so might be easy for you, but not for my husband. He has a complete knee replacement and 4 rods in his neck. Those 4 rods are there to replace the 4 titanium screws, in his neck, that broke after 14 years of driving a gas tanker. Thanks guys

 

$1200 at the dealership honestly doesn't surprise me. I agree that it's extremely expensive, but this way you know it's warranteed. Your husband's safety's worth it. Glad you got it fixed. I'd hate to see that sweet EX go away. I agree with the other member, you might want to use a local mechanic instead of the dealer if you have a decent one nearby, in the future. I paid a shop $200 to install a $120 fuel pump and $100 19-gal. fuel tank in my '96 F150. Granted, I only get part warrantees if something goes bad.

 

That's not where I was going. What I was saying was the dealer screwed you. When I was at the dealer we never did anything like that.

 

OK, solid reason to shop the work out, but THAT dealer is way too expensive for this simple job. How many hours labor did they charge you?
I stand by my recommendation to search out and use a local independent shop for your needed repairs vs that dealer. And/or make some friends here, this community is very helpful and you might find a nearby member who would be willing to help you out with some work, if you were local I would be happy to spin a wrench every now and then to help a new friend out.

 

Was the tow included in the bill or was it paid for separately?

 

considering the circumstances, the husband couldn't physically do the work right now, the truck broke down on the road and was not able to go shop different mechanics for a better rate. I don't see anything wrong paying the dealer what she had to get back on the road.

shrtmem, start asking friends and family for a local mechanic that is good and give them a shot at your next oil change and see how they do. it will be good for you to get to know a local mechanic to avoid your dealer.

good luck

 

Guys, in light of this info, and especially because the horse has been beat like a snare drum in the hands of John Bonham, let's not keep posting in a way that might be taken like we're...well...beating a dead horse! I know that isn't anybody's intent, but when it keeps coming, that's the way it can seem. We're here to help and I think this might be causing a little bit of a pinch everytime she reads all the admonishments.

Thank you, gentlemen.

Stewart

 

I take mine to the dealer for 90% of the work that needs done. Can I do the work myself, maybe but I am lazy and dont want to. The extra I spend for someone else to do it will save my blood pressure, stress level, children's ears from my sailor talk, and will save me from countless bruises and cuts on my knuckles, elbows, head, knees, and any other body part that feels the need to bang the nearest part in such a eay that makes me want to turn into the Hulk and smash everything in site.

That does seem like a very high bill. I take mine to a dealer about 35 min away and price wise they are decent and they stand behind their work. The dealer 5 min from me is expensive, slow turn around times and their diesel tech doesnt seem to know what he is doing half the time.

Moral of the story; some dealers are great and some suck certain Donkey Kong appendages. In the words of.Kevin Spacey "If you want to run a marathon, you need to be prepared to bandaid some nipples."

...and you thought this post was going to be useful and informative because it was long and had several paragraphs that gave the impression of a well written article...haha, the jokes on you.

 

Man, and it aint even April.



Stewart