Hello yotatech forum. Quick question for you guys. I recently discovered a torn inner boot on my cv axle. I already had a toyota boot kit at home so I took it to be replaced by an independent mechanic which I have used once before. The job before was exactly the same to replace an inner and outer boot. This mechanic charged me $171 in labor to do the job back in 2004. When I went to the shop this time he stated that the previous ticket was probably just for the outer boot. He recommended in order to be more cost efficient that I should just go with a new axle total parts and labor was $513. I had the work done and paid on credit card. After going home and reviewing my files I did find my receipt for both inner/outer boot replacement labor of $171. So I called a local dealer for a quote on axle replacement and the quoted $425 parts/labor. So I called the mechanic out on it and asked if the labor of 4.1 hours was based on both axles being replaced and told him he had done the inner/outer boot job just 3 years ago at the price of 2 hours of labor. He told me he would investigate it further and get back with me this afternoon. I was happy w/ my toyota axle and just wanted new boots to be installed. now I have a non toyota axle and feel like I shelled out way too much for this repair job. I did have him put my old axle in the truck and also have my boot kit. I hope to hear back from him today with positive news. I really don't want to deny charges on the card and file a report w/ BBB and smear the shops name around. I would be glad if you guys could give me a 2nd opinion of how you would handle this based on the mess I've gotten myself in. Thanks yotatech and happy holidays. FYI I had done the same boot repair 8 years ago and the labor at another shop was $181. So within the same reasonable ballpark. TIA

 

do it yourself. buy one axel with a lifetime replacement plan 15min and $75 + the labor yourself 30min FREE = no more problem lol

but really i am sorry to hear about you gettin screwed over.

bobby

 

Thanks for the understanding, with 2 kids under 2 1/2, 55 hour week office job, and no time I have to pay to have my work done. I guess this makes up for the difference of installing my own fogs/valance, fixing my own antenna mast and replacing a radiator cost savings. Oh well its agonizing to learn the hardway.

 

well hell i live in fort collins and i drive to littleton a lot. if it tears again i'll come fix it for ya for fourty dollars. lol

 

come on man, forty$$? share the knowledge and have him do some steaks on the bbq for payment, maybe even a cold beer or 2 or... never know when you might need a hand, karma and all.

just my .02.

lee

 

Yes, you got gouged. Sorry. ANY self respecting mechanic should take absolutely NO longer than 2 hours to replace a CV on our rigs. As mentioned above, remanned CV's cost $70. At a shop rate of $100/hr, you're looking at less than $300.

For those of us that have done it a few times (and made some simple modifications to make it easier), it can be done in well less than an hour.

Molly and I are in Longmont and open our "House of Wrenching" all the time for exactly this reason ... we would be happy to show you how to do it, and we have all the tools and "access" to a couple Toyota techs for the harder stuff!

 

lol all i want is gas money and i woulda said beer but i'm only 19... but seriously i'll do it for ya.

 

shops have set hours.. theres a book time for everything.. so if he went over the hours its his fault not yours.. to charge you way over book hours can get him shut down. you have to remember that stuff breaks and nuts sometime get froze. but you paid way to much.. half hour over book time.. Id be pissed a little.. in your case id ask for my money back and have him put your old stuff back in... also.. did you drop it off for a boot and when you went to pick it up he replaced the shafts without talking to you first? if this is the case then id go see a lawyer.. in MI if repairs go over a certin price they much ask you if you want it done before they can do it.. the same most states i assume... otherwise you could take him to court.. probly get some cash back and then some..

 

Mechanic credited me $200 back after going to his shop, better than nothing. Thanks folks.