Was I cheated (to put it nicely) as badly as I think?
 

Took '01 Boxster S to huge dealer because I purchased an extended warranty to have CV boots replaced. Was told 12 hours to replace boots and replace steering lock, which I didn't notice a problem with. I asked for the number of hours in writing which is:

Drive shafts removed and reinstalled TU-300
CV joint checked TU-90
Boot CV joints replaced TU-360
Steering lock replaced TU-450

(TU=time units, so 300 is 3 hours)

I was quoted 7 hours at another dealer after I had said "OK" to the first one. I had to pay for additional hours the extended warranty company wouldn't cover. My question, should the "drive shafts removed and reinstalled" be a separate charge? Is that necessary to replace CV boots? I think the second dealer said that is part of the "Boot CV joints replaced", so in essence I was charged twice. Would like an independent confirmation. Thanks--obviously I know nothing about car repairs, but I think I know when I'm being cheated and lied to--without dinner first!

What was the problem with the Steering lock ?
If you deduct the labor for the steering lock you are close to the 7 hour estimate from the other dealer.

Get a written estimate from another Porsche dealer.

Hi Prooutlaw--I didn't explain very well--the other estimate was 2.3 hours per side for CV boots for a total of 4.6 hours. The other estimate for the steering lock was 2.5 vs 4.5. I'll be changing places, just was trying to figure out what was going on. Thanks!

Britwrench--yes, I should get the other estimate in writing, thank you.

Also be aware that "book time" doesn't = actual time. In many cases, an experienced tech couls (does) the job in less time, but the dealership charges by Book time which is established by Porsche.

Also curious.. first post said 300 TU = 3 hours.. So, 100TU=1hr? one would think TU would be a multiple of 60 (*ie 60 min= 1hr).

Nevertheless, it pays to shop around.

I'd be curious to hear about replacing the "steering" lock.. I know some times the ignition switch fails.. is this what they meant?

Porsche time system is 100 units = 1 hour

I'm still not quite sure what the actual charges were. In other words, what did you pay?

Did any of the jobs include anything else or was it, for example, a straight forward steering lock change?
Running the PIWIS system is an additional charge if carried out.

I'm not sure this is relevent in the Porsche world, but generally in the automotive world there are two types of CV boots, Split and Solid. Solid ones generally need the drive shaft removed to install properly and are cheaper. They will need to remove the shaft to install it properly.

Split boots are a little more expensive and fail more often. They are basically two half boots that you use a glue to stick together. Therefore you don't need to remove the shaft at all and is much cheaper to install.

3-4 hours sound right for CV boot install if they are talking both sides. A little silly if it's only one side but again this isn't specific to the boxster, just cars in general. I don't see how the Boxster could be much more challenging though.

A common fix if changing boots out is just to replace the entire axle. Dunno how much porsche axles are but you should save atleast an hour over changing the boots out if the new axle comes complete (boots and such).

Good luck! I have no idea what the deal with the ignition lock is.

The only factory supplied split axle boot is on the 356.

The 986 S axle, 986 332 024 50 is coming up on $700.00, so replacing under an extended warranty is not going to happen unless it is faulty.

Replacing the boots (inner and outer on one axle) is pretty straight forward, but takes time.

The boots can and do tear, if the cv joints are fine, why replace the axle assembly?

The ignition lock is a known 986/996 problem, Porsche updated the part to cure the problem.