The Car and Mechanic Shop Thread - War Stories.

[BillBoard]

My cousin owns a mechanic shop in Newark NJ, it is a tough way to make a living but he likes the work. Anywhoo- I was visiting him last week, where I saw him in action at his shop during his "Slow August" marketing campaign, I want to share some war stories with you from what I saw:

He hired a couple of guys to pass out flyers promoting an Oil change special for $21.95. Now, that price seems cheap to me so I asked him what was the deal, how could he offer such a deal?

He tells me that the $21.95 is the cost of the Oil and Filter, he chucks the cost of labor for doing the oil change to a marketing expense. So in other words, he pays the customer to give him a shot at becoming the customer's mechanic.

The cost breaks down like this: 5 Quarts of 10w30 Bulk motor oil at 3 dollars a quart = $15. Plus Group 7 or Wix Oil filter 6 or 7 bucks = $21 to $22 bucks.

As I am hanging out a customer comes in with a 2008 Toyota Matrix, the prospective customer asks for the Oil Change Special which my cousin readily did process the work order.

Once on the lift, as one of the mechanics is changing the oil, the mechanic gives the car an inspection and sees that the car needs front brakes. The mechanic tells my cousin that the car needs front brakes which he relays to the customer with a quote for the cost of the job.

He quotes the customer about $200 bucks for the front brakes, which the customer agrees to have done.

Looking back, I was wondering how is it that they make money to stay in business, he tells me it is very rough but he is staying in business strong for he is following a very basic formula, his goal is to make 8% net profit per annum.

Here is how that job broke down:

AC Delco Professional Pads: Sell Price: $79.97 Cost $60.00 Markup 33%
Labor to resurface front rotors and change pads: Sell Price: $102.00 at about 1.5 hours. Cost $80.00 Markup 25%
Oil Change parts sell price: $21.95 Cost $22.00 Markup 0%
Labor cost to change oil $21.45

Total bill to customer $203.92 * 7% sales tax = $218.19
Total job costs: $183.45

$203.92 - $183.45 = $20.47 Gross profit. That's about a 10% markup on the whole job!

Damn, talk about a tough business!!!

[Gaillo]

Tough business - no kidding! :o

For $20.47, I'm not sure I'd bother getting out of bed that morning...

[LuckyStrike]

I talked to a mechanic I know who said that after Sept 11, it became real tough since the 0% interest for years, plus cars now have so damn long warranties that by the time the warranty runs out they are on to a new car.

Doesn't sound like the place to make money.

[BrewTech]

It is a tough business, especially these days. The labor rate at my buddy's shop is about 25% below industry standard here, and he doesn't advertise. I talked him into bumping his parts markup to something better than the 30% he was doing, so that helped a bit. He's told many of his regular customers that a labor rate hike is in the works so he can keep the doors open, and they don't seem to mind so much, but he still hasn't done it.

A small independent shop has to rely on a firm, loyal customer base to keep doing business these days. The work must be of top quality and integrity must never waver from 100% or you're screwed.

Fixing cars is a tough job, but at least it is useful work, so that's good.

[BrewTech]

I talked to a mechanic I know who said that after Sept 11, it became real tough since the 0% interest for years, plus cars now have so damn long warranties that by the time the warranty runs out they are on to a new car.

Doesn't sound like the place to make money.

That used to be the case, but now people are keeping their cars more often than not. The one's that go back to the dealer for warranty work end up killing the technicians because the manufacturers won't pay fair labor times to do the jobs. You can make a living doing this but as I said, top quality work and unshakeable integrity are the only things that will keep the money coming in.

