Over the years, I've almost always brought my cars
back to the dealer for specific problems vs general maint.
Chevy - Chevy - Saab - Maxima - Jeep - Jeep

My thinking was that they know their specific brand & models,
and have the specific experience & parts....
BUT - my local Jeep dealer labor costs are HUGE at $117 hour.

Here are some of things over the years with my current GC Jeep...

ie - sunroof motor
electric cooling fan relay
rear lift gate latch
transmission transducer sensor
serpentine belt

then the usual engine/oil maint, flush, plugs, etc
and the "problem" with brake rotors -
replaced warped rotors 3 times
before finally going to a drilled/slotted version

SO - do you continue to go to the Jeep dealer
with their "experience" and parts,
or go to an independent shop ?
Would the shop have been able to fix the sunroof,
the cooling fan relay, the rear lift gate latch ?

AND - how do you find a shop that works with & really knows Jeeps ?

 

P.Schuman wrote:
> Over the years, I've almost always brought my cars
> back to the dealer for specific problems vs general maint.
> Chevy - Chevy - Saab - Maxima - Jeep - Jeep
>
> My thinking was that they know their specific brand & models,
> and have the specific experience & parts....
> BUT - my local Jeep dealer labor costs are HUGE at $117 hour.
>
> Here are some of things over the years with my current GC Jeep...
>
> ie - sunroof motor
> electric cooling fan relay
> rear lift gate latch
> transmission transducer sensor
> serpentine belt
>
> then the usual engine/oil maint, flush, plugs, etc
> and the "problem" with brake rotors -
> replaced warped rotors 3 times
> before finally going to a drilled/slotted version
>
> SO - do you continue to go to the Jeep dealer
> with their "experience" and parts,
> or go to an independent shop ?
> Would the shop have been able to fix the sunroof,
> the cooling fan relay, the rear lift gate latch ?
>
> AND - how do you find a shop that works with & really knows Jeeps ?

My local dealer, who used to be really good 20 years ago, has gone to
Hell.

As to how to find a shop, search me. There's nothing mechanically
magic about Jeeps so any competent mechanic should be able to fix
them. In answer to your specific questions, the answer is "yes" to
all of them. That's just parts-changing that any pimply faced
teenager should be able to handle.

--
--
--John
to email, dial "usenet" and validate
(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)

 

P.Schuman wrote:
> Over the years, I've almost always brought my cars
> back to the dealer for specific problems vs general maint.
> Chevy - Chevy - Saab - Maxima - Jeep - Jeep
>
> My thinking was that they know their specific brand & models,
> and have the specific experience & parts....
> BUT - my local Jeep dealer labor costs are HUGE at $117 hour.
>
> Here are some of things over the years with my current GC Jeep...
>
> ie - sunroof motor
> electric cooling fan relay
> rear lift gate latch
> transmission transducer sensor
> serpentine belt
>
> then the usual engine/oil maint, flush, plugs, etc
> and the "problem" with brake rotors -
> replaced warped rotors 3 times
> before finally going to a drilled/slotted version
>
> SO - do you continue to go to the Jeep dealer
> with their "experience" and parts,
> or go to an independent shop ?
> Would the shop have been able to fix the sunroof,
> the cooling fan relay, the rear lift gate latch ?
>
> AND - how do you find a shop that works with & really knows Jeeps ?

My local dealer, who used to be really good 20 years ago, has gone to
Hell.

As to how to find a shop, search me. There's nothing mechanically
magic about Jeeps so any competent mechanic should be able to fix
them. In answer to your specific questions, the answer is "yes" to
all of them. That's just parts-changing that any pimply faced
teenager should be able to handle.

