Work needed

[bazza]

So, after my service, the garage have suggested the following need attention.

Both lower wishbones need replacing - and he doesn't like the idea of using non genuine parts. £140 each.

Back box in poor condition. I'd been wondering whether it'd got slightly more noisy.
Not sure what my options are here. Aftermarket? But want the car to remain cultured and relatively quiet. Also not sure about insurance considerations.

Rear wiper barely working. Knew about this, I guess a new motor is required. Looks like you can get one for £60, so that's not too bad.

Altogether, this is going to add up though, isn't it?

Given that, don't think I'll be getting anything else done at the same time, unless he finds that it's needed while doing the work.

[Autolusso]

Hi mate

You don't need to use original lower arms, we don't

We can do you a full front suspension rebuild for the price your place is talking about

2 x upper wishbones
2 x lower wishbone
Anti roll bar
2 x drop links

Total inc VAT = £550 inc VAT fitted

And as it is you I wil throw in the rear wiper motor

Ned

[alfabeat]

On the rear wiper, try lubing it first. Take off the wiper arm and spray lots of WD40 etc in there with it running. I can't exactly remember, but I also took a spindle out and it was so cruded up with rust and gunk. Bit of emery paper and more lube. It sorted mine out and still going strong after 4 years (after the dealer wanted to replace it....)

[Captain Slow]

Originally Posted by Autolusso

Hi mate

You don't need to use original lower arms, we don't

We can do you a full front suspension rebuild for the price your place is talking about

2 x upper wishbones
2 x lower wishbone
Anti roll bar
2 x drop links

Total inc VAT = £550 inc VAT fitted

And as it is you I wil throw in the rear wiper motor

Ned

Bite his hand off. I just paid the same, without the upper arms being done.

[Dodger]

That feels good value. Big ups to AL.

[bazza]

Bugger Ned. You haven't half made for a complicated decision! You're miles away!

I know that's a very good offer. I'll have to have a good think about it.

While I'm thinking - tempt me further by telling me a bit about your recommendations for the exhaust.

On a very quick search, I saw the Scorpion cat back system. Is that well thought of? Is it much noisier?

If you were doing all this work, how long would you need the car?

Bazza, those lower arms..........I'm assuming that price is inclusive of labour??..........Damned pricey if not!!

[Autolusso]

Originally Posted by bazza

Bugger Ned. You haven't half made for a complicated decision! You're miles away!

I know that's a very good offer. I'll have to have a good think about it.

While I'm thinking - tempt me further by telling me a bit about your recommendations for the exhaust.

On a very quick search, I saw the Scorpion cat back system. Is that well thought of? Is it much noisier?

If you were doing all this work, how long would you need the car?

We can do it on a Saturday morning for you

Exhaust, the Scorpion is good value and I can supply it but if you want top notch you need to talk to Dan (Pud237) about his Wizard system

Ned

[Pud237]

Originally Posted by Mymatemarmite

Bazza, those lower arms..........I'm assuming that price is inclusive of labour??..........Damned pricey if not!!

RRP is £157 + VAT for a genuine lower arm, they have gone up and up over the years. The Delphi lowers that we use and very good quality and about half that price.

Originally Posted by Pud237

RRP is £157 + VAT for a genuine lower arm, they have gone up and up over the years. The Delphi lowers that we use and very good quality and about half that price.

I bought mine from ebspares, TRW items, which I understand are the same as used by Alfa, £68 plus VAT and postage.

Main dealer prices

[Pud237]

TRW have made wishbones for Alfa over the years but there is actually two available part numbers at the moment, one is £157 a side, the other type (revised geometry) is £176 + vat & £192 +vat per side.

Originally Posted by Pud237

TRW have made wishbones for Alfa over the years but there is actually two available part numbers at the moment, one is £157 a side, the other type (revised geometry) is £176 + vat & £192 +vat per side.

That's expensive.

As long as mine stay wear and squeak free, I'm happy

The 'revised' geometry Pud.......is that to help tyre wear...handling, or both??

