Technical Advice needed on suspension

[Andre Standing]

Hi,

I have a twin air panda 4x4 that has just failed an MOT. The bushes on the front arms have gone, as have the bushes on the rear shocks. The garage that did the MOT have quoted me 435 pounds to replace the front arms, and 267 pounds for replacing the rear shocks.

This seems expensive to me! A few of questions…

1. The garage said it is not possible to buy replacement bushes for the rear shocks. They said if I found some they would fit them. Is it possible to buy bushes without the shocks?

2. 267 pounds for a pair of rear shocks seems pricey. Are their alternatives at a better price?

3. Is 435 pounds for a pair of front arms reasonable?

Many thanks for any help.

 

[lingottobuilt]

Hi,

I have a twin air panda 4x4 that has just failed an MOT. The bushes on the front arms have gone, as have the bushes on the rear shocks. The garage that did the MOT have quoted me 435 pounds to replace the front arms, and 267 pounds for replacing the rear shocks.

This seems expensive to me! A few of questions…

1. The garage said it is not possible to buy replacement bushes for the rear shocks. They said if I found some they would fit them. Is it possible to buy bushes without the shocks?

2. 267 pounds for a pair of rear shocks seems pricey. Are their alternatives at a better price?

3. Is 435 pounds for a pair of front arms reasonable?

Many thanks for any help.

The rear shocks can be bought for £60 a pair or thereabout......simple to fit, 15 to 20 minutes each side .just two spanner/socket sizes. As far as I know there are no upper mount bushes for these cars.i see it's a 4x4 so be aware that they may not be the same as regular 2 wheel drive models.
Front lower suspension arms are also fairly cheap, can be got for £70 or so for a pair, fitting involves a fair amount of dismantling, 20 or so bolts and screws etc.I cant say what labour rates would be , but an hour for each side.If you watch some AutoDoc vids on YouTube, They can change one in about 20 minutes with all the power tools and 4 post lifts...Its worth asking for a new quote after checking what you can get your 4 items for, and go from there.

 

[Panda IIs]

The rear shocks can be bought for £60 a pair or thereabout......simple to fit, 15 to 20 minutes each side .just two spanner/socket sizes. As far as I know there are no upper mount bushes for these cars.i see it's a 4x4 so be aware that they may not be the same as regular 2 wheel drive models.
Front lower suspension arms are also fairly cheap, can be got for £70 or so for a pair, fitting involves a fair amount of dismantling, 20 or so bolts and screws etc.I cant say what labour rates would be , but an hour for each side.If you watch some AutoDoc vids on YouTube, They can change one in about 20 minutes with all the power tools and 4 post lifts...Its worth asking for a new quote after checking what you can get your 4 items for, and go from there.

As above; those prices seem a bit "full on" plus you will be paying full retail on the parts whereas the garage will be getting trade and of course let's not forget the VAT...

4x4 takes different rear shocks but they do have to be replaced to fix the bushes - I'm up against that one as an advisory. Front suspension bushes come with the wishbone and, again, as stated above require the front bumper off but there's nothing "special" about it - all doable on the drive (so maybe a mobile tech, if you are not up for the DIY?).

 

[Andre Standing]

As above; those prices seem a bit "full on" plus you will be paying full retail on the parts whereas the garage will be getting trade and of course let's not forget the VAT...

4x4 takes different rear shocks but they do have to be replaced to fix the bushes - I'm up against that one as an advisory. Front suspension bushes come with the wishbone and, again, as stated above require the front bumper off but there's nothing "special" about it - all doable on the drive (so maybe a mobile tech, if you are not up for the DIY?).

Thanks for the replies. I am not that knowledgeable about mechanics, but I did look for spare parts on shop4parts.co.uk, and (if my search was correct) I can see the parts are nowhere near the prices I am being offered. Front suspension arm is going for about 50 pounds and a rear shock is about 30 pounds.

Unfortunately my car is stuck at the garage for the weekend as it failed its MOT. I will speak with them on Monday morning and hopefully get it out of there pronto.

If I go ahead and buy the parts, would you recommend shop4parts, or is there another online dealer for Panda parts that is recommended?

 

[Panda IIs]

Thanks for the replies. I am not that knowledgeable about mechanics, but I did look for spare parts on shop4parts.co.uk, and (if my search was correct) I can see the parts are nowhere near the prices I am being offered. Front suspension arm is going for about 50 pounds and a rear shock is about 30 pounds.

Unfortunately my car is stuck at the garage for the weekend as it failed its MOT. I will speak with them on Monday morning and hopefully get it out of there pronto.

If I go ahead and buy the parts, would you recommend shop4parts, or is there another online dealer for Panda parts that is recommended?

Double check S4P that you choose 4x4 (I yours is??) They are still a bargain - I just ordered a pair!

 

[Panda IIs]

I missed the other question - S4P always been good to me. They will also answer the phone! And any questions which is priceless these days!

 

[Andre Standing]

Thanks so much for the information. One more question (sorry!)

I need to get replacement front arms. I see on S4P that there is an original birth (£49) and a genuine FCA (£163). Do you think there is much difference between the two regarding quality?

 

[Panda IIs]

Thanks so much for the information. One more question (sorry!)

I need to get replacement front arms. I see on S4P that there is an original birth (£49) and a genuine FCA (£163). Do you think there is much difference between the two regarding quality?

I always try to restrict my content on this forum based on personal experience rather than what I might have read or otherwise. I had an MOT advisory for lower suspension ball joint a few years back now and brought cheap from ECP two years later I had the same advisory on the said part so went with the OEM part from S4P. 4 years on now, same average annual mileage same commute (worsening Herts roads!). That's as controlled a test I can relate...

Also keep in mind that by their very nature forums tend to reveal the bad bits about their subject matter, so there are probably a lot of Pandas out there just doing fine!