28 replies to this topic

[Mrpeanut]

Hi, just a quickie.

My car went in today with play in the steering. The rack was suspected. Agreed price was 165 all in to supply and fit a new rack and track rod ends.

The rack was fine and the play was in the column which had to come out and mucked about with. Clamps were mentioned.

The play has gone. He fitted new shocks ( u supplied), a new steering wheel and greased up the front end.

He still wants the 165 which is about 4 hours labour. He provided no parts. He says the job was more involved but I'm not convinced.

How long should this have taken?

[minidaves]

165 for 4 hours work is fair if a garage, I charge for 4 hours work £180.

[R1minimagic]

The only thing you can repair on a column is to put new bushes in, easy job...

[Mrpeanut]

Thanks, but the point is was this a 4 hour job. To put it another way would it have taken an hour and a half more than a rack change?

I haven't paid yet and just want to be sure he's being fair

[R1minimagic]

To replace column bushes is probably 1-2hrs depending on how easy it comes off the car...

[Mrpeanut]

The only thing you can repair on a column is to put new bushes in, easy job...

Cheers Dale. How long to identify the problem, whip out the column, fix and put back together?

[Beej123]

If the column comes off first time then it's an easy job but you can easily spend half a day trying to get a column free of the car so it could easily be 4 hours! I gave up with a column once when I sold a shell and let it go with the car because after nearly a day, I'd had enough!

[Mrpeanut]

Thanks Dale, you read my mind!

[R1minimagic]

And I mean how long it takes to get the shear bolt out of the lower dash rail bracket, the bottom steering rack connection is a 2 minute job or less!!

[Beej123]

And I mean how long it takes to get the shear bolt out of the lower dash rail bracket, the bottom steering rack connection is a 2 minute job or less!!

It takes 10 minutes to battle through all the carpet and underlay! haha

[Mrpeanut]

So if I give the bloke credit for being contentious, take pity on him as it's a recession, add a bit as I'm nice what should I pay based on £40 ph for pound notes?

[R1minimagic]

To be honest, i think it sounds reasonable overall

[Old Bob]

Seems to me that you got a fair deal. You were quoted a fixed price and the job was done with you being pleased/satisfied that the steering now feels right.

Why should you now seek to renegotiate?

Bob

[icklemini]

£160 quid!

The car went in for diagnosis..
Repair to the steering column..
Fitted new shocks...
Fitted your steering wheel
Greased your suspension..

That garage price sounds perfectly reasonable...

[Mrpeanut]

Chaps, the point is that the agreed price included supplying a steering rack and two track rod ends. They were not needed so he supplied no parts.

I would never try to renegotiate an agreed price for a job well done, but he did a different job without supplying any parts.

If 4 hours is about right for what he did then I'm more than happy with what he's asking.