I snapped off two frozen bolts today when trying to undo the nuts. These were non-critical but it does get annoying. And it is bloody hot out to compound the matter. Last year it was the rear strut arm bolts and cams, and the rear spring bolts with cushions (had to cut off), and one shock absorber mount. Not to mention the trailing arm bolts. And I do not even want to talk about exhaust manifold studs. They cost me 10 hours of time. Can manufacturers not simply use major fasteners like these with anti-seize compound. I hear the answer already: cost. But surely the cost of lubricating fasteners that are clearly predictable candidates for removal (e.g. shock mounts) is minimal in the production process. I have noticed a few things when a C3 comes into a shop:

1) The technicians take a group coffee break;
2) When they return they ignore the service advisor;
3) When he/she corners one they book off on sick leave;
4) Those who do remain break out penetrating oil and massive air guns;
5) They curse the Mitchell flat-rate manual;
6) They are not happy and lose money on flat-rate;
7) The repairs "can" be less than expected. And of dubious quality;
8) Those who take the plunge swear never to work on a C3 again;
9) As per (8) they do not. And they are the talented ones.

This is an over-simplification but I experienced this at a GM dealership last summer. I certainly do not wish to imply that professional technicians are not competent with C3s. But I do put forward the argument that techs in major shops who work flat-rate shun these cars because they lose money on them. And those %#@( fasteners are the heart of the problem. Again, a little lube on the production line??

 

Paul, I have been in the auto repair biss. for 30 years as a owner and a employee. The flat rate books are based on a unmodified car right out of the showroom . any nuts bolts etc. that are rusty means it will take longer and you will be charged more{rust is not the mechanics fault]

 

Thanks Ken. I should have been more specific. If Mitchell says 3.0 hours then that is the quoted time. And it can work out that way. A 3-hour job can take 2 hours for a skilled technician and that is where they make money. In Ontario, any deviation over the Mitchell time (> 10% or so) requires the permission of the car owner to proceed. And a written itemization of the added costs must be produced - eventually. The permission to proceed can be verbal but that is risky. I have seen some nasty disputes arise from "verbal understandings." I do bow to your greater knowledge of the industry, however. Mine is from personal experience. I have seen some techs/shops swallow some very significant costs when working on my C3. In other words, I was quoted 3 hours and that is what was charged. The real time was about 6 hours.

 

yea, We call that either a win/ win or no/win, somebody will pay. :crazy: :D

 

For what shops charge they can put in double the hours on a job than they bill for and they are still getting 25 bucks an hour. :mad

 

25an hour? An independent shop up the road from me gets $70 an hour[Canadian]

 

Assembly line anti-seize compound : not likely.

But, learn your lessons here, people. Don't put anything back together
without it. 10 years from now, when your kids help you drop the rearend
(again) - you'll be glad you did !!

 

The GM dealer where I work charges close to $90.00/hour. That is about $58.00US.