Car Service (Major or Minor?)

[Thanh Ha]

Hi guys,

Had my first service since I bought my VT in March this year (3 months late, 3000K early) and decided to take it to K-Mart for a Major service - with full synthetic oil - for $199.

I understand that we should have a service every 6 months or 10,000KM, but when should we have a major or minor one?

I decided to go to for a major this time because the initial service by the indepedent seemed pretty dodgy to me, despite him having replacing a lot of things (I think it cost my Dad $500). He told us that we'll start hearing the brakes squealing, and that it's normal for the type of brakes he gave us.

K-Mart thus told me when they looked at it that I needed new rear suspensions because they were worned out and leaking (Monrone brand - cost $280) and front brake pads and motors (Bendix - total cost $195). The brakes don't squeal anymore!

Are these prices good or a bit too high? Forgive me as I'm quite new to the ins and outs of vehicles.

Link to K-Mart service comparision: http://www.ktas.com.au/productsServices/servicePackages.htm

 

[Bax]

Well this is what I do..

I went and got a service manual- That gives me nearly all the ins and outs of the car..
And also lets me do the service myself, works out alot lot cheaper..

When it comes to suspension, if I think somethings playing up, I take it in to Pedders for a 28 Point Safety check, get their opinion, see if its valid and go elsewhere with my business to get a cheap deal (if its worth it)

Brake pads I'm not sure about, depends what ones you got and whether it was all 4 corners, which I'm assuming, which either way seems alrightish.. Maybe a bit much by 50 bucks or so..Oil and Plugs should only set you back 50 bucks at the max and they are easy to change.

Anyway, minor service on mine is generally between 5,10k.. Major Services.. Well... Don't have a set time, just whenever I think it needs it or when I have some spare cash, sorry that doesn't help.

 

[cohn]

you should do a major service every 40,000 km or 2 years which ever comes forst so basically every 4th service you do.
a major service includes a coolant and brake fluid and air filter spark plugs if needed.
yeah you should pick up a gregorys manual to your car and do the brakes and services yourself, the only thing you cant do is disc rotor machines, when doing brakes. so wheat youcan do is take the rotors off and take then to a brake specialist shop.

 

[Thanh Ha]

Thanks guys, would a service manual be available at Repco or SuperCheapAuto?

$50 seems a bit, but so far I'm happy, don't think I'm take my vehicle to an independent in Footscray anymore. After the shock absorbers change, when going over speed humps (and this is at a very very slow speed) at work, it doesn't feel like the back of the car is hitting the ground anymore.

Also, could bad shock absorbers be responsible for the car swerving while turning as explained here?: http://forums.justcommodores.com.au/showthread.php?t=2435

And is it worth the extra money using full synthetic engine oil in a VT Commodore?

Cheers,
Thanh Ha

 

[cohn]

a vt commodore shouldnt have worn shock absorbers already, but yes worn shock absorbers can cause worse suspension response. or your rear shocks may be leaking, have a look at the shock absorber for traces of oil. if there leaking then you should replace them.
there easy enough to change but, theres one bolt on the bottom and one in the boot for each shock.
anough way to tell if the shocks are stuffed rock the rear of the car, there shouldnt be too much rebound action. compare the front and rear shocks, if there stuff then i recommend replacing the springs and shocks.
the springs are even easier, jack the rear of the vehicle up, let the rear diff hand and they basically fall out.
The gregory manuals are about 40 bucks and are avaliable from supacheap, repco, autobarn and most leading auto retailers and they should tell you everything you need to know about how to remove and install the rear suspension

 

[Thanh Ha]

Cheers, will have to grab myself a copy then.

The shock absorbers have been changed at K-Mart because as they tell me they were leaking. The first guy we got it done at when we first bought the car in March this year said he installed new Pedders suspension.

How long do they usually last anyhow? 8 months seem quite quick?

 

[Bax]

You don't have to take the rotors off to get them machined btw, theres many places that do mobile or on-car machining.