Stephen Cowell

"GA" <gg@gg.ca> wrote in message news:ZbUFe.4810$q23.775071@news20.bellglobal.com.. .
> Hi everyone,
>
> I brought my Jeep TJ (97) in for an oil change today and they told me there
> are a couple of things I would need done quite soon on it:
> 1) Front and Rear differential service, liquid is dirty... as far as I
> understood that meant drain everything there is to drain, clean it, reseal
> it and pour in the new fluid... for a grand total of $352 (Canadian);
> 2) The steering damper is leaking (not sure exactly what this is... some
> pictures would be nice), replace it for a grand total of $291;
> 3) Brake fluid is dirty, brake fluid flush for ~ $120;

IMO, they saw you coming... you're getting bent
over.

> What do you guys think? Are those reasonable prices? Could I do any of
> those myself? Are all of them necessary?

I'd never let anyone else do these things... and when
a shop comes up with stuff like this, I wonder if
they did the contaminating themselves. $300 to change
two diff's fluid? Criminal! This can be done without
dropping the cover... the fluid can be sucked out with a
hose.

What kind of shop is this? Jiffy-Lube clone, or
reputable local establishment? If you aren't a
mechanic, you need to start a good relationship
with one.
__
Steve
..

Ruel Smith

"GA" <gg@gg.ca> wrote in message
news:ZbUFe.4810$q23.775071@news20.bellglobal.com.. .
> Hi everyone,
>
> I brought my Jeep TJ (97) in for an oil change today and they told me
> there
> are a couple of things I would need done quite soon on it:
> 1) Front and Rear differential service, liquid is dirty... as far as I
> understood that meant drain everything there is to drain, clean it, reseal
> it and pour in the new fluid... for a grand total of $352 (Canadian);
> 2) The steering damper is leaking (not sure exactly what this is... some
> pictures would be nice), replace it for a grand total of $291;
> 3) Brake fluid is dirty, brake fluid flush for ~ $120;
>
> What do you guys think? Are those reasonable prices? Could I do any of
> those myself? Are all of them necessary?

I actually had the front and rear diff's fluid changed, oil changed, and the
transmission and transfer case for about $400 US from a dealership. I now do
it myself. It's not hard. Simply get a Chilton's manual for your Jeep and
follow the directions. Remember that limited slip axles require special
additive lube for the differential. Then it's just the cost of some fluid
and some silicone gasket maker (and possibly limited slip lube additive).

Brake fluid change is easy. Get a cheap brake bleeding kit and a helpful
friend and bleed them until the fluid is completely new. Save the $... Make
sure to use a flare fitting wrench that grips almost all the way around the
nut to make sure you don't round it off.

Steering damper is a little difficult to change on your own because of a
tapered bolt that holds it in. A pickle fork attached to an air chissle
wouln't even break mine loose. We had to get out the oxy-acetelyne torch and
heat it up. A propane torch wouln't do. I'm not sure about maybe a MAPP
gas/oxygen kit... Essentially, it's a shock that is mounted sideways accross
your front steering assembly. It must have a bad seal and is leaking oil.
It's not an expensive item, around $50 US, but it's not easy to get the old
one out because of that nasty tapered bolt. If you know someone with an
oxy-acetelyne torch and they know how to use it, get them to remove it for
you (don't cut it out, just heat it up to knock it out), drive it home and
bolt your new one up in your driveway and save some $...

Don't know how to do any of these items? Get a Chilton's manual... Haynes it
also decent.

Ruel Smith

"GA" <gg@gg.ca> wrote in message
news:ZbUFe.4810$q23.775071@news20.bellglobal.com.. .
> Hi everyone,
>
> I brought my Jeep TJ (97) in for an oil change today and they told me
> there
> are a couple of things I would need done quite soon on it:
> 1) Front and Rear differential service, liquid is dirty... as far as I
> understood that meant drain everything there is to drain, clean it, reseal
> it and pour in the new fluid... for a grand total of $352 (Canadian);
> 2) The steering damper is leaking (not sure exactly what this is... some
> pictures would be nice), replace it for a grand total of $291;
> 3) Brake fluid is dirty, brake fluid flush for ~ $120;
>
> What do you guys think? Are those reasonable prices? Could I do any of
> those myself? Are all of them necessary?

