Re: Help wanted to repair a Ford Ka. Macpherson strut upper attachment
 

The spring compressor is to used to release the tension so you can get the strut out. On some cars you don't need to do this as whilst the strut is in one piece there's not enough range for it to be a problem, if you disconnect at the bottom near the wheel - not sure if this is one, my Focus I *don't think* was, but an old E30 BMW did allow it. The Focus I think wanted to stretch too far so I couldn't get the wishbone to drop far enough.

Anyway spring compressors are only about £10 to buy - they are just pairs of clamps - go check Halfords or Ebay or similar :)

Re: Help wanted to repair a Ford Ka. Macpherson strut upper attachment
 

Btw I did look at prices for new springs, struts, etc, Ford is pretty cheap, I suspect £40 is for the whole strut inc spring. Check out this for an example of prices http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/New-LH-Front-S...d=p3286.c0.m14

Re: Help wanted to repair a Ford Ka. Macpherson strut upper attachment
 

Right peeps I have the parts. I have a bag with what looks like a big rubber donut in and a small metal cased rubber ring. I think I can get them singularly from Ford. Does this sound right and if so which is the part that normally goes. They cost nearly £40 for the lot from Eurocarparts but I don't want to replace the bits I don't need too, hence maybe getting the parts on their own from Ford.

Re: Help wanted to repair a Ford Ka. Macpherson strut upper attachment
 

Blimey!

They'd have to be absolutely Fecked to fail an MOT.

Be careful folks, there is a distinct lack of work at the moment in the Motor-trade, so "some" people may be a tad "over-enthusiastic" about whats a pass and whats a fail.

Ford Ka's do suffer with this like VW Polos.

When they are under load, the play goes away.

To change them you do need to compress the springs, only to take the pressure off of the Top-Mount.

Re: Help wanted to repair a Ford Ka. Macpherson strut upper attachment
 

I advise people to take their cars to somewhere which only does MOT's, that way they're providing one service and not fishing for work.

Re: Help wanted to repair a Ford Ka. Macpherson strut upper attachment
 

Well here's what happened:

On Thursday I went to get a spring compressor. Only place I could find one and it was £30 so I didn't bother as we'd only save £20 plus I thought the garage would waive the partial re-test fee.

On the Saturday Sarah's Mum and Dad dropped the car off to have the work done. When it came time to pick it up the garage caled and I told her Dad to ask how much "£150" the fella said. I went with her to pick it up and we told them she had been quoted £90 so they made some excuse, apologised and brought it down to £90 + vat. The bloody cheek. I was shaking in my boots but ready to argue the toss.

So there we go. In future I'll get any quotes in writing.