STDOUBT
Veteran Member
Thoughts on Trusted Mechanics, "Other VW shops", Suspension refresh, and Trust
After a good deal of thought, I've sort of decided to let somebody else do my suspension refresh. *sigh*
I don't have many of the tools, and I'd be a 1st-timer at it. Plus I just want it done (time constraints etc).
Thinking I don't necessarily need a Trusted Mechanic for suspension (or do I?), I thought I'd interview a couple shops and find some things out.
At a "Audi, Porsche , VW" indy shop I spoke with the service manager. Found out they don't allow customer-sourced parts. I do understand, but was disappointed as hell because I can get a sweet deal on VW-branded struts/shocks....
Another thing he said that struck me wrong was they don't replace LCA bearings. They just swap in a new LCA. That seems really weak to me and in a way is kind of screwing the customer. He said a Lemforder LCA would be ~$150.
So I'm thinking now, I need to take this to my Trusted Mechanic, even though he has his own silly ideas about everything (he's kind of a ricer, frankly, and will probably give me that "you don't know S*** look when I tell him I want OEM Sachs shocks...).
Kinda at loose ends on this, I know I could pull it off myself and save a lot of money, but would I do it right? Would I F up my back? Could I even run a press? I know I can't do an alignment so...
Any thoughts appreciated.
And now for a story from the "Audi, Porsche , VW" shop I was at today.
In behind me came a sturdy, attractive gal who was there to pick up her car. A black MK4 TDI Jetta turned out.
The service manager mentioned to her how yeah, they finally got the part from a junkyard. I was surprised they were willing to back a pull-it part, but not my VW struts. But what really bothered me was when he went out to show her under the hood and explain the rattling. I caught the word "bracket", and he said the noise isn't normal, but it's also "not hurting anything"....Maybe she's been going there for years, who knows. She obviously has taken care of the car this long but...damn. The rattling.
I guess I should just feel lucky I actually have a real TDI guy in my town. Even if he does want to "1-inch euroshock" my car. I can't even find that on the internet!
After a good deal of thought, I've sort of decided to let somebody else do my suspension refresh. *sigh*
I don't have many of the tools, and I'd be a 1st-timer at it. Plus I just want it done (time constraints etc).
Thinking I don't necessarily need a Trusted Mechanic for suspension (or do I?), I thought I'd interview a couple shops and find some things out.
At a "Audi, Porsche , VW" indy shop I spoke with the service manager. Found out they don't allow customer-sourced parts. I do understand, but was disappointed as hell because I can get a sweet deal on VW-branded struts/shocks....
Another thing he said that struck me wrong was they don't replace LCA bearings. They just swap in a new LCA. That seems really weak to me and in a way is kind of screwing the customer. He said a Lemforder LCA would be ~$150.
So I'm thinking now, I need to take this to my Trusted Mechanic, even though he has his own silly ideas about everything (he's kind of a ricer, frankly, and will probably give me that "you don't know S*** look when I tell him I want OEM Sachs shocks...).
Kinda at loose ends on this, I know I could pull it off myself and save a lot of money, but would I do it right? Would I F up my back? Could I even run a press? I know I can't do an alignment so...
Any thoughts appreciated.
And now for a story from the "Audi, Porsche , VW" shop I was at today.
In behind me came a sturdy, attractive gal who was there to pick up her car. A black MK4 TDI Jetta turned out.
The service manager mentioned to her how yeah, they finally got the part from a junkyard. I was surprised they were willing to back a pull-it part, but not my VW struts. But what really bothered me was when he went out to show her under the hood and explain the rattling. I caught the word "bracket", and he said the noise isn't normal, but it's also "not hurting anything"....Maybe she's been going there for years, who knows. She obviously has taken care of the car this long but...damn. The rattling.
I guess I should just feel lucky I actually have a real TDI guy in my town. Even if he does want to "1-inch euroshock" my car. I can't even find that on the internet!