[willie pete]

the mechanic I've used for a few years now doesn't seem to have any problems with a customer base, his labor rate is $80 an hour :o ...of course he has overhead, his son works there and they have another guy also, I think they do OK.........on another note one of my nieghbors told me the other day she went in for an oil change and came out with a front brake job too ::), she's elderly, drives a 2009 Honda accord, has 13k miles on it ::)...I mentioned to her that it wouldn't seem like she'd need a brake job so soon; she told me they recommended it though after putting it on the lift and looking....it's my opinion they screwed her out of $200 >:D.....I'm not sure, but I told her I thought the car might warn her IF the brakes were bad

[osoab]

$203.92 - $183.45 = $20.47 Gross profit. That's about a 10% markup on the whole job!

Damn, talk about a tough business!!!

Dude, how does he stay open? With his taxes, employee taxes, general overhead costs, along with any payments he may have, he didn't make a dime for that whole thing. Probably lost money.

If the numbers you ran are typical, I am surprised his lights are still on.

[BillBoard]

Dude, how does he stay open? With his taxes, employee taxes, general overhead costs, along with any payments he may have, he didn't make a dime for that whole thing. Probably lost money.

If the numbers you ran are typical, I am surprised his lights are still on.

You may be right! I suspect that he is subsidizing his sell prices because he already has paid off the building and real estate.

[BillBoard]

I talked to a mechanic I know who said that after Sept 11, it became real tough since the 0% interest for years, plus cars now have so damn long warranties that by the time the warranty runs out they are on to a new car.

Doesn't sound like the place to make money.


More like buying themselves a job.

[BillBoard]

the mechanic I've used for a few years now doesn't seem to have any problems with a customer base, his labor rate is $80 an hour :o ...of course he has overhead, his son works there and they have another guy also, I think they do OK.........on another note one of my nieghbors told me the other day she went in for an oil change and came out with a front brake job too ::), she's elderly, drives a 2009 Honda accord, has 13k miles on it ::)...I mentioned to her that it wouldn't seem like she'd need a brake job so soon; she told me they recommended it though after putting it on the lift and looking....it's my opinion they screwed her out of $200 >:D.....I'm not sure, but I told her I thought the car might warn her IF the brakes were bad

Now you know why they may have sold her the $200 dollar brake job! ha ha ha

or she rides the brakes?....LOL

[Hillbilly]

What you are missing here is that labor is for auto mechanics is calculated in "Flat Rate" it is the amount of time the manual says and average mechanic can complete the job. Most good mechanics can beat the flat rate time, some time by a little some times by a lot. so if the flat rate manual says 3 hours and he gets it done in 2.5 he still gets paid for three and the .5 is extra profit on the top. Now some times they can go over but those mechanics do not stay in the business very long.

[hoarder]

A 2008 Toyota already needs front brakes? I've had a few Toyotas and they never needed brakes before 130,000 miles. Is you cousin an honest kind of guy? If I had a mechanic and he told me a customers 2008 Toyota needed brakes I'd sure wonder what the mileage was.

[hoarder]

What you are missing here is that labor is for auto mechanics is calculated in "Flat Rate" it is the amount of time the manual says and average mechanic can complete the job. Most good mechanics can beat the flat rate time, some time by a little some times by a lot. so if the flat rate manual says 3 hours and he gets it done in 2.5 he still gets paid for three and the .5 is extra profit on the top. Now some times they can go over but those mechanics do not stay in the business very long.Mechanics at dealerships often beat the flat rate because they have done the exact same repair on the exact same model several times. Mechanics in private garages that work on many different makes of cars generally get beat by the flat rate because every job is a new adventure and they aren't as well equipped as the dealer.

[BillBoard]

What you are missing here is that labor is for auto mechanics is calculated in "Flat Rate" it is the amount of time the manual says and average mechanic can complete the job. Most good mechanics can beat the flat rate time, some time by a little some times by a lot. so if the flat rate manual says 3 hours and he gets it done in 2.5 he still gets paid for three and the .5 is extra profit on the top. Now some times they can go over but those mechanics do not stay in the business very long.

Yeah, we talked about that. He tells me that the labor guides do not take into account rusted bolts, seized connectors or other troubled items, the times are calculated on clean new cars that may never have seen the road.

