starider

Hi,just had a thought, I had always understood that reflectors must be mounted to some point which gives an indication of the vehicle width.If the reflcetors were on the number plate; from a distance they would not indicate a true width. I will have to study carefully the MOT requirements, although I don't remember reading about width placement. Vehicle Construction Laws may give the answer. I'll see what I can find out.

I am not sure what the diameter or shape of the motorcycle reflectors are. I have a Greeves 250 Griffon MotoX motorcycle which is road legal daylight only. I have a rectangular reflector on the rear number plate 2" x 1 1/2". which seems adequate. I use the addage the bigger the better. As I mentioned before my Alphard has the reflectors in the rear bumper below the light clusters, but I have bolted an extra rectangular reflector on each mud flap.

If anyone wants chapter and verse on rear lighting requirements for MOT Test I have ALL the paperwork at hand,

If someone would tell me[sorry,the wife!] how we can put up photographs, I/she will happily post some pics of the rear of our Alphard showing the rear fogs.

I have previously posted on this subject,but to repeat,I wasn't happy with the single"add on" fog lamp, so purchased a pair of flush fitting lamps.there is not enough room behind the bumper to fit these so made a pair of brackets which allowed just the lens to protrude.The top edge of the bracket was bent at approx. 90%[which allowed for the angle of the bottom edge of the bumper]. and drilled brackets and bumper skirt to fit one either side. Removed the add on and used the wiring to it to join up the two new fogs. I had painted the brackets the approx. the same body colour. Fleabay number 361946449366.

Hi, if you read my previous posts on this subject you will see why I have decided to replace both the rear springs. When towing a trailer or caravan there must be a degree of nose weight at the hitch[i.e. downward weight] to ensure the trailer hitch doesn't try to lift off the ball hitch and also to ensure a smooth tow.This added weight will push down the re It is certainly not necessary to fit HD springs all round and I did not imply I was only fitting one to the rear, I have been in and around the motor trade for over 50 years and would never ever fit odd parts [such springs]to each side. The rule is "fit new parts to both sides when replacing suspension parts such as springs,shock absorbers" I also have given an ebay item number which takes you to a set of rear HD springs and shock absorbers. The same supplier will also supply just the springs.

Hi, had a go at fitting the HD springs today. Everything went quite well until I tried to compress the old springs and remove them. Even though I had some spring compressers I couldn't compress them enough to free them from their seatings to wriggle them out. As the heavy duty springs have an extra coil, I certainly wouldn't be able to compress them enough either. I haven't the special equipment I believe is needed, so will have to get my/our garage to do the job. I'm not at this time going to fit the new shocks as I will have to remove the R & R bed to gain access to the top shock absorber fitting. I notice that the springs are available separately, so it can be a cheaper job. What I did notice is that the rear is approx. 1 1/2" lower than the front.

Hi Rojie, when I have fitted these parts I'll have a better idea of how much is involved. I fitted a set if rear HD springs [due to POT HOLE damage] to my ex Suzuki Vitara 4 x 4 and each side litterally took less than half an hour. Just a reminder to everyone, any suspension springs must be fitted as a pair i.e. one each side.

Hi, just a PS to add, we sometimes tow a box van and these springs and shocks will help with the required trailer nose weight. I would also consider these essential if towing a caravan.

Hi, ebay 382465396973. If you sign up and use Complete Savings you can get 10% off. Have a look at how Complete Savings work, they have many popular web sale businesses which give discounts to members. Make sure you read and understand how it works. Screwfix is just one of the many companies on their books.

Hi, have just received an up grade to our Alphard. I was still not happy with the Camber angle so decided to fit heavy duty rear springs and relovent shock absorbers. I have a few jobs to do around the farm and hope to do the work next week. I will report on progress and results when finished.

Hi,I enclose details of a company who I used for my Suzuki 4x4s suspension parts. I have checked with them and they are able to supply Alphard suspension parts. They will need reg.no. model and Vin.no. If anyone contacts them mention you are in the Alphard Owners Club and they will give the best price possible. www.spring-loaded.co.uk/www.viamoto.co.uk 01409 211663 Tim Office. 07761700770 Mike Mobile.

Hi, my 2.4 has a passenger seat which is a captains chair, but this was fitted as part of the full conversion. It looks like a fitted turntable with the original seat fitted to it. It looks as though there was a centre console which has been removed to allow walk through from the front. The chair works well.

Fingers crossed!

Hi, it's a shame that a comprehensive workshop/repair manual is not yet available. I have tried to contact JPNZ in New Zealand, but have so far had no reply. If a translated manual was available it would prevent garages over charging for repairs, simply because there are enough Alphard owners on these forums with a good expert knowledge to accurately assess how much time is needed to have done or to do most mechanical repairs. It must be understood that there is nothing special about the Alphard's suspension,engine,running gear,brakes etc. although the elecronics,electrical system is a different animal. So of course the main requirement is a good W/Shop manual!!

