Eric

I know that changing my transfer case fluid takes me more time than changing
my oil. Probably because I've changed my oil so much, but still... (no it's
not worth $180...)

Eric
99 TJ SE
"DougW" <post.replies@invalid.address> wrote in message
news:gGxWc.59924$wo.14983@okepread06...
> M. E. Bye did pass the time by typing:
> > On Tue, 24 Aug 2004 00:44:49 GMT, Vivek Maddala <vivek@maddala.com>
wrote:
> >
> >> I'm wondering if someone can recommend in a good place in Los Angeles
> >> to service a '98 Jeep Cherokee.
> >> I called Buerge Chrysler Jeep on Santa Monica Blvd., and they quoted
> >> me about $750. (Does this sound high, or does it sound reasonable?)
>
> Another option is to try a dealer in a less pricy neighborhood.
> But I'd try a good local wrencher if your not feeling up to the task.
>
> > A number of years ago when I was due for a major service for my '98
> > Cherokee (now nearing 130K), I called the dealership and was quoted a
> > price of nearly $600. When I called back and recited the specifics
> > from the "A" maintenance schedule, the price dropped dramatically...
> > to around $150.00. Long story short, make sure you know what it is
> > you actually need to have done for your particular mileage interval.
>
> And specifically what you want them to do vs. what you can do yourself
> or have a reputable local mechanic do for way less.
>
> ...
>
> For the most part, those service intervals are a total fabrication
> used to derive profits from uninformed motorists. (pet peeve)
>
> It's like the umpteenbillionpoint check. Tires, yep... Horn, yep..
> Lights, yep... customer has a wallet, yep...
>
>
> Here's a real kicker (and one item that pisses me off for gouging)
> Dealer cost to change my transfer case fluid $180 plus tax, disposal
> fee, effluvial tax... etc. When in reality it's only a couple of bolts,
> a pint of ATF fluid, and shouldn't cost any more than an oil change
> since it takes considerably less time.
>
>
> --
> DougW
>
>

DaveW

DougW wrote:
> M. E. Bye did pass the time by typing:
>
>>On Tue, 24 Aug 2004 00:44:49 GMT, Vivek Maddala <vivek@maddala.com> wrote:
>>
>>
>>>I'm wondering if someone can recommend in a good place in Los Angeles
>>>to service a '98 Jeep Cherokee.
>>>I called Buerge Chrysler Jeep on Santa Monica Blvd., and they quoted
>>>me about $750. (Does this sound high, or does it sound reasonable?)
>
>

Yep, they're a clip joint of the first order. They tried to sell me new
brakes and a whole laundry list of other things that clearly were not
needed when took my XJ in there for a tranny fluid change a couple of
years ago. And to add insult to injury, the pan leaked because several
of the bolts were only finger tight! I only use them for parts and
absolute emergencies these days. Unfortunately, there aren't any other
local dealers around since Claude Short in Santa Monica closed up.

There is a Penske Chrysler Plymouth (and I think Jeep) in Inglewod, and
there is a Jeep dealer on LaBrea.

> Another option is to try a dealer in a less pricy neighborhood.
> But I'd try a good local wrencher if your not feeling up to the task.
>
>

I tend to agree. Any reasonably good sized independant repair shop
should be able to do all that, with the possible exception of the
transmission flush, which I consider silly. A good drain and fill will
do the job unless you are having trouble.

I've had good experiences at the Firestore tire store on Lincoln Blvd.
in Santa Monica, and Jim Van Duesen's shop on Pico and 29th. and what
used to be Jack's Mobil (now J. A. Automotive I think) on Washington
Place. and Centinela. But there are lots of good shops around. Heck, Pep
Boys on Sepulveda could do everything I think. Avoid the Pep Boys on
Pico and Overland. Trust me!

Regards,

DAve

DaveW

DougW wrote:
> M. E. Bye did pass the time by typing:
>
>>On Tue, 24 Aug 2004 00:44:49 GMT, Vivek Maddala <vivek@maddala.com> wrote:
>>
>>
>>>I'm wondering if someone can recommend in a good place in Los Angeles
>>>to service a '98 Jeep Cherokee.
>>>I called Buerge Chrysler Jeep on Santa Monica Blvd., and they quoted
>>>me about $750. (Does this sound high, or does it sound reasonable?)
>
>

Yep, they're a clip joint of the first order. They tried to sell me new
brakes and a whole laundry list of other things that clearly were not
needed when took my XJ in there for a tranny fluid change a couple of
years ago. And to add insult to injury, the pan leaked because several
of the bolts were only finger tight! I only use them for parts and
absolute emergencies these days. Unfortunately, there aren't any other
local dealers around since Claude Short in Santa Monica closed up.

