Did I get ripped off for a brake cylinder job?

My wife dropped off our Ford E-350 at a local shop. They took their time in getting us the diagnosis on the bad brakes. It ended up being the master cylinder. I told my wife it would cost about 100 to 150$. Well, they called in the morning, and they said it would be 433$. $197 for labor and $223 for parts. Is this close to how much the dealership would charge? They said it was a brand new part, rather than rebuilt. All this thing is is a casting with some holes drilled in it. This sucks. Any comments would be appreciated. Thanks

Reply to
funster
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'Rebuilds' have been bored out to make them smooth. They don't sell oversized seals to match so they either are dead out of the box or wear out really fast.

Their labor is out to lunch unless it is an older vehicle or lives in the rust belt, then the labor is likely on the low side. If the bleeders snap or need heat to remove, the parts and labor can go 'Way' up really quickly....

Mike

86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail >
Reply to
Mike Romain

You came up with the $100-$150 how?

Reply to
aarcuda69062

If you don't like the price, take your truck out of there. Do it yourself for 100 bucks...right? I'm sure you'll be able to figure it out.

Ian

Reply to
shiden_kai

aarcuda69062 wrote in news:nonelson- snipped-for-privacy@newsclstr02.news.prodigy.com:

The way I look at it, he couldn't diagnose or perform this service on his own, so he's qualified to gripe about it.

Yes, the master cylinder is just a "casting with some holes drilled in it", but so is an engine block. I do believe I will now make my own engine by acquiring a chunk of aluminum from MegaMetals and having at her with a hand drill. And of course it will last one million miles without any sort of maintenance.

Reply to
TeGGeR®

Because I remember buying a master cylinder years ago for about $50, and then added some more money for labor.

Reply to
funster

I remember when gas was 29 cents a gallon. Bob

Reply to
Bob

I remember buying gasoline for 22 cents a gallon (years ago)

For an E-350 which in your case probably got an upgrade to a heavier chassis master cylinder?

$50 for diagnosis and labor?

Reply to
aarcuda69062

You make me feel old. I remember one price war in the 70s where it hit 17 cents.

Reply to
aarcuda69062

Why did you gave your wife incorrect information then send her to the car dealer to get the work done.

Sure sounds like it is exactly what the dealership would charge. If you are asking whether it is out of line with what other dealerships would charge, it appears reasonable. Chances are they flushed the brake system which on many cars is not a simple process.

If that is all it is then I would assume you could make one at home with a 3/8 drill and a file.

Sounds like you should have done your homework before sending your wife off to get the car repaired.

Comments inserted.

Thanks

Reply to
John S.

Why do you consistantly punctuate questions with a period? (past posts included in reference) It doesn't fit with your otherwise fair employment of grammar, though I did spot the incorrect form of 'give' which is most likely just a speed typing error.

$433 is indeed a plausible estimate for diagnosis, labor, and a quality new part at a dealer or high quality indie shop.

Toyota MDT in MO

Reply to
Comboverfish

Hmmm...must be a slow day at work.......

Reply to
John S.

Well, you don't seem to know much about mechanical repair. I thought that if you reduced your grammatical errors then your posts wouldn't appear so obtuse. Y'know, like never admitting you're wrong 'n such...

Toyota MDT in MO

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Reply to
Comboverfish

As I indicated it must be a slow day at work for you. You should consider using some of this spare time to sign up for night school courses in spelling and basic sentence structure. I am hopeful that after a semester or two you will be capable of composing complete sentences and will not have to resort to substituting the apostrophe when you forget how a word is spelled. Once you have mastered those skills you could proceed on to an introductory course in automotive mechanics and feel confident that you could complete a written final examination.

Reply to
John S.

It must be a slow day for all of us here who are posting on Usenet^H^H^H^H^H^HGoogle Groops.

-phaeton

Reply to
phaeton

He's just trying to be consistent, constantly.

Reply to
cavedweller

Yes, clearly I use apostrophes to substitute for spelling inadequacy, just as you post accurate and helpful replies to automotive questions in this NG. Funny, I was only two hours into my workday when I posted last -- yet had already booked 6 hours between three jobs. Again you were right on about how slow work is here. Some people take smoke breaks whereas I prefer an internet break. As always, your post was most helpful. Don't forget, never admit you're wrong.

Toyota MDT in MO

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Reply to
Comboverfish

Same here, (prefer the internet break).....plus I usually take a lot less time off then the smoking maggots. I happen to be at the end of the shop where they all congregate outside, so I see them wandering down there every 45 minutes. They are the same one's that accuse me of "getting all the gravy"! Imagine that, eh?

6 hrs by 9....that would be nice. I'm quite happy these days with an average of 10-12 hrs a day over the pay period.

Ian

Reply to
shiden_kai

What all does the labor include on that vehicle? The whoosh birds were migrating past my house when you said what year it was, and what engine, but a lot of parts on a lot of vans are downright unamusing to get at, compared to the otherwise similar pickup from the same manufacturer, or to cars on which you may have done this chore in the past.

How much trouble to hook the actual MC up to the booster -- any alignment/adjustment quirks in that? Time spent in the Jacques Cousteau position under the dash? Don't forget bleeding the system, probably to an extent that constitutes a flush, and hopefully giving it a thorough inspection and road test afterward.

Parts -- new ones of a quality make are going to cost more than rebuilt.

Cheers,

--Joe

Reply to
Ad absurdum per aspera

Ian, if you saw the flat rate time on Camry ball joints, you'd die! ;-)

Reply to
aarcuda69062

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