hidden maintenance costs

offroad · May 19, 2013

how much is a typical cost to replace front shock absorbers and do an allignment on your van?   my car to replace the struts and do allignment was $500. that is a large cost repair. but at 110,000 miles was over due. i know if you need a full brake job and need a rotor replaced or a brake caliper it will be $500 if you need a muffler system replaced it will be $500 if you need tires it will be $500 are folks budgeting for this with the camping van?

highdesertranger · May 19, 2013

maybe 2 tires for 500 bucks.  other prices seem way high.  I do all my repairs myself so I only need to buy parts.  everyone should at least learn how their vehicle works so not to be taken by the repair shop.  doing the work yourself saves big money.  highdesertranger

James AKA Lynx · May 19, 2013

It really depends. need a new engine or transmission? My tire set was $ 800. They should last me well over 50,000 and ride smooth. I could not affored the if I paid somebody to do the work. Lots of help. Shocks are easy as well as a lot of things like brakes and such. James AKA Lynx

Van-Tramp · May 19, 2013

I do all my own work as well. I have replaced my own brake calipers, rotors, bearings, and and pads for under $100 (would have cost 500+ at a shop) I have replaced my own rear-shocks for the $60 cost of the shocks (would have cost $100 + labor at a shop and for lower quality shocks) Oddly enough, my front shocks are more expensive, but I will do those on my own too. I do my own complete tune-ups for less than $30 (would cost 100+ at a shop) Full set of 4 tires are less than $500 for me My advice, if you are physically capable; buy a tool set ($40) and a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=Haynes+Manuals" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Haynes repair manual</a> for your vehicle ($10-20) and learn to make those simple repairs on your own. It will save you a TON of money. Check out <a href="http://www.rockauto.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">RockAuto.com</a> for fair priced auto parts.

Van-Tramp · May 19, 2013

You asked, "how much is a typical cost to replace front shock absorbers and do an alignment on your van?" yet later in your post you mentioned "struts" Replacing SHOCKS do not require new alignment. STRUTS may though. You have to know the difference between those. Unless your van pulls to the left or right, or is wearing your tires badly, you probably do not even need an alignment. Be aware that most shops train their mechanics to "upsell" you repairs that are similar to the original repair you requested. Make sure to get a second (or third) opinion.

Ziggy Moon · May 20, 2013

@ Van-Tramp - just finished playing around on rockauto.com (good prices) - however, I couldn't figure out how to order parts from same location (to cut down on shipping costs). Is there a way to determine if parts are coming from same location, before adding the part to shopping cart? Thanks!

rokguy · May 20, 2013

Yeh, agree with highdesertranger, its good to get to know your vehicle by doing the work yourself. On the cost thing small trucks and cars are cheap compared to big stuff. I recently rebuilt and Cummins VT903 (think big, 14 ltr big) had coolant in the oil due to worn no 1 piston liner (Cummins trait) . I was shocked initially at the parts cost $3600AU (essentially an inframe rebuild kit) but learned how to rebuild it myself using the books etc, saving me the $25 000AU rebuild cost Cummins quoted. Yeh, give it a go and get tinkering yourself. Geoff

offroad · May 20, 2013

rebuild an engine?  install shocks yourself?  beware the upsell ?  well these are issues that only a mechanic knows. yes you can save lots of dollars. but you had best have attended auto mechanic school to know how to do this right and safely. 

wagoneer · May 20, 2013

brake pads turn rotors know what a good used tire looks like,  in my 50 years driving have done a lot of these on my cars my sig other cars you get dirty it is a trade off. First thing I do is buy a repair manual for every car I buy. Valve jobs, piston work. After a while you learn to pre-care your car so you don't need to play catch-up. See a red light take your foot off the gas see a big grade prepare. look far ahead stay a safe distance look at you tires these are all common sense issues.

Terry · May 20, 2013

Word of advice. Don't buy a $40 toolset. Catch a sale at Sears and get a good set of Craftsman tools for under $200. Rounded nuts and skint knuckles will make you want the better tools quick.

Willy · May 20, 2013

 I do all the work myself, am self-taught and, judging from what I've seen 'real' mechanics do.. I do as good and often a better job. I also, quite often, use the same repair manual(s) they do. ..Willy. 

Van-Tramp · May 20, 2013

@ Terry, Yes I would agree. I probably should have just said that right off the bat. My Craftsmen set cost me $400 back in the early 90's. I still have most pieces and they are still working great. All the $40 tool sets I have bought over the same amount of time have all ended up in the trash within a year of purchase. @ Willy, I 100% agree with your statement as well. Every time I have brought my vehicles into a "real" mechanic, it comes back to me in worse shape then I brought it in. Those national tire chains have replaced more lugnut studs that my vehicles actually have. They just do not get the concept that impact wrenches are NOT intended for lugnuts no matter what you see on TV. I stand there in the repair bay watching over the guys and repeat multiple times, "do not use an impact wrench on my vehicle". You would be amazed how many still reach for the impact wrench. At this point I never bring my vehicles to "real" mechanics as the only thing they seem to care about is up selling you repairs you do not need, then screwing everything up to boot. I've rebuilt engines and transmissions, replaced clutches, entire brake systems, even completely rebuilt entire front and rear suspensions... all from those Haynes manuals. I've done all of it WITHOUT formal training or schooling and sometimes even had to do some repairs on the roadside (my tools come everywhere with me). It does not take a rocket scientist to repair most car related issues. Just read up, ask questions online if you have one, and take your time. 9 times out of ten you finish the job and say, "that's it?". For the most part it really is as simple a loosening a few bolts, replacing the part, and tightening the bolts back to the specified setting. Occasionally you do get yourself in a bind, but that is true for anything in life. However, I will repeat something that an old friend said to me way back in the day, "You can screw up your own repairs on everything but one area... brakes". You do not want to be on the road and realize you messed up your brakes. Have someone with experience help you until you gain confidence in this one area before doing them solo. If in doubt, bring it to a shop for this one repair. As a proof of cost savings, the wife's 2002 trail blazer just blew out the transmission (only 11 years old and 150,000 miles). The dealership quote for repair was $4,100! The KBB value of the SUV barely exceeds that amount. AAMCO quoted $2,400 for repairs. I picked up a rebuilt transmission for $450 and will be putting it in myself for free (other than a 12-pack to get a friend to help).

