Ball joint failed MOT...absolute ripoff?

[DaveOwl]

Took it for MOT today and apparently the front suspension arm has 'excessive play' in a ball joint. Similarly another arm has been flagged up with this issue only it isn't bad enough to be on the fail list.

Now tell me, having been quoted £115 to sort that problem out is that an absolute disgrace or quite normal? They told me due to the masses of fiddling about they will have to do it's quite a lengthy process. They actually wanted £230 to do both at the same time but I promptly said no. Surely it can be done quicker and cost less or do they have to be done seperately?

Should I get these done?

 

[austinpowers]

Depends on the car tbh and how much the part costs, what car is it and how old?

You could take it to another mot centre that doesn't deal in repairs and see if they fail it on it, but after the cost of another mot is it worth it?

 

[DaveOwl]

206 GTI 2.0, 2002. Really I just want a few opinions of whether that seems a credible sort of price for replacing this particular part. Especially whether replacing another justifies the price doubling.

 

[Jonny ///M]

Upon googling i came up with http://www.206info.co.uk/ForumsPro/viewtopic/p=318293.html

Seems it can be done yourself for under £100 but by the sounds of it it's a PITA.

By the time you factor in the tools you would need and the time required it might be worth taking it to a local guy as it's not too specialized and saves you hassle.

 

[moss]

As mentioned in the thread linked above, all you need is one of these, unless theres something unusually hard about the 206, fitting is normally fairly easy. Often no more than 3 bolts, seperating the the ball joint from the strut can be tough but with a £4 ball joint splitter takes no more than a couple of minutes.
If you have no tools or time to do it and get another garage to do it, I reckon it could still cost you £30-£40 less than they quoted.

 

[GeX]

i would also only replace suspension components in pairs.

 

[Dogbreath]

Took it for MOT today and apparently the front suspension arm has 'excessive play' in a ball joint. Similarly another arm has been flagged up with this issue only it isn't bad enough to be on the fail list.

Now tell me, having been quoted £115 to sort that problem out is that an absolute disgrace or quite normal?

To supply and fit a new wishbone that doesn't seem too bad to me. If you don't want to pay labour charges then do it yourself.

Are they going to use a genuine wishbone or an aftermarket part? The cheaper third party wishbones can have quite a limited life compared to OEM parts (IME).

 

[moss]

To supply and fit a new wishbone that doesn't seem too bad to me. If you don't want to pay labour charges then do it yourself.

Are they going to use a genuine wishbone or an aftermarket part? The cheaper third party wishbones can have quite a limited life compared to OEM parts (IME).

Yeah, its very unlikely they are paying £40 for the wishbone, so the price probably isnt too OTT tbh.

 

[timbob]

Indeed, that £115 price looks like an OEM wishbone, one hour's labour and VAT to me. Which isn't bad.

 

[helpimcrap]

Now tell me, having been quoted £115 to sort that problem out is that an absolute disgrace or quite normal? They told me due to the masses of fiddling about they will have to do it's quite a lengthy process. They actually wanted £230 to do both at the same time but I promptly said no. Surely it can be done quicker and cost less or do they have to be done seperately?

Should I get these done?

technically speaking if you replace one you should replace the other as the other one won't be far behind.

once 1 part starts wearing then it's a continuous process.