[ryangus]

...to get them to check the noisy front right spring. Told them they might as well do their much spruiked (by them) $14, 28 point safety check.

Anyway, after a while they drag me out the back. I think to myself, "self, this sounds ominous".

So first proceed to show me the problem with the spring. Basically, they're aftermarket coils and Bilstein shocks. The coils are actully a few mm too big to fit in the top "socket" (not sure of the actual terminology). This means the springs aren't fitting in properly, and with enough force are being pushed in an out.

Next, apparently the front Bilsteins are a bit too stiff for the wight of the car. They then point out a few minor suspension issues, the details of which escape me at this hour.

Then, they show me the leaks. Steering pump is leaking, looks like the main seal is leaking, and somewhere further back near the gearbox (by this last description, you're probably realising I'm no mechanic!).

All in all, I get a bill for about $2000 in parts, and $1000 in labour. I might be no mechanic, but I'm not stupid enough to give them any more cash than the $14, and get the fuck outta there.

So, I'm now faced with the decision of where to next. I'm confident that they've overpriced me - to me that's a given for the problems that actually exist. However, I'm not confident everything they've pointed out ARE actual problems. Put it down to my general suspicion of the auto world - after all, as stated I'm not very mechanically minded.

Anyway, I've been thinking of swapping this JX LWB model for an auto JLX, as it's the wife's car and I'd like it to be a little more comfortable. I've just found one that's getting a proper mechnical inspection tomorrow (foolish me didn't do that with the current one - I'll be adding this to the I'm a d**khead thread!! ).

The question now is - do I fix this one before I piss it off, and if so, where to take it, and how much will it REALLY cost. Or do I cut my losses, and sell it as is?

Any ideas?

[twitchy]

Pedders to me always try & but ream you on prices. If your going to get rid of it, choice is yours as to repairs really. Are you going to get any better return by spending the money to fix it? If not cut your losses & flog it as is.

[Rockhopper]

My local Pedders have never been anything but helpful to me. I've ordered suspension and steering parts from them for freinds and relatives cars and have always been priced competitivly, and the wheel alignments they do have always been first rate. They did a wheel alignment in my old GQ after I fitted a 6" suspension lift in it, when none of the so called 4wd specialists would touch it. It steered straight as a knife, and there was no abnormal wear on the tyres even 12 months down the track. Maybe it's because each store is a franchise.
I don't know about parts, becuse your description is very vague, but when your looking at around $80 an hour labour, $1000 labour sounds reasonable to fix steering, suspension, engine and transmission oil leaks.

[royce]

mine does the same thing with the spring, its just cause of the lift nothing to worry about

if you chuck the billies can I have em they will be better than anything they sell!!!!!

post some pics of the leaks, the steering would need professional work but the box leak might be easy

[steak_knife]

I`m starting to wish I had my own shop!!!!
If I had a shed even. Alot of what thay call "leaks" may of taken years to make the oily patch, unless thay decreased it & test drove it, i can`t understand how thay could give a quote!!!!


Steve

[ryangus]

Good point steknig. First task for me is getting in underneath and cleaning all leaks, and seeing how/when/where they return.

[steak_knife]

What part of Bris you in??

[ryangus]

Scarborough (Redcliffe)