[Twisted Titan]

what part of newark...I may try to patronize him

[BillBoard]

A 2008 Toyota already needs front brakes? I've had a few Toyotas and they never needed brakes before 130,000 miles. Is you cousin an honest kind of guy? If I had a mechanic and he told me a customers 2008 Toyota needed brakes I'd sure wonder what the mileage was.


Don't know what the mileage was, but I did see the pads and they were worn out. 130K miles on brake pads? Damn, stop much?

[LuckyStrike]

Don't know what the mileage was, but I did see the pads and they were worn out. 130K miles on brake pads? Damn, stop much?

I'm at 113k on my Tundra's original brakes. Crewcab 4wd, relativly heavy truck, but I know how to drive. Plus I do my own brakes and don't particulalry care for it so I coast a lot.

One guy at work SCSB 2wd chevy had something like 175 or 200k before he needed pads. It was a shitload, but he drives like a grandma.

[solid]

I'm at 113k on my Tundra's original brakes. .

76K on my Tacoma original brakes. Funny, I was thinking the past couple of days I ought to replace the pads....now? I think I'll keep going. See if I can break the 100k mark on the original brakes.

[BrewTech]

A 2008 Toyota already needs front brakes? I've had a few Toyotas and they never needed brakes before 130,000 miles. Is you cousin an honest kind of guy? If I had a mechanic and he told me a customers 2008 Toyota needed brakes I'd sure wonder what the mileage was. LOL...130,000? Even in the front? Ha!

I've been in this business 23 years and that doesn't happen, dude.

Front pads on the average automobile last 25,000 - 30,000 miles. Rear disc may go 50K. Rear drums, depending on the vehicle, can do better than 70K.

13,000 miles is early but Dodge Caravans in the early 2000's were going through front brakes in 10,000 miles. Customers not happy, Chrysler made a design change.

[BillBoard]

Engine Swap....

[LuckyStrike]

LOL...130,000? Even in the front? Ha!


Wanna put money on it?

[solid]

Front pads on the average automobile last 25,000 - 30,000 miles. Rear disc may go 50K. Rear drums, depending on the vehicle, can do better than 70K..

Brew, in 1998 I bought a brand new Jeep Wrangler, 4 cyl, manual. I drove 170K miles on her, sold her in 2007, for the toyota tacoma. I replaced the radiator, shocks, but I did not replace the clutch...or the brakes. 170K on original drum brakes on the thing.

I'm still amazed at that. Of course, with a stick shift, I did a lot of down shifting etc to save wear and tear, but yeah, never touched the brakes, 170K.

[BrewTech]

170K on original drum brakes on the thing.



I can believe that with a stick, and the right kind of driving. So it had 4 wheel drum brakes then?

[LuckyStrike]

Front pads on the average automobile last 25,000 - 30,000 miles. Rear disc may go 50K. Rear drums, depending on the vehicle, can do better than 70K.


I can't speak for the validity of this since the only brakes I see are on cars I work on. Seems quite low although somewhat plausible since most people don't realize if you don't get on the brakes hard at every stop light you can extend the life, not to mention it doesn't save you time. (in the long run because you either have to take time to replace them yourself, or pay someone to (time is money) plus you have to wait for a mechanic to do it)

[BrewTech]

I can't speak for the validity of this since the only brakes I see are on cars I work on. Seems quite low although somewhat plausible since most people don't realize if you don't get on the brakes hard at every stop light you can extend the life, not to mention it doesn't save you time. (in the long run because you either have to take time to replace them yourself, or pay someone to (time is money) plus you have to wait for a mechanic to do it)

Notice how I didn't say the brakes on MY personal vehicle last 30K... ;)

[solid]

I can believe that with a stick, and the right kind of driving. So it had 4 wheel drum brakes then?

It had 4 wheel drum brakes, plus Jeep's have a short wheel base, with weight balanced well. For the most part, I just downshifted to slow down. Thinking back, yeah, if you drive right, you don't really even need brakes with a Jeep.

[BillBoard]

Another engine swap...

