MOT front shock failure

[jaqueslecont]

Hi,

I was just wondering if anyone could give some advice.

Failed my mot on my 406 2.0 coupe (2001). needed new front shocks, exhaust, front numberplate and nearside barke hose. Got quoted £780 from the garage.

I've managed to do the exhaust, both shocks (which were a bit of a nightmare to get apart) and the numberplate. i couldn't see a problem with the those so I cleaned it and tested it and will take t back to them.

Problem is, when I did the second shock I pulled the driveshaft out, and out poured my gearbox oil. Does anyone know where the gearbox oil filler is located?



I guess I just could have said where is the gearbox oil filler, but I've never done that much work on a car and I'm all porud of myself....provided it works.

[mbell666]

Its normally on the front side of the gearbox, fairly near the top. Its just a bolt you take out.

Normally a pain to fill up as the hole is in the side so is tricky to pour oil into! and the access isn't normally very good.

Make sure the car is level and pour gear box oil in till it reaches the level of the filler hole. leave it for a while for any excess to drain out. replace the filler bolt.

[jaqueslecont]

Thanks a lot for that. I'll struggle on with it and hopefully fill it!

[puggy]

congrats on doing the work yourself jaq,now work out what it cost
and how long it took (dont forget the garage have all the stuff so would be quicker)
then compare it to the price you were quoted to see if they were ripping you off as i
suspect they were !! well done you

[Gizmo]

congrats on doing the work yourself jaq,now work out what it cost
and how long it took (dont forget the garage have all the stuff so would be quicker)
then compare it to the price you were quoted to see if they were ripping you off as i
suspect they were !! well done you

Certainly a rip-off. An independent garage should be no more than £40 per hour. However, don't be afraid to ask friends and family of what they think of the person (the actual mechanic) who have seen to their car over in past.

I feel I will I will say this a little bit, and I'm not touting for his business, but my brother is a fine mechanic. He has just saved somebody £200 on a new set of Lambda sensors (another garage said they needed a new cat) buy using his experience and diagnostic equipment. It cost them 1 hour of labour (at £30 p/h) and a set of plugs. Another was quoted £1300 (by a certain motoring organisations repair centre) for what was said to be a new engine install because they said the engine had gone outer space in a 01' VW Passat. The car was towed (on request of the customer) to my brothers garage and all that was charged was charged was £120 labour and £40 parts.

Fact is, a bad garage (independent or stealer) will try to strip anybody of their cash. A person who takes pride in their work, experience, and most importantly, reputation, will do the job without ripping off the customer. Sadly, their aren't to many about, nor are there many customers about who should pay when the job is done properly.


As I said, ask friends and family. You will find one who takes pride in the repair and cost.

[teamster1975]

Totally agree gizmo. It's a mine field finding a decent honest mechanic, I always try to do as much as I can myself.