Rear suspension leaking?

[DeafDave76]

Hi,

I had my car serviced at Bridgestone tyres and service centre in South Perth last Friday and they told me my rear suspension was leaking but did not say which component were they referring to: struts or springs?

I recall someone on here from W.A. like me had their rears done at one place cheaply under $1500?

Pedders Suspension quoted me $1050 (Pedders Geniune Struts - $440 pair, Pedders Coil Springs Standard Height - $200 pair, installation to vehicle $264 and 4 wheel alignment <this was already done at service centre>  $146

I am currently waiting to hear from APE Suspension and WA Suspension

Regards

Dave

[mg85]

Can only be the struts. If your springs are not sagging you dont need to replace them. You will need another 4 wheel alignment on strut replacement.

You can get Monroe GT gas struts on ebay for $300 a pair, in my view they are better than the pedders.

 

Ive always found Pedders expensive

[campbeam]

Call me sceptical. Suggest you confirm whether the rear suspension is actually leaking and to what extent.

If applicable, empty the boot but no need to remove the spare wheel. I would be park the vehicle on level ground and measure the vehicle ride height.

From memory, expect the standard ride height to be in the range of 400-410mm. Good idea to make a written record for each wheel position.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ral-ygOsdps

Next step would be jack up the car and remove each of the rear wheels to then inspect the struts. Repeat for the front wheels.

Decide whether or not the struts and springs need to be replaced.

 

[AurionX2]

Ask them why would they have to change the springs. I'll be changing my rear struts hopefully this weekend, bought the pair of KYB 339112 and 339113 for 224aud few months ago off eBay, plus 240 labour at UltraTune. Ask around for other quotes, you don't really need to go to a suspension specialist for struts replacement.

Edited August 21, 2018 by AurionX2

[jeffy]

On 8/21/2018 at 4:30 PM, DeafDave76 said:

Hi,

I had my car serviced at Bridgestone tyres and service centre in South Perth last Friday and they told me my rear suspension was leaking but did not say which component were they referring to: struts or springs?

I recall someone on here from W.A. like me had their rears done at one place cheaply under $1500?

Pedders Suspension quoted me $1050 (Pedders Geniune Struts - $440 pair, Pedders Coil Springs Standard Height - $200 pair, installation to vehicle $264 and 4 wheel alignment <this was already done at service centre>  $146

I am currently waiting to hear from APE Suspension and WA Suspension

Regards

Dave

i dont think springs can leak, as theres nothing in there 

On 8/21/2018 at 7:08 PM, campbeam said:

Call me sceptical. Suggest you confirm whether the rear suspension is actually leaking and to what extent.

it has to be the strut .. or the gas shock absorber.

 

On 8/21/2018 at 9:37 PM, AurionX2 said:

Ask them why would they have to change the springs. I'll be changing my rear struts hopefully this weekend, bought the pair of KYB 339112 and 339113 for 224aud few months ago off eBay, plus 240 labour at UltraTune. Ask around for other quotes, you don't really need to go to a suspension specialist for struts replacement.

Usually you'd want matching new things for the new shock, ie. the stress,usage, wear and tear of the old spring will not match the new shock per se, so wouldnt it be more ideal to replace the whole thing since the units are out anyway ? but at the end of the day, its the owners choice. Also yes, search for other places to get parts, theyre all generic. What you're paying for is the time and labour in the named businesses.

if you are handy with tools, you could actually even DIY, gives you a learning platform  

[mg85]

56 minutes ago, jeffy said:

i dont think springs can leak, as theres nothing in there 

it has to be the strut .. or the gas shock absorber.

 

Usually you'd want matching new things for the new shock, ie. the stress,usage, wear and tear of the old spring will not match the new shock per se, so wouldnt it be more ideal to replace the whole thing since the units are out anyway ? but at the end of the day, its the owners choice. Also yes, search for other places to get parts, theyre all generic. What you're paying for is the time and labour in the named businesses.

if you are handy with tools, you could actually even DIY, gives you a learning platform  

Bit of mucking around with the Aurion to do the Rear struts, I did mine a while back and entails taking the rear seat (base & back) out to get to the top mounts. Most other cars I have  done the top mounts can be accessed through the boot.

I would disagree that all struts are generic you get what you pay for generally, im sure you could get real cheapies from Repco.

The only thing that can leak is the Damper part of the strut it has oil & gas inside it, the rest is all steel and rubber mounts.

 

[DeafDave76]

Hi all,

APE Suspension got me down to $400 a pair  which are KYB brand and $160 labor so I will go for it but they will do cost free inspection before going ahead with the work

So I will book inspection with them this week on Friday

Regards

Dave

[matt36415]

Kyb are good. Have had them on 3 cars and always happy 

[Rudolph Hart]

On 8/23/2018 at 11:45 AM, mg85 said:

Bit of mucking around with the Aurion to do the Rear struts, I did mine a while back and entails taking the rear seat (base & back) out to get to the top mounts. Most other cars I have  done the top mounts can be accessed through the boot.

I would disagree that all struts are generic you get what you pay for generally, im sure you could get real cheapies from Repco.

The only thing that can leak is the Damper part of the strut it has oil & gas inside it, the rest is all steel and rubber mounts.

 

I have a 2011 presara,have just been to pedders and they fitted their standard replacement parts,way to stiff.Anybody have some advice? thanks

[ZZT86]

They replaced strut only using your stock spring? If so perhaps the firm ride you're feeling is actually what you been missing out on due to the worn strut ? If you're not happy with them then the only solution would be to swap/exchange the strut which means ripping out the suspension & starting again = very time consuming & costly.

Edited November 16, 2018 by ZZT86

[campbeam]

13 hours ago, Rudolph Hart said:

fitted their standard replacement parts,way to stiff.Anybody have some advice? thanks

Immediately after replacing suspension struts and springs, it is normal for ride to feel harder. Usually after a few weeks, parts "settle"into position and you also get used to the different ride feeling so it does not feel so harsh.

Also look at your tyre pressures. With 215/60/16 tyre on the Aurion, I would suggest 36-38psi. As I have worn suspension, I have found 40 psi to be good on the front for handling purposes. 40psi on the rear appears to be too much [more wear in the centre of the tyre] so planning upon gradually reducing tyre pressure back to 36psi then keep reviewing.

[Aurion ZR6]

40psi front 36 psi rear.

[nswnotill]

I recently had my local mechanic replace all four struts on my 2008 model- parts + labour all up $1500. (aftermarket parts). One rear unit was leaking. The car has done 220K and this is the first major suspension job. It now requires a wheel alignment.