Bought a DB9 and Need new Struts for it
Discussion
As a Kansan I am probably obligated to start my first Petrolheads post off with something like "howdy y'all!" so there it is
I purchased the above 2010 DB9 a few months ago from Texas (again, howdy y'all) and overall I am immensely pleased with it! However, it has promptly set its sights on my wallet....
1) It leaked all of its power steering fluid due to a failed hose;
2) needs new struts / shocks / dampers (insert other buzzwords here);
3) has an oil leak addressed (the tech says its the timing cover, oh joy).
The power steering issue is being addressed by a local AM shop now, but I am waiting on the suspension as the only US suppliers I can find are charging $1200 - $1300 per strut and the car will be going into hibernation soon anyway. I've seen some posts on here alluding to much lesser prices for the upgraded Bilsteins (one thread claiming $2000 total after finding some "deals") but I am unclear as to where one finds said deals. The aforementioned 2016 thread seems to suggest he sourced them from HWM, which I believe would be HWM Sportscars in Surrey?
My main question is where do you guys source your parts (particularly the struts mentioned above)?
I'll be turning my attention to the "dreaded timing cover leak" and doing research on it in the coming weeks, though any insight here is appreciated.
Thanks in advance!
Congratulations on your stunning looking car, sorry, it has a few problems which hopefully will get sorted soon.
HWM is literally two miles away from where I live, but I know that they supply parts to all over the world.
They list plenty of parts on their website, or email them, to see if they can supply what you need.
As regards the timing chain cover leak. I had mine done last year, by a good mobile mechanic. He had never done the repair before, but managed to complete it in a day. I did write a post on here about it, I will try and find it.
HWM is literally two miles away from where I live, but I know that they supply parts to all over the world.
They list plenty of parts on their website, or email them, to see if they can supply what you need.
As regards the timing chain cover leak. I had mine done last year, by a good mobile mechanic. He had never done the repair before, but managed to complete it in a day. I did write a post on here about it, I will try and find it.
Edited by Wobbly on Saturday 29th August 17:26
Wobbly said:
Congratulations on your stunning looking car, sorry, it has a few problems which hopefully will get sorted soon.
HWM is literally two miles away from where I live, but I know that they supply parts to all over the world.
They list plenty of parts on their website, or email them, to see if they can supply what you need.
As regards the timing chain cover leak. I had mine done last year, by a good mobile mechanic. He had never done the repair before, but managed to complete it in a day. I did write a post on here about it, I will try and find it.
Thank you the kind words and info! Based on yvr's response below, it seems that HWM may not be an option anymore, but I do have an email pending with them (sent prior to this thread) so maybe I'll get lucky...?HWM is literally two miles away from where I live, but I know that they supply parts to all over the world.
They list plenty of parts on their website, or email them, to see if they can supply what you need.
As regards the timing chain cover leak. I had mine done last year, by a good mobile mechanic. He had never done the repair before, but managed to complete it in a day. I did write a post on here about it, I will try and find it.
Edited by Wobbly on Saturday 29th August 17:26
yvr said:
Sadly, HWM won't ship to North America anymore. I used to buy parts from them (I'm in Canada), but the NA dealers managed to get AML to prevent European dealers from shipping to us.
Scuderia or Astonmartinbits are about the only choices left.
When did this happen? Is AstonMartinBits a US seller? I was under the impression they were in the UK as well. Scuderia or Astonmartinbits are about the only choices left.
Both AMBits and Scuderia are UK based. Scuderia has a US storefront on their website, but everything ships from the UK when I order from there.
Redpants.lol is in the US and carry some genuine AM parts (mostly service items). VelocityAP (based in Canada) have some aftermarket replacements.
If do you find that HWM will ship to you, please let us know
Redpants.lol is in the US and carry some genuine AM parts (mostly service items). VelocityAP (based in Canada) have some aftermarket replacements.
If do you find that HWM will ship to you, please let us know
yvr said:
Both AMBits and Scuderia are UK based. Scuderia has a US storefront on their website, but everything ships from the UK when I order from there.
Redpants.lol is in the US and carry some genuine AM parts (mostly service items). VelocityAP (based in Canada) have some aftermarket replacements.
If do you find that HWM will ship to you, please let us know
HWM will not ship AM OEM parts to the USA. I confirmed this just last week. That doesn’t apply to aftermarket parts, I presume. So if Bilstein are not OEM then I expect they could sell you those. Redpants.lol is in the US and carry some genuine AM parts (mostly service items). VelocityAP (based in Canada) have some aftermarket replacements.
