Rear shocks - D4 - 3 tonne van

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Originally Posted by Tombie

My last service was $550 btw. Genuine filters and oil.

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Not bad. I've got a receipt sitting here for my recent service - $742 all inclusive.
But then it was back in there a week later for a new water pump, costing another $584 (installed). They identified a leak during the service.

They've also tested my batteries and found -
Cranking battery (Varta) - 971 CCA
Auxiliary battery (Optima) - 278 CCA
and have recommended that I replace the Optima (quoted $591). I haven't done anything about this yet - will probably look around to see what options are available and what prices.

All done at the local ARB shop - which is also the licenced RAC service centre - and the owners are Land Rover fanatics. The only thing they could not do on the day was re-set the service warning message on the dash. It took a day or two for their tech to find out how to do it, and when he rang me to get the vehicle back in there for a couple of minutes to re-set it, I told him that I had already done it at home using the GAP tool.

They are the only business in Kalgoorlie I would take my Disco to, plus an owner / operator tyre place in Boulder. He also knows a fair bit about Land Rovers, including the need to put them in TTM for wheel alignment etc. He won't do wheel alignments on these vehicles unless the owner has access to a GAP tool or similar, and can put the vehicle in TTM for the procedure (he has used mine for a couple of his regular clients' vehicles).

For my next service (~130,000 km) I think I'll probably have to go down to Perth, as the transmission service and new sump should be about due. Will do a bit of checking up on this, but not sure who to take it to. Until the most recent service, all work on this D4 has been done by the dealer I bought it from (Barbagallo). I have never had any problem with their work and service - but they are not cheap. And they do provide a loan vehicle, which is a significant factor for me to consider, as I need wheels to get around in when I am down in Perth.

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Originally Posted by BMKal

...They've also tested my batteries and found -
Cranking battery (Varta) - 971 CCA
Auxiliary battery (Optima) - 278 CCA
and have recommended that I replace the Optima (quoted $591). I haven't done anything about this yet - will probably look around to see what options are available and what prices.

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Spent yesterday sorting out some cranking battery issues I have had over the last couple of months. Long story short - cranking battery (Varta) would seem all OK then suddenly die. Charge and repeat the behaviour. After charging and resting for 24 hours I could never get it to fail on my own battery load tester (100 amp).

Finally sick of it after another flat battery Tuesday night. Charged it and took it in to where I bought it ~12 months ago (Goodchild). They load tested it and say it's OK but the young fellow testing it says his a bit confused about things because the Varta is only rated at 850 CCA and tester says its got 950 CCA.

So another load tester is found and it's again pronounced good. I ague the toss a bit and yet another load tester is produced. And it passes again. The boss says I must have some sort of intermittent parasitic current draw to experience the behaviour I report so it can't be the battery.

Then right on cue the dash lights up with a low battery warning, the load tester is hooked up again and the battery falls on it's arse big time. So a new battery is dropped in under warranty.

All bit off topic but thought I'd mention it because my Varta was load tested at 950 CCA too and 30 - 40 mins later it's pronounced defective.

And BTW, last Yellow Top I bought at Goodchild was $299. Bought it at the some time I bought the Varta ~12 months ago so I'd give them a call for a price before forking out ~$600. You could drive to Perth and back and still be in front for that sort of money.

Edit: If you have a valid WA seniors card you will get 10% off that too.

Brian, definitely give Goodchild Enterprises a call 94177033 they are in Pusey rd,Cockburn.Global Automatics 94343718 down the road from them in Barrington St did the flush on my vehicle using Lifeguard6 oil bought from Repco.I bought the steel sump on ebay from furious performance.If you are in Osborne Park try Precision Automatics 92011269 for the flush,walking distance from Barbagallos in Ruse St.

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Originally Posted by Ferret

And BTW, last Yellow Top I bought at Goodchild was $299. Bought it at the some time I bought the Varta ~12 months ago so I'd give them a call for a price before forking out ~$600. You could drive to Perth and back and still be in front for that sort of money.

Edit: If you have a valid WA seniors card you will get 10% off that too.

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Originally Posted by eddy

Brian, definitely give Goodchild Enterprises a call 94177033 they are in Pusey rd,Cockburn.Global Automatics 94343718 down the road from them in Barrington St did the flush on my vehicle using Lifeguard6 oil bought from Repco.I bought the steel sump on ebay from furious performance.If you are in Osborne Park try Precision Automatics 92011269 for the flush,walking distance from Barbagallos in Ruse St.

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Thanks for that. All good options. I think I will definitely leave the Optima until I go down to Perth for next service - it is still working OK on the odd occasion that I need it and have the fridge in the car (I also have an Engel battery pack in the back with the fridge) so there is no rush to replace the Optima immediately. Definitely more attractive than paying the "Kalgoorlie Tax" on a replacement battery. I have only recently replaced the cranking battery with a Varta, purchased on line from a supplier recommended on here. Very happy with that - it is performing way better than the el-cheapo that was in previously.

And as for a valid WA seniors card ................... I'm not that old - yet. At least I don't think I am - how old do you need to be to get one of these ???

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Originally Posted by BMKal

And as for a valid WA seniors card ................... I'm not that old - yet. At least I don't think I am - how old do you need to be to get one of these ???

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WA Seniors Card Eligibility


GoodChild 10% off Battery Products

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Originally Posted by Ferret

WA Seniors Card Eligibility


GoodChild 10% off Battery Products

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Thanks for that. Only a few months to go and I will be eligible, at least on the age side of things. And I'm sure I can arrange my work so that I meet the requirement on weekly hours worked by then too. So, looks like a new battery in December or early in the new year, and hopefully get a bit knocked off my rates and water bills next year as well. [bigsmile]