Lostinspace · May 20, 2013

I agree on the impact wrench on wheel studs.  The impact wrenches, while having a dial where you can set the torque, aren't safe for wheel studs.  The tightening is done with a hammer in the air impact wrench.  This momentarily puts more force on the stud than it is designed for.  But you can't explain it to the tire jockey.  They're all about speed and as they get paid by piece.  At home I use an impact wrench but it's set on the lowest torque and is used just to run the lugs up.  I then torque them with a manual torque wrench. Good luck when dealing with a tire store on this. Unfortunately Craftsmen has gone the way of the rest of the consumer tool industry and is getting their tools from China with the concomitant crappy quality.  Look on eBay for your tools and buy used older equipment.  Older Craftsman, Snap-on and so forth is still good quality.  Look for made in the usa.  You'll be pleasantly pleased. Just my 2 cents.....

James AKA Lynx · May 20, 2013

Being a mechanic is gradient scale. Learn how to change a tire and not have it fall off the jack. Jack up the rear tires and not have it move. shocks are not much more difficult. Learn how to change the air filter, belts, PVC, water hose. water pump, starter, battery, Alternator, headlight. All of these are easy mechanic jobs. After this you should be able to start on some of the other things like changing plugs and wires. rotor ..... Having good tools is key. Cheek ones will hurt you. Best, James AKA Lynx

travlinman and wife · May 20, 2013

I do most of my repairs myself also. one thing I have found helpful is to buy the part first if I am not familiar with it .so I can look at what is involved in removing the old one and some times to locate the part if I do not know were it is or what it looks like.

Ziggy Moon · May 20, 2013

I've never paid a mechanic to work on any of my vehicles - although, sometimes I wish I would have, and sometimes I sill do! <img src="/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img">

highdesertranger · May 20, 2013

wow lots of really good advice here.  to much to name individually.  you guys and gals are the bomb.  highdesertranger

citytravelfotos · May 26, 2013

No wonder why Vandwelling is so cheap for many of you, many of you are pretty much amateur mechanics.  For the less mechanically adept, it's not so cheap.  I paid over $800 to replace ball joints on my van (it could've been $700 but I wanted it done in a place with a lot of positive reviews and of which gave me a big enough warranty.)

Zil · May 26, 2013

While some of us have replaced ball joints, A frame bushings should be done at the same time, it is really not a job for shade tree mechanic. Struts probable come under this category also as it can be dangerous with the spring and all. OK every one line up to argue.

Wild_E · May 26, 2013

Zil, some are better than others ! I do about 65% of my own stuff now, Happy to have a buddy who is one of the best mechanics I have seen not too far away! He has and can fix most anything, knows only a bit on diesels though.  The backyard mechanic whom I purchased my Camperized Box truck from.. well he was the exact opposite, what a useless tool. So they come in all versions. Get a book, see what it tells you, get some air tools as well. Two weeks ago I was trying to remove a trailer hitch that U-haul had put on (I do not recommend U-haul now.. because of what I saw!!!!) Now I want a small Air Compressor and some basic impact tools, not a whole set, just enough to get by. The internet and YouTube are your friends on how to do things as well, lots of videos on spring, bushing, ball joints, or even tire changing.  My box truck/cube van - has had power issues since I picked it up, always draining the battery. Two weeks ago, I troubleshooted the quick disconnect on the battery to find that the backyard freaker had installed it upside down, so it never worked!. Secondary battery never got more that about 10% of the charge from the alternator and was draining the batteries down.x Another issue that the backyarder did was to take apart the dash to look for where the battery draining issues was, I watched the floor get wet during a rainstorm, added some new sealant around the windows and fixed that issue as well. So, now to rebuild the dash, will be putting new systems and objects in there, like an updated radio as well. Will make it look nicer hopefully too! Yes if you do not have a spring tool, it can be dangerous, UAP Napa does loan, rent tools out as well, just need CC to take them away.  Now I have seen Women get down and dirty with the tools as well, once they start most do not care about dirty finger for the soul is lifted once you do your own work, there is pride in workmanship or workwomanship in this case.  coverals, mechanics gloves, mechanics vinyl gloves, decent set of tools, look for the wrenches with the fewest slots in the round wrench part, they are the better ones, the ones with say 12 slots are the worst ones, cheap.