Cost to replace trailing arm

[bugmeister]

The car has just gone in to my regular dealer after one of the bonnet hinges went. They have called to inform me that one of the rear trailing arms is badly corroded and will need replacing soon.

Now I realise they are no longer available and need to be made. But I have been quoted c. £500 for the work to be done. Is this reasonable, or does anyone know of somewhere around north Yorks that might do it a little cheaper.

[HarryW]

Don't know the actual current price of a trailing arm, around £250 when I last enquired though, got a quote from Penisula in the Autumn, who seemed to think they were available.
What is the extent of the rot, it could be worth you talking to someone like Adrian at 'Exactly TVR' (tel nos in sprint), as they can in some cases be repaired for about half of the replacement price.

Harry

[bugmeister]

The word from the dealer is that they will need to make a new one. I'll speak to them and see what they say.

[mel-S3]

I bought one last year off David Gerald for about £220 if i remember correctly. Can't see them being discontinued, as now is the time they are all going, but could be wrong. By the way if one is going, which is usually the drivers side for some reason, the other side is usually not far off - maybe also the petrol tank cradle. I also had a quote off RT Racing for £150 to re-tube my old one, but decided a new one was better value, because the old one really wanted shot blasting and painting.

I heard DG charge £350 to fit them, but don't quote me on this figure. It's not a hard job, but they do need the Toe-in setting afterwards.

>> Edited by mel-S3 on Friday 6th February 12:35

[bugmeister]

It is the drivers side and I had the tank cradle done last year!! Other side is currenty OK

[Colin Blues2]

Mine were replaced in December they are £220 each side from David Gerald. If you don't have the later ones then you have to replace in pairs.

Then you need to get the geometry checked and adjusted.

My bill for a 24,000 service plus two rear trailing arms, new track rod ends, fitting, geometry check and all the ancillaries was £1500.

Colin

[S3_Steve]

Have you tried Tom at TJ Motors in Boroughbridge? I was very please with work done on my S3 so far and will be going back shortly for a manifold gasket fitting.

[pistolar]

check before you spend too much your chassis condition

[bugmeister]

S3_Steve said:

Have you tried Tom at TJ Motors in Boroughbridge? I was very please with work done on my S3 so far and will be going back shortly for a manifold gasket fitting.

I rang them earlier. Tom is on holiday until Tuesday, but initial indications are good. As long as I can source a trailing arm.

[M@H]

Colin Blues2 said:

Mine were replaced in December they are £220 each side from David Gerald. If you don't have the later ones then you have to replace in pairs. Then you need to get the geometry checked and adjusted. My bill for a 24,000 service plus two rear trailing arms, new track rod ends, fitting, geometry check and all the ancillaries was £1500. Colin

HOW MUCH !!??

Thats £1275 before VAT, accordingly:

Service= £250 before VAT (inc parts & labour)

Parts (inc Trailing arms) = est £500 (ex vat again)

So it cost £525 in labour to fit the arms, replace the track rod ends, and do the alignment..

thats got to be 15 hours work you've been billed for (guessing £35 an Hour) to do that job then ! I take it they had the car for three days.

Hmmmm..
Matt.

[mel-S3]

M@H said:

Colin Blues2 said: Mine were replaced in December they are £220 each side from David Gerald. If you don't have the later ones then you have to replace in pairs. Then you need to get the geometry checked and adjusted. My bill for a 24,000 service plus two rear trailing arms, new track rod ends, fitting, geometry check and all the ancillaries was £1500. Colin HOW MUCH !!?? Thats £1275 before VAT, accordingly: Service= £250 before VAT (inc parts & labour) Parts (inc Trailing arms) = est £500 (ex vat again) So it cost £525 in labour to fit the arms, replace the track rod ends, and do the alignment.. thats got to be 15 hours work you've been billed for (guessing £35 an Hour) to do that job then ! I take it they had the car for three days. Hmmmm.. Matt.

Well, DG charge a little bit more that £35 an hour. So guess about 12 hours labour. Sounds about right to me.

[M@H]

mel-S3 said:

Well, DG charge a little bit more that £35 an hour. So guess about 12 hours labour. Sounds about right to me.

Blimey.. Is it really 5 hours a side to replace a Trailing arm..? (I havent done one myself)

Cheers,
Matt

[mel-S3]

M@H said:

mel-S3 said: Well, DG charge a little bit more that £35 an hour. So guess about 12 hours labour. Sounds about right to me. Blimey.. Is it really 5 hours a side to replace a Trailing arm..? (I havent done one myself) Cheers, Matt

Yep, well, i thought about 4-5 hours, 1-2 hours to do the wheel alignment and say half an hour for the track rod ends.

[shpub]

M@H said:

Blimey.. Is it really 5 hours a side to replace a Trailing arm..? (I havent done one myself)

No it can take a lot longer

[Colin Blues2]

Well it was hobsons choice. Car was in for 24k service and MOT. Failed MOT on trailing arm so couldn't remove it to someone else to fix.

Regarding the time taken - they had problems taking out and refitting the arms. The replacements are not the same and do not bolt straight in so they had to make modifications to some of the mountings (I don't have the details of the modifications).

They had it nearly two weeks in total.

Colin

[s2 giles]

When the same thing happened to me i chose to change them both & bought the S3 adjustable ones which do fit but need you to have adjustable shocks & springs.

Dont forget they affect things like the brake lines etc as well, hence it will take some time.

NB. I have a spare S2 passenger side arm if anyone is in desperate need of one. its useable.

[HarryW]

s2 giles said:

...... NB. I have a spare S2 passenger side arm if anyone is in desperate need of one. its useable.

Surprised there's not an orderly queue yet

Harry