[Cebu_4_2]

My cousin owns a mechanic shop in Newark NJ, it is a tough way to make a living but he likes the work. Anywhoo- I was visiting him last week, where I saw him in action at his shop during his "Slow August" marketing campaign, I want to share some war stories with you from what I saw:

He hired a couple of guys to pass out flyers promoting an Oil change special for $21.95. Now, that price seems cheap to me so I asked him what was the deal, how could he offer such a deal?

He tells me that the $21.95 is the cost of the Oil and Filter, he chucks the cost of labor for doing the oil change to a marketing expense. So in other words, he pays the customer to give him a shot at becoming the customer's mechanic.

The cost breaks down like this: 5 Quarts of 10w30 Bulk motor oil at 3 dollars a quart = $15. Plus Group 7 or Wix Oil filter 6 or 7 bucks = $21 to $22 bucks.

As I am hanging out a customer comes in with a 2008 Toyota Matrix, the prospective customer asks for the Oil Change Special which my cousin readily did process the work order.

Once on the lift, as one of the mechanics is changing the oil, the mechanic gives the car an inspection and sees that the car needs front brakes. The mechanic tells my cousin that the car needs front brakes which he relays to the customer with a quote for the cost of the job.

He quotes the customer about $200 bucks for the front brakes, which the customer agrees to have done.

Looking back, I was wondering how is it that they make money to stay in business, he tells me it is very rough but he is staying in business strong for he is following a very basic formula, his goal is to make 8% net profit per annum.

Here is how that job broke down:

AC Delco Professional Pads: Sell Price: $79.97 Cost $60.00 Markup 33%
Labor to resurface front rotors and change pads: Sell Price: $102.00 at about 1.5 hours. Cost $80.00 Markup 25%
Oil Change parts sell price: $21.95 Cost $22.00 Markup 0%
Labor cost to change oil $21.45

Total bill to customer $203.92 * 7% sales tax = $218.19
Total job costs: $183.45

$203.92 - $183.45 = $20.47 Gross profit. That's about a 10% markup on the whole job!

Damn, talk about a tough business!!!

I read this and call bullshit. The costs and replacement prices are bullshit, I can redo anyones brakes including an Escalade under 100 bux any day. Try to get work honestly not rape them on the first visit would be a clue. Not worth any more interjection here... shhhhyt im out man, this sickens me.

[Cebu_4_2]

turn rotors, anywhere walk in cost 8 bux... 102.00 at his cost????


BULLSHYT!

LSMFT

[milehi]

A 2008 Toyota already needs front brakes? I've had a few Toyotas and they never needed brakes before 130,000 miles. Is you cousin an honest kind of guy? If I had a mechanic and he told me a customers 2008 Toyota needed brakes I'd sure wonder what the mileage was.

My 2005 Tacoma TRD needed front brakes at 55000 miles, but I live in the mountains and decend 4500 feet to the office. My sedan needs new pads every 30000 miles. Don't even ask about tires.

[BillBoard]

I read this and call bullshit. The costs and replacement prices are bullshit, I can redo anyones brakes including an Escalade under 100 bux any day. Try to get work honestly not rape them on the first visit would be a clue. Not worth any more interjection here... shhhhyt im out man, this sickens me.

Escalade huh?

Brake Pad Replacement, Resurface Rotors - Front for your 2008 Cadillac Escalade
RepairPrice EstimateTM
$257 to $407
Customized for your location
How much should I pay?
Estimate Includes:
Labor

$171-$218
Parts (plus tax & fees)

$86-$189
http://repairpal.com/estimator/results

I call bullshit on you.

[Cebu_4_2]

Complete bullshyt man, if your trying to drum up business is fine but to call a rotor cut 102 bux is complete BS. 5 minutes and a rubber strap does not account for the extra 90. Call it what it is, a complete ripoff.

