing for my old one back!! It had been mentioned to me that it could be a different brake compound, and i'll blast out all of the brake dust and hopefully problem solved. I'll feedback what ford say about the notchy gearbox.....Thanks again for input.

Thanks Andrew, I'll mention this on Wednesday when i'm booked in at Ford. I'll post a message with their response.

Thanks Andrew - i didnt know there was a non visible pad!! Were the symptoms of yours being worn similar to that which i'm experiencing? Also, current mileage is only 11k.

It does sound that way - although visibily there is plenty of life left in the pads and the noise comes in only at 15mph to a standstill.

Hi, I have booked my '04 2.3 gal for an assessment this week at Fords. however does anyone have any ideas on the problem... When braking at any speed and coming to a stop there is a sort of grinding feedback at 15mph down to zero - a low audible grind / can feel feedback through the pedal. The performance of the brakes are good and theyhad been checked (visually i guess) and was told the pads and discs where OK just after i bought the car in January (didnt take an assessor for a drive at the time to show the problem), it has become very annoying - I wondered if the problem could be linked to the drivetrain or different brake pad compound?. I didnt have this problem with my old '51 plate or any other vehicle i've owned so will find out what the assessor's view is this week. Also getting them to look at the gearbox, lumpy gearchange especially when cold-i see i'm not alone on this!! Any comments on the brakes will be appreciated. Thanks!!

Hi, I have just booked my '04 Galaxy 2.3 (5 speed box)for an assesment on the Gearbox for this week, Same problem, clunky, squeaky and overall a very poor gearchange - i do find it is worse when its cold!! The annoying thing is that i part exchanged a 51 plate same model and didnt have any problems at all!! Also run a '99 mondeo which is a currently a pleasure to drive compared to the galaxy....!!

Thanks for that Andrew, good tip on keeping the cable tight on lowering. And not to reel the cable up to high without a wheel on it - its most likely tol get tangled when its being lowered again - hence my local tyre fitter seeing it regularly!. Got the Gal' back earlier today, new mechanism on warranty. Also checked tyre pressures as the fitter said they only put 32 psi on rear, when i checked all the pressures today the other three where on 30 & 31 psi!!! considering i only picked it up from Fords 10 days ago i doubt they all have consistent slow punctures!!. Have redone to recommended is 41 front and 38 rear!!

I've just part ex'd my '51 plate Ghia which was on Dunlops to an '04 Ghia which now has Michelin's all round. Unfortunately got an unrepairable punture (ouch!) yesterday and to my suprise found the spare is a Dunlop! Got a replacement Michelin this morning and when the fitter tried to lower the spare 'carrier' it didnt drop further than 8 inches!! aaargghh!! The chap wasnt suprised at all and said that they see the mechanism fail regularly - I've taken the car straight to local dealer where it will be until repaired!! The thing that concerns me is that if this is a common occurence it could put you in a situation if you are fully loaded with passengers and luggage - need the spare - the mechanism fails with nowhere to put the punctured wheel - cant be leaving an alloy on the roadside!! - even so not advisable even if it does work to slide an alloy face down into place. great design Ford!!