Date: Wed, 11 May 2011 18:23:52 -0700
Reply-To: Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Subject: Re: Front end suspension
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you can ask of course..
but no professional shop really likes that very much.
They are cut out of any profit on the parts is one issue.
also ..
sure, I'll install parts a customer supplies ..
and ......it shifts my responsibility some.
when I do the diagnosis, make recommendations, we decide on what all to do
..
then I am responsible for everything about the job ...that it's successful,
that it produces the desired result etc.
I a part I supply happens to bad somehow, I'm responsible for that too, and
will correct that as needed.
However...if they supply the part ...and there's a problem with it ..
I am responsible to install it correctly.
It would not be my responsibility to do the work over again, replacing their
faulty part for free.
Quite often I want them to supply the part ..
like say my machine shop and wrist pin bushings ..
I want them to be fully responsible that the work they do, and the part they
supply is all good.
so sure ...but many shops would resent that.
It would not be unheard of for them do sloppier work than usual if they felt
talked into installing the customer's own parts.
Or sell you something else you perhaps did not really need.
as for getting it done right ..
if it's not something your comfortable doing yourself, of course ..hire
whoever you think is best..
and ..
the old rule still applies..
"If you want something done right, do it yourself.'
the dumb and wrong things front end and tires stores do sometimes...
stuff I've seen........................... don't even get me started.
I like that line................"if you ask them to install parts you
supply, they might do sloppier work than usual," ( just to get even. )
----- Original Message -----
From: "Karl Wolz" <wolzphoto@Q.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Wednesday, May 11, 2011 3:29 PM
Subject: Re: Front end suspension
> You might aqsk the guys at the front end shop if they's be willing to do
> the
> job with you sourcing the parts - might save a few bux that way. I don't
> like doing my own front end work (especially steering); too much to lose
> if
> I screw up.
>
> I have about 300,000 miles on my Westy with the bushings NOT spot welded -
> no problems. Some say it must be done; some say not needed (this ought to
> start a war).
>
> Karl Wolz
>
>
>
>
> _____
>
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
> Jeff Lincoln
> Sent: Wednesday, May 11, 2011 1:08 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Front end suspension
>
>
>
> So I finally got a new tire and I took Gertie ('85 1.9) in to have an
> allignment done. They couldn't do it - said I need upper control arm
> bushings and upper ball joints. The shops price parts and labor was almost
> $800 - not saying that isn't fair (I'd bet it is) but I can't swing that.
>
> I sourced the parts and included lower ball joints and tie rod ends for
> less
> than $200 from our vendors. So the question is having never done this work
> myself, what does the esteemed list say for a project like this as a DIY
> project? Should I even try it? I could find myself some experienced help
> too.
>
> I know those upper control arm bushings need to be spot welded - that I'd
> need someone else for anyway.
>
> What other pit falls or hassles am I looking at?
>
> The guy at the shop said I might consider replacing the long mounting bots
> as well. What are your thoughts on that? Anyone have a part number or a
> source for those?
>
> --
> Thanks,
>
> Jeff
> '85 GL (Gertie)
> '90 Carat (Grover - the noble parts donor)
> '78 Bus (Melissa) Patty's Bus
>
>
> _____
>
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