JKossarides said:
Maybe less just for the parts with tax, I can deposit rent the spanner socket for free and just buy the snap ring pliers but other then that, yeah maybe a few dollars less with tax depending on what I actually buy and if I don't need bearings perhaps it will be less. In SOCAL once you pull in to a place they got you for parts, minimum 2 hrs on the labor clock and now you're stuck there and I don't trust some of these places, these guys come & go like the wind and it's all about the shop making money and no "Good Will". There's only a few places I've gone to for a long period that I trust. That's why an old dog like comes to a site like this, I'd rather do it myself right and put the money in my pocket. I used to be a purist but as you get older economics becomes more important factor. I know some guys have issues with some of these parts house like Autozone but it's convenient for me and fast.
I'd rather be Trap Shooting then getting greasy any day but you do what yo gotta do!
Great threads guys, when I grew up you had to learn it the hard way and I'm always leary about things "So Easy" and then things just don't go that way and you're stuck in the middle of it and have to fight it you know?
Some of you may not realize/appreciate what a LUXURY this site really is! Thanks Again ~
Well put JK
and once again hats off to Joe and all those who look after us here (and keep us in line). There's plenty of other car/truck sites but few as knowledgeable and friendly with it.
I've never been to Cali but I vividly remember the Frank Zappa song "Flakes" all about the SoCal car ripoff joints. I'm real happy to have a couple of good garages round here to rely on when I get in over my head. Even a fairly honest stealership or two around here.
As much as I like them I will not give them a gravy job like brakes to do. You can just save too much money doing it yourself with non-OEM parts (like you say).
As for that special hub socket, I've seen them at the Advance site for under $10.00. You gotta realize you'll save enough money first time out doing your brakes to pay for safety stands and the socket.
When you get to your bearings you'll have already paid for the tools and have em' ready to go.
Here's a link to the Timken bearing install I did for you and GTRider(check out how cheack you can get real US built Timkens for);
http://www.supermotors.org/vehicles/registry/detail.php?id=4970&s=17982#content
Make sure you splurge an extra buck and get synthetic grease for them so they last.
Good luck
Sixlitre