# Car Experts: Got shocking repair estimate. Am I being scammed? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 20, 2004, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-experts-got-shocking-repair-estimate-am-i-being-scammed/246186 "2004-05-20T14:35:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Velma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/85e7bf/32.png) [@Velma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velma)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2004, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-experts-got-shocking-repair-estimate-am-i-being-scammed/246186/21 "2004-05-21T14:36:46Z")
> [@PeachNoMore](#): > > Maybe an actual mechanic can correct me if I am wrong but basics such as oil changes, radiator flushes and brake jobs no matter the make, model or miles should be pretty much the same. I’m not a mechanic but this is not always true. Once again I found that my VW needs special everything and costs more, even just to go to Valvoline or someplace and get an oil change. It needs special coolant and some other things too. This probably wouldn’t apply to the OP though. I think Ford and GM cars and such would be pretty standard. ---
**Author:** ![Kansas\_Beekeeper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c37758/32.png) [@Kansas\_Beekeeper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kansas_Beekeeper)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2004, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-experts-got-shocking-repair-estimate-am-i-being-scammed/246186/22 "2004-05-21T16:22:23Z")
> [@LouisB](#): > > As a shadetree mechanic, how do you accomplish front end alignment after replacing tie rod ends? I’m curious, that’s all. After I replace them, I use a tape measure to try and measure that it’s toed in a just a little. Then I drive it directly to a shop and have a real alignment done. ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2004, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-experts-got-shocking-repair-estimate-am-i-being-scammed/246186/23 "2004-05-21T17:34:15Z")
> [@LouisB](#): > > As a shadetree mechanic, how do you accomplish front end alignment after replacing tie rod ends? I’m curious, that’s all. I go to a tire place at get it aligned for about $40 to $50. It’s usually the most expensive part of the job. ---
**Author:** ![LouisB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dfb087/32.png) [@LouisB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LouisB)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2004, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-experts-got-shocking-repair-estimate-am-i-being-scammed/246186/24 "2004-05-21T17:39:41Z")
**Crafter\_Man** , glad to hear it. I used to use one of those spring loaded, adjustable curtain rods. I scribed some measurement lines on it, mainly for VWs. It worked surprisingly well. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2004, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-experts-got-shocking-repair-estimate-am-i-being-scammed/246186/25 "2004-05-21T23:29:44Z")
unfortunately it is easy to chew up a set of rotors if you wear your brake pads into the rivets. You could do the brakes and rotors yourself and save the labor. Find someone with basic tools and get a repair manual for the car. If you’re on a tight budget you can get junkyard rotors but it isn’t something I would recommend. You can buy a 1-man bleeder kit for $5 at an auto store. Don’t buy metalic brake pads unless you plan on stopping your car repeatedly at 100 mph. They cost more and won’t give you anything for your money. If it turns out your rotors are not damaged beyond repair you can take them off and have them resurfaced. A parts store can check them for you. It’s impossible to accurately judge the work needed on your car via the internet but it is possible for tie rods to come apart. It is pretty rare but you don’t want to be on the receiving end of it. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2004, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-experts-got-shocking-repair-estimate-am-i-being-scammed/246186/26 "2004-05-22T05:04:12Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > Don’t buy metalic brake pads unless you plan on stopping your car repeatedly at 100 mph. They cost more and won’t give you anything for your money. Sigh. This is not helpful advice. In fact it’s wrong, and potentially dangerous advice. Do not try to choose between metallic and organic pads. The engineers who designed the car already made that decision. Different pad types have different effective heat ranges, which the engineers factor in when designing a car. Using organic pads where metallic are called for, or _vice versa_, can result in substandard braking performance. You want the type of pads that came on the car from the factory. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-experts-got-shocking-repair-estimate-am-i-being-scammed/246186.md?page=1)