Konrad C

It looks like I will be changing the other wheel this Saturday. Last Saturday, I helped Waqar change a broken rear spring we discovered whilst changing the rear brake pads, a few months back. We then made a plan of action to replace the spring, exhaust back box, an oil change, and front bearing/hub. We manage to do the spring and exhaust, but due to the weather left the bearing and oil change for later. I dried and cleaned the tools the next day, as I don't want them rusting. I have a plan of action, in case the bearing hub is seized like the other side! How I spotted the broken spring. This photo was taken during the removal of the strut. Close up. Because it broke near the top of the coil is could be missed, even by a MOT tester! Using the spring clamps. A 6mm allen key is used to hold the centre whilst undoing the top nut. Completed spring swap and ready to install. Installation was reverse, but we did the back box since it was in the same area. Old and new. I advised my friend to get a new doughnut gasket, but he used Gum Gum to make the seal. Here is the video on how to do the rear suspension. Next update will be on how we get on with changing the hub bearing.

You are fortunate and mentioned cases that TRK will work. TRK is only good if the puncture is a tiny pinhole or nail puncture. If the hole is too large or a tear, the TRK will not work! Then you will have to get a spare or call for rescue. I have had a tear puncture, so as people I know. I do have a spare and was on my way in minutes, but in two cases I know of had to some help which took hours! I rather the security of a spare, than worry about weight saving, only to be stranded at a critical moment. Never say never, and hope you get a puncture that the TRK cannot fix. Richard, I agree with you and have also experienced a tear puncture that TRK would never repair. I have a full size spare and changed it in minutes, and got my friend to her pre-booked train on time. My car came with a space saver, but I didn't like it after using it once. That is why I have a full size. The Avensis has three options - TRK, space saver or full size. It seems Corolla owners only have two choices. I know which one I would have. This is the second post I have seen, where somebody thinks that spare is unnecessary and fuss over nothing, and they either never had a puncture or TRK was enough. We make our choices and stick with them for a reason. Just get your spare wheel and have less worry.

I downloaded the 'Navigation' manual for the Corolla from My Toyota (https://www.toyota.co.uk/tme#/my-toyota/eManual), and found the setting to turn the voice prompts off/on, as I suspected in my previous message. Page 51 - Voice settings. Press 'setup button', select 'voice', select the function you want to adjust - voice volume level, voice recognition prompts on/off, street name guidance on/off, avoidable route announcement on/off, Default - resets everything. For more info, look at your manual. Hope this helps.

I don't have your model (though I would love a Touring Sport), but I thought that most integrated nav systems would have voice direction override. I have two Bluetooth systems in my 2009 Avensis, the built in 'primitive' voice only for phone calls, that lets my old Nokia Windows phone navigating give directions, muting the music, and my Bluetooth/USB adapter via the CD changer, for my android phone, that does the same. Interestingly, if I mute Google maps voice, the music is not interrupted, but the directions still show on the phone screen! Maybe that what is going on with the built in system, the voice not set! You might need to play with the system, somebody hear advise you, or go back to the dealer in case something is wrong.

There are lots of options so long as the stereo has the CD changer at the rear. Yours will obviously be the later socket. Here are my posts, or posts I have been involved in. Even though my is an Avensis, the info will apply to the Auris. There are choices of adapter around, and prices vary. Hope this helps and you get a form of upgrade without any major wiring. Just plug and play.

AndrueC. Getting a puncture is a chance event. Nobody wants to have a puncture and then pay an average of £80 to replace a tyre! I have found screws and nails in my or friends tyre, which had gone in at an angle not to cause a puncture. I have punctures that only cost me £10 to repair. It is carelessness of the people who let screws or nails drop on the road. I once picked up a whole lot of new screws off the road! Also when going to the recycling centre or where there is DIY or building, there could be something on the road. My brother was at a friend in Devon, and there was a spike in the ground that ripped his tyre. This was on the private land belonging to the friend he was visiting. Since his car only has TRK, he had to be taken to KwikFit to get a replacement tyre. I would be fuming at the friend for leaving that spike in the ground. Let's hope you or someone you know, never gets a puncture at an inconvenient time, and need assistance that takes hours to arrive! I have always manage to change to my spare in minutes, but some people are not as able even to change their spare wheel. When you or a friend does have a puncture, please let us know.

