Mechanics

microbus · 06-11-2007, 02:33 PM

About 3 weeks ago, I went into Midas at 97 st/111 ave to
have them figure out what was causing a 'knocking' sound
from the undercarriage of my vehicle. I also had them do an
oil change. After 5 hours, they called me, saying my struts
need replacing, and they recommend quick struts, at a cost
of $1200 for the pair. I said to just do the oil change, and I'll
pick up my vehicle in an hour.
When I went to get my vehicle, the manager proceeded to explain
struts to me. I know plenty about struts, but wanted to see what
he had to say. It all sounded like a scam.
So... I went to Kal Tire on 99 st/58 ave, who I have raved about
before in C2E, and they said the 'knocking' was caused by worn-out
sway bar bushings. Got my vehicle back 90 minutes later, with
a bill for $87, and the 'knocking' sound is gone.

DebraW · 06-11-2007, 02:53 PM

Thank you for the cautionary thread.

I am okay on some vehicle maintenance/repairs like anything to do about tires but other aspects are out of my league.

Trust is what it boils down. I trust the mechanic I have and know that there is no reason for him to scam me but there have been others in the past who tried to "scare" me into doing expensive and unnecessary repairs.

Sonic Death Monkey · 06-11-2007, 04:13 PM

If a garage gives you a spiel on repairs, it doesn't hurt to get a 2nd opinion from other garages.

I've been taking my car to a certain southside dealership to fix problems with idling and strange undercarriage leaks, but after hundreds of dollars, missed time from work and enduring an idiotic courtesy driver, I still have a leak and the idling's a bit iffy again.

I've taken my car to the Midas place that microbus alluded to and I've had no problems. There's a German mechanic with a Geppeto moustache who's quite good, don't know if he's still there. I was thinking of going there to get a 2nd opinion on my brakes (the dealership claims I need to replace them) but I think I'll skip them.

I've been impressed with Kal-Tire, so I think I'll be getting my auto work done with them from now on.

24karat · 06-11-2007, 04:16 PM

Mechanics are like doctors or dentists. When you find a good one, give them your business.

IanO · 06-11-2007, 05:53 PM

good to hear things worked out, but a knocking sound from that area is very commonly worn out struts for the sound you hear is the rebound hitting the pillowball or top of the strut due to lack of dampening.

Endlinks link sway bars to the suspension/body and they commonly wear out after a few years of use as they deal with significant flex from the sway bar and the bushings are usually rubber or polyurethane which are prone to hardening.

microbus · 06-11-2007, 10:12 PM

Yeah, I thought maybe the strut mounts or something, but
the knock would travel, and was hard to trace.
And it was more noticeable at slower speeds, so it wasn't
making a lot of sense to me...
I'm returning to Kal-Tire this Saturday to get two tie-rod ends
done, and get new rear shocks.
Outer right tie-rod end was done by them two years ago, so is
still under warranty. Left inner tie-rod end wasn't, so it'll cost
a bit. But that, along with decent rear shocks, should be no more
than $300.

IanO · 07-11-2007, 10:08 AM

indeed...koni shocks are only $150-175

microbus · 07-11-2007, 10:35 PM

Yeah, sounds about right... front wheel alignment is included
in that $300 estimate... so they seem about on par, I think

06-11-2007, 02:33 PM	#1
microbus Addicted to C2E Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: 6 degrees north of you	Mechanics About 3 weeks ago, I went into Midas at 97 st/111 ave to have them figure out what was causing a 'knocking' sound from the undercarriage of my vehicle. I also had them do an oil change. After 5 hours, they called me, saying my struts need replacing, and they recommend quick struts, at a cost of $1200 for the pair. I said to just do the oil change, and I'll pick up my vehicle in an hour. When I went to get my vehicle, the manager proceeded to explain struts to me. I know plenty about struts, but wanted to see what he had to say. It all sounded like a scam. So... I went to Kal Tire on 99 st/58 ave, who I have raved about before in C2E, and they said the 'knocking' was caused by worn-out sway bar bushings. Got my vehicle back 90 minutes later, with a bill for $87, and the 'knocking' sound is gone.

06-11-2007, 04:13 PM	#3
Sonic Death Monkey Addicted to C2E Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Downtown	If a garage gives you a spiel on repairs, it doesn't hurt to get a 2nd opinion from other garages. I've been taking my car to a certain southside dealership to fix problems with idling and strange undercarriage leaks, but after hundreds of dollars, missed time from work and enduring an idiotic courtesy driver, I still have a leak and the idling's a bit iffy again. I've taken my car to the Midas place that microbus alluded to and I've had no problems. There's a German mechanic with a Geppeto moustache who's quite good, don't know if he's still there. I was thinking of going there to get a 2nd opinion on my brakes (the dealership claims I need to replace them) but I think I'll skip them. I've been impressed with Kal-Tire, so I think I'll be getting my auto work done with them from now on. __________________ “You have to dream big. If we want to be a little city, we dream small. If we want to be a big city, we dream big, and this is a big idea.” - Mayor Stephen Mandel, 02/22/2012

06-11-2007, 04:16 PM	#4
24karat Addicted to C2E Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Edmonton - Blue Quill	Mechanics are like doctors or dentists. When you find a good one, give them your business. __________________ Fly Edmonton first. Support YEG

06-11-2007, 05:53 PM	#5
IanO Addicted to C2E Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Edmonton	good to hear things worked out, but a knocking sound from that area is very commonly worn out struts for the sound you hear is the rebound hitting the pillowball or top of the strut due to lack of dampening. Endlinks link sway bars to the suspension/body and they commonly wear out after a few years of use as they deal with significant flex from the sway bar and the bushings are usually rubber or polyurethane which are prone to hardening. __________________ inspiration or mediocrity www.decl.org Ottawa-Edmonton-Vancouver-Edmonton

07-11-2007, 10:08 AM	#7
IanO Addicted to C2E Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Edmonton	indeed...koni shocks are only $150-175 __________________ inspiration or mediocrity www.decl.org Ottawa-Edmonton-Vancouver-Edmonton

06-11-2007, 02:53 PM	#2
DebraW Addicted to C2E Join Date: Mar 2006	Thank you for the cautionary thread. I am okay on some vehicle maintenance/repairs like anything to do about tires but other aspects are out of my league. Trust is what it boils down. I trust the mechanic I have and know that there is no reason for him to scam me but there have been others in the past who tried to "scare" me into doing expensive and unnecessary repairs.

06-11-2007, 10:12 PM	#6
microbus Addicted to C2E Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: 6 degrees north of you	Yeah, I thought maybe the strut mounts or something, but the knock would travel, and was hard to trace. And it was more noticeable at slower speeds, so it wasn't making a lot of sense to me... I'm returning to Kal-Tire this Saturday to get two tie-rod ends done, and get new rear shocks. Outer right tie-rod end was done by them two years ago, so is still under warranty. Left inner tie-rod end wasn't, so it'll cost a bit. But that, along with decent rear shocks, should be no more than $300.

07-11-2007, 10:35 PM	#8
microbus Addicted to C2E Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: 6 degrees north of you	Yeah, sounds about right... front wheel alignment is included in that $300 estimate... so they seem about on par, I think