Suspension overhaul for Zen - Team-BHP

skidrock · 20th January 2006, 13:59

Hi everybody,
I have a stock 2001 MPFi Zen (63k). Offlate it's suspension started making noise
and feels very weak compared to other zens and nowhere near a new Alto. So
I had been planning to overhaul it's suspension. Today I took it to a Bosch servicing
center (Fansa Motors) and asked for their opinion and estimate of expenses.

They simply sent a guy to take a test ride of my car. He took the car around a block where road
was not in good condition. He reported that almost entire front suspension
and major parts of rear suspension need to be changed. Then some elder person
showed me diagrams of those parts from Zen Workshop manual.

I asked him, if we could use any 'better than stock' spares
to improve the feel beyond a new Zen. He said that can't be done normally and
he will use 'AC Delco' shocks for front which are better than MGP.

When asked him about the estimate of expenses, he said it could be approximately 10k.
Upon asking for split
Front suspesion setup 'each' side = Rs 2400/-
That would be Rs 5000/-
Rear suspesion setup in total another Rs 2000/-
Labour charges Rs 1500/-
Wheel alignment and balancing - Rs 350/-
Washing and cleaning - Rs 250/-
More as they see any othre parts need to be replaced.

And it would take them 1- 1.5 days for them to finish the job.

Thinking of checking at other places before giving it there, I left from there.

What do you guys think? Are the charges Ok?
Shall I get this job done at my regular garage instead?
Could I do any more to improve it's suspension to be as good as that of a new Alto?

Your comments would be very helpful.

Thanks in advance

speedsatya · 20th January 2006, 14:18

wat about teh tie rods ,the lower arms ...also change the stabiliser bar bushes in teh front ...they must have also worn out ...when they are worn you hear the tire rubbing against the body ..

and what about teh rear suspension ????what are you changing ?????

gary_yuen42 · 21st January 2006, 23:50

If you have the tools and time, do it yourself, as changing suspensions shouldn't be hard just need a bit of patient from my experience. However the tracking leave that to the garage as that needed their special equipment. That way you may save some expenses.

nitrous · 22nd January 2006, 00:44

Dude, u cant just drive around and say what all has gone stale in the suspension.They have to remove the whole setup,then check and replace if necessary has to be done.

angelfire · 22nd January 2006, 07:46

hey... ask the garage people to first hoist the car on the lift and then check for any damage.....a suspension consists 0f a lot of things actly.....specially the front ones...nd they dont fail unless constantnly used on rough terrains...usually its the bushes that wear out....just get it checked properly...nd replace only if needed....

killjoy · 23rd January 2006, 09:14

for zen, if you dont mind a slightly harder ride at low speeds, then ideally, you can stiffen the front stock struts and use zen diesel springs and for the rear, use stiffened gypsy struts with the same springs. really good if you want to do autocross and stuff.

skidrock · 23rd January 2006, 10:34

Thanks for all the replies guys. Busy right now, will get suspension thoroughly checked by my mech.

Quote:

Originally Posted by killjoy

for zen, if you dont mind a slightly harder ride at low speeds, then ideally, you can stiffen the front stock struts and use zen diesel springs and for the rear, use stiffened gypsy struts with the same springs. really good if you want to do autocross and stuff.

I don't really want a stiff setup, but my zen's suspension feels too weak/loose.
I just want to bring to the level of new Zen, still better, to that of an Alto, if possible

nitrous · 23rd January 2006, 11:14

When u rehaul the suspension, she'll be a little tight and will loosen up after a few hundred kms.Its normal. I've done umpteen suspension rehauls on my cars that i've lost count.

vark2551 · 29th August 2006, 16:41

ive done a lot of suspension work on my zen too. punes tough on any car, though i must say the zen starts rattles and squeaks in six months no matter how much hard earned moola or TLC you can sink into it.

hellspawn · 6th September 2006, 03:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by vark2551

ive done a lot of suspension work on my zen too. punes tough on any car, though i must say the zen starts rattles and squeaks in six months no matter how much hard earned moola or TLC you can sink into it.

my zen started rattling and squeaking just one week after i got the suspension work done.
@skidrock:also get your steering column checked.if the steering has developed a play in it,it needs to be changed too.it would cost approx. 3000 bucks.

20th January 2006, 13:59	#1 (permalink)
skidrock Newbie Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 40	Suspension overhaul for Zen Hi everybody, I have a stock 2001 MPFi Zen (63k). Offlate it's suspension started making noise and feels very weak compared to other zens and nowhere near a new Alto. So I had been planning to overhaul it's suspension. Today I took it to a Bosch servicing center (Fansa Motors) and asked for their opinion and estimate of expenses. They simply sent a guy to take a test ride of my car. He took the car around a block where road was not in good condition. He reported that almost entire front suspension and major parts of rear suspension need to be changed. Then some elder person showed me diagrams of those parts from Zen Workshop manual. I asked him, if we could use any 'better than stock' spares to improve the feel beyond a new Zen. He said that can't be done normally and he will use 'AC Delco' shocks for front which are better than MGP. When asked him about the estimate of expenses, he said it could be approximately 10k. Upon asking for split Front suspesion setup 'each' side = Rs 2400/- That would be Rs 5000/- Rear suspesion setup in total another Rs 2000/- Labour charges Rs 1500/- Wheel alignment and balancing - Rs 350/- Washing and cleaning - Rs 250/- More as they see any othre parts need to be replaced. And it would take them 1- 1.5 days for them to finish the job. Thinking of checking at other places before giving it there, I left from there. What do you guys think? Are the charges Ok? Shall I get this job done at my regular garage instead? Could I do any more to improve it's suspension to be as good as that of a new Alto? Your comments would be very helpful. Thanks in advance

22nd January 2006, 00:44	#4 (permalink)
nitrous Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2004 Location: Motorcity Madras Posts: 4,375 View My Garage	Dude, u cant just drive around and say what all has gone stale in the suspension.They have to remove the whole setup,then check and replace if necessary has to be done. __________________ youtube.com/watch?v=FiVicNOA3bY

23rd January 2006, 09:14	#6 (permalink)
killjoy BHPian Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Bangalore, India Posts: 269	for zen, if you dont mind a slightly harder ride at low speeds, then ideally, you can stiffen the front stock struts and use zen diesel springs and for the rear, use stiffened gypsy struts with the same springs. really good if you want to do autocross and stuff. __________________ Profession: IT Career: Motorsports

23rd January 2006, 11:14	#8 (permalink)
nitrous Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2004 Location: Motorcity Madras Posts: 4,375 View My Garage	When u rehaul the suspension, she'll be a little tight and will loosen up after a few hundred kms.Its normal. I've done umpteen suspension rehauls on my cars that i've lost count. __________________ youtube.com/watch?v=FiVicNOA3bY

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Maruti 800 Suspension Overhaul COST!!!	jramprakash	Technical Stuff	5	15th August 2008 15:54
Suspension Overhaul - Ohc 1.5	narayan	Technical Stuff	27	5th May 2008 15:25
zen di engine head overhaul	zenopio	Technical Stuff	5	22nd February 2008 13:56
Suspension upgrades for Zen.	speedsatya	Modifications & Accessories	0	30th May 2005 23:05
carb zen suspension options?	heavy_foot	Technical Stuff	14	15th May 2005 11:59

20th January 2006, 14:18	#2 (permalink)
speedsatya BANNED Join Date: May 2004 Location: bangalore Posts: 1,882 View My Garage	wat about teh tie rods ,the lower arms ...also change the stabiliser bar bushes in teh front ...they must have also worn out ...when they are worn you hear the tire rubbing against the body .. and what about teh rear suspension ????what are you changing ?????

21st January 2006, 23:50	#3 (permalink)
gary_yuen42 Newbie Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Glasgow, UK Posts: 30	If you have the tools and time, do it yourself, as changing suspensions shouldn't be hard just need a bit of patient from my experience. However the tracking leave that to the garage as that needed their special equipment. That way you may save some expenses.

22nd January 2006, 07:46	#5 (permalink)
angelfire BHPian Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Mangalore Posts: 242 View My Garage	hey... ask the garage people to first hoist the car on the lift and then check for any damage.....a suspension consists 0f a lot of things actly.....specially the front ones...nd they dont fail unless constantnly used on rough terrains...usually its the bushes that wear out....just get it checked properly...nd replace only if needed....

29th August 2006, 16:41	#9 (permalink)
vark2551 Newbie Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Pune Posts: 4	ive done a lot of suspension work on my zen too. punes tough on any car, though i must say the zen starts rattles and squeaks in six months no matter how much hard earned moola or TLC you can sink into it.