We took the car into a Mitsubishi dealership for a service today (30 000 one), with a few problems we wanted fixed, one in particular a horrible judder that the car makes, mainly when you are turning right and in 1st gear. We have been told various things, it could be clutch judder, and something in the gear box might be stuffing up. Anyhow, we took it in today and they've told us that since we have lowered it and put 18 inch rims on it, the suspension is all out of wack and not lining up properly and we have to return the car to standard, as the factory suspension can't handly being lowered.
As we had organised for the car to be lowered through the sales guy at the dealership, we're now asking why he never told us this. They are trying to sort it out, but at the same time, are telling us that the only solution is to return the car to standard and also have hinted that we might be voiding our warranty.
Any suggestions/help anyone? Thanks!!!

I think your case is simple, if you can show proof that the dealership authorized the lowering but without informing you of the problem, you simple say to them that the dealership have lowered your car without knowing that it could damage the stock shocks and now the stock shocks are damaged so ask for new shocks that will handle the vehicle being lowered. else seek legal advice and take them to court. Only go that far if you have proof that the dealership authorized the lowering without informing you. and if the dealership won't fix it for you, seek legal advice. Should turn out good i think, you'll probably end up with set of good shocks because of their bad decision.

it has nothing to do with the shocks. what sort of springs are they? there was a post not long ago about how you have to line up these guide hole things when you get king springs or they dont sit properly and can move around, which it sounds like is happening here. i think the shear weight in numbers of guys on here who have lowered there magnas with no hassles blows his theorys out of the water. and whats with the comment about the rim size!!! the tyre guy should have been smart enough to fit the correct tyres so your rim size wont make one shread of a difference! id take it to an independant suspension place for one of those saftey checks they do. they will give you a better idea of the problem, and remember it could be something completely different that the dealership is trying to get out of fixing. i put these guys right up there with lawyers, insurance companies and the devil!!!

As far i know lowering your magna dosent void your warranty :) why because,

your shocks , springs , brakes, brakes pads, tyres , rims etc are simply not covered by warranty as they come under normal wear and tear.

and i have seen many dealers in melbourne selling TJ and TH's which are lowered, got 17" and body kits.

As far i know lowering your magna dosent void your warranty :) why because,

your shocks , springs , brakes, brakes pads, tyres , rims etc are simply not covered by warranty as they come under normal wear and tear.

and i have seen many dealers in melbourne selling TJ and TH's which are lowered, got 17" and body kits.

Not true; all mentioned components are warranted against manufacturing defect, it is only if the reason for failure is determined to be wear and tear that there is no coverage. The only exception for almost all car manufacturers is tyres, which are seldom covered at all.

Magna2002, in reference to your query it is often the case that if you have modified the car then in order to diagnose the true problem, part of the process is to restore vehicle to factory specification with the original components. This is of course provided that warranty is not "voided" as such. If the sales dept has fitted aftermarket springs for you it is something the dealership will need to provide a warranty for; Mitsubishi itself does not have any equity in the matter at all.

Magna2002,

As was mentioned this is an issue that you will have to take up with the dealer first before MMAL. As Mitsubishi could probably make a strong case for not honouring their warranty as the car has been modded. But you did buy the car in good faith from one of their dealers and it appears that if they have misled you. Stick to your guns and insist that the dealer sort out the problem. They are probably hesitant to rectify the problem as it may not be covered under warranty and hence will mean they will have to foot the bill instead oof MMAL.
They should not have left the same shocks (I prefer the term dampers) in with lowered springs. Sure you get the desired look, but it will be detrimental to the handling. Stock dampers cannot cope with the higher resonant frequecies of shorter springs. I know of a couple of mates that have lowered their cars and not had different dampers put in. Hence more time and money spent rectifying the situation.

Nigel

We took the car into a Mitsubishi dealership for a service today (30 000 one), with a few problems we wanted fixed, one in particular a horrible judder that the car makes, mainly when you are turning right and in 1st gear. We have been told various things, it could be clutch judder, and something in the gear box might be stuffing up. Anyhow, we took it in today and they've told us that since we have lowered it and put 18 inch rims on it, the suspension is all out of wack and not lining up properly and we have to return the car to standard, as the factory suspension can't handly being lowered.
As we had organised for the car to be lowered through the sales guy at the dealership, we're now asking why he never told us this. They are trying to sort it out, but at the same time, are telling us that the only solution is to return the car to standard and also have hinted that we might be voiding our warranty.
Any suggestions/help anyone? Thanks!!!
Man that's F$^%%^ up!
Which Dealer did u go thru???
Cause if they did it for u-lowerin-,they have no right to do the whole void ur Warranty thing :cry:
If they try to persist,Go straight to the Ministry of Fair Trading,and if ya wanna Give them a bit orf a Scare Tell them,Cause then they'r probably more inclined to sort out the problem,cause they don't want to be investigated By 'em 8)
Do not let them walk all over u,cause it happens all the time :evil:
Good Luck 8)

Magna2002,


They should not have left the same shocks (I prefer the term dampers) in with lowered springs.
Nigel

Likewise, but then no one knows that the hell I'm referring to!!! :roll: It's like how people call wheels "rims"

If you have a fairly new car there is no problem with leaving the stock shocks, it is better to go new of course but not essensial.

Huh ? Your clutch is slipping so they blame the shorter suspension springs ?

Please explain.

Take your car to a reputable suspension shop and have them take a look at it for a independant opinion.

See if John up in Wheels World will look at it for you or try Wilkensons in Bayswater.

Both very good shops and I've used them in the past.

Do u HAVE to change ur shocks when u lower ur car? I didnt think so. I ahve a 99 magna with 125kms. I was told that they dont need to be replaced. Im gonna lower the car 1 1/4 inch

The main reasons for changeing them is either age or to try and match the new spring rate with the dampers.
At 125000 I would be changing them while they are out.