I actually had the front and rear diff's fluid changed, oil changed, and the
transmission and transfer case for about $400 US from a dealership. I now do
it myself. It's not hard. Simply get a Chilton's manual for your Jeep and
follow the directions. Remember that limited slip axles require special
additive lube for the differential. Then it's just the cost of some fluid
and some silicone gasket maker (and possibly limited slip lube additive).

Brake fluid change is easy. Get a cheap brake bleeding kit and a helpful
friend and bleed them until the fluid is completely new. Save the $... Make
sure to use a flare fitting wrench that grips almost all the way around the
nut to make sure you don't round it off.

Steering damper is a little difficult to change on your own because of a
tapered bolt that holds it in. A pickle fork attached to an air chissle
wouln't even break mine loose. We had to get out the oxy-acetelyne torch and
heat it up. A propane torch wouln't do. I'm not sure about maybe a MAPP
gas/oxygen kit... Essentially, it's a shock that is mounted sideways accross
your front steering assembly. It must have a bad seal and is leaking oil.
It's not an expensive item, around $50 US, but it's not easy to get the old
one out because of that nasty tapered bolt. If you know someone with an
oxy-acetelyne torch and they know how to use it, get them to remove it for
you (don't cut it out, just heat it up to knock it out), drive it home and
bolt your new one up in your driveway and save some $...

Don't know how to do any of these items? Get a Chilton's manual... Haynes it
also decent.

Ruel Smith

"GA" <gg@gg.ca> wrote in message
news:ZbUFe.4810$q23.775071@news20.bellglobal.com.. .
> Hi everyone,
>
> I brought my Jeep TJ (97) in for an oil change today and they told me
> there
> are a couple of things I would need done quite soon on it:
> 1) Front and Rear differential service, liquid is dirty... as far as I
> understood that meant drain everything there is to drain, clean it, reseal
> it and pour in the new fluid... for a grand total of $352 (Canadian);
> 2) The steering damper is leaking (not sure exactly what this is... some
> pictures would be nice), replace it for a grand total of $291;
> 3) Brake fluid is dirty, brake fluid flush for ~ $120;
>
> What do you guys think? Are those reasonable prices? Could I do any of
> those myself? Are all of them necessary?

I actually had the front and rear diff's fluid changed, oil changed, and the
transmission and transfer case for about $400 US from a dealership. I now do
it myself. It's not hard. Simply get a Chilton's manual for your Jeep and
follow the directions. Remember that limited slip axles require special
additive lube for the differential. Then it's just the cost of some fluid
and some silicone gasket maker (and possibly limited slip lube additive).

Brake fluid change is easy. Get a cheap brake bleeding kit and a helpful
friend and bleed them until the fluid is completely new. Save the $... Make
sure to use a flare fitting wrench that grips almost all the way around the
nut to make sure you don't round it off.

Steering damper is a little difficult to change on your own because of a
tapered bolt that holds it in. A pickle fork attached to an air chissle
wouln't even break mine loose. We had to get out the oxy-acetelyne torch and
heat it up. A propane torch wouln't do. I'm not sure about maybe a MAPP
gas/oxygen kit... Essentially, it's a shock that is mounted sideways accross
your front steering assembly. It must have a bad seal and is leaking oil.
It's not an expensive item, around $50 US, but it's not easy to get the old
one out because of that nasty tapered bolt. If you know someone with an
oxy-acetelyne torch and they know how to use it, get them to remove it for
you (don't cut it out, just heat it up to knock it out), drive it home and
bolt your new one up in your driveway and save some $...

Don't know how to do any of these items? Get a Chilton's manual... Haynes it
also decent.