--
--
--John
to email, dial "usenet" and validate
(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)

 

P.Schuman wrote:
> Over the years, I've almost always brought my cars
> back to the dealer for specific problems vs general maint.
> Chevy - Chevy - Saab - Maxima - Jeep - Jeep
>
> My thinking was that they know their specific brand & models,
> and have the specific experience & parts....
> BUT - my local Jeep dealer labor costs are HUGE at $117 hour.
>
> Here are some of things over the years with my current GC Jeep...
>
> ie - sunroof motor
> electric cooling fan relay
> rear lift gate latch
> transmission transducer sensor
> serpentine belt
>
> then the usual engine/oil maint, flush, plugs, etc
> and the "problem" with brake rotors -
> replaced warped rotors 3 times
> before finally going to a drilled/slotted version
>
> SO - do you continue to go to the Jeep dealer
> with their "experience" and parts,
> or go to an independent shop ?
> Would the shop have been able to fix the sunroof,
> the cooling fan relay, the rear lift gate latch ?
>
> AND - how do you find a shop that works with & really knows Jeeps ?

My local dealer, who used to be really good 20 years ago, has gone to
Hell.

As to how to find a shop, search me. There's nothing mechanically
magic about Jeeps so any competent mechanic should be able to fix
them. In answer to your specific questions, the answer is "yes" to
all of them. That's just parts-changing that any pimply faced
teenager should be able to handle.

--
--
--John
to email, dial "usenet" and validate
(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)

 

P.Schuman wrote:
> Over the years, I've almost always brought my cars
> back to the dealer for specific problems vs general maint.
> Chevy - Chevy - Saab - Maxima - Jeep - Jeep
>
> My thinking was that they know their specific brand & models,
> and have the specific experience & parts....
> BUT - my local Jeep dealer labor costs are HUGE at $117 hour.
>
> Here are some of things over the years with my current GC Jeep...
>
> ie - sunroof motor
> electric cooling fan relay
> rear lift gate latch
> transmission transducer sensor
> serpentine belt
>
> then the usual engine/oil maint, flush, plugs, etc
> and the "problem" with brake rotors -
> replaced warped rotors 3 times
> before finally going to a drilled/slotted version
>
> SO - do you continue to go to the Jeep dealer
> with their "experience" and parts,
> or go to an independent shop ?
> Would the shop have been able to fix the sunroof,
> the cooling fan relay, the rear lift gate latch ?
>
> AND - how do you find a shop that works with & really knows Jeeps ?

My local dealer, who used to be really good 20 years ago, has gone to
Hell.

As to how to find a shop, search me. There's nothing mechanically
magic about Jeeps so any competent mechanic should be able to fix
them. In answer to your specific questions, the answer is "yes" to
all of them. That's just parts-changing that any pimply faced
teenager should be able to handle.

--
--
--John
to email, dial "usenet" and validate
(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)

 

None of the repairs were really technical and could have been done in
the driveway with the maintenance manual's help and a bit of know how
for removing panels or inside skins.

Finding a good shop is hard. Word of mouth seems the best way.

I think the Dealers are 'far' too proud of their work....

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's - Gone to the rust pile...
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

P.Schuman wrote:
> Over the years, I've almost always brought my cars
> back to the dealer for specific problems vs general maint.
> Chevy - Chevy - Saab - Maxima - Jeep - Jeep
>
> My thinking was that they know their specific brand & models,
> and have the specific experience & parts....
> BUT - my local Jeep dealer labor costs are HUGE at $117 hour.
>
> Here are some of things over the years with my current GC Jeep...
>
> ie - sunroof motor
> electric cooling fan relay
> rear lift gate latch
> transmission transducer sensor
> serpentine belt
>
> then the usual engine/oil maint, flush, plugs, etc
> and the "problem" with brake rotors -
> replaced warped rotors 3 times
> before finally going to a drilled/slotted version
>
> SO - do you continue to go to the Jeep dealer
> with their "experience" and parts,
> or go to an independent shop ?
> Would the shop have been able to fix the sunroof,
> the cooling fan relay, the rear lift gate latch ?
>
> AND - how do you find a shop that works with & really knows Jeeps ?
>
>

 

None of the repairs were really technical and could have been done in
the driveway with the maintenance manual's help and a bit of know how
for removing panels or inside skins.

Finding a good shop is hard. Word of mouth seems the best way.

I think the Dealers are 'far' too proud of their work....

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's - Gone to the rust pile...
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

P.Schuman wrote:
> Over the years, I've almost always brought my cars
> back to the dealer for specific problems vs general maint.
> Chevy - Chevy - Saab - Maxima - Jeep - Jeep
>
> My thinking was that they know their specific brand & models,
> and have the specific experience & parts....
> BUT - my local Jeep dealer labor costs are HUGE at $117 hour.
>
> Here are some of things over the years with my current GC Jeep...
>
> ie - sunroof motor
> electric cooling fan relay
> rear lift gate latch
> transmission transducer sensor
> serpentine belt
>
> then the usual engine/oil maint, flush, plugs, etc
> and the "problem" with brake rotors -
> replaced warped rotors 3 times
> before finally going to a drilled/slotted version
>
> SO - do you continue to go to the Jeep dealer
> with their "experience" and parts,
> or go to an independent shop ?
> Would the shop have been able to fix the sunroof,
> the cooling fan relay, the rear lift gate latch ?
>
> AND - how do you find a shop that works with & really knows Jeeps ?
>
>

 

None of the repairs were really technical and could have been done in
the driveway with the maintenance manual's help and a bit of know how
for removing panels or inside skins.

Finding a good shop is hard. Word of mouth seems the best way.

I think the Dealers are 'far' too proud of their work....

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's - Gone to the rust pile...
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

P.Schuman wrote:
> Over the years, I've almost always brought my cars
> back to the dealer for specific problems vs general maint.
> Chevy - Chevy - Saab - Maxima - Jeep - Jeep
>
> My thinking was that they know their specific brand & models,
> and have the specific experience & parts....
> BUT - my local Jeep dealer labor costs are HUGE at $117 hour.
>
> Here are some of things over the years with my current GC Jeep...
>
> ie - sunroof motor
> electric cooling fan relay
> rear lift gate latch
> transmission transducer sensor
> serpentine belt
>
> then the usual engine/oil maint, flush, plugs, etc
> and the "problem" with brake rotors -
> replaced warped rotors 3 times
> before finally going to a drilled/slotted version
>
> SO - do you continue to go to the Jeep dealer
> with their "experience" and parts,
> or go to an independent shop ?
> Would the shop have been able to fix the sunroof,
> the cooling fan relay, the rear lift gate latch ?
>
> AND - how do you find a shop that works with & really knows Jeeps ?
>
>

 

None of the repairs were really technical and could have been done in
the driveway with the maintenance manual's help and a bit of know how
for removing panels or inside skins.

Finding a good shop is hard. Word of mouth seems the best way.

I think the Dealers are 'far' too proud of their work....

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's - Gone to the rust pile...
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

P.Schuman wrote:
> Over the years, I've almost always brought my cars
> back to the dealer for specific problems vs general maint.
> Chevy - Chevy - Saab - Maxima - Jeep - Jeep
>
> My thinking was that they know their specific brand & models,
> and have the specific experience & parts....
> BUT - my local Jeep dealer labor costs are HUGE at $117 hour.
>
> Here are some of things over the years with my current GC Jeep...
>
> ie - sunroof motor
> electric cooling fan relay
> rear lift gate latch
> transmission transducer sensor
> serpentine belt
>
> then the usual engine/oil maint, flush, plugs, etc
> and the "problem" with brake rotors -
> replaced warped rotors 3 times
> before finally going to a drilled/slotted version
>
> SO - do you continue to go to the Jeep dealer
> with their "experience" and parts,
> or go to an independent shop ?
> Would the shop have been able to fix the sunroof,
> the cooling fan relay, the rear lift gate latch ?
>
> AND - how do you find a shop that works with & really knows Jeeps ?
>
>

 

Mike Romain wrote:
> None of the repairs were really technical and could have been done
> in
> the driveway with the maintenance manual's help and a bit of know
> how
> for removing panels or inside skins.
>
> Finding a good shop is hard. Word of mouth seems the best way.
>
> I think the Dealers are 'far' too proud of their work....

For the most part repairs per se are well within the ability of
anybody with a reasonable mechanical aptitude, a good set of tools,
and a copy of the service manual.

The part that requires a skilled mechanic is figuring out what needs
to be repaired and why it broke.

<snip>

--
--
--John
to email, dial "usenet" and validate
(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)