Like I needed another reason not to trust a dealership...
 

A little off topic, my 97 Chevy Astro 2WD.
Took the van in for front brakes... why not do it yourself you ask?

Well, 60k ago it was in for warranty work and I also needed pads. Turns out
the Delco pads have a lifetime warranty, cool. They called a few hours later
and said I needed new shoes (soon) as well - I said not to bother, I'll do
it myself.

The following weekend I took the rear wheels off to see how soon I would
need shoes... hmm, that's odd, they replaced them! I guess they 'assumed' I
would want them done while it was in the shop and went ahead with it, and
then called. I wasn't charged for the rears - their loss.

So, 60k later the pads are squealing and I have a clunk in the front end - I
thought it was one of the idler arms. A couple hours later they call and
tell me I need:

(Canadian Funds)
Front pads = Free + labour
Rear shoes = They're fine
2 rotors = $240.00
2 idler arms = $720.00 + 1.2 hrs labour ($111.00)

Fortunately, I work nights and was in bed when they called so when my knees
buckled I was fine. I told them to install pads only. I haven't checked the
rotors yet but there were no vibes and have only been turned once - before I
call BS on them, I will inspect and measure them myself.

On the way home I stopped into another GM dealer a mile away and was quoted
$362 for the arms.

When I got home I called the jobbers:
Napa: $281 for Dana / $93 for 'white box'
PartSource: $240 for TRW / $96 for 'white box'

Can anyone justify a $600 difference between Delco arms and 'white box'?
I'll probably end up with the TRW's... PartSource has them in stock and I
like to support a store that offers a free loan-a-tool program.

-Brian

Re: Like I needed another reason not to trust a dealership...
 

Hi Brian,
Interesting, I grew up in a day when the idler arm held the
passenger side of the drag link:
http://www.falconparts.com/1963-1964...IDLER+ARM.html Now
some college grand calls the "A" member that:
http://www.----------.com/idlerArm.jpg and forces you to replace the
whole thing rather than what's wrong like just the ball joint or
bushings. If any of those parts are bad, you'll to fix it.
God Bless America, ßill O|||||||O
mailto:--------------------

Cherokee-LTD wrote:
>
> A little off topic, my 97 Chevy Astro 2WD.
> Took the van in for front brakes... why not do it yourself you ask?
>
> Well, 60k ago it was in for warranty work and I also needed pads. Turns out
> the Delco pads have a lifetime warranty, cool. They called a few hours later
> and said I needed new shoes (soon) as well - I said not to bother, I'll do
> it myself.
>
> The following weekend I took the rear wheels off to see how soon I would
> need shoes... hmm, that's odd, they replaced them! I guess they 'assumed' I
> would want them done while it was in the shop and went ahead with it, and
> then called. I wasn't charged for the rears - their loss.
>
> So, 60k later the pads are squealing and I have a clunk in the front end - I
> thought it was one of the idler arms. A couple hours later they call and
> tell me I need:
>
> (Canadian Funds)
> Front pads = Free + labour
> Rear shoes = They're fine
> 2 rotors = $240.00
> 2 idler arms = $720.00 + 1.2 hrs labour ($111.00)
>
> Fortunately, I work nights and was in bed when they called so when my knees
> buckled I was fine. I told them to install pads only. I haven't checked the
> rotors yet but there were no vibes and have only been turned once - before I
> call BS on them, I will inspect and measure them myself.
>
> On the way home I stopped into another GM dealer a mile away and was quoted
> $362 for the arms.
>
> When I got home I called the jobbers:
> Napa: $281 for Dana / $93 for 'white box'
> PartSource: $240 for TRW / $96 for 'white box'
>
> Can anyone justify a $600 difference between Delco arms and 'white box'?
> I'll probably end up with the TRW's... PartSource has them in stock and I
> like to support a store that offers a free loan-a-tool program.
>
> -Brian

Re: Like I needed another reason not to trust a dealership...
 

Hi Brian,
Interesting, I grew up in a day when the idler arm held the
passenger side of the drag link:
http://www.falconparts.com/1963-1964...IDLER+ARM.html Now
some college grand calls the "A" member that:
http://www.----------.com/idlerArm.jpg and forces you to replace the
whole thing rather than what's wrong like just the ball joint or
bushings. If any of those parts are bad, you'll to fix it.
God Bless America, ßill O|||||||O
mailto:--------------------

