My Car's at the Stealers - Inspection Report

[Dogzyboy 0]

Got the C at the Stealers for the worlds most expensive oilchange, just so I can get the book stamped. They carry out a free inspection report & note any issues with the car, so I got them do give it the once over.

 

They've just phoned me to say that the front wishbones are split, the sump gasket is leaking & one of my shocks is also leaking. I'm not too concerned about the 2 leaks as the sump is only a very slight leak & the same with the shock (I'm planning on lowering it soon anyway).

 

My only concern is the wishbones being split. I only spoke to the receptionist & she wasn't too sure how bad this was, but how concerned should I be about this?

 

Cheers in advance.

 

Doug

[herisites 0]

I would just change the wishbones mate as they come with new bushes which will improve the ride and handling of your car anyway due to the current ones being 10 years old :wink:

[Jim 2]

I wonder if they just meant the bushes rather than the whole wishbone?

[Dogzyboy 0]

I'm kind of hoping it's just the bushes! I'll check with them when I pick it up later on.

 

If it was the wishbones, will it still be ok to drive? And if it's the bushes, I'm assuming it'll be ok to drive, but I should chenge them soon?

[Yandards 0]

Change the whole wishbone assembly, you will the be able to do the whole job yourself as you will not need a hydraulic press to remove/fit the old bushes.

 

As for the wear thing the car should be ok if it is just worn bushes. I would be more concerned about a splitting wishbone assembly.

 

Get it done sooner rather than later, might as well do the ARB bushes whilst you are at it and I would cost up some new ARB droplinks to wishbone parts too as these tend to get a bit messy.

[ReekieVR 0]

Which 'customer service outlet' did you use ? Sloan ? Interesting to know how much they charge these days.

[Dogzyboy 0]

Which 'customer service outlet' did you use ? Sloan ? Interesting to know how much they charge these days.

 

It's in at the kind folks at Western on Gorgie Rd mate. Not particularly cheap, but thats what you'd expect from the stealers!! I'll probably not get them to do the work to be honest!!

 

If I knew what on earth I was doing then I'd do the work myself, but, unfortunately, it's all a bit beyond me!

 

Thanks for all the advice guys, I'll price up the wishbones, bushes, ARB bushes & ARB droplinks & see about getting it done somewhere cheaper!

 

Reekie, any recommendations?

 

Cheers,

Doug

[Jim 2]

Dead wishbone bushes tend to manifest themselves as vague / wandering handling. It can be dangerous if they're totally shot as if you're not concentrating, minor camber changes etc can make your car suddenly make an unexpected attempt to pitch into incoming traffic or a hedge. So not totally dangerous unless they're totally shagged but do require a bit more concentration on uneven road!

 

Got the same problem myself at the minute so am going to be ordering some entirely new wishbones with the bushes already pressed in!

[ReekieVR 0]

Autowerke next to Western used to be the best non VAG place but it closed around 1 yr ago :(

 

After ages searching, i found a new indy vw specialist : Heriot Hill down Leith way.

Seem to know what they are doing, loads of vw campers etc, and not too expensive. Also rather attractive receptionist lady!

 

Addy: 18 Manderston Street, Edinburgh, EH6 8LY

0131 5531012

[Dogzyboy 0]

Cheers guys.

 

Reekie, I think someone might have mentioned that garage to me, I'll give them a buzz & see what they are saying to it.

 

Just priced up Wishbones, ARB Droplinks & ARB Bushes on vwspares (AVS), it's coming in at £104. Does anyone know if that sounds reasonable?

 

Cheers.

Doug

[Stan 24v 0]

The wishbones are around £20 ish mate on ebay. How much are VW charging?

 

Clicky

[Jim 2]

Um - don't bid on those ones on eBay! Did you read the smallprint there Stan?

 

BRAND NEW CORRADO LH LOWER WISHBONE TO FIT THE FOLLOWING>

 

VW CORRADO ALL MODELS EXCEPT VR6 1989-1995

[Stan 24v 0]

I did notice it, but assumed the VR ones shouldnt be much more ;)

[Yandards 0]

I did notice it, but assumed the VR ones shouldnt be much more ;)

 

Not likely as the VR ones are handed so double your costs for manufacture...

