strut mount needs replacing on 3 yr old car

oochiepoochie

Hi, hope this isn't too technical a question but could do with some opinion please. In November 2013 I bought a 61 plate Chevrolet Spark with 5.5k on the clock. There was a grinding noise when the steering wheel was on a full right lock which was sorted with lashing of grease on the upper strut mount, done by the dealership garage before I collected and paid for it. Been fine since then passing 1st MOT in Sept, nothing picked up at service. Couple of weeks ago though, the grinding is back albeit intermittently. Dealership had a look today, said the front driverside upper strut mount is worn with excessive up/down play. Cost to repair £272, sadly just a smidgen out of warranty.
Is it unusual for this to happen to a (just over) 3 year old car with about 10k on the clock? Never had this problem on any other car in 16 years of driving. Had a look online but can't tell if this is a reasonable price or not, so going to ring another garage for a price.

Anyone had any similar experiences?

JustinR1979

Only seen it once, in an old car I took off roading.
Shouldn't happen on a low mileage young car.
Typically it's just a big shaped washer type of affair, and one nut on top to remove.
Don't know the car, but should be a cheap and easy job.
Have you looked to see what's up with it, or if it's as I describe?
Sounds a lot of money.

oochiepoochie

I've not had a look, no- I know what bit of the car it means (which is good for me!) but I don't have a clue what I would be looking at or for.

My usual garage guys are a nice bunch so I'll see what they say. I only took it back to the dealership for convenience.

Cheers

JustinR1979

Yeah would get a trusted place to have a look
They can vary a fair bit, but a small basic light car I would have thought it was how I describe - a big washer cushioned with rubber, where the strut top goes through the hole and a nut goes on top.
If so is a one minute job.
Isn't a part that never fails, but is very rare - in my experience.


Edit - Looks a little meatier than the one in my mk3 cavalier, but $32 here: http://www.jimellisgmparts.com/a/48625781__6225249/STRUTS--COMPONENTS-Suspension-Strut/CW13225.html


Maybe dealer charges £250 an hour labour with minimum charge 1 hour.

colino

Only came across something similar (in a low miler) once before and that was on a 5 series BMW. The washer from the top mount was missing, presumably from new and previous "garages" had put the noise down to lack of use and squirted some spray grease in its general direction.

arcon5

What car is it?
I'm guessing they're looking to replace the whole strut assembly and coat it in 22ct gold at that price

roonaldo

oochiepoochie wrote: »

In November 2013 I bought a 61 plate Chevrolet Spark with 5.5k on the clock.

This is the problem, just a goddam awful car.

oochiepoochie

@arcon5 it's a chevrolet spark, I bought it thinking simple cars would mean more straightforward and cheaper repairs I don't do a lot of miles- maybe 60 a week on good roads so it's perfect for my needs.

@ronaldo as i say, i dont do a lot of driving and my Spark is cheap on petrol, insurance and tax. It was cheap to buy which was important in my circumstances. It might not be everyone's cup of tea but it does the job for me.

@colino I'm not coming across many reports of this in newer cars at all. Looks like bad luck to me.

I was half thinking of emailing/ringing Chevrolet customer services to moan about it failing, but the dealership did say Chevrolet 'dont do goodwill'. They also told me i only needed to fix the side that failed but everything I've now read says both sides should be done together, hmm... Will pick up the phone tomorrow and speak to my lovely garage guys. Thanks for your thoughts.

OddballJamie

Kick up a stink and try again for goodwill, pointing out that you told them about the problem previously and all they did was grease it.

Worth a shot as you've nothing to lose.

martinthebandit

OddballJamie wrote: »

Kick up a stink and try again for goodwill, pointing out that you told them about the problem previously and all they did was grease it.

Worth a shot as you've nothing to lose.

..... and then sell it on sharpish.

OddballJamie

martinthebandit wrote: »

..... and then sell it on sharpish.

May as well keep it now as the depreciation will be frightening.

Or park it up in Birmingham as the way bery_451 is going they might write it off for you. :rotfl: