Dying Au2?

[Donshe]

Bit of a quick question in desperation here to get an idea for what I should do.

Dropped the car into Cumberland Ford for an 180k service and its currently at 189k

This is what I was told and just want some feedback

Urgent: Auto & Throttle Body Service - $755

Could Wait another 5000kms- Total including above: $1305

Full works: Above + Front/Rear Bearings & Front/Rear pads & Balancer Seals. $2500

Just looking for opinions on what I should let them do? Are any of those things grossly overpricd which I can have done by an independent mechanic?

Thanks for your help

[b2tf]

Originally Posted by Donshe

Are any of those things grossly overpricd

Yes. All of them.

Auto tranny service shouldnt cost you more than $100 or so for a fluid change and maybe a bit more if there is other work to be done.

[Donshe]

Yeah I was just reading the servicing thread now.

The auto & throttle body service, is it something any mechanic can do? Or do I have to go to one of those auto transmission places for the box and a normal mechanic for the throttle body?

I might just tell the dealer to carry out the regular service and look elsewhere.

[b2tf]

Originally Posted by Donshe

Yeah I was just reading the servicing thread now.

The auto & throttle body service, is it something any mechanic can do? Or do I have to go to one of those auto transmission places for the box and a normal mechanic for the throttle body?

I might just tell the dealer to carry out the regular service and look elsewhere.

Auto service Id get done by a proper transmission place, the throttle body service, I have no idea what they would be doing to it, all it needs is a clean out .

Personally I would rather let a 17yr old TAFE kid work on my car than Ford so my opinion is not going to be unbiased, but Id be getting it all done elsewhere. If you really must use them though, get them to do the basics then for things like your bearings etc get a specialist to do them. Ford will charge you like a wounded bull and if/when something stuffs up, theyll give your wallet the once over again to fix it.

[JC]

Front Bearings are around $200 each, rears $100 each, Pads would be around $300 for a good set, so $800 in parts, plus around 2 hours labour = $1000. Looks like they are charging twice as much labour as they should (around $400 worth).

As b2tf says, the auto trans service is around $100 including fluid, or around $200 if you go for a full fluid flush including the converter. Unless they are also replacing some internal solenoids etc, what they are charging is crazy - take it to an auuto trans specialist.

Unless your car still has warranty, I wouldn't go near ford. There are cheaper and better alternatives around, and for any major work like this, it is ALWAYS better getting a second opinion.

TB just needs cleaning with carby cleaner - 10 minute job at most (do it yourself).

[Donshe]

Car is way out of warranty.

I think I might old off for now. Only thing that worries me is the way he said "You need to do the auto + Tb right away" as in the car will blow up if I don't

It is after all my daily car so I need it knowing it'll keep running.

Im not very mechanically inclined nor do I have the tools, or I wouldve :(

Edit- Final question, based on what Ive written above, is there anything in that list that looks like i should tell them to do it? Or just get them to do the regular service and hunt down other workshops?

[b2tf]

Originally Posted by Donshe

Car is way out of warranty.

I think I might old off for now. Only thing that worries me is the way he said "You need to do the auto + Tb right away" as in the car will blow up if I don't

It is after all my daily car so I need it knowing it'll keep running.

Im not very mechanically inclined nor do I have the tools, or I wouldve :(

Edit- Final question, based on what Ive written above, is there anything in that list that looks like i should tell them to do it? Or just get them to do the regular service and hunt down other workshops?

ford have a habit of telling you things need to be done when theyre not urgent. if the auto is shifting fine, not acting up etc, dont worry about it.

[Mechan1k]

There are some decent workshops around Sydney that specilise in Ford and won't rip you blind either.

I take my Territory to Winford Ford due to warranty ... and they have been good for a Ford service dept .... but I take my AU work ute to a trusted mechanic in Lverpool that specialise in Fords ... and I don't get ripped off and the quality of the work is excellent.

[Donshe]

Thanks for the replies guys. I told them to just do the basic service and replace my front left hub under warranty as they did it like 6mths back and wanted to do it again now !

Im getting rid of the car in 2mths.

but taking what I learnt just now, i asked the service rep to clarify

TB- yes we'd just be cleaning it out
auto- its leaking and needs a service

auto is shifting fiiiiiine. any estimate on how much longer itd hold out?

mechan1k- can you pass me the details of the guy in livo? how are his prices?

i might get a 2nd opinion from someone and maybe even decide to let everything be as is, let the new owner worry about it in 2mths time :P

[bodes-sh]

i wouldn't even worry about the t/b, but you're best off getting the auto done if it is actually leaking, if not, just leave it

[V8falcons]

Originally Posted by Donshe

Thanks for the replies guys. I told them to just do the basic service and replace my front left hub under warranty as they did it like 6mths back and wanted to do it again now !

