I took my vette in to get inspected finally.
It passed VA inspection just 4 months ago right before i bought it.

It failed MD inspection

1. So it needs new tires. no big deal. I was gonna replace them anyway.

2. gotta remove the tint from rear window. no biggie.

3. needs two new Axle Bearing and Hub Assembly.
how much mr dealer?

$1,600.00!!!

wtf.


is that a normal price???

I found them here for $140-$190. are these decent parts???
http://www.mamotorworks.com/corvette...-153-1095.html


how much should labor be??


please help guys. I have to drop $1,000 on new tires. I cant spend that much on wheel assemblies.
I have to get it done in one month!!

Go with corvette recycling. Brand new units...dirt cheap prices.

http://www.corvetterecycling.com/category_s/432.htm

Absolutely go here.

wow!!! thanks guys!!
these are orginal parts. excellent!!!


how about labor?? how much should that run??

Tires and tint I can understand but MD checks bearings? What do they do at inspection strip search the car?

Unless they have changed MD is a one-time inspection at time of purchase / registration. Most sellers will get it done but if you buy from outside the state you take a chance. It is a VERY thorough inspection because it isn't annual.

I worked at a MD dealer and the guys who did inspections made a very good living. there wasn't much "optional" work when it came to your car failing inspction.

Do you have the estimate with labor for each bearing? I mean, it can probably be done by an experienced person for half the time they are charging. But book time is book time and that is what they will want to charge.

here is the list. shoudl bearings even be checked??



MD Inspection checklist
• Steering system
• Wheel alignment
• Suspension
• Brake system
• Wheels / tires
• Fuel system
• Exhaust system
• Bumpers
• Fenders
• Lights
• Electrical system
• Mirrors
• Glazing (windows)
• Wipers
• Hood / catches
• Door handle latches
• Floor / trunk pans
• Speedometer / odometer
• Driver seat
• Safety belts
• Motor mounts
• Gear shift indicator
• Universal and CV (constant velocity) joints
• Emissions equipment

There are people who buy a car and don't check it out that thoroughly.

I assume the insprctors are trained mechanics, not the bureaucratic paper pushers we have in NJ.

i grew up in jersey. it is so easy to pass inpection up there.
md is ****ing rediculous.

For tires suggest checking tire rack. Many brands to choose from @ realistic prices.

I recently purchased General Exclaim UHP's ( ultra high performance ) for the Vette, cost about 600.00 for 4.

No doubt there is some degree of finding things so they can fix them. But as said, it's a one-time event in MD, unlike Virginia. Though at least in VA, I can choose a competent tech to smog it.

Dogfish, this is a safety inspection, not a smog inspection. There is no dollar limit cap that I am aware of. If your car isn't "safe", you have to fix it.

And bearings are certainly a part of the suspension and alignment. If they actually have play in them, better to just swap them and get it done. I wouldn't pay anyone $1,600 to do it though!

Maryland's one-time safety inspection is very thorough. You must fix every item that fails if you want to register the car here. If the bearings have play in them, they need to be replaced soon, anyway, so just go ahead and do it.

I replaced a rear hub on my LT4 car last month. Hub came from Corvette Recycling. Washer came from Superior Chevrolet. Good prices on both. Took me less than three hours to do the work.

Live well,

SJW

I'm taking mine in to have a rear bearing changed next week - between my garage full of stuff and a busy work schedule it's better to have it done at the local Vette shop. They said the one side will run ballpark $500 or so which makes your $1600 for two sound high.

Maryland State Inspectors are approved and monitored by the State Police. They need to take a test to qualify. The Inspection shop itself is checked out by the Trooper assigned to that area. The trooper assigned to that area does spot checks on "HIS" inspectors.

You can go to another State Inspection place and see what they write you up for?

You can do it in a weekend on jack stands.
Don't know what the book time is but with a lift and the right tools and parts in hand shouldn't be more than 2 hours a side.

Do you need front or rear hubs? One thing you have to add with places like Mid-America is their shipping/handling charges. The price of the part is not bad, but the freight is very pricey.

I have ordered front hubs from Rockauto.com and gotten brand new Timken bearings that are marked "Made in USA" and are much better than the generic "white-box hub assemblies. Rockauto also has SKF hubs that are very good quality. Pricing is competitive but shipping is much cheaper.

Don't know what level of mechanical expertise you have, but front hubs can be done in about 30 minutes per side. Rear hubs are harder to do simply because of the bolts that hold the hub can be hard to remove and you have to pull the half-shaft.

thank you all for the comments!!!


I talked to the dealer and the labor will be $395!!!

the two hubs from corvette recycling will run me about $300.

the whole job will cost me only $700!!!!! whooo hooo!!! thats almost a $1,000 savings!!
thank you all!!!

I found no reason to pull the half-shaft when I swapped a rear hub on my '96. Some people opt to pull the shaft, some don't. I had no problem working around the shaft.

Live well,

SJW