Cherokee-LTD wrote:
>
> A little off topic, my 97 Chevy Astro 2WD.
> Took the van in for front brakes... why not do it yourself you ask?
>
> Well, 60k ago it was in for warranty work and I also needed pads. Turns out
> the Delco pads have a lifetime warranty, cool. They called a few hours later
> and said I needed new shoes (soon) as well - I said not to bother, I'll do
> it myself.
>
> The following weekend I took the rear wheels off to see how soon I would
> need shoes... hmm, that's odd, they replaced them! I guess they 'assumed' I
> would want them done while it was in the shop and went ahead with it, and
> then called. I wasn't charged for the rears - their loss.
>
> So, 60k later the pads are squealing and I have a clunk in the front end - I
> thought it was one of the idler arms. A couple hours later they call and
> tell me I need:
>
> (Canadian Funds)
> Front pads = Free + labour
> Rear shoes = They're fine
> 2 rotors = $240.00
> 2 idler arms = $720.00 + 1.2 hrs labour ($111.00)
>
> Fortunately, I work nights and was in bed when they called so when my knees
> buckled I was fine. I told them to install pads only. I haven't checked the
> rotors yet but there were no vibes and have only been turned once - before I
> call BS on them, I will inspect and measure them myself.
>
> On the way home I stopped into another GM dealer a mile away and was quoted
> $362 for the arms.
>
> When I got home I called the jobbers:
> Napa: $281 for Dana / $93 for 'white box'
> PartSource: $240 for TRW / $96 for 'white box'
>
> Can anyone justify a $600 difference between Delco arms and 'white box'?
> I'll probably end up with the TRW's... PartSource has them in stock and I
> like to support a store that offers a free loan-a-tool program.
>
> -Brian

Re: Like I needed another reason not to trust a dealership...
 

Hi Brian,
Interesting, I grew up in a day when the idler arm held the
passenger side of the drag link:
http://www.falconparts.com/1963-1964...IDLER+ARM.html Now
some college grand calls the "A" member that:
http://www.----------.com/idlerArm.jpg and forces you to replace the
whole thing rather than what's wrong like just the ball joint or
bushings. If any of those parts are bad, you'll to fix it.
God Bless America, ßill O|||||||O
mailto:--------------------

Cherokee-LTD wrote:
>
> A little off topic, my 97 Chevy Astro 2WD.
> Took the van in for front brakes... why not do it yourself you ask?
>
> Well, 60k ago it was in for warranty work and I also needed pads. Turns out
> the Delco pads have a lifetime warranty, cool. They called a few hours later
> and said I needed new shoes (soon) as well - I said not to bother, I'll do
> it myself.
>
> The following weekend I took the rear wheels off to see how soon I would
> need shoes... hmm, that's odd, they replaced them! I guess they 'assumed' I
> would want them done while it was in the shop and went ahead with it, and
> then called. I wasn't charged for the rears - their loss.
>
> So, 60k later the pads are squealing and I have a clunk in the front end - I
> thought it was one of the idler arms. A couple hours later they call and
> tell me I need:
>
> (Canadian Funds)
> Front pads = Free + labour
> Rear shoes = They're fine
> 2 rotors = $240.00
> 2 idler arms = $720.00 + 1.2 hrs labour ($111.00)
>
> Fortunately, I work nights and was in bed when they called so when my knees
> buckled I was fine. I told them to install pads only. I haven't checked the
> rotors yet but there were no vibes and have only been turned once - before I
> call BS on them, I will inspect and measure them myself.
>
> On the way home I stopped into another GM dealer a mile away and was quoted
> $362 for the arms.
>
> When I got home I called the jobbers:
> Napa: $281 for Dana / $93 for 'white box'
> PartSource: $240 for TRW / $96 for 'white box'
>
> Can anyone justify a $600 difference between Delco arms and 'white box'?
> I'll probably end up with the TRW's... PartSource has them in stock and I
> like to support a store that offers a free loan-a-tool program.
>
> -Brian

Re: Like I needed another reason not to trust a dealership...
 

Hi Brian,
Interesting, I grew up in a day when the idler arm held the
passenger side of the drag link:
http://www.falconparts.com/1963-1964...IDLER+ARM.html Now
some college grand calls the "A" member that:
http://www.----------.com/idlerArm.jpg and forces you to replace the
whole thing rather than what's wrong like just the ball joint or
bushings. If any of those parts are bad, you'll to fix it.
God Bless America, ßill O|||||||O
mailto:--------------------

Cherokee-LTD wrote:
>
> A little off topic, my 97 Chevy Astro 2WD.
> Took the van in for front brakes... why not do it yourself you ask?
>
> Well, 60k ago it was in for warranty work and I also needed pads. Turns out
> the Delco pads have a lifetime warranty, cool. They called a few hours later
> and said I needed new shoes (soon) as well - I said not to bother, I'll do
> it myself.
>
> The following weekend I took the rear wheels off to see how soon I would
> need shoes... hmm, that's odd, they replaced them! I guess they 'assumed' I
> would want them done while it was in the shop and went ahead with it, and
> then called. I wasn't charged for the rears - their loss.
>
> So, 60k later the pads are squealing and I have a clunk in the front end - I
> thought it was one of the idler arms. A couple hours later they call and
> tell me I need:
>
> (Canadian Funds)
> Front pads = Free + labour
> Rear shoes = They're fine
> 2 rotors = $240.00
> 2 idler arms = $720.00 + 1.2 hrs labour ($111.00)
>
> Fortunately, I work nights and was in bed when they called so when my knees
> buckled I was fine. I told them to install pads only. I haven't checked the
> rotors yet but there were no vibes and have only been turned once - before I
> call BS on them, I will inspect and measure them myself.
>
> On the way home I stopped into another GM dealer a mile away and was quoted
> $362 for the arms.
>
> When I got home I called the jobbers:
> Napa: $281 for Dana / $93 for 'white box'
> PartSource: $240 for TRW / $96 for 'white box'
>
> Can anyone justify a $600 difference between Delco arms and 'white box'?
> I'll probably end up with the TRW's... PartSource has them in stock and I
> like to support a store that offers a free loan-a-tool program.
>
> -Brian

Re: Like I needed another reason not to trust a dealership...
 

