Not just Corvette Mechanics on Crack
Thread Starter
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,130
Likes: 3,938
From: Connecticut, USA
Not just Corvette Mechanics on Crack
My brother has near mint orignal '67 Olds 98 land barge. He brought it in to the local gas station/garage for a brake check. Guy pulls wheels says it needs cylinders,hardware,hoses, and maybe drums. The shoes have 1/2 life in them. Price $1,300 parts and labor 
You must stay away from exhaust fumes gentlemen it will affect your thinking process!
You must stay away from exhaust fumes gentlemen it will affect your thinking process!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 3,255
Likes: 0
From: Manalapan FL
Originally Posted by gtr1999
He brought it in to the local gas station/garage...
Find a local garage (read: no gas pumps out front) and make a deal with the owner. If the owner is not present in the shop, go somewhere else.
I went to a local guy for a rear wheel bearing (Astro Van). He has about five bays and 7 mechanics working for him. I went back to pick up my van and was told I'd have to wait until the owner returned from a test drive. "Why? My van is sitting there and the work is finished".
"The owner has to personally inspect the work and test drive it before you can take it".
Now that's a garage!
D. Ocean
Miami, FLA
Crackin' on...
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 9,430
Likes: 124
From: Somewhere in Tucson AZ
St. Jude Donor '09
Originally Posted by 74FLCONV
... "The owner has to personally inspect the work and test drive it before you can take it".
Now that's a garage!
D. Ocean
Miami, FLA
Now that's a garage!
D. Ocean
Miami, FLA
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,997
Likes: 1
From: WAY DEEP INSIDE AMERICO,YES YOU LIVE HERE TO!! TX
Originally Posted by gtr1999
You mean you have that problem down in the lone star state? 
and HALF *** jobs are super common
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
When I can't do the work (rarely), I have a local guy - no gas pumps.
He does general repairs and alignments. He does all the work himself,
and knows I do most of my own. We have a certain trust between
us that I like. I can trust him not to bend me over. When he
did my DD inspection last month, I needed a ABS master cylinder.
I replaced it myself, drove it back to him. He didn't even look at
it ... just asked me how it was and placed the sticker on the windshield.
You gotta find the right shop/guy. We noticed him from his wife's
'67 Camaro that was for sale ... been going there since.
He does general repairs and alignments. He does all the work himself,
and knows I do most of my own. We have a certain trust between
us that I like. I can trust him not to bend me over. When he
did my DD inspection last month, I needed a ABS master cylinder.
I replaced it myself, drove it back to him. He didn't even look at
it ... just asked me how it was and placed the sticker on the windshield.
You gotta find the right shop/guy. We noticed him from his wife's
'67 Camaro that was for sale ... been going there since.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 7,456
Likes: 2
From: Coming home from Luckenbach Texas
Originally Posted by MEGLADON
Mechanic shop's are real BAD about ripping people off down here
and HALF *** jobs are super common
and HALF *** jobs are super common
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,651
Likes: 11
From: Seattle WA
I've got a guy like that in Seattle. What I don't/can't do to my 72 I have him do. You can tell he's a real car guy (not just a mechanic) as he has a frame up restored 57 Chev hard top in the office and is finishing a frame up on a 57 Chev convertible. Absolutely beautiful cars.
Thread Starter
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,130
Likes: 3,938
From: Connecticut, USA
We'll probably do the job ourself.Problem is finding the time to do things.
That garage gets $75 hr and full list on parts. Part markup can be from 25%-125%,at least it was when I was a counterman years ago. He wanted $800 to change 4 motor mounts on another car,hmmm maybe I should open a garage
That garage gets $75 hr and full list on parts. Part markup can be from 25%-125%,at least it was when I was a counterman years ago. He wanted $800 to change 4 motor mounts on another car,hmmm maybe I should open a garage
Senior Member since 1492
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 87,911
Likes: 156
From: Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean people aren't out to get me...
St. Jude Donor '09
Reading the past work you've completed on the forum here, there's no doubt that you can do the job. I first did rear drum brake cylinders a few years ago on my Suburban. Turned out to be less of a PIA than I thought.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 5,635
Likes: 4
From: Orlando Floriduh
Another thing to beware of.... Lots of shops get their parts from the closest parts place... If the parts are inferior and fail you will usually have to pay labor again because only the part is gauranteed for "X" amount of time. Make sure they put on new quailty (Not Rebuilt) parts, especially if the cost of labor is significant.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,527
Likes: 1
From: St. Petersburg, Fl///Columbus, Ohio
Originally Posted by gtr1999
My brother has near mint orignal '67 Olds 98 land barge. He brought it in to the local gas station/garage for a brake check. Guy pulls wheels says it needs cylinders,hardware,hoses, and maybe drums. The shoes have 1/2 life in them. Price $1,300 parts and labor
You must stay away from exhaust fumes gentlemen it will affect your thinking process!
You must stay away from exhaust fumes gentlemen it will affect your thinking process!
I'd like to see a break-down Of that estimate
If It's out of line I'm sure your State Atty. Office would like to see it also!!! They ARE cracking down on Dishonest shops And those of us that work at Honest Shops that go by the book like seeing the shiesters that give us all a bad name GO DOWN!!!
Thread Starter
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,130
Likes: 3,938
From: Connecticut, USA
Originally Posted by jcswm
WOW!!! I don't know what it is about that car but Advance Auto parts gets over $300.00 for calipers ALONE!!! Advance and Autozone don't even list Drums & Rotors...
I'd like to see a break-down Of that estimate
If It's out of line I'm sure your State Atty. Office would like to see it also!!! They ARE cracking down on Dishonest shops And those of us that work at Honest Shops that go by the book like seeing the shiesters that give us all a bad name GO DOWN!!!
I'd like to see a break-down Of that estimate
If It's out of line I'm sure your State Atty. Office would like to see it also!!! They ARE cracking down on Dishonest shops And those of us that work at Honest Shops that go by the book like seeing the shiesters that give us all a bad name GO DOWN!!!
Want to hear another charge from this shop: replace rad hoses,heater hoses,Oil PM, fan belt $300.00. I have never had them service my cars and I think my brother will be going elsewhere.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,527
Likes: 1
From: St. Petersburg, Fl///Columbus, Ohio
Originally Posted by gtr1999
I don't have an estimate as he pulled the car out of the garage when he got the quote. I believe it has drums at all 4 corners.
Want to hear another charge from this shop: replace rad hoses,heater hoses,Oil PM, fan belt $300.00. I have never had them service my cars and I think my brother will be going elsewhere.
Want to hear another charge from this shop: replace rad hoses,heater hoses,Oil PM, fan belt $300.00. I have never had them service my cars and I think my brother will be going elsewhere.
One thing I do see more & more is customers waiting on an estimate so they can see it in black & white and even look at their car while it's in the shop so they know EXACTLY what their getting for the $$$.
An HONEST shop will have no problem going over your car with you!!!