Mechanic Rip off?

[papasmerf]

Yaa these day's one has to be really careful with Mechanics, Plumbers, and few other blue collar independent workers they really rip you off once they smell that the client has no knowledge of the problem for which he as been called to render his services.
Therefore its much safer to book your car with a dealer or a known workshop where you are not ripped-off, same goes if you call an unknown plumber to your house he would surely rip you off, these day's its a new way of scaming people the legal way

Feel free to do it yourself and save money.

 

[roadhog]

Stinky, you haven't told us exactly what they did. What does it say on the bill?? If they replaced the entire wiring harness, then that would explain why it took all day.

 

[tboy]

Feel free to do it yourself and save money.

Yeah, this brings to mind the old adage:

A little knowledge, and less skill = disaster.

I wonder how many house fires and car accidents have been caused by people trying things they have no right to be trying?

 

[james t kirk]

Well brakes. I wouldn't even TOUCH them unless you have a really REALLY good thorough knowledge of what you're doing. I mean, if you fuck them up, you are risking your life!

Hamster: how do you turn your rotors and drums? If you don't turn them, that's probably why you have to go with ceramic pads because I bet the asbestos or composite pads were wearing out rather fast weren't they?

I also bet if you don't turn your rotors your stopping distance is reduced as well due to the reduced contact patch.

I also think that one should be able to SPELL brakes before attempting to replace them!!! (sorry, couldn't let that one go by without saying SOMEthing lol)

Turning is not usually something I would recommend.

If the rotors are warped, or burnt, or whatever - replace them. Back in the 70's when disk brakes were hitting the market in large numbers, most NA cars had rotors with a machined in centre hub that used needle bearing cages and as a result were very expensive (that machined centre hub). I remember my parents had a 77 Monte Carlo and the rotors for that thing were $200.00 each. That's like $500.00 each today.

Todays rotors (for the most part) simply are plates that press up against a sealed bearing unit. As a result, rotors are fairly cheap. (You can get rotors for your average shit box from CTC for anywhere from $40.00 to $100.00.

Turning rotors? Don't bother. Replace them.

As far as rear drums go, they generally don't require turning ever.


If you original rotors and drums are still within spec (i.e. they are not too thin) then simply replace the pads and be on your way. Machining rotors or drums is a thing of the past or unscrupulous mechanics who have rotor lathes and convince unknowing customers that their rotors need turning in order to charge for it (then probably don't even do it anyway).

 

[HAMSTER INSPECTOR]

Well brakes. I wouldn't even TOUCH them unless you have a really REALLY good thorough knowledge of what you're doing. I mean, if you fuck them up, you are risking your life!

Hamster: how do you turn your rotors and drums? If you don't turn them, that's probably why you have to go with ceramic pads because I bet the asbestos or composite pads were wearing out rather fast weren't they?

I also bet if you don't turn your rotors your stopping distance is reduced as well due to the reduced contact patch.

I also think that one should be able to SPELL brakes before attempting to replace them!!! (sorry, couldn't let that one go by without saying SOMEthing lol)

You can have your rotors turned if you want to spend almost the same price as buying new rotors. Its just cheaper to put new ones on.

The regular pads I got with the car new lasted 18 months on my last car before I changed to ceramic. I have a new car now and it will probably go about the same amount of time. The ceramic pads I put on my last car lasted till I traded the car . They will last 40 to 60 K and are quit easy on the rotors.
Since ceramic brake pads are easy on the rotors, they do not get wavy as much as with regular brake pads.

BTW - Regular brake pads these days are not asbestos, that material is banned. Regular brake pads are made of organic materials and sometimes mixed with metal fibers and particles like aluminium or copper. These brake pads will give off black particles that discolor your wheel rims. Ceramic pads do not and they last much longer.

I do apoligise for mispelling brakes the first time, but I did get it right the second time. After all I do not have as much idle time as you do to make over 14,000 post, and to proof read them all.

 

[tboy]

Turning or not, the rotors have to be flat and true. If they aren't? Braking performance will be reduced.

As for "disposable" rotors and drums, true, many today are cheap enough to simply replace but have you priced out some for performance cars? I seem to recall someone mentioning rotors for a late model corvette are upwards of $1200.00. If the rotor can be re-used by machining them flat, then why not?

