Thread: P38 at the mechanics

What needs to be done?

Brake pads and even rotors are one of the easiest P38 tasks if you have some basic tools (apart from the evil disk retaining screw). Given the number of things that can (and do) go wrong on these beasts most owners are the 'get your hands dirty' types so wouldn't use a mechanic for this job.

However, if you have to go to a mechanic just make sure that they understand that the axles are only supported by the shock absorbers if the chassis is lifted and wheels allowed to hang. This should be OK but if somebody has fitted longer shocks there's a chance of pulling the air springs apart and breaking off the position sensors, these's also a possibility of pulling the flexible brake pipes out of the calipers and damaging the cables to the ABS sensors.

If your bags are in good condition it's not a problem, provided they either dissconnsct the battery, or leave a door /tailgate open.

I've had mine on a chassis hoist many times with no issue.

If you are nervous about it, just tell them the car IS NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES to be lifted by the chassis. If they're not okay with this, go somewhere else. They do not neex to lift the car anyway to replace pads and discs.