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Jim Grant's Tech Tips
Honda Accord, CV-Boots
Q:
I took
my Honda Accord to the dealer because of a recall notice. While there
they called to tell me that for $300 they could fix my CV boots which
they noticed were bad. I checked my usual place and they too were charging
$300 so I let the dealer do it. The next day when I took the car to my
usual guy I found out that his $300 included the cylinder and the boots
(or whatever that thing between the boots is called). He said it was more
expensive in labor to replace the boots than the whole thing. (He was
going to put in a used part). Furious, I drove back to the Honda dealer
and told the service man. He said that was only my guy's opinion. I believe
they should have informed me of the other option, so I canceled payment
on the check. I want the Honda dealer to guarantee me replacement on the
cylinder (if it goes bad) for $50. What do you think?
-
Marilyn B.
A:
I think
the first thing you should do is make the check good. Why? The dealer
called you and made a suggestion for repair. After checking with your
shop you authorized the dealer to perform the repairs. They performed
authorized repairs and did that work at the price they quoted. Was there
anything wrong with the work they did? Now let's look at the work you
had performed. A CV-boot kit with new clamps, boot and grease is in the
area of $15 to $25 each. Your vehicle has 4 such boots. It takes about
3 to 4 hours or so to correctly remove the 2 drive axles from the vehicle,
disassemble, clean and inspect the CV-joints, install the new grease,
boots, clamps and axle back into the vehicle. At today's labor rates and
parts that is easily $300. It is common practice, if the joints are not
damaged to clean, inspect, and install new grease and boots. I have not
a clue why anyone would install used boots or a used axle for that matter.
What I think he (your guy) meant was a remanufactured axle which comes
with new boots, grease clamps and a warranty and they sell for $100 to
$150 each. To replace all 4 boots would require replacing both axles.
Why was $300 okay, about the same price "your guy" would charge
one day, but not the next? Why didn't he provide you with different choices
when you asked? From the information you've provided I do not see that
the dealer has done anything wrong. If your shop had replaced the assemblies
with remanufactured (not used) they would have not done anything wrong.
The work performed was as promised. What is wrong? You canceling a check
over a difference in repair procedures that provided the same results,
just a different path was used.
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