Failed MOT on suspension, need a good mechanic or to sell

cdent · Post by **cdent** » Sat Sep 01, 2018 10:59 am

I have a black 5th gen, 2.2 4WS. I've had it for several years and over that time I've had a fair bit of work done to it (see below) and poured a lot of money into it. I love the car, but I've none of the time, space or expertise to do major work on it myself.

It recently failed its MOT, basically because the suspension is knackered. This is something that's been coming for a long time: the car rattles and clangs in uncomfortable ways despite continuing to handle great. Here's the suspension related stuff from the MOT:

Failed on:

Offside Front Upper Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))
Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))
Nearside Rear Lower Suspension component ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))
Offside Rear Lower Suspension component ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

And some related advisories:

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has slight external damage to the casing (5.3.2 (b))
Offside Rear Shock absorbers has slight external damage to the casing (5.3.2 (b))
Rear Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

According to my usual garage, finding parts for this will be challenging and expensive, if possible at all.

Based on the things I've read in this forum, I suspect my usual garage of lacking in imagination.

So to get to the question: I'm in Cornwall, can anyone recommend a garage or specialist in or near the Southwest that would be interested in taking on this work, including the sourcing of parts? I'm travelling and otherwise stupidly busy with work for the next few months so if it is going to happen, need somebody else to do it.

The other option is selling it to someone who does have the time, energy and expertise to give this thing the proper care.

Some of the things I've had done to it in the past few years:

* new window motors and controller
* new clutch, timing done, new bottom pulley
* addressed rust in rear wheel arches and boot cover
* ignition module, coil, rotor arm
* rear hub replaced
* most of the exhaust and catalytic converter
* rocker cover gasket
* front drop links and cv boots

And usual tyre and brake maintenance.

Selling it would be unfortunate, because whenever I get in any other car I'm reminded of why the prelude is great, but it kind of feels like maybe this one has reached the point where it needs a dedicated carer and I'm not able to do that.

What do you think?

Thanks.

Andyjess666 · Post by **Andyjess666** » Sat Sep 01, 2018 1:50 pm

There be people on here with all them parts mate vanzep or lankysod or they no who have them nothing to major there mate hopefully someone will no a good garage down there

Post by **vanzep** » Sat Sep 01, 2018 3:33 pm

Looking at what its failed on all you need is a pair of top wishbones on the front and new lower ball joints on the rear(both sides)
The front upper wishbones/arms should be easy to sort:
You can buy used but im sure there will be plenty of new aftermarket ones available on ebay for around £60 each - so id estimate cost would be £120 for parts and £80 for labour so £200 in total to fix the front suspension.

The rear lower ball joints are a bit more difficult as the arms would have to be taken off and new ball joints pressed in.
Might be easier if you can find a set of used complete arms with good ball joints.
Id estimate £60-£80 for the parts and maybe £80-£120 for labour.
lankysod or someone else on here might have the complete arms (used)
I only have 4th gen parts here.

firstlude · Post by **firstlude** » Sat Sep 01, 2018 9:39 pm

if you can get the car to me i am happy to do the work for you , my workshop is just off the m5 at j28 ,,

cdent · Post by **cdent** » Wed Sep 05, 2018 9:56 am

firstlude wrote:if you can get the car to me i am happy to do the work for you , my workshop is just off the m5 at j28 ,,

Sent you a PM.

As a general update: I've pretty much decided I'm going to keep the car and try to address the issues piecemeal, if I can find somebody to do the work. I found one likely person near Newquay who, upon discovering that some effort would be required to source the parts said they only do repairs with parts they source from their "usual" suppliers and even if I brought them the parts they wouldn't be interested. So yeah, still looking for an actually helpful and interested garage.

firstlude · Post by **firstlude** » Sat Sep 08, 2018 8:32 pm

just to see how your doing are you wonting to have all the repairs done or just enough to get it moted , also a bump to see if anyone can help out with any parts they have to help out ,

Post by **vanzep** » Sun Sep 09, 2018 12:34 pm

Front upper wishbone arms are on ebay £60/ea Drivers side is Blueprint ADH28637 Passenger side is ADH28636

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-BLUE-PRI ... SwWv5aKt2o

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-BLUE-PRI ... SwttVaKtYI

any garage will be able to supply and fit these Blueprint parts - just give them the part numbers;)
or buy the parts yourself and take them in and ask price for fitting.

Rudelude · Post by **Rudelude** » Fri Sep 14, 2018 8:12 pm

I’m not sure if this is useful to you, but I’m having a load of suspension work done on my type s.. (castor arms, ball joints, tie rod ends, adjustable camber bah blah blah)
At Hondaworx in Tamworth , think it comes under West Midlands or north warwickshire. Luke is sourcing all the parts and fitting them too... if u can get your car to him ? ?
‭07760503405‬ Luke at Hondaworx

cdent · Post by **cdent** » Tue Sep 18, 2018 6:50 pm

Thanks to everyone for the input. I was away last week so haven't made any progress on this, but have a few places to talk to this week. Hopefully something will come of it.

89 UKDM BA4 4WS (resto job!) · Post by **wurlycorner** » Sun Sep 23, 2018 8:23 pm

Rear lower balljoints - from a well known and trusted seller

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/prelude-rear ... xyOM5Rc-au

And all his other prelude suspension joints;
https://www.ebay.co.uk/str/langdon4x4/p ... 2700948017