FTO AUSTRALIA

Hey guys, the other day I took my 95 gpx to pedders to get it heightened (new front bar made it way too low) and they said my lock rings were broken. they suggested i buy 8 brand new (imported) ones at a total of around 400 ish or replace the whole suspension thing at a total of almost 2k . I don't know much about mechanics and all that, but that seemed a bit over the top.

Anyways, i was wondering if anyone knows what lock rings fit the fto so i wont have to import them (pedders thought lancer ones might fit but they would charge me to take a look) and how much they would cost? also, how important are they to the car? as i'm pretty sure mine have been broken since i bought the fto a year and a half back. and do i need them to change the suspension as it is sitting way too low right now.

Also, i know similar problems have been noted as i have been searching the forums, but they dont seem to be exactly the same (or im bad at searching).. but when i turn corners at around 30+km/h the wheels make a kind of grinding/screeching sound and then happens intermittently when i've straightened up but disappear after a while. cv joints or brake pads?

and finally, my passenger door doesnt want to lock. u can push the lock about halfway but then it completely jams. do u think something is stuck in it or would i need to replace the motor? im a real noob with cars and im quite scared to take a look on my own in case i break something... (the centre panel already has a few cracks in it when the boyfriend changed the head unit =()

thanks guys,
sui

OK, first point. Pedders is good for a safety check (as its cheap), but dont get them to do the work. From my experience, theyll diagnose problems that arent there and overcharge you for what needs to be done. Id be getting a second opinion.Ive not heard of lock rings, but maybe I know them as a different name. Maybe someone else on here can identify exactly which bit they are. I will be able to get them or at least be able to give you a part number if we can identify what they are talking about.

The screetching at low kms is probably brake pads. The brake pads are designed to make a noise like that when they get low so you dont damage the brake discs by not realising they need to be changed

The door lock thing is maybe a door adjustment thing. Does your door close easily or do you have to slam it. Can you lock it manually from the outside (or the inside, or does it behave the same way no matter how you try and lock it.

As to the stereo surround, everyone breaks those. I can get a new one for you if you want to replace the broken one.

Hope that helps

I have no idea what the hell lock rings are maybe thats an aussie term for something or they they are ripping you off.

As for the screeching, i doubt its the brakes as you didnt mention that it happens when you apply the brake. If it is when apply the brake then dstocks is right but if it happens when not braking i would say its more than likely bushes eg sway bar or even possibly tie rod ends.

The door lock, i would say that the door lock actuator is stuffed, its a pretty common problem for FTO's but shouldnt cost too much to get fixed (around $100) for install and purchase of an aftermarket one.

Ive had the squeally brakes thing happen without touching the brake pedal. In my case, my pads were too hard and I had a groove in my disc that was causing the noise. Every thime I went around a corner slowly, id get the sound.

you can push the lock about halfway but then it completely jams

Sounds like its being operated manually though (from the inside). Doesnt the actualtor only get in the way if operating remotely?

I guess that makes sense if the actuator is jammed though. Does the door lock from the outside?. If so then I guess it could very well be that.

I have never heard of term lock rings either but would say you mean the part of the shocks that keeps springs captive? they will not cost 400 that is being ripped! as for noise can be brakes as they do squeal even if no pressure applied when they get onto warning tags but i tend to agree with simon and most likely bushes....
the lock will be motor (actuator) they do sieze its common among lots of cars and generic or aftermartket ones are much cheaper just as effective and easy to replace

Wow, thanks for the fast replies! I appreciate it =]

Yeah, no one I’ve talked to has heard of lock rings either? But yeah, I think you’re right vipfto, they’re the rings just underneath the actual spring. Dstocks, it would be great if u could get some or let me know where to get some? Are they spring specific?

I don’t think the sound is related to me applying the brakes. Shall get it checked out.

The door doesn’t lock no matter how you try. My central locking is dead and so is the alarm- not sure why though. The door closes easily.

I was planning on taking the fto to Revzone (Melbourne) to have a look at the lock ring thing and I guess the brake things now. Hopefully they will be kind on the price as I’m still a mere student!!

