Date:         Sun, 17 Dec 2000 12:06:54 EST
Reply-To:     CMathis227@AOL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Chuck Mathis <CMathis227@AOL.COM>
Subject:      Re: $$$Brake Job$$
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

In a message dated 12/17/00 10:52:34 AM, wdavidson@THEGRID.NET writes:

<< > My 91 vanagon failed state inspection due to front brake pads. Midas

> gave me aa price $480 for pads and turn the rotors. Went to my Vanagon

> shop. Original quote 240 new pads & turn the rotors. Then the call " you

> need calipers, new rotors, pads, new bearings" price $1000 !  Gulp,...

> well I got the Van back and my credit card is smokin at $1033. Rotors

> $118 ea., Calipers, $129 ea.,  bearings & seals $100. Labor $319. I know

> calipers, same VW part # from Bus Depot are $79 ea. 60% mark up !!

> Some out there will say do it yourself, and wish I could, but disabled

> in a WC. I have no real recourse, but put this into stats for a "high

> end" brake job!


Well Robie... you are fortunate in two ways:


1.... your brakes are good again... remember: stopping is more important

than going....


2.... you're fortunate you didn't have Midas do the job :)


Bill

 >>

I've had Midas work done on other cars -- no way they're touching my van.
Except for a higher G.A.S. factor I'm probably not that much better.

I don't know why you'd need new calipers but the rest of the stuff is a
pretty routine 50K-mile job.  Everything I've heard or read indicates that
you don't turn rotors for a Vanagon -- at least for the earlier models.
Best way to avoid big surprises in the future is to plan for it and order
your parts from Bus Depot ahead of time.  You'll also be able to see the
quality of the parts going in ahead of time.  Some shops will not deal with
owner supplied parts but a lot will.

As long as you don't go through the sane pain next time you can add a 3) to
Bill's list -- you learned something.

Chuck