As for how they're constructed, true, they used to have the bearing race machined into the rotor and now the rotors simply bolt on. But they aren't cheap and can easily be machined if there is any usuable life left in them. I know my F150 rotors were something like $300.00 a piece. I asked if they could be machined instead of replaced and the mechanic said there wasn't much life left on them (120,000 kms). Seems the new(er) ones are designed to wear along with the pads or some such thing.

As for drums: again, if the face isn't 100% flat and round, reduced brake performance is a result.

But hey, don't take my word for it, y'all go out to your nearest napa, grab yerself a big hammer and have at it....

Just don't come crying back here when you rear end someone on the 401 because you fucked up your brakes.....

Funny: P smerf says "go ahead, give it a shot" in this thread, when it involves stopping a 2 ton vehicle but says "call a pro" when it comes to electrical.......BOTh can kill you if done incorrectly.

 

[gentle_lover]

Fuck. Today was my day off, and I spent the ENTIRE day at the garage.

I brought my car in at 9, and it was done at 4. What a fucking waste of time. I waited there because I was told it would be done in only a few hours.


To make matters, worse, I don't even know what they did. The warning light that's shapd like an engine (usually goes on if you don't tighten the fuel cap tight) kept staying on. They told me that some wires were chewed by an animal that got inside the engine.

How the hell does it take seven hours to put in a new wire?? WTF? To top it off, they charged me $400. I'm furious.

don't you have your regular mechanics? Keeping a good relationship with your mechanic is very important. It will save you a lot of money in the long run. It's worth it. Plus, I always stay where my car is while my mechanic is working on it. This way I learn more about car and I can see what he is doing. He doesn't mind it and he always pro-actively show me what kind of problem I have. I know I will never go to another mechanic.
Take my advice. Find a good mechanic that you feel good about, and stay with him.

 

[Bill the Pirate]

Yes, they told me three hours.

Without giving up too much personal information lets just say I spent over 10 years in this industry and have been on both sides of the repair counter.

In my Humble Opinion........ the garage screwed it up by not properly preparing you for the job at hand. Electrical repairs are very hard to diagnose and almost impossible to accurately quote.

A good mechanic can make himself look good by giving you quick quality service for a reasonable price. The same mechanic working on your electrical wiring problem can look like a complete idiot trying to trace the problem wire.

We used to drill into our franchisees that this is where the service manager needs to be more professional. This is the kind of work that the shop should never let you wait for or let you watch while they do it. Explain to you the problems inherent with wiring problems both from a time and a cost standpoint and offer you a ride home. If you then elect to stay and watch then at least you know what your getting yourself into.

The Service manager of this garage just cost his shop both a future customer and what he really should have made on the job in the first place.

 

[KBear]

I’d also be pissed if I sat there all day, and at the end was given a $400 bill and shown a chewed wire. But as others have said, finding that chewed wire can be very time consuming, and frustrating.

I mostly drop the car off at night to be worked on the next day if the repair will take some hours. Most smaller repairs I do myself.

 

[hairyfucker]

.....Funny: P smerf says "go ahead, give it a shot" in this thread, when it involves stopping a 2 ton vehicle but says "call a pro" when it comes to electrical.......BOTh can kill you if done incorrectly.

A brake job is fairly straightforward and can be done by someone with basic mechanical knowledge and skills. I have been doing my own brakes since I was a weee hair. As you point out, maintaining the rotor/drum is as important as just the pads/shoes. Since we are getting so picky, I would also point out that the hardware and bushings are just as important to address. When I do my brakes I examine all the parts including the caliper and may poke around further to the CV joint and such.

I know where Tboy is coming from (sadly) but I also believe that if you do not have knowledge of your car or other item that you are asking for help on you are prepositioned to be screwed. I personally believe when you ask a pro to fix an item on your car, such as brakes, they will fix it but may ignore the broken, leaking, worn, or damaged item next to it unless they feel that it will not upset you to know that too.

I good mechanic is able to point these things out to you and suggest your best options without undue stress. A bad mechanic will not or will try to screw you for some easy but pricy work. This is why the dynamic that we are reading here exists.

