€200 to replace front shock mounts and droplinks?

[Temeeo]

Hi,
my front shock mounts are badly worn / in need of replacing so I ordered them of Camskill together with new droplinks and contacted few mechanics re. labour cost, those that got back to me are quoting about €200. Do you think it's a fair price? I can't see how it could take in workshop environment longer than 45-60 minutes to replace?

As far as I can tell it "only" involves:

1) removing the wheel
2) disconnecting the shock absorber from steering knuckle (2 bolts)
3) unclipping brake line
4) disconnecting the drop link from the shock absorber and anti-roll bar (2 nuts)
5) disconnecting the shock absorber from the "engine bay" (3 nuts)
6) removing the "shock nut" and replacing the shock mount.
7) reinstall in reverse order

Have I left anything out?

I think I'll go ahead and replace them myself and spend the €200 on some FTO goodies / new tyres, will the spring compressor from Halfords fit the standard springs (are there different types/sizes of compressors?)?

Regards, Jan

[brccrx]

Do iot Yourself, it will be done well at least!

Can You post link to the spring compressor from Halfords?

[Temeeo]

Do it Yourself, it will be done well at least!

That's what I thought, and I'll get chance to clean / inspect the wheel arch etc.

Here is the link for the spring compressor that I had in mind:

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_203375_langId_-1_categoryId_255216

[Sebastian]

a bit pricey allright

not a hard job to do yourself and save a few bob to put towards upgrades ( about 1- 2 hours) but I reckon you can find cheaper garages

[goz_83]

It wasn't long ago when I got mine done and it didn't cost that much in labour.

[Temeeo]

I've pretty much decided that I'm going to replace them myself (even though the biggest jobs I ever done to date on cars was replacing heater core - that required removing complete dashboard and also replaced once front wishbone), but just out of curiosity where did you get yours done Goz? Nolans?

[brccrx]

That spring compressors look exactly the same as i have and not long ago ive sucesfully did shocks change on GPX using it so U should be 100% fine.

Garages usualy has more advanced gear to compress the springs so its just a matter of removing the shock from car thats all. 200e is a bit to pricey for this simple task.

[goz_83]

where did you get yours done Goz? Nolans?

Atlas.

I can't even remember if it was for my gpx, but it was only last year. I know this, because I got replacements from Gerry at the time. Unfortunately the same side was gone on the replacement set, so I ordered from camskill. It was under €100 for the job I'm sure. Parts were the expensive bit.

[optical illusion]

I watched my other half replace mine and it nearly broke him, and he's a strong fella. There is a guide on here somewhere for fitting shocks, please read it to save yourself heartache

Maybe replace topmounts while you're at it and make sure the 3 holes line up in the casing above and below (see guide) otherwise you'll have to take it all back out again...

[Temeeo]

I've read these two:

http://www.fto-ireland.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=9819&p=83919&hilit=replace+shocks#p83919
http://mitsi-fto.blogspot.ie/2010/10/how-to-replace-your-fto-shocks-and.html

plus the relevant parts of the workshop manual, so hopefully I'll be fine.

All I need now is to get myself a torque wrench - I'm a little bit OCD when it comes to my FTO

[brccrx]

U would only need the torque wrench for realy small bolts or if ya want to lock the flywheel to required torque or something like it, other than that dont bother, honestly!