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[Julian James]

Hey guys.
My front suspension needs doing before my MOT at begining of March.
Looking at getting stuff ASAP - by tomorrow, and taking down to my mate who has a garage etc.  I've never done suspension before, and he's got the stuff to do tracking and camber too....
That's the plan anyway.   So I have some quotes, and I've read up what I can on the forum.  Please say what you recommend.

The jobs that are "needed" as per Kwit-fit free suspension check (I know, kwik-fit are cowboys...) are:
Front Shocks and n/s wishbone bushes (replace whole arm).  Having done bushes before without a press, I'd rather replace the whole thing!!

Given the prices below etc (which are on trade through a motor factor)  do you suggest I do just the bare min, or both wishbones etc, if so, which ones?  Also should I do springs and droplinks while I'm at it and get the whole lot done....

Shocks - Sachs - £50.99 each
Springs - Sachs - £25.50 each
Wishbone - Qdrive - £36.50 each
Wishbone - "original" (I'm waiting to find out what brand) - £47.95 each
Droplinks - Lemforder - £13.25 each (these are the official ones right?)
Droplinks - Qdrive - £6.50 each

Also quote through unipart: (not trade and don't know brands)
Shocks £50 each
Springs £47 each
Wishbone £48 each "probably Firstline" (not good right?)
Droplinks £16.16 each

All not including VAT of course at 20%


What do you guys think?  opinions?
Thanks in advance

[henryd]

I wouldn't order anything until your mate with a garage has had a look at it,kwikfit have a bit of a name for finding fault with everything that they look at

[JasonH]

If you're doing the wishbones then it's worth doing the droplinks at the same time - but not essential because the droplinks are easy to do at any time.

I'd get another opinion on the shocks. They're pretty tough on the Omega.

If the shocks are gone then personally I'd replace just the shocks, wishbones and droplinks.

Prices seem good.

When you reset your camber make sure you set it to 1 deg 10 mins to 1 deg 20 mins. Not the nominal Vx figures.

[Julian James]

That's true...
Altho I knew something wasn't right with the suspension before hand anyway.  Sqeaking and clunking over bumps etc.  Generally a wierd ride, feels "unstable" at front lol.
Handling I can't comment, I don't remember what my last omega handled like...I guess it's maybe a little loose...

[Julian James]

by the way thanks guys.

Jason, thanks for advice.  sounds like a good combo of jobs.  better to renew wishbones together yeh?

Think I'll go to a local garage as ask them what they think.  I can still order the parts tomorrow for same day delivery

[tunnie]

pah shocks don't need changing, mine are original and its on 152k 

Edit, well the rears are, fronts were changed due to handling issues under braking 

[feeutfo]

First off get a second opinion. Kwick fit up will have the eyes out of your head soon ad look at ya, thieving tinkers.

2nd, always fit suspension parts in pairs. Always.

Fit the sachs and lemorder stuff. Quear drive and First bend are utter shite. Avoid.

See the guides and FAQ sections, it's all there. But basically, diagnose, replace, set up, fit new tyres and it should be sorted.

Hth

[Julian James]

Ok.  Just got back from local garage and they said shocks seemed fine.
(although its hard to tell, unless they're leaking, or its hard to control on motorway, to which I answered No to both)
Nice guys, cheap MOT and they seem like they appreciate some people wanna do their own work on their cars and they're not fussed about that.  Defo doing my MOT there on my Omega in March and my Polo that's been off the road for 2 years! lol
Anyway, back to the topic...

Thanks for all the help.

Gonna go with:
New Wishbones (and bushes), both sides, Lemforder
New Droplinks, both sides, Lemforder
Leave the shocks and springs.
Set up tracking and camber etc at friends garage.

That's the plan anyways!

Thanks again all

[mrgreen]

Ok.  Just got back from local garage and they said shocks seemed fine.
(although its hard to tell, unless they're leaking, or its hard to control on motorway, to which I answered No to both)
Nice guys, cheap MOT and they seem like they appreciate some people wanna do their own work on their cars and they're not fussed about that.  Defo doing my MOT there on my Omega in March and my Polo that's been off the road for 2 years! lol
Anyway, back to the topic...

Thanks for all the help.

Gonna go with:
New Wishbones (and bushes), both sides, Lemforder
New Droplinks, both sides, Lemforder
Leave the shocks and springs.
Set up tracking and camber etc at friends garage.

That's the plan anyways!

Thanks again all

i believe lemförder are the original makers of the vauxhall wishbones e.t.c

[JasonH]

I think that's an excellent plan.

I'll be doing the same soon, but I've got a leaky shock to deal with as well...so Sachs or Bilstein for those.

[Julian James]

oh dear :/
thanks again.  need to get to bed as have to leave at stupid o'clock tomorrow to be in london by 9....  ugh...