NCT - front suspension imbalance

Jimmy Bottlehead · 20-09-2020 9:41pm #1

Failed the NCT as the front suspension was imbalanced by 33%, so 3% above the fail limit. No other issues on the NCT.
She's due a retest within a month, so it's just this that needs doing.

Anything I could do before bringing her to a mechanic?

The Continental Op · 20-09-2020 9:50pm

Nothing you can do except get the both shocks replaced.

Its an annoying fail because both shocks could be totally gone and there would be no imbalance. If the car is decent and you are keeping it for a while I'd also consider replacing the springs at the same time but you may not want the extra cost but the labour would be the same.

Jimmy Bottlehead · 21-09-2020 12:43pm

The Continental Op wrote: »

Nothing you can do except get the both shocks replaced.

Its an annoying fail because both shocks could be totally gone and there would be no imbalance. If the car is decent and you are keeping it for a while I'd also consider replacing the springs at the same time but you may not want the extra cost but the labour would be the same.

Ah balls, I was kinda dreading that'd be the answer.

She's a 2014 Opel GTC, in great nick, so yep she's getting kept! I'll get the work done and get her through then so.

MetzgerMeister · 22-09-2020 1:53pm

At least it's not the S2000

Jimmy Bottlehead · 22-09-2020 4:47pm

MetzgerMeister wrote: »

At least it's not the S2000

Hahaha, she's due for release back into the wild this time next year!

Jimmy Bottlehead · 14-10-2020 8:37am

Just got a quote of €190 for a front shock fitted.

Does the price sound a bit rough?

Hellrazer · 14-10-2020 9:38am

Id be fitting both sides for an imbalance.

The Continental Op · 14-10-2020 9:46am

You can look up the price of a shock on micksgarage.com then you can see how much of the cost is labour. I know I'd be a lot slower but I would have thought an hour for a mechanic to do one shock isn't that far off.

Jimmy Bottlehead · 14-10-2020 10:21am

Hellrazer wrote: »

Id be fitting both sides for an imbalance.

I thought so too.

They were gonna charge 65+VAT for labour, 97+VAT for the shock, but when they gave me the price and never mentioned getting the other one done, I wasn't happy. Rang a few other places, they ALL recommended getting both done... even Opel, who quoted €320 for just the labour as "it takes an hour and a half per shock" to replace.

Asked a mate, he's put me onto another mechanic he trusts, he fingers crossed it'll be done and not hurt the pocket too much.

NCT - front suspension imbalance

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