Ruel Smith

"GA" <gg@gg.ca> wrote in message
news:ZbUFe.4810$q23.775071@news20.bellglobal.com.. .
> Hi everyone,
>
> I brought my Jeep TJ (97) in for an oil change today and they told me
> there
> are a couple of things I would need done quite soon on it:
> 1) Front and Rear differential service, liquid is dirty... as far as I
> understood that meant drain everything there is to drain, clean it, reseal
> it and pour in the new fluid... for a grand total of $352 (Canadian);
> 2) The steering damper is leaking (not sure exactly what this is... some
> pictures would be nice), replace it for a grand total of $291;
> 3) Brake fluid is dirty, brake fluid flush for ~ $120;
>
> What do you guys think? Are those reasonable prices? Could I do any of
> those myself? Are all of them necessary?

I actually had the front and rear diff's fluid changed, oil changed, and the
transmission and transfer case for about $400 US from a dealership. I now do
it myself. It's not hard. Simply get a Chilton's manual for your Jeep and
follow the directions. Remember that limited slip axles require special
additive lube for the differential. Then it's just the cost of some fluid
and some silicone gasket maker (and possibly limited slip lube additive).

Brake fluid change is easy. Get a cheap brake bleeding kit and a helpful
friend and bleed them until the fluid is completely new. Save the $... Make
sure to use a flare fitting wrench that grips almost all the way around the
nut to make sure you don't round it off.

Steering damper is a little difficult to change on your own because of a
tapered bolt that holds it in. A pickle fork attached to an air chissle
wouln't even break mine loose. We had to get out the oxy-acetelyne torch and
heat it up. A propane torch wouln't do. I'm not sure about maybe a MAPP
gas/oxygen kit... Essentially, it's a shock that is mounted sideways accross
your front steering assembly. It must have a bad seal and is leaking oil.
It's not an expensive item, around $50 US, but it's not easy to get the old
one out because of that nasty tapered bolt. If you know someone with an
oxy-acetelyne torch and they know how to use it, get them to remove it for
you (don't cut it out, just heat it up to knock it out), drive it home and
bolt your new one up in your driveway and save some $...

Don't know how to do any of these items? Get a Chilton's manual... Haynes it
also decent.

GA

Thanks to all for the advice!
I'll try and do some of this on my own...

Joe.

"Ruel Smith" <NoWay@NoWhere.com> wrote in message
news:31bc1$42e84f7d$453dab9f$16965@FUSE.NET...
>
> "GA" <gg@gg.ca> wrote in message
> news:ZbUFe.4810$q23.775071@news20.bellglobal.com.. .
> > Hi everyone,
> >
> > I brought my Jeep TJ (97) in for an oil change today and they told me
> > there
> > are a couple of things I would need done quite soon on it:
> > 1) Front and Rear differential service, liquid is dirty... as far as I
> > understood that meant drain everything there is to drain, clean it,
reseal
> > it and pour in the new fluid... for a grand total of $352 (Canadian);
> > 2) The steering damper is leaking (not sure exactly what this is... some
> > pictures would be nice), replace it for a grand total of $291;
> > 3) Brake fluid is dirty, brake fluid flush for ~ $120;
> >
> > What do you guys think? Are those reasonable prices? Could I do any of
> > those myself? Are all of them necessary?
>
> I actually had the front and rear diff's fluid changed, oil changed, and
the
> transmission and transfer case for about $400 US from a dealership. I now
do
> it myself. It's not hard. Simply get a Chilton's manual for your Jeep and
> follow the directions. Remember that limited slip axles require special
> additive lube for the differential. Then it's just the cost of some fluid
> and some silicone gasket maker (and possibly limited slip lube additive).
>
> Brake fluid change is easy. Get a cheap brake bleeding kit and a helpful
> friend and bleed them until the fluid is completely new. Save the $...
Make
> sure to use a flare fitting wrench that grips almost all the way around
the
> nut to make sure you don't round it off.
>
> Steering damper is a little difficult to change on your own because of a
> tapered bolt that holds it in. A pickle fork attached to an air chissle
> wouln't even break mine loose. We had to get out the oxy-acetelyne torch
and
> heat it up. A propane torch wouln't do. I'm not sure about maybe a MAPP
> gas/oxygen kit... Essentially, it's a shock that is mounted sideways
accross
> your front steering assembly. It must have a bad seal and is leaking oil.
> It's not an expensive item, around $50 US, but it's not easy to get the
old
> one out because of that nasty tapered bolt. If you know someone with an
> oxy-acetelyne torch and they know how to use it, get them to remove it for
> you (don't cut it out, just heat it up to knock it out), drive it home and
> bolt your new one up in your driveway and save some $...
>
> Don't know how to do any of these items? Get a Chilton's manual... Haynes
it
> also decent.
>
>

GA

Thanks to all for the advice!
I'll try and do some of this on my own...