Hi, it's amazing how I keep finding "things", today while I was waiting for my wife who was shopping, I was looking around the centre console and the waste bin I noticed what looked like a small panel, I pressed the centre and out popped two cup holders! I'm sure most of you knew of these, but I am enjoying exploring our Alphard.

Hi, not sure which brand and make of tyre you have fitted to the wheels, but with winter treads the tyres must be fitted with the rotation marks[ an arrow which is moulded in the wall of the tyre which indicates the rotation of the wheel and tyre], so the nearside tyres/wheels must have the same rotation,the arrows turning anti-clockwise and the arrows on the offside turning clockwise. the tread pattern needs to be turning in the same direction on all 4 wheels otherwise the grip is not evenly balanced and the vehicle will probably handle as you describe. If your winter tyres are all the same it's possible you may have fitted all 4 wheels and tyres on the wrong corners. I am not a tyre expert and have passed on what I was told years ago. My wifes Connect Van has "Seasonal Tyres" which cover all types of road surface and conditions throughout the year, and the arrow marks on those tyres are fitted as I have described. I have always been told that if I needed to travel on ice and snow, the only sure way is with snow chains. I have always found that however large the tread pattern is, once the tread is full off ice, you finish up with slicks anyway!

Hi again, I hope to fit mine tomorrow[weather permitting]. I have used the Alphard a couple of times since fitting the new wheel studs and need to check the tightness of all the studs, as at the time I fitted the mudflaps all round[plus reflectors on the rears, lights up like a Christmas Tree now!]. For what they cost a reasonably good quality Torque Wrench is worth having.

Hi Rojie, Sorry for the delay in answering, I purchased the locking wheel nuts from:- sales@wheelpartsdirect.com and are a set of McGard 21156SL 12 x 1.5 FLAT 35mm Chrome Locking Wheel Nuts. You can buy cheaper ones, but the quality of these are of typical German manufacture. I'm not sure which model Alphard you have, but it's worth checking with the seller. Some alloys have a tapered seating for the wheel nuts, but many of the Alphards like mine, have a flat seating with a large washer. Hope this helps. Regards Tony.

Hi, another tyre worth a look is the MAXXIS Allseason range of tyres. When I need new tyres on our Alphard, these will definitely be fitted. My wife has had these fitted on her Ford Connect Van for several years and have proved excellent, giving v.good grip on icy and slippery surfaces, low wear and little road noise. Any good tyre fitting company should happily advise on these tyres. My final comment is do not be persueded to purchase bargains/deals and if you can afford good branded tyres go for a name you know; if it seems to good to be true..beware! When accident assessors look at damaged vehicles for insurance purposes,one of the first parts they check are the tyres, tread depth, damage not associated with the accident;correct size for the vehicle,and fittment[that is they are fitted to the wheel according to the rotation marks on the tyre walls]. Sorry to go on, but nothing winds me up more than modern vans which have been fitted with"flash" skinny wheels with "elastic band" tyres. I'm not even sure whether the vehicle should be given an MOT Test as they are non standard fittings. I wonder how many owners of these vehicles have advised their insurance company of such a modification. My own personal comments. Moan over[it's my age]. Importantly:- Enjoy your Alphard!

Hi,just a reminder, alloy wheels do tend to be stolen, so I have purchased a set of 4 locking wheel nuts with the key socket. If anyone else purchases a set, remember to retain the 4 wheel nuts you will have spare and put them in a bag with the key socket, It is a good idea to put the bag in the locker with the jack and wheel brace. I also intend to buy an extra key socket to put elsewhere in the vehicle.

Yes it is a small world, I taught there when we moved down in 2002 for 4 years. [ Design and Technology ].

Just so we have an idea roughly where we all live, we live in a little village near Holsworthy. Know Barnstaple well, used to teach in the Park School.

Hi, welcome! Looks great,just a question does it have a rear fog lamp/s and rear reflectors? There seems to be quite a variation in the position or lack of one or other. Both are legally required in the UK.

It is a requirement in the UK that there is at least one switched rear fog light, indeed if your Alphard hasn't a switched rear fog light it is illegal and should not pass an MOT Test. On my 2007 the lights as shown in the photograph are reflectors which are also a legal/MOT Test requirement. If these lights are converted into fogs as suggested you still need at least two reflectors. You may get away with the MOT Test because they are often overlooked, but you only need a bored police officer one night and............. I have suggested on a previous post that reflectors could be fitted on rear mudflaps.