not mentioning names or anything, but I paid $14 to get a 28 point steering and suspension check...
apparently it included a drive on shock absorber test, and full steering/suspension inspection.
Well, they didn't do a drive on shock test, just decided the shocks were soft by driving the car (even though the shocks are rather hard)
they also told me ALL the bushes needed replacing, steering rack, springs and shocks, and pretty much everything else!
handed me a quote for $3200 at the end of the inspection.
the car had cost me $1000.
I asked the guy if I could replace the bushes myself, the reply was "NO"
I asked why not, and was told I needed a 20 tonne press.
so, I went out and bought a cheapo 12 tonne press ($129)
Now, the car was very strange on the road to drive, would sometimes bumpsteer, follow grooves in the road, get kinda floaty at higher speeds, so I figured replacing the bushes was a good start, especially seeing as they were all worn out.
so, thats what I did, I bought a full nolathane vehicle enhancement kit, for $310 or so, included pretty much all the bushes the car needed.
I started at the rear of the car, but gave up because it was getting too difficult, however, I did end up replacing the panhard rod bushes (WHICH WERE ALREADY GOOD CONDITION NOLATHANE, BUT THE SUSPENSION PLACE WAS GOING TO CHARGE ME $30 TO REPLACE THEM ANYWAY!) and the swaybar link bushes, which were in perfectly acceptable condition (ONCE AGAIN, THE SUSPENSION PLACE WAS GOING TO CHARGE ME $50 TO REPLACE THESE)
so, I made my way to the front of the car, removed the lower control arms, and whatever else, the bushes all looked pretty reasonable, but what would I know? I do electronics assembly for a living
so, I went about replacing all the bushes, took like 2 days, but I didn't mind, it was going to make my car drive like new! right? right!?!?
well, it was done, and the car now drives pretty much exactly the same as it did before...
none of the bushes were that badly worn (ok, realistically, by looking at the bushes, I'd say TWO were actually in need of replacing)
so, anyone considering getting a 28 point steering and suspension check, from an unnamed suspension place, perhaps don't bother?
thankyou for your time

haha