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[woodbine]

Hi all.....me again with my total lack of knowledge, hoping to get  stupid questions answered, sorry.

I went to the local council mot yesterday as recommended and my wee meggy only failed on one thing!!!....good cos I've fallen in love with my supposedly disposable car ( had to change to auto and wasn't too sure so opted for cheap as a first go)

sorry...what I am asking is , I was given a price of £105 to fit a rear coil which seems ok?.
The only concern I had was I then asked another guy for a quote to compare and he started asking about self levelling suspension and saying that'd determine the price, but £132 minimum....I'm a cynic and totally unconfident but that rang alarms bells......My car is a 97 2.5v6 cdx....is it self levelling, or not?,... I then rang the guy at the first place who said it wouldn't have a coil if it was so HELP...or am I just getting paranoid?
I want to ring and get it sorted but am worrying now...
 cos I don't know the area I asked for a garage and the guys recommended one ...it was shut for hollibobs [smiley=angry.gif]  ...so some guys who were laffing at me from sheltering from the storm at a place next door were asked not to laff and just tell me where  else I could go....they are the ones who gave me the quote.

After this I am determined to use this forum properly and get a recommend for a local'ish mechanic

thanks for any help

[Jimbob]

your car shouldnt have self levelling suspension


Changing those is easy enough, but the pair should be done together

iirc the springs are about £30 each from a motor factor, and under an hour to fit the pair. 

[RobG]

As Jimbob says no self-levelling on your model. Should only change springs or shockers in pairs. Few members where you are may be willing to offer assistance with a relatively straightforward job

[feeutfo]

As Jim says, always change suspension parts in pairs or youll have one new good spring, and one old tired week spring on the other and the car will sit low on the old spring side. Not much of a garage that didnt tell you that.
Self level on Elites only. Your cdx wont have it and make no odds what so ever anyway bar a small air pipe clip on the shock, your changing the springs which are totally seperate, although the sl springs are different spec which is not relevant to you anyway.
Guide in maintenance for changing coil springs, print it off and show the garage. Might(will) save you some labour charge.
Hth

[deviator]

You'll need spring compressors.

Can't think of anything else special. Apart from that, just a standard toolbox. (Ratchets, spanners etc; )

Take you time and do it yourself, especially if it's a temp/cheap car. You learn and save yourself money. As said above I am sure someone could 'look over your shoulder' for tea and biscuits!

[RobG]

You'll need spring compressors.

Can't think of anything else special. Apart from that, just a standard toolbox. (Ratchets, spanners etc; )

Take you time and do it yourself, especially if it's a temp/cheap car. You learn and save yourself money. As said above I am sure someone could 'look over your shoulder' for tea and biscuits!

Not needed for rears

[woodbine]

many thanks for all the replies.
good advice but now I'm unsure again and it shows how much tut ( some of ) these garages tell us peeps who don't know any better.....Hubby rang alocal big place and he didn't say about doing both either!

Anyone know a sensible, not too expensive place in Fife , pref Glenrothes or Kirkcaldy but if a member recommends I'd feel better...teach me to plan further ahead , now panicking cos it needs doing now.

eta...cross posted with above...thanks but it gave me a laff, I really am a numpty, I know typical woman  ..( tho at least I can open the bonnet and check levels unlike my hubby) but I the reason for auto is medical and I'd be unsafe doing anything involving jacking , apart from the rest.

[hotel21]

will reply to your PM later today, bit busy at the moment...  Got my sons estate to MOT today as well.   

Changing the rear springs is straightforward and would be happy to show/do whats involved.  Got a set of old but sound MV6 saloon springs in the garage somewhere but not so sure if they would do the estate.  Anyone confirm or otherwise??   :-/

[Ghost]

are the springs for the estate not a bit stronger than the saloon?
they might do for a temp solution ie Mot and then replaced asap.