Oh if u are in Melbourne, try either going down to Nandi's in Keysborough or Run Good auto in Clayton. Both are pretty good mechs and probably will source out the problem and the parts needed for u. PM me if u wan the details, i can hook u up with either of them

Yeah, I would suggest these are the lock rings they're talking about. $2k to replace everything sounds like you've got coilovers. See if you can get under there & get a picture of one of them - when we establish what brand they are, we'll be able to direct you to a place that will be able to supply a replacement. I dare say you would be able to replace just one. I've never heard of these breaking before & as such dont think you have to replace all of them... thats just Pedders BS to get wads of your hard earned $ out of your pocket.

Excellent! I’m always down near keysie so hook up with Nandi’s would be great! Shall PM you.

They’re Tein adjustable coilovers, sorry, should have mentioned that before. I don’t know what type of Tein’s they are but they’re black..? I can’t really take a picture cos the jack we have doesn’t fit under the car cos it’s that low =(. Well I’m pretty sure at least 2 are broken, the Pedder’s guy let me keep half the ring that broke off haha. It was terribly rusted through and definitely not as shiny as yours Bennoz. Dam Pedders, scared the hell out of me with those prices!

Thanks so much for your help guys!

If its Tein, then you'll need to speak to Fulcrum Suspension in QLD. They are the Aus distributors for Tein

www.fulcrumsuspensions.com.au

Are thos Droplinks stronger then the stock ones ben?

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Yeah, but they turned out to be rubbish. I went thru 2 sets of the balls joints in 4 months

kitt3n wrote:Excellent! I’m always down near keysie so hook up with Nandi’s would be great!

yep, i'll second nikhan's recommendation of Nandi -

http://www.ftoaustralia.com/modules.php ... ic&t=13928

don't forget to tell them you're a member FTO aus they'll look after ya

thats what happened to my coilover set a few months ago. The lokie thing loosened up on passenger front side. What should have been an easy fix cost me $350. Pedders said that my coilover settings were too stiff and hence it came undone. Kind of funny really, since they installed them in the first place. Instead of just readjusting the coilovers, they used loctite.

Don't go there.

bushido wrote:Instead of just readjusting the coilovers, they used loctite.

Thats got Pedders written all over it

how the hell would those rings rust?! looks like a non-ferrous metal to me....

thought i'd let everyone know what happened after i took it to Nandi's.

all the springs are 'seized' and he cant turn the lock rings or get them loose. he kept my car overnight to soak the springs in WD40 (but he didnt call to tell me he was gonna keep it overnight til i eventually called him after 6pm). he suggested putting in stock springs which cost $150 each just so i can get the right height. i said i'd have to think about it and am still unsure what to do. might change the front bar, might get bigger wheels or a whole new suspension kit... suggestions?

the turning noise turned out to be a broken cv boot which costed $85 to fix

general service was $145 using castrol synthetic oil and topped up power steering fluid- of which he initially charged me almost $50 for 4.5L and when i asked about it he saw the mistake and charged me for 1.5L instead.

btw, i got your flier silverfish =]
DAM SPRINGS!

Why not get aftermarket springs instead. Im sure u can get them at Bursons and if u pay cash they can give u a discount. It really depends how much are u willing to spend on the suspension. Coilovers will cost u bout 1400. Of i u wan, u can change the stock shocks altogether using KYB excel G. Can remember the part number off hand but i got mine at bursons for 300 bucks.

yeesh, well after Nandi's, i've got $80 left in the bank... so im guessing it'll be a while until i can actually change anything!! the cheaper the better for me really, i got other things i want to get for the car. i dont really care about the springs to be honest, just as long as its legal height and i dont get canaried... one more point and im off the road for 6 months!

if i change the shocks will that replace the lock ring part? and it was 300 all up? if so, that could definitely be an option.
i was wondering if maybe i could just get the rings chiselled off and then just replace them that way? would that be a possibility though? cos to someone simple like me, i thought that would be the first and best option..

i reckon u should get tis settled before u decide on putting extra stuff on yeah car. Do u have the normal suspension or coilovers? If u have normal suspension prob most u need is to change the springs if they are siezed. For coilovers im not so sure...because im not so sure normal shocks have lock rings. THe 300 bucks was just for the shockers. From what the other members said that u prob have coilovers so most prob we'll wait for ben or dstocks to reply. It would make it easier if u can put up a couple of pictures of the suspension area then we know what the problems are. Or else we are just second guessing here.