"ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn)
03/19/2015 at 14:03 • Filed to: None
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"ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn)
03/19/2015 at 14:03 • Filed to: None | 0
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Some remember that I've been looking to get some suspension work done on my '03 Odyssey. Specifically, struts, stabilizer bar links, rear shocks, and a wheel bearing (or two). I called a local shop, and we talked about having me provide the parts and them just doing the labor. They are willing to do that, BUT they won't warranty the work. The savings of my getting the parts vs. their getting the parts is not insignificant ($215 per strut vs. $130 per strut at Rock Auto), and I have never needed a warranty on work done before. But this is also a new shop to me. So, what do you think? Is it worth saving the money if I don't get a warranty?
CalzoneGolem
> ttyymmnn
03/19/2015 at 14:06 |
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That's pretty standard. They don't want to be held liable if you buy cheap ass shit and it breaks.
HammerheadFistpunch
> ttyymmnn
03/19/2015 at 14:06 |
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It's hard work but I try and find a shop that will warranty labor on customer parts. The trick was to buy own parts at discount through a forum connection and have the shop do the work. It's worked out great. You don't save as much compared to rockauto, but I've had the labor warranty work in my favor 3x already
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ttyymmnn
> CalzoneGolem
03/19/2015 at 14:09 |
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Oh, I understand that. Talking with the guy, he said that the struts list for $290, but he can get them for me for $215. If he can get closer to my prices on the other parts, it might be worth letting him get everything.
RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
> ttyymmnn
03/19/2015 at 14:09 |
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IANAL, but if they (pardon my French) le coque something up putting it together, I think they're still liable for it even if they don't warrant it. Most of those parts probably aren't the sort that would need to be covered with a warranty in the normal course of things, with the possible exception of the wheel bearings, so I don't know that I'd be *that* worried.
Pixel
> ttyymmnn
03/19/2015 at 14:10 |
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That is common. If the part they provide goes bad, they would bill it to whoever provided the part. If you provide the part any extra warranty labor comes out of their pocket.
FYI, double check what they meant as "strut" vs what you are looking up. They were probably re-using the spring & strut mount, whereas I linked you to a quick strut that includes those. The bare struts go for $32-$113 on Rock Auto.
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/rafram…
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CalzoneGolem
> ttyymmnn
03/19/2015 at 14:11 |
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Meh. If you can swing it it might be worth it for the warranty but I doubt it'd be an issue if you didn't.
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ttyymmnn
> RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
03/19/2015 at 14:11 |
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I don't think I'm that worried, it's just never come up before. This is new way of doing business for me. In the past, I have just bent over and paid what they quoted.
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ttyymmnn
> CalzoneGolem
03/19/2015 at 14:12 |
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I don't think so either. This particular job isn't brain surgery. But it is the family truckster.
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RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
> ttyymmnn
03/19/2015 at 14:15 |
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I think plenty of shops engage in some or other reduced-cost business - as long as they're reasonably sure you won't be a bother, and they can make *something* on you, they'd rather have your business than not. Sure, they won't make the full rate on parts, but they don't have to expense you for something (and risk not getting reimbursed) either.
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CalzoneGolem
> RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
03/19/2015 at 14:21 |
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And they might get return business and referrals.
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RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
> CalzoneGolem
03/19/2015 at 14:26 |
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Exactly.
jariten1781
> ttyymmnn
03/19/2015 at 14:28 |
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Like everyone mentioned...it's normal with third party parts. I've never actually run into a shop that would warranty parts I brought, though people on the internet say they exist.
Keep in mind, they're still liable if there's a failure due to improper installation, they're just not warrantying the part itself from failure due to defect. Granted, you'd have a hard row to hoe trying to prove a failure was due to install not the part itself.
FWIW I've never made a claim due to a bad part so I'd just go with a trustworthy part and no warranty. If you're going cheapo Chinese knockoff it might be worth paying their price.
SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
> ttyymmnn
03/19/2015 at 14:30 |
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Struts and ARB end links are super easy to do yourself if you get your strut package preloaded (spring and damper already loaded into a housing). It should really just be three or four bolts at the top, and two on the hub for the struts, and the end links just screw off. I wouldn't normally be recommending someone work on their daily if asking this question, but those two jobs are kind of impossible to screw up. Don't even try the wheel bearings in your driveway. You won't be able to do it, but I can get the struts off of my cars in like ten or fifteen minutes. I was worried the first time I did it, then I saw what it was like on one corner, and was shocked at how simple it was.
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ttyymmnn
> SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
03/19/2015 at 14:44 |
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I know it's an easy job. I just don't have the tools, the time, or the confidence. So as much as it pains me, I will pay for this one.
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ttyymmnn
> jariten1781
03/19/2015 at 14:46 |
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Thank you for that clarification. If they're only talking about a warranty on the part, then I think that answers my question. I'll get them myself. On the advice of my brother, I'm getting KYB strut/coil spring/mount assemblies, AC Delco stabilizer bar links, KYB shocks for the rear.
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jariten1781
> ttyymmnn
03/19/2015 at 15:10 |
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Yeah, you should be good.
Not a lawyer (so grain of salt...may get terms wrong...and all that), but my father is and I spent many years helping in his firm years ago. When the oil industry tanked in OK we shifted over to doing a lot of automotive law. Basically when you turn your car over to a mechanic you establish a whole bunch of legal agreements. Bailment (they have to take car of the car while it's there), Service (they have to install the parts properly) and Warranty (the installed parts work as intended and are free from defect) are the most common. Disclaiming the warranty does not disclaim the service or bailment agreements...in fact I can't think of a way they could disclaim those and act as mechanics (though there probably is one). So, even if they don't warranty the parts they'd still be responsible for preventing the car from being damaged/stolen while on their site (bailment) and for ensuring the work was done to common accepted standards (service). You could make claims on either if it came to that, but a guy who's willing to work with you on 3rd party parts will probably do a decent job regardless.
deekster_caddy
> ttyymmnn
03/19/2015 at 15:12 |
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That warranty is the difference between the savings you get taking the gamble that they do the work right, versus them making a little extra money on parts and "owning" the job. A lot of it you can do yourself, it's not that hard if you have the tools/time/etc.
Are you buying quickstruts or alone struts? Are you mechanically inclined? Can you do your own brakes?
If you can do your own brakes, you are only a few large bolts away from replacing a quick strut, and right there for the stabilizer links... Wheel bearings are a little more challenging, but if you are taking the struts off you are already so close...
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ttyymmnn
> deekster_caddy
03/19/2015 at 15:16 |
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I don't have the tools/time/courage to do the job. Otherwise, this would be a moot point! I understand the way the model works, and I am simply trying to decide if I want to spend the extra money for a little more peace of mind. This is what I'm getting:
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deekster_caddy
> ttyymmnn
03/19/2015 at 15:23 |
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Okay, the strut/spring assembly is what I'm calling a "quick strut" (or that's what Monroe calls their version of it). Basically it means that you save a lot of labor by replacing the entire assembly instead of getting a spring compressor and removing, then disassembling and reassembling the strut.
I would totally tackle that job myself, but I can understand why it makes some people shy away.
I think this job is basic enough that you take the discount and your chances. It's pretty hard to screw these things up. The only thing left to question is that you don't know the shop or it's history...
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ttyymmnn
> deekster_caddy
03/19/2015 at 15:25 |
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I had a relationship for many years with a local shop, but it went sour for various reasons. So I'm starting over.
Fred von Halem
> ttyymmnn
03/19/2015 at 18:35 |
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This is what I've been doing, saves a lot of money. No warranty. I assume the shop needs to be really careful because of the huge possibility that a customer will order the wrong parts or place an incomplete parts order. Then you have a car in pieces in the shop and wrong parts or no parts. Even the pros get it wrong sometimes, it's not as easy as it looks.
pip bip - choose Corrour
> ttyymmnn
03/20/2015 at 07:28 |
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yeah do it.