Totally ridicules that Arnold Clark would charge you £174 for fitting the front pads - its a 30min job max

- the Brembos have got to be the easiest brakes in the world to work on - the pads are only held in place by a pair of pins. Not surprising that AC couldn't find the fault with your suspension.
Bit disturbing to here about the FSD's - I have Bilstein dampers and they have been great