[BillBoard]

Complete bullshyt man, if your trying to drum up business is fine but to call a rotor cut 102 bux is complete BS. 5 minutes and a rubber strap does not account for the extra 90. Call it what it is, a complete ripoff.

Dude, tell us how you do it!

I am retired, sold my biz last year. Why don't you tell us how you can do it so cheaply?

[vacuum]

I think it also includes brake pads.

[vacuum]

I always wondered about downshifting when driving a stick. My philosophy is - you brake a lot and the worst that can happen is you need to replace some brake pads. No big deal. But if you screw up your drive train by downshifting, it is a big deal. So I tend not to do it.

[hoarder]

My previous Toyota had 160,000 miles on the rear drum brakes and they looked like they had 5000 miles on them.
I was a car mechanic paid on commission in the 70's and brake work was the most profitable work I did other than towing. back then I got $3 to turn a drum. That was easy money because I threw it on the lathe and and changed the shoes or pads while it turned.

[BillBoard]

My previous Toyota had 160,000 miles on the rear drum brakes and they looked like they had 5000 miles on them.
I was a car mechanic paid on commission in the 70's and brake work was the most profitable work I did other than towing. back then I got $3 to turn a drum. That was easy money because I threw it on the lathe and and changed the shoes or pads while it turned.

Hoarder, I saw a bill board announcing a change of brake pads for $79.95 including labor, excluding tax. My cousin tells me they use aftermarket parts which may have been counterfeited. Not too profitable if you ask me.

[horseshoe3]

Brake life depend greatly on driving style, and that depends greatly on location. I live in fairly flat terrain. I have a 56 mile round trip to work. During that trip I stop 6 times. My brakes last forever. I also let off the gas 3/4 mile before the stop sign so by the time I apply the brakes, I'm already down to 30 mph. I know this wouldn't work in urban or hilly terrain, but in some places, 130,000 like LS claims is very conservative.

[horseshoe3]

Dude, how does he stay open? With his taxes, employee taxes, general overhead costs, along with any payments he may have, he didn't make a dime for that whole thing. Probably lost money.

If the numbers you ran are typical, I am surprised his lights are still on.

I think all that stuff is included in his labor rate. The OP said his actual cost for 1.5 hours work is $80. I've never heard of a grease monkey or mechanic getting $53.33 per hour. He's probably paying $20-$30 and the rest is rolled up overhead, taxes, etc.

[BrewTech]

turn rotors, anywhere walk in cost 8 bux... 102.00 at his cost????


BULLSHYT!

LSMFT

1.5 hours was for the entire job, not just turning the rotors.

Jesus. That's what the fucking job pays.

Threads like this really shake my confidence in some of the folks on this board.

[BrewTech]

Complete bullshyt man, if your trying to drum up business is fine but to call a rotor cut 102 bux is complete BS. 5 minutes and a rubber strap does not account for the extra 90. Call it what it is, a complete ripoff.

Our friend here seems to have some reading comprehension problems.

[BrewTech]

It had 4 wheel drum brakes, plus Jeep's have a short wheel base, with weight balanced well. For the most part, I just downshifted to slow down. Thinking back, yeah, if you drive right, you don't really even need brakes with a Jeep.

Sorry, solid, the 1998 YJ had discs in the front, as does every modern vehicle built since the mid-1970's.

[Cebu_4_2]

Our friend here seems to have some reading comprehension problems.

You are mistaken, I am not your friend.

[BrewTech]

You are mistaken, I am not your friend.

I'm not mistaken, the use of the word "friend" was used in sarcasm. No friend of mine would deny me the right to make an honest living by charging a fair price to complete an important job.

You think the brake lathe was free, dude? Not to mention all the tools, the racks, the building, the taxes, the administrative and employee costs, etc?

In your world, people should just give away their time, labor and expertise. Except when it's YOUR time and labor, right?

::)

[solid]

Sorry, solid, the 1998 YJ had discs in the front, as does every modern vehicle built since the mid-1970's.

