mx5cartalk.com

There is a squeak in the right rear coilover and my mechanic says it will take 3-4 hours to remove and replace.

Is this correct or excessive?

Wipe the rod clean, check the seal at the top of the stanchion and claen that as well and then wipe a little Vaseline around the base of the rod and the top of the seal. Check the bushes as well, they may be polyurethane (Red, Yellow whatever. You no, not black like rubber) Invest in a can of Lanoline, it is a natural lubricant and will not eat rubber or other products.
Greg.

Thanks Greg

How much time just to get them out and in again?

I swapped over all four by myself with a bad back just in my drive in that time!

Sent from my GT-I9100T using Tapatalk

Mechanic reckons that access to the top of the struts is really awkward in an NC, hence the time

Ah my bad ... mine's an NB :/

Sent from my GT-I9100T using Tapatalk

I used to own an NB and from memory the towers were accessible from the boot. In the NC it looks as though the soft top might be in the way, but I'm not sure

This may help how to access ... http://billswebspace.com/FMStage1DIY.htm

Sent from my GT-I9100T using Tapatalk

That's good - thanks. Looks like access is from the boot - take the plastic panels out, get to the top of the strut and then work from underneath. Can't see how it could take 3-4 hours in a workshop with all the gear.

Save yourself some money and semi locate the noise yourself. And 1 hours tops to remove and replace 1 coilover. I have done a whole car (excluding height adjustment in 2h15m before). But mechanics will go slowly and take 4 hours to do all 4.