Urgently seeking Car Mechanic please

Pauline_P_2

Hi

I urgently need to find a trustworthy Car mechanic who can have a look at my Ford Focus in the Bangor/North Down area please.

Travelling to the Ulster Hospital last night over the Craigantlet Hills the grinding noise from the back wheels when applying the brakes was serious. I've noticed it before intermittently previously but not as bad as this.

I'm afraid to use the car now and would be keen to get a check up asap however I'm conscious there are a lot of cowboys out there who would tell you anything to get the work.

A recommendation would be appreciated please.

Thanks Folks

augustsmummy

I'm affraid I don't know any in your area, but Mr Augustsmummy (or Augustsdaddy - also answers to the hubby lol)
is a mechanic and says it sounds like your brake pads or brake shoes are the problem. It could be that your brake pads are worn down.
He would advise you sort it asap.
Hope you manage to sort it x

jenny-wren

We always go to Gilnahirk Tyres if it sounds like something simple. They'll put your car up on the jack and have a look. They fitted a new link arm on our Focus for a third of what Lindsay Ford had charged us for another one. They've always been able to advise us what actually really needs to be done and what is non-essential work.

Their web site is:
Gilnahirk Tyres

Tel. 028 9079 2900

ballyblack

sent you private message

Pauline_P_2

Thanks for the replies folks.

I realise I'm probably asking a lot but ideally I'm looking for somewhere in Bangor as I wouldn't trust the car to a longer journey in it's current state.

Also (really grasping at straws now) somewhere that may be open on Saturday. Wishful thinking I know but I thought I'd ask.

Many thanks

ballyblack

Motor Tec
(028) 9127 3007
28A Balloo Drive, Bangor, BT19 7Q

Pauline_P_2

Thanks Ballyblack
Balloo sounds good - less thana mile from where I live.
Had pondered Kwik Fit in Balloo but their poor reputation put me off.

Can I please ask if you have any experience of Motor Tec - I'm ultra-cautious because I got ripped off a few years ago by a cowboy mechanic?

caz2703

Armstrong Beattie down near Homebase at Balloo. Hubby went there but unfortunately they were really busy and he ended up around the corner in Kwik Fit. Same issue with a grinding sound and turned out the pads had worn down and the discs were wrecked. I think it was £250 to get both brake discs and brake pads replaced. Took a good 3 hours on a Friday afternoon to get it done so may be worth phoning ahead.

Armstrong Beattie
Unit 9-10, Dunlop Industrial Estate
8 Balloo Drive, Bangor, County Down BT19 7QY
028 9127 3737

Directions (just in case you're not familiar). Turn off the outer ring as if heading towards Homebase (where all the roadworks are currently ongoing). Drive straight down the road towards the wind turbine at the recycling centre and the garage is on the right hand side past the row of shop units but before the recycling centre.

ballyblack

To save money avoid Kwikfit and Ford main dealer

A friend in the car trade uses Motortech all the time with no issues, a reputable garage is always looking repeat business so its not in their interest to rip you off


.

Pauline_P_2

Many thanks for all your helpful posts folks.

Booked in for Balloo and will let you know how things go.

Rgds