Front drop links for Ford focus 2001

markysull

Hi all,

I got a quote from a garage in Dublin this morning for replacing two drop links at the front of my car. €253!

"
To replace front drop links is €253, small service is €250 and major service €350 (approx. Process including VAT and labour). After 10 years or 100.000 kilometres (whichever comes first) your car is also due timing belt replacement €701.95."

I was told this was competitive, told the mechanic to shove it! they are on sale with ebay for 15€ each! ANybody know a reliable mechanic who doesn't charge extortion?

I also got quoted 250€ for a full service. seems ok but any body know of any good deals out there at the moment.

Thanks

Plug

Bloody rip off, they are main Ford dealers around with service deals starting at €99. He must have got mixed up with the link prices, they are about €20 for genuine ones, 15 minutes labour. The timing belt will cost about €300.

Mr.David

Wow thats quite impressively expensive!

you could change them yourself its easy, and dead cheap too!!

is a minor service just oil & filter? incredible rip off!

markysull

Ya a mechanic in cork told me that if i was being charged 100€ i was being screwed so this dublin boyo is taking the piss.

to be honest i just want to get the links done now. I have to bring her for NCT next month so they are the priority

nava

markysull wrote: »

Hi all,

I got a quote from a garage in Dublin this morning for replacing two drop links at the front of my car. €253!

"
To replace front drop links is €253, small service is €250 and major service €350 (approx. Process including VAT and labour). After 10 years or 100.000 kilometres (whichever comes first) your car is also due timing belt replacement €701.95."

I was told this was competitive, told the mechanic to shove it! they are on sale with ebay for 15€ each! ANybody know a reliable mechanic who doesn't charge extortion?

I also got quoted 250€ for a full service. seems ok but any body know of any good deals out there at the moment.

Thanks

I also had to do some work on my 2000 Focus, had to change the Clutch and timing belt, got it done up North in Lisburn by an Ford dealer for half the price that what I was quoted in Dublin, took a full day.

I know many people might not agree with me, saying keep Irish jobs but it's my money so better on my pocket than some greedy garage owner.

Plug

4mm allen key, 15mm spanner, jack it up, support the car and them off. Replace with new ones, you don't even need to take the wheels off I think. Get a wire brush and WD40, links are about €20 quid. Job done!

Plug

nava wrote: »

I also had to do some work on my 2000 Focus, had to change the Clutch and timing belt, got it done up North in Lisburn by an Ford dealer for half the price that what I was quoted in Dublin, took a full day.

I know many people might not agree with me, saying keep Irish jobs but it's my money so better on my pocket than some greedy garage owner.

Lots of garages down here losing out but its just the sheer price of everything down here is to blame.

markysull

Plug wrote: »

4mm allen key, 15mm spanner, jack it up, support the car and them off. Replace with new ones, you don't even need to take the wheels off I think. Get a wire brush and WD40, links are about €20 quid. Job done!

haha knowing my luck the thing would probably fall down on me! if i got them done for 100 i'd be happy. i'll try get it to a ford mechanic. are dealers generally more expensive? anybody know a reputable ford mechanic in and around sandyford/stillorgan/Dundrum?

Plug

markysull wrote: »

haha knowing my luck the thing would probably fall down on me! if i got them done for 100 i'd be happy. i'll try get it to a ford mechanic. are dealers generally more expensive? anybody know a reputable ford mechanic in and around sandyford/stillorgan/Dundrum?

There are 2 nuts on each link. It really is simple. Don't waste your money going to a Ford mechanic to do it anyone could do it. Bring it to a hairdressers:D

If your around kilkenny at some stage ill do it if you want. For a hell of a lot cheaper than €100.

no1beemerfan

markysull wrote: »

haha knowing my luck the thing would probably fall down on me! if i got them done for 100 i'd be happy. i'll try get it to a ford mechanic. are dealers generally more expensive? anybody know a reputable ford mechanic in and around sandyford/stillorgan/Dundrum?

You must have money to throw away! I did my Laguna in April, drop links were 12 euro each and it took me about 20 mins to replace them.

markysull

no1beemerfan wrote: »

You must have money to throw away! I did my Laguna in April, drop links were 12 euro each and it took me about 20 mins to replace them.

i don't have the gear to do such a thing! my jack i wouldn't trust to hold a car above my head.

no1beemerfan

Buy the parts yourself from a motor factors and get an indy mechanic to fit them.

markysull

rang the mechanic there for a break down on the price of the drop links. Said they only use "genuine" drop links and they were €72.43 each and 1 hour labour at €107.82!!!! i should have been a mechanic!!!

I presume drop links are drop links, and that one mechanic is not going to give you fake ones like!

no1beemerfan

That is bucking unbelievable :eek:

Ring a motor factors and get a price for drop links.........

PK72

Plug wrote: »

4mm allen key, 15mm spanner, jack it up, support the car and them off. Replace with new ones, you don't even need to take the wheels off I think. Get a wire brush and WD40, links are about €20 quid. Job done!

Easy enough job but takes time and you'll graze your knuckles - however DON'T use cheap drop links as they'll fail again after a year or so.