[Pud237]

I don't suppose they sell many these days so its all a bit academic. None of my Alfas have ever really had an appetite for lower arms, it was always the uppers for me.

[Pud237]

Originally Posted by Mymatemarmite

The 'revised' geometry Pud.......is that to help tyre wear...handling, or both??

Unfortunately eper doesn't give the reason they made the change, but I remember reading a dealer update saying they should now be replaced in pairs when using the updated arms. It does say on eper though that they use "revised bush material". I don't suppose many people have these arms fitted.

Originally Posted by Pud237

I don't suppose they sell many these days so its all a bit academic. None of my Alfas have ever really had an appetite for lower arms, it was always the uppers for me.

48000 miles on the originals, so I can't complain.

As you say, very few folk will go to their local main dealer for such parts..........afterall, they usually don't even have them in stock, and then quote ridiculous delivery times

A mate waited nearly two weeks for a cam gasket set for his V6 GTV........by the time he had the call saying the parts were in, I'd sourced and fitted them

Originally Posted by Pud237

Unfortunately eper doesn't give the reason they made the change, but I remember reading a dealer update saying they should now be replaced in pairs when using the updated arms. It does say on eper though that they use "revised bush material". I don't suppose many people have these arms fitted.

For revised bush material, maybe we should read 'longer lasting'.....

Cheers for the info, I always find manufacturer 'product updates', and the reasons for them, interesting.

[Oggy_GTA]

Originally Posted by bazza

Bugger Ned. You haven't half made for a complicated decision! You're miles away!

I know that's a very good offer. I'll have to have a good think about it.

Probably worth a tank of petrol for the expertise :-)

[Joss]

Bazza. Go see Ned. Delphi lower arms are fine. Got them on my gta plus with the upper and the the roll bar etc the front end will be sound for years to come . The rear wiper has just rusted. If you strip it down and clean the spindle it will solve the problem but as ned is chucking a free one in then meh! As for you back box that is tricky. Most people want louder. I would suggest a custom one perhaps from powerflow as they'll baffle it as you wish. I only suggest this as not sure if Ned can get the wizard to make a special quiet version of their system but i they can then i'd have that or just fit OEM

[bazza]

I've seen a few people recently say that the Eibach ARB makes the most difference to the GTAs habit of scraping its underside on everything.
Looking at the price of the standard GTA ARB and the Eibach one, I assume going for the latter would add a couple of hundred to my costs. Is it worth it?

Another question for everyone - if I go aftermarket on the exhaust, I might need a specialist insurer - any suggestions in that area?

[bazza]

I'm almost decided on using AL now - I know it's the sensible decision.

The hesitation was not about the cost of petrol - it was about my ability to find a good time to take my car there, and not wanting to mess my normal garage about - they may not be an Alfa specialist, but I have a lot of faith in them, they're good guys.

[hyperlink]

Originally Posted by bazza

I've seen a few people recently say that the Eibach ARB makes the most difference to the GTAs habit of scraping its underside on everything.
Looking at the price of the standard GTA ARB and the Eibach one, I assume going for the latter would add a couple of hundred to my costs. Is it worth it?

Another question for everyone - if I go aftermarket on the exhaust, I might need a specialist insurer - any suggestions in that area?

Not sure about the scraping issue (but then again i haven't ground mine on either standard suspension or Eibach/FSDs) but they make it better through the bends. If its worth it depends on you. Looking at £275ish plus fitting.

Yes you need to tell you insurer about an aftermarket exhaust (you also need to tell them about the Eibach ARBs if you do them)

[Joss]

Arb is well worth it from what i've read. As for your insurer. I'm with highway through adrian flux on my cars all mods declared. Fitting uprated suspension and braking conponents has actually reduced my insurance as they say my car is now safer

[will01]

Quick one on the scorpion exhaust is it is not quiet especially round town however on motorway it is civilised

[bazza]

From personal experience? And have you got the centre silencer?