Brake parts and suspension replacements - recommendations?

[zafod]

The health check done by a respected Specialist on my recently acquired 2007 DB9 coupe, showed only 3 items for attention:

OSF damper spring platform wet
Front brake discs slightly corroded on inside plate
Rear brake pads 60% worn.

The specialist said that none of these require immediate attention (there were zero advisories on the MOT done in June - 1,000 miles ago) and can be looked at again when the next service is done.

When I do get these attended to, is it recommended that they need to be replaced by an AM dealer/specialist or can they be done by a competent, top reviewed garage?

[Simpo Two]

It's probably less the fitter than the parts. My 07 DB9 needed new pads all round and I chose Pagid. Terrible choice; they squeal like pigs and leave dust everywhere. So the only recommendation I can add is not to use those. On shock absorbers, there was a leaky one and a decent local garage replaced it without problem - except that you have to use an Aston part so it's about £800.

[V8VS]

Agree with the above, but would also add that I would generally change things in pairs or as a complete set. I.e. if you had a broken spring or damper, change at least both sides of the same axle. Otherwise you’ve got one that is xxxx miles and years older than the other, and likely the other side won’t be far behind. You’d also want the same performance at least across that axle. Rather than one fresh damper and potentially one that has slow rebound. Suspension can also sag over time, so if you change one side and not the other, it can be wonky. A decent geometry specialist like Center Gravity can help with all of this and make sure you’re not changing incorrect parts, or not curing part of the issue, etc. https://www.centergravity.co.uk/our-process

[zafod]

Simpo Two said:

It's probably less the fitter than the parts. My 07 DB9 needed new pads all round and I chose Pagid. Terrible choice; they squeal like pigs and leave dust everywhere. So the only recommendation I can add is not to use those. On shock absorbers, there was a leaky one and a decent local garage replaced it without problem - except that you have to use an Aston part so it's about £800.

Who changed the pads for you?

[zafod]

V8VS said:

Agree with the above, but would also add that I would generally change things in pairs or as a complete set. I.e. if you had a broken spring or damper, change at least both sides of the same axle. Otherwise you ve got one that is xxxx miles and years older than the other, and likely the other side won t be far behind. You d also want the same performance at least across that axle. Rather than one fresh damper and potentially one that has slow rebound. Suspension can also sag over time, so if you change one side and not the other, it can be wonky. A decent geometry specialist like Center Gravity can help with all of this and make sure you re not changing incorrect parts, or not curing part of the issue, etc. https://www.centergravity.co.uk/our-process

I agree about changing things in pairs and would definitely do that.

[Simpo Two]

zafod said:

Who changed the pads for you?

Fairfax in Colchester. A year later the car went to Alec Slade (AES) for a service; he said he'd fixed the squeal but it only lasted a few days.

[Nigel_O]

When my V8V needed pads, some research on here suggested Porterfield. Got them from DAE and fitted them myself. Very low dust, zero squeal, good performance.

[zafod]

I'm looking to order pads and discs now. Are these OK and do I need to order in any thing else to get the job done properly?