Why do indies want so much $$ to R&R Lower Control Arm Bushings? - Page 4 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Lambrettaman · #46 01-31-2007, 10:06 PM

Yes, nice to see you listened and understood. Service is a tough biz. We own a motorscooter dealership are very wary of people who come in with their guns unholstered looking for a fight. It's hard to walk away from a deal, but we've learned that it is worth in the long run sometimes.

I didn't appreciate my first experience with my td at an indie shop ... So we're trying another for an alignment and a Klima Anlage diagnosis.

I too am in love with this car.

Mike

I bet Jesus would have used his turnsignals

RobTheMod · #47 02-01-2007, 12:05 AM

PM me with the answer if you wish. I'm in Phx, was in Tucson from '93-00...

Just curious.

Prosecutor · #48 02-01-2007, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DubMutant

Forum Members-

After a day of contemplation, I have come to my senses.

I owe a great number of good people an apology.

I seem to have lost my perspective due to my misconception that running an independent automotive business is anything but easy. Owning a business in of it-self is a difficult proposition and requires an astounding ability to be motivated and self-reliant. I would hate to deal with myself as a customer.
I have neither owned an automotive business and I acknowledge the fact that I have little right to say what a fair price for labor is, nor is it fair to generalize the professional mechanic in such a negative way. When confronted with such an insurmountable cost, my reaction was quite overkill. I apologize for my harsh words and retract my broad and stereotypical rant.

Insofar as to say that I am so in love with my Mercedes, I cannot bear to drive her in her current state. Unfortunately, I have no choice.

So, again, I am sorry for pissing off the very community that has helped me thus far.

Your ability to listen and learn will take you far. The independent mechanic can not hold a candle compared to the legal profession for billing. The long and short of it is that there are good and reputable mechanics trying to make a living and there are not so good and reputable. Your best advice is to learn as much as you can about the car. You will then be in a position to judge when you are getting bad advice.

rwthomas1 · #49 02-01-2007, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DubMutant

Forum Members-

After a day of contemplation, I have come to my senses.

I owe a great number of good people an apology.

I seem to have lost my perspective due to my misconception that running an independent automotive business is anything but easy. Owning a business in of it-self is a difficult proposition and requires an astounding ability to be motivated and self-reliant. I would hate to deal with myself as a customer.
I have neither owned an automotive business and I acknowledge the fact that I have little right to say what a fair price for labor is, nor is it fair to generalize the professional mechanic in such a negative way. When confronted with such an insurmountable cost, my reaction was quite overkill. I apologize for my harsh words and retract my broad and stereotypical rant.

Insofar as to say that I am so in love with my Mercedes, I cannot bear to drive her in her current state. Unfortunately, I have no choice.

So, again, I am sorry for pissing off the very community that has helped me thus far.

Chill out. No real need for apology here. You learned a bit. Shops don't seem to like working on "old clunkers" like our MB's. Not enough money in it. Now try to find:
a) a backyard indie guy that does this cause he loves it. Prices will be cheaper.
b) a forum member with the tools and attitude to help you
c) rent/borrow tools and dig in yourself.

I pay as few people as possible to do things for me. Learn to do as many things as you can yourself. You will be richer in mind and wallet. You will also not be another of the mindless masses who sit back and pay for every little service while sweating in some cubicle to pay for it all.

RT

dkveuro · #50 02-01-2007, 11:00 PM

I have deleated my reply predicated on your last post.
Takes a big man to apologize.

.

softconsult · #51 02-02-2007, 08:54 AM

I am a blunt person. Many of my posts say it like I see it and are often critical. The typical response is anger, followed closely by run and hide, or silence. Never any hint that the person even considered my points.

I am impressed that a young guy had the maturity to think about all this feedback and recognize the error of his ways. Keep listening as you progress through school, and career.

Now just so you don't think that many of us older guys haven't been there, here is a short example. Years ago I took over management of a smaller plant. My experience had always been bigger plants, Fortune 500 company. I didn't like the quality of a certain type of tooling. I reamed the salesman and basically said I was switching to Supplier A. Turned out that Supplier A and Supplier B weren't interested. Not enough business for them.

So tail between my legs, I confessed my mistake to the original supplier, and begged him to come back. He did, but never let me forget it!

Steve

willjayc · #52 02-02-2007, 09:13 AM

DubMutant...

I took on the task of changing my own control arm bushings (4) and subframe bushings (2) after getting a $900 quote (canadian). It was not an easy task but I did it with no special tools...not even a spring compressor. I did however take the control arms to a shop to press out the 4 old bushings and press in the new ones. While I was at it I replaced my coil springs, shocks, brakes, calipers, sway bar bushings and links and rotors. It was not an easy task and probably took me 15 hours, I could probably do it again in less than 6. PM me if you plan on doing it yourself and want some more info.

willjayc
1979 240D
315,000km 30,000 on a customized WVO system
www.veggiefuelsystems.ca

aklim · #53 02-02-2007, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by softconsult

Now just so you don't think that many of us older guys haven't been there, here is a short example. Years ago I took over management of a smaller plant. My experience had always been bigger plants, Fortune 500 company. I didn't like the quality of a certain type of tooling. I reamed the salesman and basically said I was switching to Supplier A. Turned out that Supplier A and Supplier B weren't interested. Not enough business for them.

So tail between my legs, I confessed my mistake to the original supplier, and begged him to come back. He did, but never let me forget it!

Moral of the story: Before you ream out original salesperson and threaten to switch, make sure that the other suppliers are willing and able. IOW, BEFORE I fire you, I make sure I already have your replacement lined up and ready.

Knightrider966 · #54 02-02-2007, 09:42 AM

Because these are a real pain to change. First you have to get a suspesion spring compressor, which won't be cheap, and to dissassemble each side and put it all back together is an all day job on my W123 300D! I'd want to be paid well too. Springs are dangerous, if they expand to fast, you could be killed or kill someone!

mobetta · #55 02-02-2007, 10:15 AM

good job reconsidering your veiw point.

the rear suspension is not too difficult, no need for a spring compressor.

the front I have yet to delve into, but i wish the shop rates around here were only $65/hr. I would actually consider paying someone to do a job like that.

nevermind, wheres the fun in that?

in my measley 14 years of driving, I payed to get 4 struts put on a car once. I was in upstate NY, and did not have tools with me.

other than that, I have only payed to have tires mounted. If I only had room for a manual changer in the garage, I'd buy one.

i did not start out this way because I enjoyed it, I simply could not afford to pay someone to do something which I can do myself.

And buying new tools is fun.