Joe.

"Ruel Smith" <NoWay@NoWhere.com> wrote in message
news:31bc1$42e84f7d$453dab9f$16965@FUSE.NET...
>
> "GA" <gg@gg.ca> wrote in message
> news:ZbUFe.4810$q23.775071@news20.bellglobal.com.. .
> > Hi everyone,
> >
> > I brought my Jeep TJ (97) in for an oil change today and they told me
> > there
> > are a couple of things I would need done quite soon on it:
> > 1) Front and Rear differential service, liquid is dirty... as far as I
> > understood that meant drain everything there is to drain, clean it,
reseal
> > it and pour in the new fluid... for a grand total of $352 (Canadian);
> > 2) The steering damper is leaking (not sure exactly what this is... some
> > pictures would be nice), replace it for a grand total of $291;
> > 3) Brake fluid is dirty, brake fluid flush for ~ $120;
> >
> > What do you guys think? Are those reasonable prices? Could I do any of
> > those myself? Are all of them necessary?
>
> I actually had the front and rear diff's fluid changed, oil changed, and
the
> transmission and transfer case for about $400 US from a dealership. I now
do
> it myself. It's not hard. Simply get a Chilton's manual for your Jeep and
> follow the directions. Remember that limited slip axles require special
> additive lube for the differential. Then it's just the cost of some fluid
> and some silicone gasket maker (and possibly limited slip lube additive).
>
> Brake fluid change is easy. Get a cheap brake bleeding kit and a helpful
> friend and bleed them until the fluid is completely new. Save the $...
Make
> sure to use a flare fitting wrench that grips almost all the way around
the
> nut to make sure you don't round it off.
>
> Steering damper is a little difficult to change on your own because of a
> tapered bolt that holds it in. A pickle fork attached to an air chissle
> wouln't even break mine loose. We had to get out the oxy-acetelyne torch
and
> heat it up. A propane torch wouln't do. I'm not sure about maybe a MAPP
> gas/oxygen kit... Essentially, it's a shock that is mounted sideways
accross
> your front steering assembly. It must have a bad seal and is leaking oil.
> It's not an expensive item, around $50 US, but it's not easy to get the
old
> one out because of that nasty tapered bolt. If you know someone with an
> oxy-acetelyne torch and they know how to use it, get them to remove it for
> you (don't cut it out, just heat it up to knock it out), drive it home and
> bolt your new one up in your driveway and save some $...
>
> Don't know how to do any of these items? Get a Chilton's manual... Haynes
it
> also decent.
>
>

GA

Thanks to all for the advice!
I'll try and do some of this on my own...

Joe.

