VZ Servicing Help!!

[sebvz]

Hey Guys,

Bought a ‘04 VZ Exec with 140k’s on the clock just a couple weeks ago, bloody love it – means everything to me haha like any first car would. And here are a few issues that I’ve noticed whilst driving that have had me concerned as shit! Just wanted to know your thoughts on the lot and any suggestions on what the cause is and how to fix it..

• When turning/ full lock of steering wheel at low speeds (eg. Parking), I have noticed a loud click noise coming from the front of the car, only happens half the time.

• When driving over 70kph a droning/ humming noise can be heard. The faster I’m driving the louder/ intense the humming gets, the car doesn’t vibrate though the noise is annoying. Just got new rear tyres a few weeks ago, could it be them?

• When going over speed humps or pot holes (at low speeds), sometimes I hear clicks and clanks that don’t sound too healthy.

• Sometimes my under carriage scrapes big time when I go over speed humps, even though all suspension and ride height is stock. Just wanted to know how damaging it is for the car, could it do serious harm if it cops the occasional scrape here and there?

Also, I need to get the car serviced and was going to go to a certified Holden dealer service centre but after reading reviews and doing my research I found a lot of customers weren’t happy and said the service was terrible, and they use inexperienced apprentices etc. Another review said they sent a shadow customer to 7 different Holden dealer service centre’s and only 1 found all 4 problems with the car, the majority only finding 2 out of the 4 major issues. That’s pretty shocking..

So does anyone recommend anywhere to get my car serviced in Sydney? I want the whole lot to be checked up on, like nice and detailed. Thanks heaps for your help!

[hustlin420]

I'm not great at all the diagnosis or anything but i have had my car serviced at Hunter Holden, Ryde since new and the car has never had any problems at all. I will say this though, when you go in, say you want a experienced mechanic to work on your car as they will just assign some kid who doesn't know anymore than you do...

[sebvz]

Hey that sounds like a good idea! I might go to Muirs ashfield and just request an experienced mechanic, but that will mean the charge out rate for labour will be higher right? All good I would rather pay the price for experience anyway! Just to be sure does though - does anyone know any independent Holden specialist mechanics?

[Pharaoh]

Hi Sebvz,

I bought my VZ from Muirs Ashfield - definitely would not recommend them. They'll book you over $300 for just an oil change!!
If you're in Sydney, I can highly recommend Chalmers - 71 - 79 Euston Road Alexandria NSW 2015.
Ask for John, Dave or Tim and they'll take care of you and won't rip you off.

Cheers,
Pharaoh

[hustlin420]

No, you would not have to pay more. Holden servicing is fixed price, (at least for me) so no matter who does your car it's the same price. They just give the noobs the servicing jobs as they are just told to RTFM and it is suppose to be quite easy freeing up the experienced mechanics for larger, longer jobs. What actually happens is the inexperienced apprentice mechanic will service your car.. that's fine. But what if he doesn't check for faults, does he even know what he's looking for? If they are reading a damn manual how are they going to spot potential faults etc

[richardpalinkas]

From what I have heard, apprentices hardly do any servicing, at least the first years. They mainly drive cars, clean and get to do one service a day. That's what I've heard at tafe from the apprentices themselves.