Recommendations for car suspension work?

ant said :

where is Monash? Yes I’m a canberra native but when I was a kid, lyons was “whoop whoop”. Is it Tuggeranong, or Belconnen? It’s no good if it’s Gungalin, my map doesn’t go there.

Tuggeranong, between Erindale and the hyperdome.

Dude, you have the internetz now, your maps go everywhere. Plus it will tell you where Monash is.

where is Monash? Yes I’m a canberra native but when I was a kid, lyons was “whoop whoop”. Is it Tuggeranong, or Belconnen? It’s no good if it’s Gungalin, my map doesn’t go there.

MD Automotive

Monash

They work from a 6 car garage in a backyard, 4 mechanics. Cut price rates, but they are very very good!

Another reccommendation here to stay away from Pedders.

Well, tomorrow I will give the two Fyshwick mobs a go, and then keep the people in Mitchell as backup… that said, others reading here will be carefully noting the Mitchell recommendation! It may well be that i’m up for a motz, but at least it’ll be kosher. Then I have to go looking for tyres, oh joy (not).

I can second the Revell recommendation.

I agree about Soobaroo in Mitchel
They are dead set honest & do a good job.

+1 for Pommy Bastard. I check here for all sorts of services: car stuff, tattooists, pies (though yet to find a > 7/10 pie). Word of mouth beats advertising dollars every time.

Also, if someone quoted me $1600 for a full suspension overhall (on a Scooby Doo Liberty) I would hand it over then and there. I reckon that’s bang on the money Ant. Though let us know where you go and the results too.

This really is a great place for consumer reviews. I trust the word of mouth / experience, reccommendations here far more than any advertised service.

Ah ha. Two good prospects, and both handily in Fyshwick (Mitchell is a bit of a hike from here). Now that I think of it, Revell has been around for quite a while… and while that is not always a guarantee of them being good, someone endorsing them certainly is!

Revell in Fyshwick are masters of the black art that is steering and suspension. I wouldn’t take my cars anywhere else.

That’s amazing ant but hey, more power to you! I’m jealous

ant said :

I know Inline, they probably woudln’t let my car through the gate. I’ve never seen so many exotics and kitted-up hobby projects in my life.

Haha.

I’ve had some stuff done by Capital in the past and had no cause to complain. 🙂

I think I got them in 2000. Might have been 2001, not sure. I loathed them and hoped they’d wear out really fast, nope. Hopeless in snow, despite having a M+S alleged rating. The wheel size is a bit weird and not many tyres fit them, and even fewer AT tyres. I hate buying tyres, it’s no fun.

I think the ride deteriorated as soon as I got the things on.

If the tyres are 7 years old, they’re probably rock hard and won’t help at all with the bumpy ride.

I’m pretty sure I didn’t buy a 3rd set of tyres and somehow forgot about them… 4WD tyres are expensive. I guess it’s a light car, I dunno. Also, I get proper AT tyres for it, not road tyres, and expect they’re a bit more robust.

A mechanic commented once that the brakes were still OK and was sayign Suzuki must’ve used good ones, so I went hunting on my service sheets (I’ve got every one, since 94), and never a mention of brakes. they have the cheapo drums and discs combo. Who knows though, maybe someone replaced them and didn’t tell me (or charge me).

I’m one of the few drivers on the road who still has a 3rd pedal on the floor. The brakes don’t get much work, generally.

Sounds like Capital in Fyshwick will be the first stop, for sure. And at least they’ll know if there’s any cheaper options around. They sound very safe.

I know Inline, they probably woudln’t let my car through the gate. I’ve never seen so many exotics and kitted-up hobby projects in my life.

Spam Box said :

How in the hell did you get 266,000 klm out of two sets of tyres ?.

Probably the same way one comes to the conclusion that $1600 is too much for a complete suspension overhaul. I’m just as curious about 266,000kms out of one set of brake pads, even if (at a guess) the Vitara may only have discs up front.

ant, given the running costs of your car have been so low I reckon you need to cop the $1600 quote on your suspension, as that seems a fair enough price to me.

If you dare, Inline Suspension in Queanbeyan are supposed to be the duck’s guts locally. But make sure you’re sitting down if $1600 made your eyes squint.

Bottom line, after tyres, suspension is probably the next most important thing not cut costs on.

How in the hell did you get 266,000 klm out of two sets of tyres ?.

Yeah steer clear of Pedders. I have never dealt with them personally, but have heard nothing but horror stories from friends, workmates and online forums. Almost all about upselling and in some cases refusing to give cars back until the work is done because “the car is too dangerous”, which of course no auto repairer is allowed to do.

For the few suspension jobs I’ve needed doing I’ve been to Capital Steering and Suspension in Fyshwick, they seem to do a good job. As others have said, just make sure you get a few quotes and you should be right.

My parents use Subaroo in Mitchell for their mechanicals. It’s always worth trying a few places for quotes before heading straight to Pedders.

Hi Ant.

That’s actually not too bad a quote. When I was feeling lazy (and rather busy) I had front+rear shocks supplied and fitted by a workshop on my old Commondore and the cost was almost a grand (this was the cheapest price I could find). Bushes can and will be a right royal PITA to replace, and the labour cost will be the highest component of the entire job.

Having said that, I’ve had a couple of encounters with Capital Steering and Suspension in Fyshwick. I think the last time I was there was to get a wheel alignment on my old Valiant a few years ago – it required a new tie-rod end so they simply replaced it for the cost of the part ($15 IIRC). They didn’t even charge for labour.

And…Pedders have that reputation for a reason 🙂