Elise S1 Ball Joints

[wbloo]

The gaiters on the above have split and the car has failed it's MOT.  Does anyone know if replacing the gaiters only will get it through the MOT or is it necessary to replace the ball joints?  The local dealers are quoting around £600 to replace both the front ones.  Is this the going rate or does anyone know of a Lotus mechanic in the area who may be able to complete the job any cheaper?

[jody391]

Wow! Yeah needs doing mate I'm in ruddington and would do it for far less than that!! PM if interested.

Specialist and deal prices are way to high mate.

Is it all or?...

[danwebster]

Shit the bed, 600 quid to do 2 ball joints!?

 

For 600 quid i'd change all 8 of your ball joints, all 4 wheel bearings, your track rod ends and your anti roll bar drop links!!

[AlanS1]

Are you sure that they can actually fail on just the gaiters being split?

Like the above posts £600 is absolutely ridiculous.

[Dennis]

Yes they can, but £600!!! Get the tool from Elise parts and it will take you an hour to do both sides

[DeanB]

Just take it to Gav at Unit 4 in Burton and leave it there. Gav will sort it and it won't cost anything like £600. And you will have peace of mind knowing it has been done properly by a Lotus main agent trained technician with 13 odd years experience.

[r339xjw]

main dealer in leicester wont even charge that much!!!  ian from there in on mloc and they give mloc discount

[wbloo]

Hi All

Thanks for the useful info.  Sorry, I should have mentioned it's all four front ones and it was Stratstone's, Leic. who quoted the £600!

Really, does it only take an hour to do with that special tool?  We live near Oakham so weighing up the possibilities.  There is a place in Spalding, Kelvedon and Monster in Loughborough and Spyder Cars, Peterborough.  Anyone have any info on those or on anyone else within about 40 miles?

[r339xjw]

pm sent

[Dennis]

I have used kelsport, they were good but not cheap and yes with the tool the ball joints are dead easy

[wbloo]

Just to let you know Kelvedon, Spalding, repaired the joints, covers etc and charged around half of the figure Stratstone's quoted, even with a discount!  Impressed!  Thanks for all your suggestions though!  It was useful to get your opinions on the quote!

[jody391]

Good news mate glad it's all sorted

[DeanB]

Good to know Kelvedon did a good job. Haven't they been a Lotus specialist for absolutely ages? I like to hear that these staunch Lotus supporting firms are still doing the business.

[cjwjames]

Hi alan

Yes mate cars can fail on split gatters i had it happen to me on one side of my honda a couple of years ago

[Dennis]

Good to know Kelvedon did a good job. Haven't they been a Lotus specialist for absolutely ages? I like to hear that these staunch Lotus supporting firms are still doing the business.

They are that well thought of by the factory that they are the only I dependant that can do lotus warranty work (or that was what I heard)