Suspension Lower Balljoint Rubbers

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Any one know how much the arms are from Renault now? Going to replace mine soon. I have a good relationship with my local motor factors so will try a few ball joints also.
 
Well it depends where you ask. I got quoted £408 without delivery from Carrie's local dealer.

Karl quoted ~£290 delivered from SMC
 
Mine are all done and I'm going to fetch it tomorrow :D I'm under warranty and I've got lowering springs on but they deemed them not to make an effect to they got changed :)
 
When I used to own a Smart there was a process called ESKULAB that parent company Mercedes-Benz ran. Basically, it meant that if there was an acknowledged design flaw with the vehicle and it had been properly maintained, then MBUK could often offer a very good deal to fix the problem for a reduced rate.

I wonder if it is worth challenging the dealer that this fault is indeed a design flaw, and see if they can negotiate anything with Renault UK?
 
Whilst I obviously know I am right, the coop in Lincoln believe these ball joints to be fine

Tbh I'm not even gonna bother with an independent report at this time, as I'm sure a 5 year old who's not trained in mechanics would be able to tell you how far gone they are
 

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^^ just ask them if it would pass an MOT test ;)

Being as it won't, they are obviously not fine.
 
that is shocking maggi, i really do think you should all get some form of protest letter sent to renault uk if that makes any sense? maybe something like a letter with names and contact details of everyone who continually has ball joint issues. although i understand that is much easier said than done
 
So a quick call the to dealer to request the dealer principles names and contact, along with the manager in charge of servicing has had some funny, and rather defensive, questions raised by a rather abrupt gentleman on the phone, after I refused to discuss my issue with him (he answered as sales so what good it would have done?)

A letter will be written this week. I have double checked for play in the steering, and there is non. Carrie has an interesting video of me proving such too :lol:

Seems they will make a greater margin working on the steering than they would replacing 3 bolts a side...

Interestingly the wheels hadn't been removed. As we had the locking bolt which hadn't been disturbed and the wheels needed some friendly encouragement from my favourite tool
 
Sounds like you've got more evidence than you should need. Have you sent copies through to ruk?
 
Absolutely ridiculous. I'm yet to check mine myself but I'll be sure to when I get a spare half hour (and my jack and stands back from my friend)

Failing that I might ask my local garage to take a look and get their opinion. They've been very honest with me in the past so I trust them!
 
Finally sent quite a lengthy and detailed email to Renault UK. Also included the dealer principle so he might have an opportunity to comment on our experience and the issue we faced with obtaining a correct diagnosis, when the dealer was quite insistant on charging a diagnositcs fee. I'm not sure why that's necessary when it's already diagnosed, and they miss the obvious flaw.

Took me a while to get a correct email address for him but it's all done now. Hopefully I'll hear back soon and I won't have to resort to contacting VOSA or pay for an inspection
 
I hadn't expected a response from RUK and had left it 'Upon your return' as Mike is now on annual leave. Not an issue.

But the dealer has replied with something along the lines of "I'm not going to comment at this time, but, I've asked my staff and there's a number of areas we do not agree"

Not sure how they can disagree with that but we shall see. Also not sure what areas he means.
 
I can't see how they don't agree with wrongly diagnosing your car and trying to charge you after you were told it would be free. The whole thing sounds like a complete joke to me! It's strange how some people's seem so easy yet some are like getting blood from a stone. You'd expect some kind of consistency from a world wide company like Renault
 
Some are good, some are even better but why should a consumer have to travel because one can not provide the service you would expect.

In fact my email did include one line to say 'Whilst I accept that components can, and do, fail prematurely, I would fully expect the experience at a dealership to be enjoyable and without struggle no matter the circumstances. I am both deeply disappointed at the service received from Coop Motors and troubled at how a vehicle with such an apparent issue could be misdiagnosed with one that does not exist'

I do mention VOSA and offer to put the vehicle to them, or another independent body, for their opinion on the ball joints and the garages diagnosis. I feel it's unacceptable, given I told them was wrong and they tried to charge for diagnosing it. Especially when it's so obvious!

MAYBE there is also a fault with the steering. So perhaps to say does not exist was wrong, however, you would replace the most obvious part first. Seeing as there is no visible wear, and there is NO play in the steering I can not see how this could be true. I believe things I can see. And I've not had any evidence presented to suggest their diagnosis was the right one.
 
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