If do you find that HWM will ship to you, please let us know
Just Is said:
When did this happen? Is AstonMartinBits a US seller? I was under the impression they were in the UK as well.
The ban applies to dealers, not other parts suppliers. So AM Bits and others can ship to USA since AM has no control over them unless they were to cut off their supply of new parts. But that would mean cutting off the supply for UK customers as well. Just Is said:
As a Kansan I am probably obligated to start my first Petrolheads post off with something like "howdy y'all!" so there it is
I purchased the above 2010 DB9 a few months ago from Texas (again, howdy y'all) and overall I am immensely pleased with it! However, it has promptly set its sights on my wallet....
1) It leaked all of its power steering fluid due to a failed hose;
2) needs new struts / shocks / dampers (insert other buzzwords here);
3) has an oil leak addressed (the tech says its the timing cover, oh joy).
The power steering issue is being addressed by a local AM shop now, but I am waiting on the suspension as the only US suppliers I can find are charging $1200 - $1300 per strut and the car will be going into hibernation soon anyway. I've seen some posts on here alluding to much lesser prices for the upgraded Bilsteins (one thread claiming $2000 total after finding some "deals") but I am unclear as to where one finds said deals. The aforementioned 2016 thread seems to suggest he sourced them from HWM, which I believe would be HWM Sportscars in Surrey?
My main question is where do you guys source your parts (particularly the struts mentioned above)?
I'll be turning my attention to the "dreaded timing cover leak" and doing research on it in the coming weeks, though any insight here is appreciated.
Thanks in advance!
DB9VolanteDriver said:
The ban applies to dealers, not other parts suppliers. So AM Bits and others can ship to USA since AM has no control over them unless they were to cut off their supply of new parts. But that would mean cutting off the supply for UK customers as well.
Interesting! Is AMBits generally the best non-dealer supplier? Their website confuses me a bit and seems like they only carry whatever (limited) stock they get their hands on at the given moment. Currently it looks like the only have a couple of the old dampers but not the new Bilsteins. Your advice on the oil leak affirms my hunch as to whether people address it. I had seen Bamford note it is an engine out job that most people (unsuccessfully) try to take short cuts on.
DB9VolanteDriver said:
Timing cover advice is to leave it until it gets intolerable to you. Unless you plan the car as a keeper, then fix it when the time and money allows. It is an engine out job.
Sorry, but it is NOT an engine out job. I had the timing cover oil seal replaced last year, by a mobile mechanic in less than a day.
Edited by Wobbly on Sunday 30th August 18:33
Wobbly said:
DB9VolanteDriver said:
Timing cover advice is to leave it until it gets intolerable to you. Unless you plan the car as a keeper, then fix it when the time and money allows. It is an engine out job.
Sorry, but it is NOT an engine out job. I had the timing cover oil seal replaced last year, by a mobile mechanic in less than a day.Edited by Wobbly on Sunday 30th August 18:33
8Tech said:
I purchased my DB9 Bilsteins directly from Bilstein UK. I see no reason you cannot get them from any US Bilstein importer. They may not be OEM fitment as they come as coil-over threaded spring seats, but they are available. Seen here with Eibach springs.
This would seem a good solution for you. I am sure Bilstein have a US centre if you can get the part number8Tech said:
I purchased my DB9 Bilsteins directly from Bilstein UK. I see no reason you cannot get them from any US Bilstein importer. They may not be OEM fitment as they come as coil-over threaded spring seats, but they are available. Seen here with Eibach springs.
I am definitely interested in this option. Do you happen to have the part numbers? Perhaps on your invoice or something? I'm not familiar with the Eibach springs for these cars. Did they impact the ride quality at all? I assume they're primarily to lower the car a bit.
Thanks for the info!
EDIT: I notice those appear to be the pre-2009 style dampers. What year is your DB9?
This thread shows how to tell the 2 styles apart in speedracer's post: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=14...
Edited by Just Is on Wednesday 2nd September 20:34
Just Is said:
8Tech said:
I purchased my DB9 Bilsteins directly from Bilstein UK. I see no reason you cannot get them from any US Bilstein importer. They may not be OEM fitment as they come as coil-over threaded spring seats, but they are available. Seen here with Eibach springs.
I am definitely interested in this option. Do you happen to have the part numbers? Perhaps on your invoice or something? I'm not familiar with the Eibach springs for these cars. Did they impact the ride quality at all? I assume they're primarily to lower the car a bit.
Thanks for the info!
EDIT: I notice those appear to be the pre-2009 style dampers. What year is your DB9?
This thread shows how to tell the 2 styles apart in speedracer's post: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=14...
Edited by Just Is on Wednesday 2nd September 20:34
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
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