There is a Penske Chrysler Plymouth (and I think Jeep) in Inglewod, and
there is a Jeep dealer on LaBrea.

> Another option is to try a dealer in a less pricy neighborhood.
> But I'd try a good local wrencher if your not feeling up to the task.
>
>

I tend to agree. Any reasonably good sized independant repair shop
should be able to do all that, with the possible exception of the
transmission flush, which I consider silly. A good drain and fill will
do the job unless you are having trouble.

I've had good experiences at the Firestore tire store on Lincoln Blvd.
in Santa Monica, and Jim Van Duesen's shop on Pico and 29th. and what
used to be Jack's Mobil (now J. A. Automotive I think) on Washington
Place. and Centinela. But there are lots of good shops around. Heck, Pep
Boys on Sepulveda could do everything I think. Avoid the Pep Boys on
Pico and Overland. Trust me!

Regards,

DAve

DaveW

DougW wrote:
> M. E. Bye did pass the time by typing:
>
>>On Tue, 24 Aug 2004 00:44:49 GMT, Vivek Maddala <vivek@maddala.com> wrote:
>>
>>
>>>I'm wondering if someone can recommend in a good place in Los Angeles
>>>to service a '98 Jeep Cherokee.
>>>I called Buerge Chrysler Jeep on Santa Monica Blvd., and they quoted
>>>me about $750. (Does this sound high, or does it sound reasonable?)
>
>

Yep, they're a clip joint of the first order. They tried to sell me new
brakes and a whole laundry list of other things that clearly were not
needed when took my XJ in there for a tranny fluid change a couple of
years ago. And to add insult to injury, the pan leaked because several
of the bolts were only finger tight! I only use them for parts and
absolute emergencies these days. Unfortunately, there aren't any other
local dealers around since Claude Short in Santa Monica closed up.

There is a Penske Chrysler Plymouth (and I think Jeep) in Inglewod, and
there is a Jeep dealer on LaBrea.

> Another option is to try a dealer in a less pricy neighborhood.
> But I'd try a good local wrencher if your not feeling up to the task.
>
>

I tend to agree. Any reasonably good sized independant repair shop
should be able to do all that, with the possible exception of the
transmission flush, which I consider silly. A good drain and fill will
do the job unless you are having trouble.

I've had good experiences at the Firestore tire store on Lincoln Blvd.
in Santa Monica, and Jim Van Duesen's shop on Pico and 29th. and what
used to be Jack's Mobil (now J. A. Automotive I think) on Washington
Place. and Centinela. But there are lots of good shops around. Heck, Pep
Boys on Sepulveda could do everything I think. Avoid the Pep Boys on
Pico and Overland. Trust me!

Regards,

DAve

DaveW

DougW wrote:
> M. E. Bye did pass the time by typing:
>
>>On Tue, 24 Aug 2004 00:44:49 GMT, Vivek Maddala <vivek@maddala.com> wrote:
>>
>>
>>>I'm wondering if someone can recommend in a good place in Los Angeles
>>>to service a '98 Jeep Cherokee.
>>>I called Buerge Chrysler Jeep on Santa Monica Blvd., and they quoted
>>>me about $750. (Does this sound high, or does it sound reasonable?)
>
>

Yep, they're a clip joint of the first order. They tried to sell me new
brakes and a whole laundry list of other things that clearly were not
needed when took my XJ in there for a tranny fluid change a couple of
years ago. And to add insult to injury, the pan leaked because several
of the bolts were only finger tight! I only use them for parts and
absolute emergencies these days. Unfortunately, there aren't any other
local dealers around since Claude Short in Santa Monica closed up.

There is a Penske Chrysler Plymouth (and I think Jeep) in Inglewod, and
there is a Jeep dealer on LaBrea.

> Another option is to try a dealer in a less pricy neighborhood.
> But I'd try a good local wrencher if your not feeling up to the task.
>
>

I tend to agree. Any reasonably good sized independant repair shop
should be able to do all that, with the possible exception of the
transmission flush, which I consider silly. A good drain and fill will
do the job unless you are having trouble.

I've had good experiences at the Firestore tire store on Lincoln Blvd.
in Santa Monica, and Jim Van Duesen's shop on Pico and 29th. and what
used to be Jack's Mobil (now J. A. Automotive I think) on Washington
Place. and Centinela. But there are lots of good shops around. Heck, Pep
Boys on Sepulveda could do everything I think. Avoid the Pep Boys on
Pico and Overland. Trust me!

Regards,

DAve