Im getting rid of the car in 2mths.

but taking what I learnt just now, i asked the service rep to clarify

TB- yes we'd just be cleaning it out
auto- its leaking and needs a service

auto is shifting fiiiiiine. any estimate on how much longer itd hold out?

mechan1k- can you pass me the details of the guy in livo? how are his prices?

i might get a 2nd opinion from someone and maybe even decide to let everything be as is, let the new owner worry about it in 2mths time :P

Dont listen to the crap ford tell you,start talking like you know what your talking about they will change the quote from urgent must be done now to can be done when you get a chance.There really should be a law agianst there over inflated pricing,advice and quality of work.I DONT TRUST FORD SERVICE 1 bit.

Find a good local mechanic take it in for a check up and see what they tell you,dont mention what Ford told you.

front wheel bearing are <$100 to.

[GK]

Originally Posted by Donshe

TB- yes we'd just be cleaning it out
auto- its leaking and needs a service
auto is shifting fiiiiiine. any estimate on how much longer itd hold out?

How long will the tranny last? How long is a piece of string?

I agree 100% with the others. Get the auto serviced by a transmission joint, there are stacks all over the place. Don't wait, get the service done. You'd kick yourself if in the next 2 months the tranny blew, because you were worried about spending $100 odd bucks.

As for the throttle body, that is a pretty simple job. Take a look at this and see if you think you're up to it.

Cleaning Throttle Body
http://www.fordforums.com.au/showpos...2&postcount=48

This job may help out too, and it's absolutely simple as! Will help the car idle better. Even if the idle is ok, it's a 20 minute job max for a nervous first time DIYer. It usually only takes 5-10 minutes, depending on the amount of gunk to clean out.

Cleaning ISC Valve
http://www.fordforums.com.au/showpos...9&postcount=43

All the best with it.

GK

[au2sw]

Originally Posted by vctxr6ute

front wheel bearing are <$100 to.

front bearings in au include hub, so it actually is close to $150 mark. rear bearings around $40 as its just bearing. id love to know where your getting your bearings from if the front is less then $100!!

BTW ford over price everything, parts, car service, customer service etc etc.unless its under warranty, take it else where.

[bodes-sh]

^^ebay

[GK]

I also purchased genuine Ford wheel bearings for the front @ $88 each plus postage. The same store (bayford parts) now has them listed for $175 currently. They will come down again though.

GK

[GK]

Just found these genuine items for $100.

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Ford-Genuine-...QQcmdZViewItem

GK

[peterban]

I think you will find that Bayford are selling 2 hubs for $175, or 1 for $88
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/FORD-FALCON-A...QQcmdZViewItem

[JC]

Even though they are $175 the pair on ebay, Ford spare parts would charge full retail, which is over $150 per side! Plus fitting.

[Dauphin]

That looks like a lot of money. The throttle body DIY is as cheap as a can of the cleaner, as I understand it. The auto trans flush cost me $199 at Ford recently and that's a "special." I wonder what other places would charge.

They offered to fix a rear rego plate bulb for $26!! I think I could do it myself for the price of a $2 bulb. Then they wanted $47 to change my wipers. I can get them from K-mart for $17 and do them myself.

[2Lucid]

remember theres no warrant ywith ebay, id be more inclined ot go down and buy the parts from ford so you actuallly get a warrantee.... if the trannys leaking most places charge round $350 for a transmission service which includes removing the transmission pan, draining the oil, replacing the filter and fitting a new gasket...... a trans flush is always going to be expensive as they use up to 20ltrs of fluid when flushing a trans

[Mechan1k]

www.ozeparts.com.au have the front hubs for about $80 each ... complete unit.

[peterban]

Originally Posted by 2Lucid

remember theres no warrant ywith ebay, id be more inclined ot go down and buy the parts from ford so you actuallly get a warrantee.... if the trannys leaking most places charge round $350 for a transmission service which includes removing the transmission pan, draining the oil, replacing the filter and fitting a new gasket...... a trans flush is always going to be expensive as they use up to 20ltrs of fluid when flushing a trans

I think you should change workshops!!!!
Most transmission places charge around $120 for a " transmission service" and extra for a full flush. $350 is a bit over the top.
Bayford sell the genuine hubs with warranty and you can buy through E-bay or pick-up if in Melb, so no need to pay other dealers high prices.

[StealthAu]

I need to do my front hubs soon but am lacking in tools, is it fairly straight foward and what do I need?

[5tumpy]

For an example of how useless Ford service is, at my 110,000 (the first and last one Ford did) they rang me up and said my rear right brake rotor had a massive gouge in it and it would shatter if it wasn't replaced. The wanted $500 for the bloody job!!!!


I told them where to jam it, as the "gauge" was a 1mm line that was nothing...


60,000km later, it hasn't even needed to be machined, let alone replaced...

[Sledgehammer]

These prices sound like typical Ford Prices dont they.