h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

My car has failed its MOT, and will have to remain at the garage until they have ordered the parts

Aww, bum!



Sorry tohear that, GB!

Hope it's not too costly to sort out!

I was already quoted £284 for the annual service and the MOT. Exactly £9 increase on last year, when it passed. I assumed it was OK and would just need a lift collecting it this teatime. Now, I have to work out what two brake pads, brake realignment, suspection arm and something else she said, but I didn't like the way she was tutting when I asked if it would be ready tomorrow, I didn't dare ask what the final bill was going to be.

*leaves more of the same*

I've just had the same done on Madame North's car (including brakes) It came to about £420

Hope yours isn't so bad

Oh no, hope it's not too painful a sum, and that you can manage the various journies you need to make.

Thanks

£420!!!

to find brown paper bag

>have to work out what two brake pads, brake realignment<

Hmmm, do you mean replace 2 brake discs and pads? You never replace just 2 brake pads, this would cause an imbalance on braking causing the car to pull either left or right. As for brake realignment, never heard of that before. Having a suspension arm replaced would mean having steering alignment checked and adjusted though.

It's obviously been some time since I was in the 'workshop' so to speak so if brake re-alignment is something new, be interested to hear what it actually is.

Don't mind me, ST, I am clueless where cars are concerned. I am still in shock from that call on my mobile. I assume the garage knows what they're doing, it's where I bought the car, and it's been regularly serviced every year since then. It is now 6 years old, I've had it from new, and it's not had new brake pads before, and never failed MOT before. So I'm a bit stressed atm

"two brake pads,"
hmm, yes, sounds odd but...

"brake realignment"
Usually, to my understanding, this is making sure that when the disc spins on the axle it is perfectly at right angles to it. Otherwise you get high and low spots of contact and this will cause the brake pedal to 'pulse' as it is applied and given very uneven braking on one side. But why would you need to do this, unless either the disc has to come off. Which if it is replacing discs and pads it would need.

"suspection arm "
Um, suspension arm? Eeek! Unless the bushes have gone or it has cracked I'd be very surprised it needs replacing. Fairly major bit of vehicle structure there!

Discs - can be expensive.
Suspension arm and fitting? Very expensive.

I'd find out exactly what they are doing cos the above list could easily be heading into 4 figure territory, depending on what parts they use and time taken.
Don;t mean to add stress but I'd want a total from them to see if it is worth it. And why they are replacing the suspension arm.

Oh dear

calm down!
Phone 'em up and ask. It sounds like a lot of work but I'm making assumptions from what you posted and you've already said you might have got some of the details wrong - so I could be wrong too! But best to check I think.

Hi Ictoan,
I do know that modern car suspension arm bushes are not replaceable like in the old days. They come as a pre-made/pre-fabricated unit. I know Peugeot, Citreon and Ford all do this now, as do Renault.
Brake realignment is a new one on me though have to say.

I've never heard of brake realignment on unworn shaft though. It's usually where there is some wear to the splines on the shaft so that the disc doesn't sit right automatically, thus you have to tighten it up, check it runs flat and use a coercion tool (big hammer) to adjust the alignment and re-tighten appropriately. But like you say, not something you hear much about though.

I'm just wondering what the 'something else' is - there's not a lot else to replace/refit outside of the disc, pads, suspension arm. And that which there is is also pretty major. Sounds like they're doing a front end rebuild on one side (hopefully just one side and not both!) and surely if it was that bad you'd notice it?

GB - and

And a slice of ...

?

don't you dare post that *smiley* again

I'll get the bad news tomorrow, I'm not going to ring up now, and anyway, she's only ordered the parts, they haven't been fitted yet so I doubt they'd know what the final bill is going to be. I do know that that's my for a social life until next year gone out the because I can't do without my car. I run my Mum around, shopping, doctors, hospital appointments, not to mention Andrew's social club which there is no other option, it's too far for him to walk. Mum will probably help me with the bill if I ask, but it's her 90th next week and I'd feel

They should know what the final bill will be approximately. Standard times for standard jobs * hourly rate + parts cost.

aw, GB, I know how you feel. I've just had to have a new engine in SuperPunto (but not before it did 333,333kms)