Kwik Fit

[killie]

Hi

Driving around today been noticing a Noise on my Offside whenever I go over a Bump or Pothole

decided I would try Kwikfit see if they could Diagnose the problem.

Anyway turns out the near side front Shock is leaking. Strange as the Noise seems to come from the offside. maybe the noise travels ?

So enquired as to how much to replace the Front Shocks might as well do them in Pairs..As the mileage on the Rav is 140000 and these seem to be the Original Shocks the guy suggested it might be advisable to replace the Springs as well. In for a Penny I said go the whole way replace the Rear Shocks as well. Money no Object who said the Scots were tight ?

It was then I found out why their called Shocks !! The price to supply and fit the Front Shocks & Springs and the Rear Shocks was £539.00

So said the Man from KwikFit how does that sound. No reply from me.

OK how does £500.00 Sound.Still no reply..

Ok It's a quiet day and we need the Buisness how about £450.00

By this time I was slowkly coming around. must have been the Smelling Salts.

My reply was if it's a quiet Day and you need the Buisness how about you do it for £400

and throw the realighnment in for free.

After some debate they agreed my Offer..

The question is have i paid to much could I have gotten it cheaper ?

Regards

ian.H

[Uncle Bob]

Hold fire there Ian :o , the early RAV4's suffer from broken front coil springs and are coved by Toyota as a warranty item( well UK spec vehicle are ), get Toyota to check out you RAV4 before spending a penny with Kwik-Fit.

[killie]

Hi Bob

Thanks for the Info

The Springs are Ok it's the Strut that's leaking.

I was getting the Springs changed due to the Age & Mileage more for peace of mind than anything.

regards

Ian.H

[Uncle Bob]

Hi Bob

Thanks for the Info

The Springs are Ok it's the Strut that's leaking.

I was getting the Springs changed due to the Age & Mileage more for peace of mind than anything.

regards

Ian.H

Arr okay.

[bothwell_buyer]

Its a bit OTT

The springs should be ok - I'm still running around with the original springs at 170,000

I did replace the shock absorbers with KONI adjustables front and rear and did the work myself. the hardest thing is separating the shock from the strut.

It didn't cost me 3500 though. Maybe £120??

The rear springs are stiffened using spring rubber assisters - cheap and quick.

The front springs were on a recall for certain models in 1995/6. A phone call to any dealer parts dept will confirm if you qualify.

You should always replace the shocks in pairs anyway. The rears are very easy to do. The fronts are a little more work.

[killie]

Your right their easy enough to do. So long as your not lying in a Puddle of Water

or getting blown from one side of the Road to the other.

joy of living in Drumchapel.

Also a good chance I'll get scooped up by the Council Road Sweeper machine. :)

My original question was could I have got the Parts supplied & Fitted cheaper ?

Reagrds

ian.H

[bothwell_buyer]

Your right their easy enough to do. So long as your not lying in a Puddle of Water

or getting blown from one side of the Road to the other.

joy of living in Drumchapel.

Also a good chance I'll get scooped up by the Council Road Sweeper machine. :)

My original question was could I have got the Parts supplied & Fitted cheaper ?

Reagrds

ian.H

If you look at some of the suppliers via the internet who supply 4x4s that will give you a range of prices for the bits. Any mechanic could do the work - probably about 4 hours.

The springs can be expensive though.

[killie]

Thanks

So in general I probably would be paying to much for KwikFit to do the job.

I could get the Parts online. And get a Local Mech to do the work. Sounds good in principle

Local guys who know what their doing are booked up well in advance and charge accordingly.

Bit like Plumbers.

Will propbably let Kwikfit do the Job as I want it done ASAP and if it goes wrong their just round the corner

within Hammer throwing distance :D

Thanks again

Ian.H

[anchorman]

Bothy knows some good trustworthy mechanics in your area. They would use trade motor factors to supply the shocks and then charge a reasonable rate. Its worth a phone call at least?

[killie]

Good Advice.

Unforunately I've already paid them to have the Work done.

I should have held off a while longer but I suspected the Neaside Front was leaking when I bought the Rav

been on Holiday just got back,so trying to get things done ASAP.

I know peoples opinions on KwikFit :(

Maybe I've been lucky :) Any work i've had done has always been as requested.

Will see how this pans out.

But will in Future by the parts myself and if I feel up to it Fit them myself.

Regards

Ian.H

[anchorman]

Well you know they have made £139 less than they might have done. How many would have just paid?