Me, since I don not know much about my tool I will be calling a Pro tonight.

thanks - try the veal.

 

[Cycleguy007]

Sorry... I just can't resist...

I do apoligise for mispelling brakes the first time, but I did get it right the second time. After all I do not have as much idle time as you do to make over 14,000 post, and to proof read them all.

apoligise - apologize

mispelling - misspelling

 

[tboy]

don't you just hate it when you sort of agree with me? man that must hurt!

BTW: the veal sucks, try the soup!!!!

 

[HAMSTER INSPECTOR]

A bad mechanic will not work in your best interest, if his garage is full he will rush the job and not tell you about nessesary repairs and let you go out with a car with worn parts. His priority is to make as much money as quickly as possible.

 

[HAMSTER INSPECTOR]

apoligise - apologize

mispelling - misspelling

You guys must have grown up in the era where the nun in the black habit whacks your knuckles with a yardstick for MISS SPELLING a word.
I grew up after the dark ages, where people complain that the Yung'uns do not know how to spell or write properly.

 

[WoodPeckr]

Yeah, this brings to mind the old adage:

A little knowledge, and less skill = disaster.

I wonder how many house fires and car accidents have been caused by people trying things they have no right to be trying?

Excellent point.
DIY will save you serious money but you have to know what you are doing in the first place. If you don't you will waste both time and money when you fark things up and end up having to take it in to a real mechanic anyways.

 

[Cycleguy007]

You say that like its a "bad" thing...

You guys must have grown up in the era where the nun in the black habit whacks your knuckles with a yardstick for MISS SPELLING a word.
I grew up after the dark ages, where people complain that the Yung'uns do not know how to spell or write properly.

Hee hee

 

[james t kirk]

Turning or not, the rotors have to be flat and true. If they aren't? Braking performance will be reduced.

As for "disposable" rotors and drums, true, many today are cheap enough to simply replace but have you priced out some for performance cars? I seem to recall someone mentioning rotors for a late model corvette are upwards of $1200.00. If the rotor can be re-used by machining them flat, then why not?

As for how they're constructed, true, they used to have the bearing race machined into the rotor and now the rotors simply bolt on. But they aren't cheap and can easily be machined if there is any usuable life left in them. I know my F150 rotors were something like $300.00 a piece. I asked if they could be machined instead of replaced and the mechanic said there wasn't much life left on them (120,000 kms). Seems the new(er) ones are designed to wear along with the pads or some such thing.

As for drums: again, if the face isn't 100% flat and round, reduced brake performance is a result.

But hey, don't take my word for it, y'all go out to your nearest napa, grab yerself a big hammer and have at it....

Just don't come crying back here when you rear end someone on the 401 because you fucked up your brakes.....

Funny: P smerf says "go ahead, give it a shot" in this thread, when it involves stopping a 2 ton vehicle but says "call a pro" when it comes to electrical.......BOTh can kill you if done incorrectly.

If the rotors are warped, you're going to know it when the car vibrates (sometimes severely) when you hit the brakes.

If not warped, and the rotors are still within spec, then there is absolutely no need to machine them.

In my line of thinking, you either replace rotors, or you repad. No need for machining - ever.

I agree with hairyfucker as well. Caliper pins should be cleaned and lubed. If there are bushings in the caliper, they should be replaced as well. (Assuming of course that the calipers are the fairly common single piston and not the more costly dual piston, or even 4 piston variety.

The beauty of disk brakes is how incredibly simple and easy to fix they are.

 

[HAMSTER INSPECTOR]

OMG CG,

You have painted fantasy memories of Sister Agatha in your mind. This is how she looked like in 1964.

BTW - Do you still claim to have a fabulous collection of exotic cars and are married to a fashion model?

 

[Cycleguy007]

OMG CG,

You have painted fantasy memories of Sister Agatha in your mind. This is how she looked like in 1964.

BTW - Do you still claim to have a fabulous collection of exotic cars and are married to a fashion model?

I was born in 1964, so I have no recollection of Sister Agatha...

I never claimed to have any exotic cars, I drive a Honda Truck, and I have a real awesome bike... oh, and Mrs. CG did model wedding gowns once upon a time before I met her!