Kwik Fit Diagnosis on my Snotter

[Marty Funkhouser]

V Reg, manual, TDi Golf, 126k on the clock.

Loud knocking noises coming from engine bay when nearing or on full lock, also get a loud noise on reverse (intermittently)

Kwik Fit have diagnosed faulty drive shafts to the front wheel and want £441 to change them.

Does that sound reasonable?

TIA

[HellDiver]

I wouldn't trust Kwik-Fit with a puncture repair. You're expecting them to diagnose a fault? Are you mad?

[E30M3SE]

I would not trust a diagnosis from them if it was going to cost me £20, let alone £400+, infact I would not go to them for a diagnosis in the first place. JHMO

[Marty Funkhouser]

I was desperate, I was over the road, they were not busy......dont worry, not going to get them to do it just wondering if the price was good and the diagnosis sounds reasonable

[Matt_N]

I'd get a second opinion if possible from an independant garage.

Could be the suspension topmount(s), wishbone bush, engine mount or something as simple as an anti roll bar drop link.

[mnkiboy]

Whilst I don't know your situation, i'd strongly recommend finding an independant garage. It may end up being just the CV joints - some fast fit places are well known for charging way over the odds for simple jobs.

[fatjon]

£60 quid a side, new with warranty and a good mechanic will do both in an hour, maybe 1.5 hours if he has a couple of extra tea breaks. They are taking the pee unless you expect to pay over £300/hour for a mechanic. Run like hell to a real garage and leave them to rip someone else off.

[Marty Funkhouser]

Am taking it to an indie in a mo

[Jonny_693]

Presuming it still drives forwards and backwards under it's own steam and the cv joints are not leaking I would take it to another garage for a second opinion. I wouldn't trust those clowns with an oil change let alone properly diagnosing a fault.

[Marty Funkhouser]

It drives forwards and backwards fine (apart from the intermittent noise on reverse)

[HellDiver]

To give you an example, I recently got two CV joints, driveshafts and wheel bearings done for £280 all in on my Mondeo. Done by a Ford indy using Ford parts.

So £441 is taking the piss, really.

[trickywoo]

A worn out CV joint does sound plausable from your symptons but you can get a new one for £30ish - doubt you need a whole new drive shaft. Even if you did they are about £70.

So say two new drive shafts - £140. £300 in labour to fit is

Shouldn't be more than 2 hours tops including a tea break.

[fatjon]

BTW the symptoms do sound perfect or CV joint failure on the driveshafts. Had it on one of mine recently.

[Tyngwndwn]

Just makes you wonder about certain companies.

[Marty Funkhouser]

Cheers for the input boys - will report back when I get back from a reputable local VW Indy.

[The_Cheeseman]

Had similar symptoms on my Saxo, turned out to be the CV joint but you can't get them separate for my car.

New driveshaft @ £60, a couple of hours in the garage, some help from my cousin, with a guide someone had kindly written up on here and we'd done the job ourselves!

If you were an experience mechanic with a proper set of tools/jacks I can see it being a half-hour job.

[sim16v]

I detest Kwik Fit.

Unfortunately I am stuck with them as my company car lease company have a national agreement with them.


I was there on Monday to get 2 tyres fitted and it took 2 fookin hours!

[steve singh]

Just for balance...

My local Kwik Fit is excellent when it comes to tyre changes and air con regassing. Cannot comment on any of the other services as I've not used them.

[Marty Funkhouser]

Just got a cab back from local indy.

After a thorough examination the mechanic beckoned me over and pointed to a loose engine mount - one of the bolts was missing, the other had sheared in half.....that was what caused the judder with the engine was moving about!

About £100 to replace it....


Thats the last time I ask Kwik Fit to diagnose anything more complicated than a flat tyre.

[carmonk]

Marty Funkhouser said:

Thats the last time I ask Kwik Fit to diagnose anything more complicated than a flat tyre.

No, not even a flat tyre. Nothing. Ever.