In <N7aoc.17179$QaS.8754@news01.bloor.is.net.cable.ro gers.com> Cherokee-
LTD wrote:

> Can anyone justify a $600 difference between Delco arms and 'white
> box'? I'll probably end up with the TRW's... PartSource has them in
> stock and I like to support a store that offers a free loan-a-tool
> program.

GM idler arms are CRAP. Buy the MOOG "problem solver" replacement arms,
even if you have to pay more for them. Be sure to check the other
joints for wear and then get it re-aligned after the work is done.

----------------------------------------------------
Del Rawlins- del@_kills_spammers_rawlinsbrothers.org
Remove _kills_spammers_ to reply via email.
Unofficial Bearhawk FAQ website:
http://www.rawlinsbrothers.org/bhfaq/

Re: Like I needed another reason not to trust a dealership...
 

In <N7aoc.17179$QaS.8754@news01.bloor.is.net.cable.ro gers.com> Cherokee-
LTD wrote:

> Can anyone justify a $600 difference between Delco arms and 'white
> box'? I'll probably end up with the TRW's... PartSource has them in
> stock and I like to support a store that offers a free loan-a-tool
> program.

GM idler arms are CRAP. Buy the MOOG "problem solver" replacement arms,
even if you have to pay more for them. Be sure to check the other
joints for wear and then get it re-aligned after the work is done.

----------------------------------------------------
Del Rawlins- del@_kills_spammers_rawlinsbrothers.org
Remove _kills_spammers_ to reply via email.
Unofficial Bearhawk FAQ website:
http://www.rawlinsbrothers.org/bhfaq/

Re: Like I needed another reason not to trust a dealership...
 

In <N7aoc.17179$QaS.8754@news01.bloor.is.net.cable.ro gers.com> Cherokee-
LTD wrote:

> Can anyone justify a $600 difference between Delco arms and 'white
> box'? I'll probably end up with the TRW's... PartSource has them in
> stock and I like to support a store that offers a free loan-a-tool
> program.

GM idler arms are CRAP. Buy the MOOG "problem solver" replacement arms,
even if you have to pay more for them. Be sure to check the other
joints for wear and then get it re-aligned after the work is done.

----------------------------------------------------
Del Rawlins- del@_kills_spammers_rawlinsbrothers.org
Remove _kills_spammers_ to reply via email.
Unofficial Bearhawk FAQ website:
http://www.rawlinsbrothers.org/bhfaq/

Re: Like I needed another reason not to trust a dealership...
 

In <N7aoc.17179$QaS.8754@news01.bloor.is.net.cable.ro gers.com> Cherokee-
LTD wrote:

> Can anyone justify a $600 difference between Delco arms and 'white
> box'? I'll probably end up with the TRW's... PartSource has them in
> stock and I like to support a store that offers a free loan-a-tool
> program.

GM idler arms are CRAP. Buy the MOOG "problem solver" replacement arms,
even if you have to pay more for them. Be sure to check the other
joints for wear and then get it re-aligned after the work is done.

----------------------------------------------------
Del Rawlins- del@_kills_spammers_rawlinsbrothers.org
Remove _kills_spammers_ to reply via email.
Unofficial Bearhawk FAQ website:
http://www.rawlinsbrothers.org/bhfaq/

Re: Like I needed another reason not to trust a dealership...
 

Here's an article from The Car Connection, the resident mechanic is
noticing huge increases in prices. Seems like the manufacturers found a
way to offset the cost of all of the rebates and low finance rates.

http://www.thecarconnection.com/inde...&sid=281&n=158

Mort

Del Rawlins wrote:
> In <N7aoc.17179$QaS.8754@news01.bloor.is.net.cable.ro gers.com> Cherokee-
> LTD wrote:
>
>
>>Can anyone justify a $600 difference between Delco arms and 'white
>>box'? I'll probably end up with the TRW's... PartSource has them in
>>stock and I like to support a store that offers a free loan-a-tool
>>program.
>
>
> GM idler arms are CRAP. Buy the MOOG "problem solver" replacement arms,
> even if you have to pay more for them. Be sure to check the other
> joints for wear and then get it re-aligned after the work is done.
>
> ----------------------------------------------------
> Del Rawlins- del@_kills_spammers_rawlinsbrothers.org
> Remove _kills_spammers_ to reply via email.
> Unofficial Bearhawk FAQ website:
> http://www.rawlinsbrothers.org/bhfaq/