Suspension Replacement

[HiRAEdd]

I put my car into Pedders Suspension yesterday to get the suspension checked out. According to them, 2 grand later, I need to replace the lot. The shocks are compressed, the bushes are worn, the bump stops aren't even there anymore. It sounded really bad and he took me under the car and showed me and it's not as bad as it sounds but everything is certainly old and replacing it certainly sounds like a wise move. I'm going to get a second opinion though.
A few questions for you people

• Does anyone have any comment on Pedders? Good or bad?
  Does anyone have a recommendation for a second opinion, in Brisbane?
  Pedders intend to use KYB's (or KVB's, can't remember) on the front and Monroe (I think), on the back. Is this a good combination?

[MADFTO]

For an extra thousand you could probably get all the bushes + teins *shrugs* =)

Maybe a bit hardcore but the option is there =)

Honest, I don't trust pedders after stuff I've heard about them on the net but that's more the francishe than the individual stores.

[Jono]

My expeirience with pedders isnt verry good, but it was just them not having customer service qualities, im not sure about their work though..

[tarkus]

I had Koni adjustables fitted to the front of mine about 4 weeks ago. they are still set as they were out the box. they were fitted at Hillway Dyno Tech (phone 03 9729 1407) they are just up the road from where I work (convenient) cost was $1000.00 and they were all done in about 4 hours. I don't want to put you off, but the ones that fit the FTO are the same as factory fitted to one of the new Volvo's.

I might start to play with the adjustment soon. so if you see a blue FTO flying sideways down the road. you will know I have messed up the adjustment.

CYA Tarkus

[D-TRAIN]

I don't want to put you off, but the ones that fit the FTO are the same as factory fitted to one of the new Volvo's.

Are you talking about the stock suspension or the Konis?

But yeah for 2gs, I would save up a little bit more and go for the Teins (especially if that Group Buy takes off).

[tarkus]

The Koni's are fitted to a Volvo

Tarkus

[D-TRAIN]

Yeah I was thinking if the new Volvo were using stock FTO-like suspension, then either the FTO was way ahead for its time, or that Volvo is using some old technology!

But I think the stock FTO suspension are re-badged KYBs?

Maybe someone on the forum might be able to confirm that.

[twistea]

But I think the stock FTO suspension are re-badged KYBs?

im pretty sure there is no truth to that.

[HiRAEdd]

But I think the stock FTO suspension are re-badged KYBs?

im pretty sure there is no truth to that.

Well the suspension on mine is branded Mitsuibishi and they are KYB's.

[twistea]

Well the suspension on mine is branded Mitsuibishi and they are KYB's.

well there you go, you got me there

[HiRAEdd]

I just had my car serviced at Nihon Car Part's so I'll add my personal recommendation to the others I've read. They were very helpful and to my knowledge, did a great job.
Anyway, I asked them to check out the aforementioned suspension. They could find very little wrong with it aside from the fact it is very hard (advised to get some softer shocks) and the bump stops are gone/disintergrated.
So I've had yet another experience with a franchised company (Pedders) whereby they've diagnosed problems to the maximum monetary value possible.
I'm getting a second...well actually third opinion on Tuesday from an independant suspension company, we'll see what they say

[paladin]

pedders are arse rapping terrorists

this is from edxperiance with a differnt car... my misses EXA

i went in for a 'brake, safty and suspension check'

they called me up saying i needed to replace the powerstearing hose (which was true it was the main reson i took it in) and they managed to rack up a bill of about 1100 $ with other misc stuff, some of which i now dont trust....

anyway
i took the car to get serviced at Fast and furius from my brothers recomendation (good fellows) and they had this to tell me....

the front brake discs were wonr out BEYOUND useable and should of been replaced before (inspection on removal showed a massive obviuse grove in the disc on the inner side!)
the back brakes had a clog in the line
oil was leaking from a few places

now if thats true... why didnt pedders find this out? as it WAS the check i went in for.

and pedders over charged for work and parts..

i only trust non chain places.... they cant afford to f**k up becuase they dont have a chain rep and they try there hardest to get the business which they end up deserving

pedders just... arg.....

[MrFT000]

Pedders - No Bull! just sh*t !

I have to agree with most people here.
I took my old Celica there (90 SX) just for a safety check - suprise suprise, I needed to a complete suspension overhaul - close to $2k.


I think unless you drive a commodore or a falcon, then you take your car somewhere else.

I wouldnt even contemplate taking my car there - as I have Tein coilovers and god knows what they might say about those! could go somethin like - "oh Tein are sh*t, get some Pedders coil overs ! "

Canberra - Inline Steering and Suspension! Its a bit of drive being in Queanbeyan, but they really know there stuff and they are realistic on pricing.

[HiRAEdd]

I'm pulling my hair out here people. I got a third opinion today and basically they'd never worked on a sports car before so they were just guessing at what they should do.

I need a reliable company in or around Brisbane that can give me a straight down the line appraisal of what I need to do to my suspension to fix it without going overboard like Pedders and with some experience with working on FTO's or at least these types of cars.

Can anyone give me a suggestion here please?

[Leigh]

I just ordered Whiteline shocks from W.A Suspensions, and at first they said they were going to be KYB's but called later saying they were a discontinued item, so now they are sending over Koni's.

Meh... as long as they do the job!

[Jono]

HiRAEdd,

why dont u call inline suspension in queanbeyan, and ask for a suspension place in brisbane that he recomends?

haha its a long shot, but at least it is a recomendation..

[Breza]

Mate,

If you are in Brisabane try Fulcrum at Stafford they have worked on FTO's before.........

Cheers

Chris

[HiRAEdd]

Mate,

If you are in Brisabane try Fulcrum at Stafford they have worked on FTO's before.........

Cheers

Chris

Way ahead of you
Seeing at Whiteline seems to be recommended by a bunch on here, I looked them up. Their recommended outlet in Brisbane is Fulcrum so I've emailed them explaining my plight and I'll take my car there next week to, hopefully, get a definitive opinion.
Thanks Chris et al.

[Jono]

how did it go?

[HiRAEdd]

Still in progress at the moment.
Went to Fulcrum and they gave me what I believe is a pretty fair assessment of the car. I took their quote away to source some of the parts myself. Saved myself a few hundred dollars straight up.
On a whim I decided to get another crowd to check it out (http://www.mercurymotorsport.com.au), they came back with the same stuff basically that Fulcrum did except they had one more thing. They reckon the steering rack needs fixing/replacing. With the car in a stationary position, if I move the wheel back and forth, there is a slight knocking sound.
So I ring Nihon on the Gold Coast. They don't remember this and if it was bad enough to require urgent attention, they would have found it (in their opinion). Either way, it's between $300 - $500 to fix. I've decided to leave it for now and just worry about the suspension.
Mercury came in cheaper on some of the parts and overall I think they're going to be cheaper and I was satisfied that the work will be good.
I'm hopefully getting new wheels fitted this Saturday and it just so happens that they also do suspension so I may even be able to nut out a deal with them for even cheaper. Either way, hopefully the suspension will be fixed next week.