This is a topic close to my heart, in addition to in car entertainment and navigation. I will never buy a car if it does not have a spare, or the option to have a spare wheel! I actually got a full size alloy wheel to replace my space saver. here is my post - I have two people, my brother and a friend, who only had TRK in their cars, but had large holes or tear damage. It cost them hours to get replacements. I had a tear damage to my tyre last year, and less than 15 minutes (my friend timed me at about 10 minutes), I was on my way to help her catch her pre-booked train, she would have missed otherwise! Also the cost of the tyre at the roadside is a lot more than at tyre places (call out fees). I was going to buy a Honda Civic when I bought my Avensis (both secondhand), and the lack of spare put me off the Civic. Also the boot on some cars, are designed in a way not to carry a spare.

I am using larger washers to help reduce the flexing. I tried slightly larger washers at first, then increased the washer size to cover more area. It helps. I have some metal plates which I could cut and shape, then fit to the inside of the door. This would mean stripping the door. I would get a friend to weld the plates and the damaged area, if necessary. All this is for the future if the cracks get worse. Also the drivers door is a little worse than the passenger when I first checked, but the washers have kept both sides in check for now. I will examine and see how they have progressed. The car is 10 years old and other brands have been worse.

Read this and follow the instructions - Good luck. 👍

I posted this reply in another post in the Corolla forum. Rip Off Britain featured car parts theft yesterday. And what car was shown? Toyota Prius mk2. They also had a fiesta where all the front was removed. One thing of note was both victims had cctv and captured what was happening! In the case of the Prius, the wife tried to go out and challenge the thieves, but the thieves backed the Passat upto the outward opening front door, blocking it. Areas that seem popular for the cat thefts seem to be east London, with other surrounding area also noted, and Midlands. Recently the police caught up with a Passat and it had stolen cats, trolley jacks, and cutting equipment. Not sure if it was the same Passat, involved in a lot of reported and social media videos.

Rip Off Britain featured car parts theft yesterday. And what car was shown? Toyota Prius mk2. They also had a fiesta where all the front was removed. One thing of note was both victims had cctv and captured what was happening! In the case of the Prius, the wife tried to go out and challenge the thieves, but the thieves backed the Passat upto the outward opening front door, blocking it. Areas that seem popular for the cat thefts seem to be east London, with other surrounding area also noted, and Midlands. Recently the police caught up with a Passat and it had stolen cats, trolley jacks, and cutting equipment. Not sure if it was the same Passat, involved in a lot of reported and social media videos.

I have to say, you are on your own with this, especially on a New model like the Corolla. The car is under warranty and with modern electrics in cars being sensitive, any problems that may occur could (rightly or wrong), would be blamed on the device you installed. Also not many auto electricians are on the forum, and even rare to be installing aftermarket devices such as the sensor. This makes you a sort of pioneer. I assume you have tested the car security and found that if the car is subjected to any movement, the alarm does not sound. Is this to help against catalytic convertor theft, which Toyota/Lexus hybrid cars are targeted, due to the fact the cat is left contaminated compared to other engines/brands!? Anyway post your progress.

I am not a fan either. Let's add front wheel setup, different to rear wheel drive, and extra stress on suspension components. Yes, that is classed as a modification, and everything said earlier impacts the cars design and behaviour. We have given both pros and cons to using wheels and adapter/spacers. The OP probably knows, but this is for benefit of others.

I did a quick research and there are PCD adapters available from places like this - https://www.performancealloys.com/hub-and-pcd-adapters. Just search 'wheel PCD hub adapters', and you will find plenty of options. I checked for legality of hub adapter and spacers, and there is nothing saying you can't use them. They have to fit properly and securely! Remember that the off set and the steering geometry may be altered.

Can I add a few possible causes, if you still have an issue - I cleaned my MAF sensor a couple of years ago, using CRC mass air flow sensor cleaner. That may help with your situation.