Snapped Suspension Arm - Merc

AdrianC

MrRipley wrote: »

It was MOT'd last August a few weeks before I bought it, passed first time with no advisories. Also passed the previous 4 MOT's first time too.

I've done around 8000 miles in just under 6 months, the tyres being the first thing I've had to replace/fix. The roads are very bad where I live, the shared drive between all the houses is a dirt track with too many potholes to count!

So it's entirely possible that it looked OK at that time, if grotty (as the other side), and has fatigued since. Or, at least, you'll never manage to prove anything otherwise.

I might give it a go trying to fix it myself although ideally I'd rather a trustworthy mechanic fix it, but not if it's going to cost a small fortune.

With the parts costing £30, what quotes including labour should I be looking at?

If the bolts come out, it's an hour's work. But don't forget you really can't drive it to anywhere - you'll need it transporting.

MrRipley

UPDATE:

Merc has been fixed by the motor engineers I use, it needed new OSR suspension lower rear arm and upper control arm as both had snapped. Apparently it was quite a challenge to get the bolts off, had to be oiled up and left for a few hrs whilst working on other cars.

Came to just under £260, hell of a lot less than Kwik Fits quote of £410+ or so!
And I had free usage of their courtesy car. Very pleased with the work and price.

Thanks for all the replies!

RickRastardly

Glad it worked out for you, £260 plus labour + courtesy car seems pretty reasonable to me. Considering this could have ended up in a massive accident this is a great result.

gilbert_and_sullivan

Top and bottom arms broken sounds like the road is beyond normal european car surface capability, and i doubt other suspension components will be long before failure too.

You might be better off getting a Japanese 4x4, doesn't necessarily need to be Amazon/Patrol standard, a Forester/Outback might be worth seeking out, long travel soft suspension and Japanese spring quality.