Automobile REPAIRS - Page 2

x Hedge · ‎08-18-2016

I use an excellent, trustworthy independent auto repair shop. It's a lot of work to find a place that does a good job for a fair price, and doesn't exploit those who don't know anything about cars.

My husband did auto repair for fun, in his spare time. He and his friends restored classic cars for an auto museum, and rebuilt classics for street & track racing. For a short time he was teaching auto repair in night school plus working his 'real' job during the day.

He insisted I know enough about cars so no mechanic could ever double-talk and bamboozle me into unnecessary repairs.

I had a mechanic trying to convince me I needed an expensive repair. My car was up on a hoist. (there were certain repairs my husband would rather pay someone else to do.)

I walked under my car to look at what the mechanics wanted to fix. I said That's a 15¢ piece of hose, and you want to charge me hundreds to replace it?!!

My husband was so proud of me!

Scooby Doo · ‎03-14-2010

Is that $200 for just turning the old rotors? The dealer may be quoting for new rotors.

Midas may charge you more when they tell you that your rotors are too far gone to just turn them. If you are getting vibration you probably need new rotors.

Brakes and rotors are basic repairs. Every car tech probably starts out by doing those repairs and changing out batteries. My grandson is a tech at Midas. He trained at a small repair shop for 5 years before working at Midas. I wouldn't have a problem with him doing those repairs. More complicated diagnosis would have me going to the dealer.

x Hedge · ‎08-18-2016

Since Midas is a chain franchise, your experience will only be as good as that location's manager.

If he staffs the place with unqualified buddies, or is unwilling to cut out the incompetent mechanic, you may have a lousy outcome ... while the Midas 10 miles away has well trained, honest, careful staff.

Just saying, you can't judge a chain, good or bad, by any one place.

fourpaws56 · ‎03-04-2015

What is the make of your car? Normally the front brakes have rotors and pads, rear brakes have drums and shoes. If the rotors or drums are not too far gone, they can be resurfaced for about 40 dollars a piece , but definitely the pads or shoes need replaced...I would find a local repair shop that is ASE certified and get a quote.

CrazyDaisy · ‎03-20-2010

You may be comparing apples and oranges. Do not think you can just replace the rotors, there are other parts (and labor) involved in a brake job. The dealer may be giving you a complete price while Midas may not. You are not even sure the problem is the rotors.

Someday, when scientists discover the center of the Universe....some people will be disappointed it is not them.

mimomof4 · ‎03-08-2018

Dealerships charge a higher labor rate. I have been able to negotiate with my local dealer. When they quote me a price for a list of repairs, anytime I respond with i will do all or X # of those repairs for $X, they always work within the amount i have told them. On the other hand my hubby will just accept whatever price is quoted to him and never questions it.

That being said, I do also have a local repair shop that has been in business for years and offers excellent service which i will take my vehicles to. Their prices are always lower than a dealership, however, i may have to wait a few days before they have an available appointment.

Lipstickdiva · ‎03-10-2010

About a year ago my car needed brakes all the way around and new rotors. The dealership found the problem when they were doing an oil change and tire rotation. They quoted me very close to $800.00 to do new brakes and rotors.

Drum brakes are pretty archaeic aren't they? I didn't think most cars had drum brakes anymore. I thought most had disc brakes and rotors.

nun ya · ‎03-09-2010

Just reading thread makes me appreciate my husband, the gearhead

Lipstickdiva · ‎03-10-2010

@nun ya wrote:
Just reading thread makes me appreciate my husband, the gearhead

My DH is a gearhead too and he can do some work but cars now with all the computers are pretty much out of range for him.

He was able to do my brakes and rotors and nearly flipped a lid when I told him what the dealership wanted to charge me. But he said there is no way he can fix the oil leak i have because of where it's located. I wasn't happy about that. LOL

nun ya · ‎03-09-2010

@Lipstickdiva wrote:
@nun ya wrote:
Just reading thread makes me appreciate my husband, the gearhead
My DH is a gearhead too and he can do some work but cars now with all the computers are pretty much out of range for him.

He was able to do my brakes and rotors and nearly flipped a lid when I told him what the dealership wanted to charge me. But he said there is no way he can fix the oil leak i have because of where it's located. I wasn't happy about that. LOL

Yep. Mine can do repairs but not all on the computerized stuff. I just broke a spring on my strut...thankfully on my street. The tire was rubbing the inner fender and literally burning rubber immediately after it happened. I went to the parts store where he does business and bought 2 new strut assemblies while he was at work. He put them on in in maybe an hr. It would have cost way more than the $160 I spent on parts.

My daughter's car was acting up. She took it to the dealership. They couldn't find anything wrong but tried to sell her a battery. For $268. He would have flipped his lid over that one LOL. I drove her car to the parts store, bought one for 1/2 that price and they installed it