Death wobble

Hi folks,
Help / advice needed please.
I have a 2006 Jimny with around 78,000 miles on the clock and currently have the dreaded death wobble (between 45 and 50mph).
I got a quote to replace the king pin bearings from my usual garage, who I very much trust, know the car well and have experience of dealing with this issue. They have quoted £715 which sounds like a heck of a lot, especially as I spoke with the 'Jimny' mechanic and he said it would be three hours labour.
So, what is your experience - is this too much? Also, for a very nervous mechanic, is this realistically a job I could do myself? I watched some YouTube videos and it all looked fairly straightforward, but I don't usually do repairs or servicing myself.
Thanks in advance,
RichT

You obviously feel perturbed at the cost you have been quoted and rightly so. I believe you have reached the point with this garage where they believe you have entrusted them with so much work that they believe that they have fully ensnared you and you will pay up without question.
Firstly you need to obtain confirmation that it is the king pins that are at fault and that means checking with other garages. Speak to friends and ask for their opinions on the people they use. Tell us where you are and the forum members may know someone in your area who can assist. There maybe a local member who can check your motor over and advise you as to the problem.

Roger

Thanks Roger,
I am near Petersfield in Hampshire.
Richard

Hi, just done this on osf. The job is not difficult but is messy with all the grease, you'll need plenty of clean rags. King pins were fine as was top bearing but both bearings replaced. Parts, genuine Suzuki hub seal upgraded spec with felt wiper including driveshat oil seal £28 with postage, bearings Koyo HC30302JR from bearing supplier as used by Suzuki without OEM mark up £19 with postage, tub of lithium grease £8. The lower king pin needed a little persuasion easy enough just rotate it a few degrees to present an edge to strike with a drift. Bearings can be driven out with a suitably sized socket. Make sure they are square with cones facing outwards when you come to fit the new ones. Honestly not a bad job if you just take your time.

I'm seeing an increasing number of people throwing more and more parts at what should be a very cheap fix. I've never needed to replace more than the 2 bearings and the driveshaft seal, which comes in at under £30 a side. Start replacing other seals, kingpins, bolts etc and it soon becomes a lot more expensive.

Thanks folks. A little update - the reason why the quote was so much more than I was expecting was because it included replacing the four king pins themselves, which thinking back the mechanic had said he wouldn't usually do but I had said whilst he was there it would be a good idea, without realising the cost of the replacement king pins. Without the replacement king pins the likely cost would be around £400 which covered parts and 3 hours labour including VAT, so not so bad.