Date: Wed, 11 Apr 2007 21:39:24 -0400
Reply-To: pdooley <psdooley@VERIZON.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: pdooley <psdooley@VERIZON.NET>
Subject: Re: Repair bill reality check?
In-Reply-To: <BAY101-F13E5D7879C126D0C034863A05F0@phx.gbl>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
For anyone to say rubber is "rubber" and doesn't make a difference is
totally ignorant.
Rubber is a material just like steel or glass, and material quality varies
from manufacture to manufacture.
I have installed new rubber strut bearings made in India and watched them
fail is less than 3 months. I have seen the rubber boots on Chinese tie
rods and ball joints crack and leak grease in less than a year.
Heck, just today people on the list are talking about "rubber" NAPA hoses
failing in 2 years. That pretty much proves "rubber" is not just "rubber".
The fact that the gentleman was the owner/operator just gives me less faith
in the average repair shop.
Trust me, there is a lot of junk out there. Take the advice of others and
buy from a list vendor.
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Dave Vickery
Sent: Wednesday, April 11, 2007 12:39 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Repair bill reality check?
I brought my syncro in for alignment to a new place (First place a VW dealer
couldn't get it right). This guys seems trustworthy from a gut reaction.
He is an owner/operator and focuses on 4wd rigs. He said there are some
issues before it can be alignined. About 150K on this Arizona van, probably
all original stuff up there but van is in great condition overall.
"Left and right lower ball joints. Left worse than right, but right not far
behind" $208/pr plus labor
"Upper strut bushings & steering rack bushings, $110 plus labor" I did see
that those look like dry rotted tires. he said they are very mushy or lots
of play, don't recall specifics.
Total about $1200 for parts and labor including the alignment.
I asked about using German parts, he said bushing are rubber so it wouldn't
make a difference and the ball joints are Moo or Moot brand or something
that sounds like that and he said they are superior to OEM. I asked if he
was confortable working on a vanagon or should I take it to a VW specific
shop. He said it was all pretty straight forward stuff and what he does.
Anyone have experience with this or have input before I spend that much $.
Thanks very much,
Dave in Denver
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