Vogueman
Well-Known Member
This is a bit of a saga, which started a few months ago and I might need you guys and your experience with these vehicles that I am not been cynical or just bad luck.. I had a rattle on the N/S/F, but only at around 15 to 25 mph. It is a 2003 Vogue V8 Petrol, the rattle seemed elusive, the garage I used at the time had it for 3 days did 40 miles in it, they couldn't find the fault.
Eventually, it was suggested by the guy who did the gearbox, I take it to this Land Rover specialist, whose tag line is something like " Dealership professionalism without the price tag". I took it in, the mechanic asked me to drive it, which I did, we hadn't got off the forecourt, when he said turn round I know what it is.
It turned out to be the lower ball joint under the cv boot, the that fits in a hole on the hub. The rattle had gone, this was great £340, they did both sides mind you. Are you still with me, good, right drove down to my daughters in Oxfordshire, 168 miles, when I got there I noticed a thick black greasy mess on the N/S/F alloy, I knew straight away that the CV boot was split, just above the first ball joint they replaced. In the end I paid £700 for a new driveshaft, as the original was contaminated with debris from the drive. At this point, I was getting that stitched up feeling. Giving them the benefit of the doubt, I booked it in for a service and MOT.
This is the part that I am unsure about, they didn't actually fail it, but said it needed some welding to, wait for it, the rear sills where it meets the wheel arch, also the side steps were corroded. The quote for the welding was (cringe) £500 + VAT per side. The MOT is still active and runs out on 3 Feb, my problem is the car is 18 years old and every MOT to date has not mentioned anything about this corrosion on the rear. I did have the notion of going somewhere else and have the MOT done before it expires. I love this car, I will have the repairs done, but I need your feedback to make sure I am not been conned. Any suggestions or ideas will be gratefully received
Eventually, it was suggested by the guy who did the gearbox, I take it to this Land Rover specialist, whose tag line is something like " Dealership professionalism without the price tag". I took it in, the mechanic asked me to drive it, which I did, we hadn't got off the forecourt, when he said turn round I know what it is.
It turned out to be the lower ball joint under the cv boot, the that fits in a hole on the hub. The rattle had gone, this was great £340, they did both sides mind you. Are you still with me, good, right drove down to my daughters in Oxfordshire, 168 miles, when I got there I noticed a thick black greasy mess on the N/S/F alloy, I knew straight away that the CV boot was split, just above the first ball joint they replaced. In the end I paid £700 for a new driveshaft, as the original was contaminated with debris from the drive. At this point, I was getting that stitched up feeling. Giving them the benefit of the doubt, I booked it in for a service and MOT.
This is the part that I am unsure about, they didn't actually fail it, but said it needed some welding to, wait for it, the rear sills where it meets the wheel arch, also the side steps were corroded. The quote for the welding was (cringe) £500 + VAT per side. The MOT is still active and runs out on 3 Feb, my problem is the car is 18 years old and every MOT to date has not mentioned anything about this corrosion on the rear. I did have the notion of going somewhere else and have the MOT done before it expires. I love this car, I will have the repairs done, but I need your feedback to make sure I am not been conned. Any suggestions or ideas will be gratefully received
