Suspension Problem

[wayne]

Hi, new member here. Can anyone offer some help.

I have a VY 2003 Commodore sedan with just on 90,000 Ks. The last 10 months or so I noticed a slight noise in the front suspension, left being worse. Whenever I drive over a road hump or on a rough patch it would give a crunching sound as if the springs need oiling, even when I put the brake on the car will dip slightly in the front suspension giving the same noise. I put it in to the mechanics and had them check it out. They replaced worn bushes but still that loud irritating sound persisted. It began to get worse where I had people turn their heads to look at me because of the noise. I now turned to Tyrepower for help in finding the cause of this.

What they did was - (Remove front struts and replaced VRon Bearing Plates - Replaced front commodore Strut BRG - Inspect front end and found movement in CASTOR BUSH's)

So on all they replaced with - < PEDDERS VR ON BEARING PLATES - plus - COMMODORE STRUT BRG > this came at a cost of $432. And yet the noise is still there, but NOT as bad.

Now the guy tells me I will need CASTOR BUSH's which are $300 a pair, and that's not counting the cost of labor. That he says ... may stop the noise.

Has anyone EVER had similar experience. If you are like me, then our car is our pride and JOY.

[vx_commodore]

Whenever you go to a mecanic and say "fix this noise" they will take you for a ride...
You should have done the work yourself, get the commodore repair manual and go for it.
Repairing your car can be easier than you think! And give's you satisfaction
As for the noise, get a mate to get down near the front wheel as you push up and down and see what you can come up with, You may be able to pinpoint where it's comming from.
It may even be the strut's themselvs.
Hope you get it sorted.

[greenacc]

Holy Moses. $432 to do 1.5 hours work and use maybe $60 of parts each side. I hope that included a good wheel alignment.
When it comes to commodore suspension its pretty much all or nothing. 90,000 k's is not much but since you've already got noise ....
Replace all the front bushes with either good rubber ones or superpro if you don't mind firm ride, strut tops and bearings (done ) and the struts themselves ( about $130 each ) and you will have no more movement or noises. - sounds like a few bushes have been done already. CASTOR bushes do not cost $300 a pair. hahahaha. Ring holden for a price maybe $50 each max, then tell your mechanic he can bite you.

[wayne]

Thanx heaps for your comments ... Yeh I think I will have to do as you say VX_Commodore, get a mate and try to find the problem myself.

greenacc ... one thing for sure is ... who can you trust when taking your car to a mechanic for an honest and legitimate overhall without the conjob?????

1.5 hours of work you say. "WELL" ..... this guy really sucked me in, he charged me $264 for labour. WHAT AN INDUSTRY

Thanks (wayne)

[GothicKidd]

If your keen to do your own work, and have tools to do it.. A $50 Investmant could save yourself heaps.
aaaaaa Workshop Manual

I have my GFs family who work on cars all the time and it saves me heaps. After I read what holdens quoted my father for another powersteering rack $1000 odd for parts and labour, I had it done for $150.. and $130 being the price of the powersteering rack (best wreckers had)

[wayne]

Hey guys, listen to this...
I did what you said, get a mate and have him help. Well, guess what; I had him jack one side of my car up while I listen to where the creaking was coming from. I could easily hear it but couldn't see where it was coming from. So I put my hand on certain parts to feel the vibration, and lo and behold it paid off. It was the STABILISER BARS ... so I got under and spray the bushes with WD and the sound has completely disappeared.

Surely those mechanics knew what it was, the money I paid out was ridiculous - NEVER again unless its something BIGGER than I can handle. Again thanks for your advice.