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[LordShiplane]

Hi

I had an MOT recently and it failed, main culprit was a serious leakage in one of the rear shocks, result was to replace both.. Man in garage he say got two options ... top of range shocks to replace would cost £300 for the pair (inc fitting) or £150 for the cheapest option.. anyway after consulting the finances I had to opt for the £150 jobbies. I did mention they should be self levelling but he said that wasnt a problem ??

the breakdown was something like £50 each plus £50 labour.

After picking her up she seemed ok but I have since taken a full car load of 5 adults plus kit and they are not doing what they say on the tin ie: they dont absorb the shocks, went over speed bumps and mini roundabout humps and it felt like they travelled the full distance and bottomed out! (the old ones coped even the leaky one  )

Is the problem to do with the inferior shocks being fitted or perhaps incorrectly fitted or could the problem lie elsewhere?

All or any advice gratefully welcomed, as always

Oh my mig is a 2002 2.6 Elite Estate

Thanks
Lord Shiplane

[Andy B]

If only you had asked before you bought the cheapo shockers. You could have bought OE self leveling shockers -with a Trade Cub card - for not much more than you paid for you aftermarket shockers. Fitting takes about 20 mins a side.

[Ghost]

are you sure they are self leveling shocks?
is the air line fitted?

[Andy B]

are you sure they are self leveling shocks?
is the air line fitted?

at £50 a piece I very much doubt it. 

[jonathanh]

have a nosey around: find the part number and manufacturer - post it up here.  Second - check what they invoiced you for

[LordShiplane]

Thanks, will do.. I feel used and abused, 
Do I have any recourse back to the garage for them fitting shocks not up to the job or is it just a case of you get what you pay for ?? 

[Pitchfork]

Same thing happened to me & they had fitted Saloon shocks instead of Estate!!!
Take it back & get part Nos. checked - the supplier may have made a similar error

[jonathanh]

Thanks, will do.. I feel used and abused, 
Do I have any recourse back to the garage for them fitting shocks not up to the job or is it just a case of you get what you pay for ?? 

Depends really.  If they have fitted a part that is not fit for purpose, such as estate shocks on a saloon or vice versa then yes. 

If they have invoiced you for self levellers and not fitted them, then yes

If they, as you asked them have fitted non-self levellers that are applicable for the car and charged you for the parts fitted then no

If they have fitted the right parts incorrectly then, yes

The key thing now is to gather facts knowledge and help here and take it forward. Having said that even if you do have a clear case of them fitting the wrong parts and bandly, start off with a nice friendly conversation to give them chance to make amends but it is always better to do so from a position of knowledge

[LordShiplane]

My invoice quotes a stock code of 25478
Is anyone familiar with this ?
it doesn't state whether they are self levellers or not they are just described as "Shock Absorber" and they were only £39.95 a piece !!
Should they have fitted self levellers or is it optional
(the work was done at a Formula One Autocentre )

Thanks Jonathanh for the clear and concise advice

LordShiplane

[Andy B]

Have a look at the shocker, OE self levellers use air from a compressor under your front offside wing/bumper to pump up airbags built into the shocker via small (3mm?) plastic pipes that connect towards the top of the damper.
Your first job is to  look for theplastic pipes but as far as I know only Vauxhall supply pneumatic shockers.
At £40 each you have had standard dampers fitted, because you agreed ato the price of £150 all in! 
It does pay to know what you want & what to expect. 

[Pitchfork]

Even if they were ordinary shocks fitted to an Estate which originally had self-levellers it would still not bottom
This is exactly what happened to me & they were Saloon ones. Curiously Saloon shocks are a lot longer than Estate & must have been a devil to fit
I think you'll find they have fitted Saloon types in error

[jonathanh]

Have a google for the monroe catalogue.  You will see that 24578 is the non self levelling for the SALOON.
Pitchfork is right!!!! 24579 is the part for the estate.

Formula 1 have clearly made a mistake you can demand your money back at the least.

If there is any problem threaten them with both trading standards AND to report the MOT tester to the ministry of transport for passing an unroadworthy vehicle

Idiots......

[LordShiplane]

Thanks guys, I will let them know the error of their ways and report back with with their response.

[jonathanh]

Well just work out exactly what you want them to do first.  Its easy to not see this is an argument.  Get even not mad.....

My view is that they should at least fit the correct part foc. If you paid on credit card you can also block the transaction given the good are not fit for purpose

[LordShiplane]

I had a little chat with the guys at the F1 Autocentre. At first the guy at the desk said "Oh they are interchangeable and it doesnt make a difference blah blah" however when I pointed out to him that they were different lengths and are quite clearly NOT interchangeable he recinded and said Oh yes, that model, and pop back during the week and we will change them free of charge.. It doesn't inspire me with any confidence but I will have this done and check that it is done satisfactorily.

Cheers all