parking brake cables

ztim · February 8th, 2008, 10:51 PM

Does $200 labor sound right for changing the three parking brake cables on a 1984 Delta 88?

I already bought the cables for half of what the garage would have had to charge me. I figured a $67 an hour for labor sounds about right, but three hours to do the job? Especially if they have a lift.

88 coupe · February 9th, 2008, 03:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ztim

........ I already bought the cables for half of what the garage would have ........

Do you buy your ham & eggs at the supermarket, then go to a restaurant to have them cooked?

Norm

ztim · February 9th, 2008, 07:16 AM

No, but the mechanic suggested that I do it to save a few bucks because normally I wouldn't cut them out of a profit. You still didn't answer the question.
thanks

88 coupe · February 9th, 2008, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ztim

No, but the mechanic suggested ........

Now it makes sense. Thanks for the clarification.

Quote:

........ You still didn't answer the question ........

No, I didn't.

Norm

J-(Chicago) · February 9th, 2008, 08:59 AM

Well, if your mechanic allows you to purchase parts outside of their shop, that is pretty darn nice of them. Most shops won't let you bring your own parts in for fear that they might end up putting on junk, and be responsible for it.
Unfortunately, $200 labor sounds about right to me, and yes it IS steep, but not compared to everyone else out there. This is exactly why most of us do all of our own wrenching. The more small jobs we have to farm out to shops, the less money we end up with in the paint job, or motor build funds.
All shops will have to say on this subject is, if you want to do it cheaper... invest in your own lift and tools.

You just have to weigh out the pros and cons of your current situation.
If you are working 60 hours a week, are 70 years old and have to lay in a 35 degree puddle of water on the drive to change these, 200 bucks then sounds like a pretty good deal. If you are 20 years old, with a part time job, and your buddy has an empty heated garage... 200 bucks is a total rip off.

ztim · February 9th, 2008, 11:56 AM

Thanks J. I don't get social security and have to make due on a VA pension. I wouldn't mind doing it, but it would be kind of hard for me right now. If 200 is fair, then that's okay with me.

J-(Chicago) · February 9th, 2008, 12:05 PM

It's unfortunate that you are in SC, I like working on these cars, and have had a lot of them. If you ever get around a camera, shoot a picture of the ol' girl.

ztim · February 10th, 2008, 11:53 AM

Okay. I'll see if I can get my daughter to take a picture. She's good at that kind of thing. It's not a bad little car with a 307.

ztim · February 12th, 2008, 12:51 PM

I went to a well established mom and pop garage and they said the labor would be $75. That's much better than the $200 a chain store would have charged. Maybe 88 got miffed because either he does not know of the economy in South Carolina or he sides with the name brand garages.

88 coupe · February 12th, 2008, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ztim

........ Maybe 88 got miffed because ........

Maybe ztim has an overactive imagination.

J-(Chicago) · February 12th, 2008, 04:20 PM

Lol.

I'm glad you found a fair price. 2 thumbs up.

ztim · February 15th, 2008, 07:59 AM

The whole job which included back brake pads was $113 and some change. They even saved the old pads to show me they were wore down to the rivets. Not bad.

February 8th, 2008, 10:51 PM	#1 (permalink)
ztim Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: SC Posts: 275	parking brake cables Does $200 labor sound right for changing the three parking brake cables on a 1984 Delta 88? I already bought the cables for half of what the garage would have had to charge me. I figured a $67 an hour for labor sounds about right, but three hours to do the job? Especially if they have a lift.

February 9th, 2008, 08:59 AM	#5 (permalink)
J-(Chicago) Seasoned beater pilot. Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Chicago Posts: 2,670	Well, if your mechanic allows you to purchase parts outside of their shop, that is pretty darn nice of them. Most shops won't let you bring your own parts in for fear that they might end up putting on junk, and be responsible for it. Unfortunately, $200 labor sounds about right to me, and yes it IS steep, but not compared to everyone else out there. This is exactly why most of us do all of our own wrenching. The more small jobs we have to farm out to shops, the less money we end up with in the paint job, or motor build funds. All shops will have to say on this subject is, if you want to do it cheaper... invest in your own lift and tools. You just have to weigh out the pros and cons of your current situation. If you are working 60 hours a week, are 70 years old and have to lay in a 35 degree puddle of water on the drive to change these, 200 bucks then sounds like a pretty good deal. If you are 20 years old, with a part time job, and your buddy has an empty heated garage... 200 bucks is a total rip off. __________________ I'd rather have a numbers matching poker hand.

February 9th, 2008, 12:05 PM	#7 (permalink)
J-(Chicago) Seasoned beater pilot. Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Chicago Posts: 2,670	It's unfortunate that you are in SC, I like working on these cars, and have had a lot of them. If you ever get around a camera, shoot a picture of the ol' girl. __________________ I'd rather have a numbers matching poker hand.

February 12th, 2008, 04:20 PM	#11 (permalink)
J-(Chicago) Seasoned beater pilot. Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Chicago Posts: 2,670	Lol. I'm glad you found a fair price. 2 thumbs up. __________________ I'd rather have a numbers matching poker hand.

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February 9th, 2008, 07:16 AM	#3 (permalink)
ztim Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: SC Posts: 275	No, but the mechanic suggested that I do it to save a few bucks because normally I wouldn't cut them out of a profit. You still didn't answer the question. thanks

February 9th, 2008, 11:56 AM	#6 (permalink)
ztim Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: SC Posts: 275	Thanks J. I don't get social security and have to make due on a VA pension. I wouldn't mind doing it, but it would be kind of hard for me right now. If 200 is fair, then that's okay with me.

February 10th, 2008, 11:53 AM	#8 (permalink)
ztim Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: SC Posts: 275	Okay. I'll see if I can get my daughter to take a picture. She's good at that kind of thing. It's not a bad little car with a 307.

February 12th, 2008, 12:51 PM	#9 (permalink)
ztim Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: SC Posts: 275	I went to a well established mom and pop garage and they said the labor would be $75. That's much better than the $200 a chain store would have charged. Maybe 88 got miffed because either he does not know of the economy in South Carolina or he sides with the name brand garages.

February 15th, 2008, 07:59 AM	#12 (permalink)
ztim Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: SC Posts: 275	The whole job which included back brake pads was $113 and some change. They even saved the old pads to show me they were wore down to the rivets. Not bad.

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