strut mount needs replacing on 3 yr old car

ohreally

Is there a strut bearing which has become dry?

Here's a drawing - http://www.gmpartsdepot.ca/a/Chevrolet__Spark/48625781__6225249/STRUTS--COMPONENTS-Suspension-Strut/CW13225.html

oochiepoochie

Welll, according to ohreally's link, the part is very cheap so it must take some fitting to justify 272 bucks (unless arcon is right about the gold). I will get a new price in the morning and go straight to Chevrolet, avoiding the dealership staff, on the off chance that they'll take pity on me (fault has come just one month after my warranty expired-sob).

I really did try it at the dealership today, explaining that the fault was there before I bought the car, but they said that it's a different fault now because there's excessive play which wasn't present when they greased the mount in November 2013. I don't know enough about cars to know if this is a fair comment or not.

Stupid cars.

Thanks all.

colino

Perhaps I wasn't clear. Greasing a top mount isn't a repair, it is a bodge. With top mounts that are actually bearings, you wouldn't dismantle the assembly just to regrease it, you would replace it because of the relative cost versus the ramp time
Frankly if it has lasted 4 months, I think there is another fault/damage that needs attended to.

oochiepoochie

Well, I spoke to Chevrolet who rang the dealership. Dealership have said it's wear and tear rather than a manufacturing defect so no goodwill repair for me.

Local garage have said the parts are expensive and take a while to fit so their quote for the same job is roughly the same. However, the dealership guarantee it for 2 years so probably best to use them.

However, after being told yesterday that the price is for doing one side only, i found out today from the service manager that it's a supply and fit cost for BOTH sides. From what I've read, it's best practice to do both sides together so happy enough with that. I do wonder though why on earth the guy that quoted for the job insisted that it was only the offside being done and that there was no point in doing the other side as well. D'oh :mad:

Thanks again for the input. Shame I'm stuck with a big bill but at least I tried.

JustinR1979

I wouldn't do them both, and I wouldn't use this garage to get them done.
Your money your choice.

OddballJamie

I was under the impression that Chevrolet are pulling out of the UK this year, so not sure that a 2 year guarantee will mean much.

By any chance did you tell the other garage how much Chevrolet quoted before their quote?

EdGasket

Maybe at some point it has been driven over speed bumps or a kerb too harshly and damaged the mount. I had to replace one of mine but on a much older and different car; wife's been speeding over speed bumps lol.

jase1

I replaced a strut mount bearing on the Mitsubishi just after buying it (although it was near 10 years old and had 150,000 on the clock)... the part was £10 from Mitsubishi as I recall, and the labour was included in the service I had done at the same time so I can't see that it took too long to replace.

Doesn't seem like something worth sacking the car off for.

oochiepoochie

@oddballjamie I didn't mention to the garage that I already had a price from the dealership so it isn't a case that they're aligning their quotes. They're a good bunch and have looked after me for 16 years (helps that my uncle knows the owner I guess) and I have decided that if I'm going to have to give anyone my money, it'll be them. Have a prepaid service and MOT left with the dealership so I'll have to use those up but after that I'll be back with the indie. Chevrolet have said that they're committed to providing parts, servicing and warranties past the end of the year so I think the warrantee would be fine- though I guess I won't be finding out...
I'm very careful with bumps and potholes and I genuinely don't speed (as evidenced by my choice of car ;-) ) but there was an owner before me and for all I know she may have spent her weekends driving it over the mountains or around a stunt track. Who knows.

Thanks all.

oochiepoochie

@jase 1It's not a deal breaker by any means- I'm otherwise happy with the car. It's unfortunate but I guess that's how things go sometimes.At least I'd put some cash aside _pale_

Pooch