Date:         Thu, 1 Jul 2004 12:18:10 -0400
Reply-To:     Tim Demarest <tim.demarest@POBOX.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Tim Demarest <tim.demarest@POBOX.COM>
Subject:      Re: unclas Wheel Bearing Replacement Costs
In-Reply-To:  <40E43258.7030707@bellsouth.net>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed

The job does involve removing/reassembling the complete rear brakes (the
drums and backing plates need to be removed to get access to the bearings),
so all the rear brake job labor is happening (removal, reinstallation,
adjusting, bleeding), even if no brake parts need to be replaced. I dunno
what the labor rate should be, but this labor will be factored in.

Tim

At 10:48 AM 7/1/2004 -0500, John Rodgers wrote:
>Bearing Price is about right from our list vendors. That labor souds
>like Flat Rate. That you have to watch out for.
>
>The front bearings are a snap to change. BTDT. Standard wrenches (mm). a
>drift (punch) and a block of wood will do the trick. I have never taken
>the rear bearing assemblies apart so can't address that. But from posts
>on this list, it isn't that hard, but it is more complicated and will
>take more time.
>
>Regards,
>
>John Rodgers
>88 GL Driver
>
>Thomas, Geoffrey wrote:
>
>>A low frequency rumble translated into a diagnosis of failed wheel bearings
>>RF and RR.  The mechanic from our local shop noted the good condition of the
>>rest of the vehicle and said he would order VW bearings rather than the
>>usual supplier.  The cost per wheel was $420.
>>Noting that Bus Depot, for example sells bearings for $30-40 there seems to
>>be a lot of labour there, even given the inflated costs in the DC area
>>(local VW shop, $89 per hour)
>>Does anyone have examples of recent shop charges for front and rear wheel
>>bearing replacement?
>>
>>
>>
>>Geoff Thomas
>>'88 Westy now with 235,000 miles
>>
>>