 

Go for genuine VAG items where possible. They have lasted over 10 years by now and lots of miles so you do get a quality product as oppossed to some crap from ebay or GSF.

[herisites 0]

I just got my new wishbones from GSF, they were about £40 each. Going to be tackling these this weekend which could be interesting :lol:

[Dogzyboy 0]

Just came on to check that ebay link out!! I'll give these ones a miss then! :)

 

Turns out it is the wishbone bushes that are split & not the wishbones themselves, fortunately!! They gave me a quote of £200 to replace the bushes!!! :shock: Not a chance.

 

I reckon I'll get some wishbones from AVS or GSF & get the droplinks etc whilst I'm at it.

 

Let me know how you get on with doing yours Rob. A mate of mine & I are going to take a look tomorrow to see how much work it involves.

 

Cheers,

Doug

[Jim 2]

VW prices for bush replacement are a tad on the optimistic side. Tempest was recently quoted £210 to replace his rear axle bushes if he took in the rear axle (off the car) and supplied the bushes! For a garage with the tool its an hours job at the absolute max! So where they got £210 from I have no idea!

[dr_mat 0]

I reckon I'll get some wishbones from AVS or GSF & get the droplinks etc whilst I'm at it.

 

More and more I'm beginning to think that non-VW parts are just a false economy. They aren't as good, unless you just *happen* to find the identical part, from the identical manufacturer, just with a different label. Which doesn't happen often.

 

Particularly if the dealer's fitting price scares you, I definitely think it's still worth paying the dealer's parts prices (or even better get genuine parts from third party sources!).

[Dogzyboy 0]

I'll maybe price up some VW parts then & see what difference there is.

 

Cheers,

Doug

[Stan 24v 0]

Give this place a ring. I bought some front wishbones for the golf yesterday for £17.50 + VAT each, thats £15 cheaper than GSF!!!! If they work out a lot cheaper then I'll get them for you and post you them.

 

Volks World

9, Blackpool Rd, Ribbleton, Preston, Lancashire PR2 6BS

Tel: 01772 797919

Motor Factors

[Dogzyboy 0]

Give this place a ring. I bought some front wishbones for the golf yesterday for £17.50 + VAT each, thats £15 cheaper than GSF!!!! If they work out a lot cheaper then I'll get them for you and post you them.

 

Volks World

9, Blackpool Rd, Ribbleton, Preston, Lancashire PR2 6BS

Tel: 01772 797919

Motor Factors

 

Nice one, thanks mate. I'll give them a buzz & see what they can do them for.

 

Do you know who makes them? dr_mat reckons that it's worth buying VAG, though if these ones turn out the same price as the ones you got, I could always replace them again for the about the same total price! :)

[Stan 24v 0]

Not sure but I know the shop is really god and he sources his parts from genuine if poss. I was asking him how they were so cheap and he said that they have to try and match internet prices to keep customers returning, which is fair enough. Ive been to the same place loads of times, and some mates always use him too.

 

This link may be of use too, its for a Mk IV but should give you some idea ;)

 

http://uk-mkivs.net/forums/thread/780532.aspx

[Skimask 0]

Dogzy boy, You'll also need to buy the bolts for holding the wishbones on!

My car had horrendous torque steer. Checking the suspension there was play on the front wishbone bush - so I bought another wishbone from ECP. When I took the old one off to look at the bushes - wiping away the muck I noticed they were purple - the uprated ones. Checking the invoices i got with the car the bushes were only a year old and in good condition. The play was caused by wear on the shaft of the bolts.

I know its just another expense - but its pointless buying the wishbones for the bolts to let you down.

I think the bolts were about a tenner for the 4 (two each side) from VW!

[Dogzyboy 0]

Thanks for all ther advice that keeps coming my way guys, I really appreciate it.

 

Whipped off one of the wheels this afternoon to see what is involved in replacing the wishbones. What I did notice is that the front bolt appears to be too close to the sump to remove. Am I being a bit dim here in thinking the sump is going to cause problems with removal?

 

Any advice on the replacement, or indeed a user guide would be greatly appreciated. My mate & I are are keen to attempt this (he knows more than me!!) but our initial impression was that it's a bigger job than feared.

 

Cheers,

Doug

[Dogzyboy 0]

Apologies, I've just found thisby using the search facility!!! :oops: