All I wanted to do was change the rear brake pads?

[darkfibre]

And I was landed with a quote for 742 quid!

I apparently require:

New rear pads
New rear discs (with bearings)
New front wheel bearing
New steering column

I'm shocked.

I need to bring this down somehow.

The new steering column costs in the region of 280 + 90 labour. Basically, there is a fair amount of play in the steering wheel. Another place I went to said he can fill/weld it at a cost of 140 inc labour. 140 obviously is a lot more appealing to me, but is the cheaper option likely to cause any problems?

The Willy 3 is running ABS. How much would I be looking at in terms of the rear discs (inc pressed bearings)? I just want ones that work at a reasonable price. Are the 16v ones the same as the Williams?

And the front wheel bearing. Been quoted 100 supplied and fitted. Is that reasonable?

Rear pads are coming in at 75 quid (supplied and fitted).

Your comments and assistance would be most welcome.

[Coops]

if you do pads and discs yourself on the rear can be done for 100 quid all in, try GSF for the parts and crack out the spanners, not a hard job at all

front bearing is 30 quid or so for the part, but more of a job to do yourself, i paid 100 for one fitted few years back

column can be welded for around 20 quid in situ if you ask around a bit, if not its again not a very hard job to remove yourself, just takes a while and pinch bolt is fiddly. once removed can be welded more easily or you can fill the universal joint where the play is with chemical metal, done

so if you are handy with a spanner can do it all in half a day or so for around 150 quid.if your willing to have a try but not so good with a spanner, then set aside a weekend and a few more quid for the welding.

either way, imo dont use a garage for the lot, as its silly expensive!DIY maintenance for the win :D

[kenny]

No. none of that is reasonable. you are going to be being ripped off. I have non ABS willy2. any differences would be minor.
A new steering column from renault is about £150.
If you want to go the weld route, you should be able to find someone to do it for £25, you might even get a response on here from someone who has one already welded. fitting can be done by a novice in 2-3 hours. (where are you based?)
I got new front and rear discs for about £100 rear bearings £30 each & £10 each for pressing. You can get them already fitted, cant recall where, someone on here will respond I'm sure.
A full set of pads all round will be less than £100.
For that money you could kit yourself out with all the tools you would need, plus some, and buy the parts with change.

[Wobba]

This is why I never go to a garage anymore:

1. They rip you off.

2. They then **** it up so you end up doing it yourself anyway.

Cocks.

the jobs you mention are easy. the only thing you'll need help with is the front wheel bearing as you will need a press to get it out and put the new one in.

[16v_paddy]

They're all quite easy jobs to do yourself

The only iffy 1 is the front bearing, but the easiest way to do that is buy a new bearing from renault - £50 iirc (all the parts you want are the same as the valver) take the hub off - see my guide and go to a garage with the 2 & ask them to press out the old & press in the new - should only charge you a tenner

[col]

Nice one Paddy ......in fact i was only talkin to some mechanics last week an a geezer came in with a pug bearing to be removed......5mins job done an the bloke walked out £5 lighter but with a smile on his face

[col]

BIG PLUS.........they put new bearing in.....phew!

[MatBrown]

As asked, where are you based as all of that work could be done a lot cheaper.


Mat.

[darkfibre]

Thanks for the advice guys...I'm based in SE London.

The truth is, I am a complete novice. In fact, a complete novice would probably have more experience in doing all this than me.

I love my Williams, I love driving it, and plan to restore it and keep it for ages. That's about as much experience as I've got :(. I'm an IT engineer so that's where my skills lie (unfortunately not in cars).

If anyone is willing to help I am willing to pay. I know you're all an honest bunch.

Just to note, I went to another garage today and he said that I didn't need my rear discs changed (but that was determined via an external 'inspection' looking through the gaps in the speedlines). Not sure if this is enough, but I haven't really got a clue who to believe. Perhaps if someone is willing to lend a hand they can determine at the time whether this part is required or not.

[col]

Some discs have the minimum thickness engraved on them around the edge....on the rears,and on the fronts occasionally

I cleaned mine up with a linisher...........super!