That could be your problem, it is very common for boiler replacements to mix up the flow anad returns, which now makes the zone valves the wrong way round, still works but will clunk when closing, do you know the model of your old and replacement boilers
Trvs are on off controls so as long as they are calling for heat the rads in use anywhere will all heat to the same temp until satisfied then the rad will turn off
just close the little red plug on the top of the aav, and if you ever drain down then open it again as you refill, or change it when it is drained, ther are all crap and all leak, they dont actually do anything when the system is filled, except leak
no you need to remove the old thermostats or they will interfere with the hive, you can simply link them out if you want to, when you fit the receivers, link L&1 Then the brown wire from the corrosponding zone valve goes to 3 on the hive, leave everything else as is
yes you need two thermostats and two receivers but only one hub, the receivers are wired to the zone valves not the boiler and the valves control the boiler , you will need to reverse the wiring change you made when you wired the hive direct to the boiler
as @picasso you have a faulty motorised valve, your hive does not tell the boiler when to come on, it opens the valves and they tell the boiler when to come on