The 98 is a TJ, but you are correct and I was mistaken, front disc brakes. Seems unlikely that I could get 170K out of them, but I honestly can't remember ever changing them. I know I never changed the rear brakes.

One a related note, how can you tell when you need to change the front brakes? Wait until they start squeaking?

[osoab]

1.5 hours was for the entire job, not just turning the rotors.

Jesus. That's what the fucking job pays.

Threads like this really shake my confidence in some of the folks on this board.

As we pay out the wazoo for any of the elctronic crap comes out. What is the mark up once it hits the states?

If that is what you can get for your work/product, why not get it?

[BrewTech]

The 98 is a TJ, but you are correct and I was mistaken, front disc brakes. Seems unlikely that I could get 170K out of them, but I honestly can't remember ever changing them. I know I never changed the rear brakes.

One a related note, how can you tell when you need to change the front brakes? Wait until they start squeaking?

XJ YJ TJ ZJ I can hardly keep them straight with the Alzheimer's setting in...

If the pads have wear indicators, they will start to squeal the whole time the vehicle is moving once they make contact with the rotor surface.

We usually inspect a customer's brakes every couple of oil changes and record the findings on the RO.

Then, when we do the brake job, we only charge like 3 bucks because according to some people, that's a fair price, seeing how easy it is.

[BillBoard]

Hey anyone here familiar with automotive oscilloscopes?

[Ponce]

As I posted a while back my 91 Toy went kapput after loosing all my water......my mechanic had to do the whole engine for $1,600 and since then I had to take the tuck back SEVEN times, he keeps adjusting the valves and they still sound like SHT, he put in new rockers and reajusted the valves and told me to bring it back with 500 more miles to reajust them.......the truck was running just fine when I took it back and he reajusted the valves once again .....and that's my problem now.......at around 55 mph the truck is hesitant (like if I was running over some rocks) I took it back and he reajusted the timing and put in a new fuel filter (first one in 20 years hehehehhehehe) but that did not work and the truck is doesn't run right....any ideas?

[Dogman]

Every time I have ever used anyone else too fix my car/trucks it never fails, they may fix THE problem but more often than not they cause others. It is almost like things are good until disturbed, and when disturbed they go too hell. And then another trip to the shop.

But that also depends on what is done, have had vehicles that would never be quite the same after going into a shop.

[palani]

...any ideas? Get a dozen more Jack Russels and a sled.

[palani]

You think the brake lathe was free, dude? Not to mention all the tools, the racks, the building, the taxes, the administrative and employee costs, etc?

A friend runs an auto repair shop. The property taxes set him back $15,000 a year.

[Dogman]

Get a dozen more Jack Russels and a sled. Maybe something along these lines?

http://www.dogguide.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/dogcart.jpg

[milehi]

One a related note, how can you tell when you need to change the front brakes? Wait until they start squeaking?

On my sedan, there's a dashboard icon that lights up when the front pads need to be changed out. I've noticed that there's still around 50% of pad material left, so I let them go for another 10-15K before I do a brake job. I just check them when I fill up. BTW, the rotors cant be turned. You run them until they reach a minimum thickness.

[zap]

I had a little GMC worked on not long ago was running rough, I took the titian in and picked up the little truck, I get on the on ramp to the freeway and notice smoke coming out of the back, so I got on the phone to the mechanic and asked him should it be smoking, as he replied, I looked at the gages , oh no, no oil pressure so I shut it down, I didn't blow it up and he brought my other truck to me, they forgot to put a seal in somewhere, boy I was mad , the dumbshit, doesn't matter he would have had to rebuild it for freebies. Got to have the titan towed to the shop this next week damn thing won't start, won't even kick over, plenty of juice in the battery and checked all fuses. damn cars and trucks!

