The thing that made me need work done was the parking brake would not go free after it was set. I had to pump the brakes and sometimes have to rock the truck to get it to free up.
Estimates from a couple of shops ran upwards of and possibly over $3000. I figured the truck was worth a little more than that but not much. It's a 17 year old truck. I started looking for a brand new second hand low milage replacement. Prices were insane.
So I went to a guy that I know that did some damned good reasonably prices body work for me several years ago to ask him if he knew a reasonable mechanic.
When I explained the job he said he could tackle it. Seeing how fairly he had treated me years ago I simply gave him an open checkbook with orders to fix it.
I would up with a LOT more than I bargained for.
When he was goiing through everything he called me and reported that the truck itself was in damned good shape with a few pre-rust spots that should be taken care of quickly. I told him to go ahead. He cleaned everything up and sprayed it with rust preventative.
He also said the rear bumper brackets were in terrible shape and that the easy and inexpensive route to go was an entire aftermarket bumper kit and told me where to get one. The inside of the bumper was heavily rusted. A check with eBay got me a damned good one, a complete kit for $165 delivered.
As for the brake, all three cables, brackets and various smalls were replaced, the drums given a 'cleanup' turning. He went whole hog.
I'm back in business. The bill was $1535 plus my bumper purchase. I was floored. I handed him $1600 and told him to keep it. He was grateful.
Personally I consider the $65 I gave him to be an investment into the future. I often do things like this because practically every time I cast my bread on the water I get back poached eggs on toast.
I asked him about the other shop's estimate. He explained that a lot of places will just cut out a good part and replace it rather than reuse it because it's faster. In the shop world it's all a money grab and if it saves them time at customer's expense than so be it. Couple that with the current long waiting lists to get into the shop and that means many shops will take shortcuts.
Long waiting lists mean that there is no shortage of customers so enter the laws of supply and demand. When that happens shops go straight to 'The Gouger's Handbook'.
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