How much would you guys in the know say it should cost to have new shocks and springs fitted to a 147 by a garage if I've already got the parts myself?
The reason I'm asking is I've just bought koni FSDs and Eibach prokit springs for mine and was planning on fitting them myself (having changed the suspension on several other cars before without problems) but as I seem to be finding a lot, what was a simple job on other cars is a right pain in the a*se on an alfa!
I had a look at it yesterday and I can't get the ball joints off the front without a big chance of splitting the rubbers and if I'm going to end up needing a load of new wishbones by tearing the rubbers I might as well pay to get the whole lot done by a professional.
My only problem is I live in the very north of the highlands and finding a nice little alfa specialist indie to do the work or even an alfa dealer isn't possible for me so I'm going to have to get the work done by one of the local garages if I don't do it myself.
I've found the cost can vary depending on the age of the car. Newer cars tend to be less work/less hours labour. The bolts/attachments etc. on cars a few years old can be a pain to remove as they get well 'bonded' through use and take more time.
:lol: I did the same as you ... expect to pay about £200-£300 ish (although that is based upon surrey prices) ... alternatively you could send IainFm a PM as he's up in your area and I believe his currency is beer :thumbs:
If you dont have any problems with the bolts then its about a 4 hour job all together, its fairly straight forward. Depends what problems the garage encounter when getting the mounting bolts out, I've done it 3 times myself but here there is no corrosion so its not a problem. In Scotland could well be a different story, I'm from Aberdeen so I know the weather up there
The car is 3 years old and there is a touch of surface corrosion on the bolts but nothing seems solid, I've had most the bolts off and out on one side already without too much grief, just the ball joints that I cant shift at all.
Yeah, I've got a fork ball joint splitter I just don't think I can get in at the top wishbone without splitting the rubber (or hammering very close to the front wing) and you don't seem to be able to buy rubbers separately to replace for the alfa without buying the complete wishbones which seems a bit costly.
I'm right up in on the north coast in Caithness, 05GT.
Here's a pic of my new (to me) alloys, I think they really suit the car, very happy with them (thanks very much to the forum member 'bampot' who I bought them off at the weekend:thumbs:.)
I'm right up in on the north coast in Caithness, 05GT.
Not much garages up there right enough. My sister lives in Achfary so I know the area.
Fantastic roads and beaches along the north coast. I had a brilliant trip up there on the back of my mates Honda 750 years ago - Sorry I seem to have gone off topic!
If you're talking about the front wishbone you don't need to take it out to get the front suspension out ... just undo the top bolts holding the dampers on and they drop out leaving the wishbones in place ...
I used one of those scissor type ball joint splitters that has a bolt on it which you screw down and the lower arm pushes up on the ball joint bolt - seems to work ok but sometimes does need an extra whack with a hammer
edit: haha .................same type as 156Chris has shown
The original question was.... how much will it cost?
I read on another forum a girl quoted £150 by a backstreet garage. He had the car for a week. Had major issues with each corner..... final bill. £900 labour.
If you get a price from a garage, especially one who is not familiar with Alfa's, bear in mind it'll probably take them longer than they quote for.... and you pay the bill.
I went back out after reading some of your advice and finally got the ball joint after managing to buy a set of scissor splitters and I've got the front done and new koni/eibachs on.
Now I'm stuck on the back on the long bottom bolt that just wont shift at all.
It really better be worth it, I'm losing the will to live.
it will be worth it,,
im planning the same set up for my v6 156,, when funds allow
im also from caithness,, fun roads for driving on :thumbs: in a spirited manner :lol:
anyway good luck
Mission accomplished! (Well, after I replace the rear anti roll bar stabilizer link I broke taking it apart.)
I found the only way to get those bolts out the rear damper was for me and a mate to take turns hitting them with a hammer while trying to turn the other end with a ratchet, got there eventually though.
Looking very nice, pics to follow:thumbs:
So, suspension fitting cost... 17.99 ball joint separator and 15 quid for a stabilizer link, bargain!
Well done. Think of the labour charges you saved, and now you know your suspension setup inside out. Mines was a barsteward but I am glad i spent 11 hours on the job, so to speak.
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