Reasonable price for a Vanagon CV joint?

[shadetreetim]

I think that's the shady part. Free labor but a higher cost for parts. For an overall price that would be close to another shops parts and labor.
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Tim Potts

Doing my best every time I drive it to dispel the myth these Vanagons have to be slow!


'89 Vanagon Bluestar/Country Homes 1.8T & .77 4th
'74 Jeep CJ5

[shadetreetim]

I think that's the shady part. Free labor but a higher cost for parts. For an overall price that would be close to another shops parts and labor.
_________________
Tim Potts

Doing my best every time I drive it to dispel the myth these Vanagons have to be slow!


'89 Vanagon Bluestar/Country Homes 1.8T & .77 4th
'74 Jeep CJ5

[shorepig]

Yes, the $146 was the price for one lobro cv joint. Not a complete axle. He didn't charge me labour because he said he was giving me a deal. He was giving me a deal because I had recently bought a rebuilt tranny which he built and installed. I have been back to him three times because the tranny was leaking. The last time I was back he had to pull the tranny to fix the leak. That is when he replaced the CV (no labour charge).
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85 Westy
92 Mitsubishi Mighty Max 4x4 V6
74 Honda CB500T cafe racer
2013 ktm 690r
Sector nine pintail

[randywebb]

I see.

He did give you a deal - just not a good deal.
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1986 2.1L Westy 2wd Auto Trans.

[Gruppe B]

I know that the "online price" is $65.00 for a good CV but never that in a Canadian parts store.

$150 won't get you a China brand CV installed at Canadian Tire.

Seriously, if this is really annoying you, then it's time to start wrenching yourself.

If I did the job myself for my own Vanagon with online parts
-Lobro CV $65.00
-Rockford CV Boot $30.00
-New hardware $20.00
Shipping $20.00
Parts ordered 1-2 weeks wait, 1 hour time to order
install 1 hour +
Total = $135.00, 2 hours work, 2 week wait, no savings

[Jake de Villiers]

[MarkWard]

Dealer List is $237.10. World Pac Jobber is $75.23. That is today. 50% off dealer list would be around $118. Do you bring your own steak to a restaurant and ask them to cook it for you?
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[rcook52459]

actually $147 installed with part that's it is a very good price.fair for all concerned.i thought you paid $147 for the part.might keep that tech if you like his work.
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85 westy tiico conversion.auto trans triumph TR250 1980 Suzuki GS1000l

[ftp2leta]

3 pages of VV joint price...

Ok, just looked at my cost (3 different places), all German Lobro. 56$ each (average), retail, 321.00. I just called at Carquest, 145$ (World Pac is selling to Carquest)

I would sell that for around 89$ to my customers.

Installation time can vary A LOT, first some Allen bolt can be a pain even for a guy like me. After, it's greasy time on the bench/vise. Be ready sometime to hit VERY hard to get the inner race out. After it's cleaning and greasing AND installing.

Let's say that all goes good, get the van on the lift, 10min, 15 minutes on each side to remove them + your customer (if there) is slowing you down big time so it's not 30 minutes but and hour +. About 30-45 minute per axle is he time it should take +- 10 min.

On top, like some have stated it's one hell of a dirty job. You bench is a mess, you have used ton of brake cleaner and towel.

So what, you easy lost one morning to make 120$ profit on parts (4), one morning doing anything else then CV's is a good morning. You have charge like 3 hours.

Some will say it's good money. Good for you. It would make a big difference if I would sell them 125$ I would be less pissed out.

Not a happy customer? use my web page and get dirty:
http://www.benplace.com/cv_joint_maintenance.htm

Ben
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Working with rust, grease, dirt and dust is a sad truth.
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FI part for sale: http://www.benplace.com/parts_sale1.htm
My site: http://www.benplace.com/vw2.htm
Subi conversion: http://www.benplace.com/vanaru_eng.htm
Youtube http://www.youtube.com/user/ftp2leta

[randywebb]

BTW - when I said not a good deal, that does not mean a bad deal; just ok
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1986 2.1L Westy 2wd Auto Trans.

[insyncro]

Threads like this are priceless.

DIY or pay the Man

[ftp2leta]

[dhaavers]

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86 White Wolfsburg Westy Weekender
"The WonderVan"
<EDITED TO PROTECT INNOCENT PIXELS>

[geo_tonz]

As Jake and Gruppe B mentioned the OP is in CANADA which a lot of posters seemed to miss. Quality parts can be stupidly priced here, vs 50 miles across the border. My $250 order of "good deals" from GW end up with an extra $60 in duty, plus $30 in shipping. Heavier items? More money!

Yes, I know Ben's a Canadian (well...Quebecois anyhow ), but I'm sure with his vast experience he has a much better VW parts supply pool than a general mechanic in Vancouver.

To me, I think the OP got charged a fair price for where he was. The mechanic could say "no Labour" as he's probably got to disconnect 1/2 of the cv anyway to pull the tranny right? If it was in California it would be highway robbery.
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"Ron Burgundy": 1991 Vanagon Multivan (Weekender) 2.1L Auto - Driver/Camper

[insyncro]

I will gladly trade US Vanagon parts pricing for The Canadian Health Care System.

Let's get that done.

[ftp2leta]

Seller: Make profit - make a living
Buyer: Look around for price and quality

It's the capitalist way. Don't scream if you get ripped off, you should have inquired better.

Of course you can be ripped off if your stuck somewhere.

Also, your driving an old van that not many mechanic want (know how) to work on it.

Body work: No one want to do a full job those days, it's way more interesting to do 1-2 panel for insurance purpose. NO ONE want to work with rust.

Your are not owning a 5-8 yo Honda, Ford or what ever.

Good thing there is a few mechanic on this forum.

Lately something strange is happening to me, some people are pissed off because I don't want to work on their Air-Cool van (engine) or don't want to do a rusted van (body Work), they keep asking why!!!

Ben
_________________
Working with rust, grease, dirt and dust is a sad truth.
------------------------------------------------------
FI part for sale: http://www.benplace.com/parts_sale1.htm
My site: http://www.benplace.com/vw2.htm
Subi conversion: http://www.benplace.com/vanaru_eng.htm
Youtube http://www.youtube.com/user/ftp2leta

[j_dirge]

[shorepig]

People here seem to be missing my point, or maybe I'm being unclear. Or perhaps some of you just can't read very well.

CIP1 here in Vancouver, retails a LOBRO cv joint, clip, grease, boot, and 6 bolts for $90....CANADIAN CURRENCY.

My mechanic told me the LOBRO lists for $247 retail.

He told me he was giving me his cost on the part at $146.

MY MECHANIC PERFORMED UNAUTHORIZED WORK as I asked him to call me with a price prior to starting the work....and he didn't. Hmm, I wonder why?

So as far as I'm concerned, the mechanic lied to me about the price, and didn't follow through with his promise of calling me with a price. Piss poor service as far as I'm concerned. In terms of the labour, there was no charge for labour so don't factor cost of labour into the price of the parts.

ftp2leta said

[MarkWard]

So 3 pages to complain about a shop that made at most $56 dollars off of you. Were you going to swing by Cip1 and pick the joint up? If you had one shipped, shipping charges often include more than the actual freight charges. Seems to me, the shop will be glad to see a customer like you drive off and never come back. And based on your few posts, you feel the same about the shop. Everyone needs to move on.

Retail pricing varies from who is retailing the part. Wholesale and Jobber pricing is based on volume etc.
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[j_dirge]