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I asked how it got done so fast, being that the labor was 2.3 hours. They said they used the recommended labor in their reference book... Well I guess I got screwed... Hmph. Damned Haines manual.
That is how all shops do it, they charge the labor rates based on shop manuals. So if the job calls for 2.3 hours and they do it in 30 minutes they still charge 2.3 hours thats why i do all of my own wrenching.
One thing a shop manual doesnt account for is the experience of the person doing the work and the short cuts that can be taken to speed the job up. You also pay for the convenience of having someone else taking care of your problem.
I'll just take it as a learning experience, meaning FIND INTERNET AND CHECK IN WITH FTE BEFORE PULLING OUT CHECK BOOK! ! !
Two things had me at a disadvantage, one being the combo of ignorance, a crappy manual and no medium to become informed. The other being that I was stranded in a strange town with extreme temperatures with my trailer hooked to the truck and an unhappy wife... I was limited on choices, although I must say that if I knew then what I know now I would have probably tried to save my already stressed finances with a wrench.
Thanks for all your replies guys...
But one more thing before I move on here. Early on in this thread, someone posted that the Ford alternators are junk? That is the opposite of what they told me at Ford (of course). I'm not blaming them, btw, just trying to get more information on that. I'm personally not a fan of Autozone and/or Oreilys alternators (which were my choices where I was stranded) as I have found them to be unreliable. If I can't trust the Ford alternator, then please advise me or a viable alternative. Where would I find a quality, reliable replacement... Just in case I have to do this again anytime.
I asked how it got done so fast, being that the labor was 2.3 hours. They said they used the recommended labor in their reference book... Well I guess I got screwed... Hmph. Damned Haines manual.
BUd I have the same manual Im thinking and it really for the 7.3L
I had dealer do mine once 500.00$$ thought I had warrenty
when you said radiator come out I figured you had 2 Alts???????
I was in your shoes once I was Pssed off to I could had the Biggest and Badest DC Power alternator out there
This wont help either the reman I got from Ford lasted less the n 5K and went 13months didnt drive much Boy was I pissed Never again so yes Ford Reman ALts are JUNK
You dont need the tensioner tool Either Iv released belt by hand and flip up the kickstand
Now I do it how Cheezit showed me too peice of CAKE
DC POWER ALL THE WAY you wont ever have to do it again
The book that he bought said the radiator needed to be pulled
I hear ya man. No worries. The shop the OP used did not do anything illegal, only took advantage when given the opportunity.
I look at it from the perspective of the business plan for my shop. The same exact job on a Porsche 911 turbo according to shop hours and parts is $1400-$1500 (no joke - anything with Porsche on it is triple in price). I would never charge a customer that amount when it takes me the same amount of skill and time as it does for my F250. I like my customers coming back and most of them are relatively intelligent, so they want a good deal.
If most people are willing to pay the book time, then they would easily go to the dealership as opposed to an indy with less warranty..
I just got back a couple of weeks ago from a trip, towing my 12k fifth wheel and the alternator went out and left me stranded. I shut down the truck and camped out in Victorville, California as I didn't want to put any more stress on the FICM than necessary. I bought a repair manual and it said the radiator and clutch fan needed to come out to change the alternator. I really didn't want to go through a radiator pull on the side of the road in 106* temperatures so I waited till the Ford dealership opened Monday morning to have them do it...
They had me back on the road in about an hour but the labor bill was for 2.3 hours as they said they had an apprentice assistant help out...
My question is, did they really have to pull the radiator out to do this job? I find it amazing that they got it done that quickly. The only reason I am asking is simply so that if this should happen again I can make a more informed decision to either do it myself or pay a shop. The dealership charged me $614, including a Ford alternator.
Another question. Is an authentic Ford alternator worth the additional cost, compared to an aftermarket? I have heard that the aftermarket ones tend to not last too long.
Thanks, T
This is probably one of the easiest things to do on these trucks...
Just disconnect plug and main charge cable, take out the 3 bolts on top holding the alternator in place and tilt the alternator forward, remove belt. Installation is reverse of removal..... just did an alternator swap a few months ago and literally took less than 10 minutes.... you don't even need to worry about the tensioner and it's little kickstand.
Lots of dealerships, probably the vast majority, charge book rate. The book says 2.3, they charge 2.3, the mechanic gets paid 2.3, and if he beats the time he makes more $ per hour. If you want to get charged actual, then you take the risk that something breaks and it takes 5 hours, not 2.3. In the OP's case, they put two tech's on the job, one of them an apprentice, and got it done in an hour. Good for them to give you such great service!
If the book rate says 2.3 hours, and they charged you 2.3 hours, you've got nothing to complain about.
Why does the book say it takes 2.3 hours? First of all, sh|t happens. But more importantly, you're paying for diagnosing the problem, load testing the batteries, cleaning cables and connectors, pulling the alt from stock, returning the core, etc. It is far more than just pulling the bolts and slipping the belt.
Do it yourself, or pay the book rate. Simple and no room for complaints.
The shop helper story was just a way to answer a question that should never have been asked. I guess they could have let you sit in the waiting room for an extra 1.3 hours, just to avoid having to answer.
The shop helper story was just a way to answer a question that should never have been asked.
I'm sure you didn't mean that the way it reads Bill.
I believe the customer has the right to enquire about products used, why it was done a particular way, why it cost what it did/does, and why it took so long or was completed so quick.
I'm sure you didn't mean that the way it reads Bill.
I believe the customer has the right to enquire about products used, why it was done a particular way, why it cost what it did/does, and why it took so long or was completed so quick.
Not sure how it was taken. But what I meant was, you owe them the book rate. If the tech busts his *** and gets your truck back to you in an hour, I think it is rude to ask "why did you charge me 2.3hr when you only had it for 1hr." They clearly were rushing it through because your trip was interrupted. A simple thank-you should suffice.
Of course, all this assumes you were given an accurate estimate before the work was begun. In CA they are required by law to do that. So the time for the questions you suggest is before the work begins.
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