Faulty Shocks - Advise Please

[shapeshifter]

Fitted a new set of shocks on my Tuscan last September, two of the shocks have started to ooze oil. Phoned the supplier who without question said there will be a new set of four with you this coming Monday free of charge. Now, as I said I only had them fitted last year at a cost of £150.00 plus the wheel realignment at say £200.00 ish, due to the faulty shocks I'm going to incur these costs again, is it just unfortunate or should the supplier help me out with these costs?

[zooooom]

Hi Michael
Can I ask are the shocks in question Racing Reds?
I had them fitted to my car last November and worried that they might be go the same way as yours.

[shapeshifter]

zooooom said:

Hi Michael
Can I ask are the shocks in question Racing Reds?
I had them fitted to my car last November and worried that they might be go the same way as yours.

Yes they are racing reds, what a bummer.

[smithyl23]

shapeshifter said:

zooooom said:

Hi Michael
Can I ask are the shocks in question Racing Reds?
I had them fitted to my car last November and worried that they might be go the same way as yours.

Yes they are racing reds, what a bummer.

The early racing red shocks had a seal problem. Get the new version and you wont have any problems as they are now fitted with Nitron seals. I've got the updated version and I'm really impressed.

[LordGrover]

But who pays for the set-up - again?
Interesting question - I'm guessing the supplier/fitter isn't obliged to pay it but it would be a nice gesture to do so.

[bigdods]

I guess it depends how the deal was done. When I had new shocks fitted they were supplied by the garage. So if I were to have a problem I would expect them to replace the shocks, fit them and re-do Geo for no charge.

If you buy the shocks yourself then just get a garage to fit them the only possible approach is to the original supplier of the shocks. Its worth a go, if you get a contribution it will be a result but I think its down to goodwill rather than any legal basis.

[2Munkys]

Why would you need another geo set-up? If you ascertain the existing ride height then you just need to copy that across when the replacements are installed.

[dumbfunk]

But you'll need to undo all the camber adjustment to remove the shocks and I guess you can never be sure that the replacements are absolutely identical - even a small difference could have implications right?

[spitfire4v8]

dumbfunk said:

But you'll need to undo all the camber adjustment to remove the shocks and I guess you can never be sure that the replacements are absolutely identical - even a small difference could have implications right?

no you don't .. you just change the shocks over and reset the ride height (if required). they'll probably get it done in just over an hour.

[dumbfunk]

You are correct!
Don't know what car I was thinking of

[shapeshifter]

I've been quoted £210 including VAT to change the shocks over, which includes a bit of set up tweaking, plus the hassle of taking it to the garage and picking it up again, all coz the goods are faulty, should have kept the blisteins, they did 30k miles the racing reds managed 2k miles.

[crackedfinger]

Tried David Batty @ the Garage for a quote?

[bobfather]

It's only eight bolts and if you set the ride height the same as the old ones the task will no alter the alignment. Swapping dampers really is a simple task

[HRG.]

bobfather said:

It's only eight bolts and if you set the ride height the same as the old ones the task will no alter the alignment. Swapping dampers really is a simple task

You don't even withdraw the bolts fully at the rear, I can do mine in about ten mins!

[Chimjunkie]

HRG said:

I can do mine in about ten mins!

It takes you that long?

[Chimjunkie]

shapeshifter said:

zooooom said:

Hi Michael
Can I ask are the shocks in question Racing Reds?
I had them fitted to my car last November and worried that they might be go the same way as yours.

Yes they are racing reds, what a bummer.

The supplier may have setup facilities. Worth asking them first. Unfortunately the same applies for anything you buy. The suppliers liability only goes as far as the product value IIRC. Unless it is supplied and fitted by the same outlet.

[ray_von]

Quinny said:

shapeshifter said:

I've been quoted £210 including VAT to change the shocks over, which includes a bit of set up tweaking, plus the hassle of taking it to the garage and picking it up again, all coz the goods are faulty, should have kept the blisteins, they did 30k miles the racing reds managed 2k miles.

I know the Bilsteins aren't the cheapest option.. But you're right.. On a road car, I've found them to be the perfect solution..

If I needed new shocks tomorrow, I'd just bite the bullet, buy the billy's fit em, and forget about them for the next 5 years

Or you can save a few quid, buy somthing adjustable and spend the next 5 years constantly tinkering, to get them just how you like

Horses for courses an all that, but sometimes the simplest solution is the best solution

It's strange the pricing on Bilsteins. They were expensive, then dropped to around £150ish each and now seem to have gone up again, for Chims/Griffs. Weird??