[Dogman]

I had a little GMC worked on not long ago was running rough, I took the titian in and picked up the little truck, I get on the on ramp to the freeway and notice smoke coming out of the back, so I got on the phone to the mechanic and asked him should it be smoking, as he replied, I looked at the gages , oh no, no oil pressure so I shut it down, I didn't blow it up and he brought my other truck to me, they forgot to put a seal in somewhere, boy I was mad , the dumbshit, doesn't matter he would have had to rebuild it for freebies. Got to have the titan towed to the shop this next week damn thing won't start, won't even kick over, plenty of juice in the battery and checked all fuses. damn cars and trucks!Now don't hold back , please tell us how you really feel! ;D

855

[Ponce]

The guy next to me just bought a 1942 army jeep for......your ready for this?........$4,000 in perfect shape, the engine sounded like a sewing machine and rode really nice........the only thing was that the tires are a lot bigger than the original ones.... I wished that I had seen it first.

[palani]

The guy next to me just bought a 1942 army jeep for......your ready for this?........$4,000 in perfect shape, the engine sounded like a sewing machine and rode really nice........the only thing was that the tires are a lot bigger than the original ones.... I wished that I had seen it first.

Got one for sale right down the road from me. I don't know the condition though.

[solid]

The guy next to me just bought a 1942 army jeep for......your ready for this?........$4,000 in perfect shape, the engine sounded like a sewing machine and rode really nice........the only thing was that the tires are a lot bigger than the original ones.... I wished that I had seen it first.

Man, that's a willy's original! Not a bad price for one, especially if it runs well.

[hoarder]

The 98 is a TJ, but you are correct and I was mistaken, front disc brakes. Seems unlikely that I could get 170K out of them, but I honestly can't remember ever changing them. I know I never changed the rear brakes.

One a related note, how can you tell when you need to change the front brakes? Wait until they start squeaking?Some Jeeps had real high towing capacity and thus heavy duty brakes. If you don't tow with them, brakes last forever.

[Dick_Stabber]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bon1x-3g4C8


Funny shit..unless it's you getting screwed.

[Dogman]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bon1x-3g4C8


Funny shit..unless it's you getting screwed.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bon1x-3g4C8

[Dick_Stabber]

Oh and this one..funny shit! Don't forget to read thru the entire site..lmao

http://dontevenreply.com/view.php?post=93

[zap]

So this is where it is located for future reference,

The starter is located on top of bellhousing, need to remove intake plenum. Ridiculous !

[BrewTech]

So this is where it is located for future reference,

The starter is located on top of bellhousing, need to remove intake plenum. Ridiculous !

We're talking about a Toyota 4.7 V8... starter?

[zap]

@ Brewtech , 2004 Nissian Titain 5.6 LE

[BrewTech]

@ Brewtech , 2004 Nissian Titain 5.6 LE

Ah, yes... haven't had to do one of those yet. In my experience, Nissan creates the most frustrating designs on the planet, from a repair POV.

[Sparky]

LOL...130,000? Even in the front? Ha!

I've been in this business 23 years and that doesn't happen, dude.

Front pads on the average automobile last 25,000 - 30,000 miles. Rear disc may go 50K. Rear drums, depending on the vehicle, can do better than 70K.

13,000 miles is early but Dodge Caravans in the early 2000's were going through front brakes in 10,000 miles. Customers not happy, Chrysler made a design change.

I got 125,000 from my Toyota, front and back. The mechanic was astounded. As horseshoe pointed out, this is very dependent upon driving conditions and style. Most people WAY overbrake, e.g. they accelerate all the way up to stop signs and red lights. If I see a stop up ahead, I'm coasting the last 100 yards.

[zap]

So I just got off the phone with the mechanic, looks like a freaking mouse was building a nest somewhere there on the intake manifold and chewed thru the wires and shorted the starter out, re-wiring it now, boy I hate mice, but I did see a cat today with a mouse in his mouth.

Edit to add, he told me he was surprised it didn't catch on fire.

[BillBoard]

Is not easy to design with future repairs in mind, as an engineer you have to make a conscious effort to keep in mind that your designs are not infallible. Easier said than done.

[palani]

Sticky traps work wonders ... they can't crawl into a ventilation space and stink up the car