[madcjd]

The symptons:
Dumping fluid from o/s steering gator (which is split), a horrible graunching noise and steering that requires very large biceps to operate!
This all happened on Friday eve, when wifey brought it back from work (in the dark).

Quick assessment on Sat morning, due planned weekend away, saw the mess the fluid had made on the road (and some on the drive). Looking through the gap in the wheel it was evident the oil was leaking from the gaitor and I assumed this to be internal seals in the rack. Needless to say the car was left outside the house, on the road, until further investigation time was available.

Whilst driving that horrible drive down to Croydon for the Saturday eve, and suffering the M25 car park, the conversation between wifey and I was "what are you going to do about the car?"
After long thoughts about my lack of working space and available time, and the other couple of jobs reqd on the car.......I think it may be time for retirement of the car?..............Which would be a big shame!

Due to work commitments, can't do anything now until Friday.

By the way Manny.........it's a year ago today I bought the car from you..........and loved it ever since! Last month I taxed it for another 12 months - that's how confident I was that I was going to keep the car going.