"Ruel Smith" <NoWay@NoWhere.com> wrote in message
news:31bc1$42e84f7d$453dab9f$16965@FUSE.NET...
>
> "GA" <gg@gg.ca> wrote in message
> news:ZbUFe.4810$q23.775071@news20.bellglobal.com.. .
> > Hi everyone,
> >
> > I brought my Jeep TJ (97) in for an oil change today and they told me
> > there
> > are a couple of things I would need done quite soon on it:
> > 1) Front and Rear differential service, liquid is dirty... as far as I
> > understood that meant drain everything there is to drain, clean it,
reseal
> > it and pour in the new fluid... for a grand total of $352 (Canadian);
> > 2) The steering damper is leaking (not sure exactly what this is... some
> > pictures would be nice), replace it for a grand total of $291;
> > 3) Brake fluid is dirty, brake fluid flush for ~ $120;
> >
> > What do you guys think? Are those reasonable prices? Could I do any of
> > those myself? Are all of them necessary?
>
> I actually had the front and rear diff's fluid changed, oil changed, and
the
> transmission and transfer case for about $400 US from a dealership. I now
do
> it myself. It's not hard. Simply get a Chilton's manual for your Jeep and
> follow the directions. Remember that limited slip axles require special
> additive lube for the differential. Then it's just the cost of some fluid
> and some silicone gasket maker (and possibly limited slip lube additive).
>
> Brake fluid change is easy. Get a cheap brake bleeding kit and a helpful
> friend and bleed them until the fluid is completely new. Save the $...
Make
> sure to use a flare fitting wrench that grips almost all the way around
the
> nut to make sure you don't round it off.
>
> Steering damper is a little difficult to change on your own because of a
> tapered bolt that holds it in. A pickle fork attached to an air chissle
> wouln't even break mine loose. We had to get out the oxy-acetelyne torch
and
> heat it up. A propane torch wouln't do. I'm not sure about maybe a MAPP
> gas/oxygen kit... Essentially, it's a shock that is mounted sideways
accross
> your front steering assembly. It must have a bad seal and is leaking oil.
> It's not an expensive item, around $50 US, but it's not easy to get the
old
> one out because of that nasty tapered bolt. If you know someone with an
> oxy-acetelyne torch and they know how to use it, get them to remove it for
> you (don't cut it out, just heat it up to knock it out), drive it home and
> bolt your new one up in your driveway and save some $...
>
> Don't know how to do any of these items? Get a Chilton's manual... Haynes
it
> also decent.
>
>

GA

Thanks to all for the advice!
I'll try and do some of this on my own...

Joe.

"Ruel Smith" <NoWay@NoWhere.com> wrote in message
news:31bc1$42e84f7d$453dab9f$16965@FUSE.NET...
>
> "GA" <gg@gg.ca> wrote in message
> news:ZbUFe.4810$q23.775071@news20.bellglobal.com.. .
> > Hi everyone,
> >
> > I brought my Jeep TJ (97) in for an oil change today and they told me
> > there
> > are a couple of things I would need done quite soon on it:
> > 1) Front and Rear differential service, liquid is dirty... as far as I
> > understood that meant drain everything there is to drain, clean it,
reseal
> > it and pour in the new fluid... for a grand total of $352 (Canadian);
> > 2) The steering damper is leaking (not sure exactly what this is... some
> > pictures would be nice), replace it for a grand total of $291;
> > 3) Brake fluid is dirty, brake fluid flush for ~ $120;
> >
> > What do you guys think? Are those reasonable prices? Could I do any of
> > those myself? Are all of them necessary?
>
> I actually had the front and rear diff's fluid changed, oil changed, and
the
> transmission and transfer case for about $400 US from a dealership. I now
do
> it myself. It's not hard. Simply get a Chilton's manual for your Jeep and
> follow the directions. Remember that limited slip axles require special
> additive lube for the differential. Then it's just the cost of some fluid
> and some silicone gasket maker (and possibly limited slip lube additive).
>
> Brake fluid change is easy. Get a cheap brake bleeding kit and a helpful
> friend and bleed them until the fluid is completely new. Save the $...
Make
> sure to use a flare fitting wrench that grips almost all the way around
the
> nut to make sure you don't round it off.
>
> Steering damper is a little difficult to change on your own because of a
> tapered bolt that holds it in. A pickle fork attached to an air chissle
> wouln't even break mine loose. We had to get out the oxy-acetelyne torch
and
> heat it up. A propane torch wouln't do. I'm not sure about maybe a MAPP
> gas/oxygen kit... Essentially, it's a shock that is mounted sideways
accross
> your front steering assembly. It must have a bad seal and is leaking oil.
> It's not an expensive item, around $50 US, but it's not easy to get the
old
> one out because of that nasty tapered bolt. If you know someone with an
> oxy-acetelyne torch and they know how to use it, get them to remove it for
> you (don't cut it out, just heat it up to knock it out), drive it home and
> bolt your new one up in your driveway and save some $...
>
> Don't know how to do any of these items? Get a Chilton's manual... Haynes
it
> also decent.
>
>