140 RELATIVELY PAINLESS...

The little car has been taken to the garage to receive a bit of TLC from the professionals. The metallic rubbing noise has been thoroughly investigated, and they found that it was indeed metal rubbing on metal. And the 'No Shit, Sherlock' award goes to... The fact that there was a noise wasn't a mystery; where it was coming from was the real head-scratcher.

The lovely mechanic came out to the car and did some poking and prodding in the wheel arch after I explained the issue I was having. Initially, he thought the wheel was rubbing on a strut (that sounded expensive), but he said to leave the car with them and that he would get it up on the ramp for a good mooch around.

I returned home and got on with my day. An hour later, I received a call to say my car was all fixed - great news, but a little unexpected!

The mechanic explained that the issue was with a brake dust shield rubbing on a brake disc, which was a quick and inexpensive fix - result!

They had checked all wheels while the car was on the ramp for good measure and adjusted all four corners, so I should have trouble-free motoring now. He also confirmed there was nothing wrong with the alloys, but my discs could do with being replaced sooner rather than later. They were fine now, as were my brake pads, one to worry about when it is MOT time.

This is a massive weight off my shoulders. I was worried that the alloys Lisa had bought me were duff or didn't fit the car without modification. Hopefully, I can now enjoy bombing about in my massive (for the car) alloys wearing premium rubber. Until the next mini disaster that is...