Save Me From Getting Ripped Off!

JuiceMan · 06-11-2002, 02:49 PM

Ok my 912 needs a new rear wheel bearing on the drivers side. I don't have a garage yet so I don't do much mechanical work on the car myself. I went over to the local german car repair shop where I have had the car tuned up in the past.

I speak with the owner/mechanic and ask him how much it would cost to replace the rear wheel bearing. He goes and gets out his estimate guide and comes back to tell me the cheapest he could do this would be $300

I figured more like $150 part + labor. He said it is a 3 hour job and the one bearing is $80 (however I know Pelican has it MUCH cheaper) even if the bearing is $80 he is wanting to charge me $220 for labor and a maybe a few shop rags. He said it is around a 3-hour job.

Is this really how much things like this cost? If so what a joke! I figure I might as well purchase the removal tool and the bearing from the good folks at Pelican and have a self-proclaimed "family mechanic." perform the task! I would end up owning the removal tool and still probably save $50.

If it's not a terrible job I might just do it myself. So is this $300 price way to high or have I not realized somthing?

wwwcad · 03:34 PM

Do it yourself!! Go for it. I've never rebuilt an engine myself, but I'm now reassembling my 1968 912 engine after tearing it down to the bare case a couple months ago. I'm also restoring the gas tank and floor boards, something I've never done before, but not as difficult as it sounds once you study a little before starting. Patience and a couple good manuals for guidance, as well as this forum and another, have gotten me through these processes. Ten years ago I never would have tried it, but the costs savings are incredible.

It is so satisfying to do much of the work yourself. When I put the car all back together, it will really be something of an accomplishment. If you have the time and the patience, it could be a rewarding experience. Just my opinion.

Regards,
Bill

craign · craign's Garage

69-912,

Here in wonderful California decent auto labor goes for $70.00+/hour so we would be looking at $210.00 just in labor.

If you do this yourself and screw it up how much would it cost to fix it right? Now your up to 500+ or more............

Of course if you do it yourself and do it right you have the satisfaction and confidence to take on bigger and better things.

I vote for doing it yourself and even if you botch it up you learn something.

Craig
69-912

ron69912t · 06-11-2002, 06:14 PM

69-912:
I live NW of Chicago. The local foreign car garage (one of few in the area) charges me $70.00 per hour and jack up the price of parts.

I supplied 4 new brake line hoses and they charged me $179.00 to install them and bleed the brakes.

Good luck with your decision.

Ron D
69 912 Targa

Green 912 · 06-11-2002, 06:22 PM

You can do it using the tool that presses the bearing out without the need to remove the arm from the car. Done right there is no need to realign. Up front cost of the tool and the needed super bolt will be returned the first time you use it. You are lucky to have a 69 as our friends with pre 69 have 2 bearings in each side and the inner one cost $. The satisfaction of having done the work yourself is half the fun of owning a classic. (At least that is what I keep telling myself after burning a nice day grubbing in grease rather than driving)

$300 including the bearing is not a bad price for the job and you will need some good sized tools as well. It is a one day progect for us "shade tree meckanicks" but you are on the right track to check out the work first.

wwwcad · 06-11-2002, 06:29 PM

I may be showing my age here, but one of the reasons I bought the 912 in the first place is its simplicity. You can't find such simple, down-to-earth cars unless to go back to the 1960s. It really takes me back for sure. A great time to be in high school too, I might add.

The 912 is not a complicated machine by any stretch of the imagination. As a high schooler, I did much of my own work on a succession of VW bugs and never found them that hard to fix. Now my son is learning the inner workings of the internal combustion engine as well as body work and everything else the 912 needs. A great experience for us both. Would I tackle a fuel injected computerized 911? Probably not. Don't have the tools or temperment to delve into that one.

The 912 is definitely one of the most perfect cars out there for the novice mechanic. My goal is to do another one once I finish the first one!

As the lady sings: When you get the chance, "just dance!"

Regards,
Bill

Green 912 · 06-11-2002, 07:04 PM

Well said.

"Once I finish this one"? You mean you can finish one of these things?

wwwcad · 06-11-2002, 07:22 PM

Hi Green,

Thanks, I hear ya'! My definition of "finished" is off the blocks and on the road, even if it is only between repairs and upgrades! Owning one of these things is like a journey with no specific destination other than the pleasure derived from effort and time invested.

I do feel as if we're all in this together. These quirky little cars bind us together as comrades against the ravages of time and advancing technology. It's a brotherhood in my estimation. I haven't felt like this since my days of riding Harleys. There's something about certain machines that make us all members of a club. We end up hooked on the darn things, warts and all! And sharing our experiences is one of the benefits of ownership.

Bill

JuiceMan · 06-12-2002, 05:13 AM

Ok I'll probably give this a shot myself then.

As far a simplicity goes yes the 912 is simple but my 65 Mustang has spoiled me on that. No special tools needed to work on the car and everything is so cheap!

Then again it sure doesn't give me the feeling nor the looks that the 912 does.