Now you've got a roadmap. (Frank's good at that<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />.)

Get to work... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

...with the first order of business being to retrieve your truck from that jackass who gave you those prices and relate to him just how far up his, uh, nose he can stuff that estimate. You've got no friend there.
<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/angry.gif" alt="" />

Well it gets better, given that the breaks are at issue, the shop can't let me just drive the truck home, they insist I have to have it toed given driving is a safety issue. Some story about liability.

While I can understand that on some level given the litigious society we live in it does strike me as a bit excessive.

They have no authority to keep your truck. They can warn you in writing and ask you to sign it, but they cannot keep the truck.

Safety issues. Bleh. That is the number one way for shops to sell work. They scare the customer into making them pay, due to safety issues.

Just go down and tell them to give you your truck. If they say no, use their phone to call the police. They will give you your truck.

You bought an old truck. It needs a lot of work. That is just the way old trucks work. Is this your only mode of transportation? What do you plan on towing? How does the truck drive? Does it pull when braking? What is the history of your truck, miles, maint history, prev owner, etc.

Don't be afraid of brake work. It is some of the simplest work to do. Yes, brakes are a safety issue, but they are not that complicated.

What city do you live in?

Those prices are rediculous. Even for the SF Bay area.

Post deleted by LRJ4x4

What shop is it and give us the phone number? They can not hold you truck.

Post the phone #. I've got unlimited long distance. I would be in jail by now! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/angry.gif" alt="" />

Ok so I gave some push back and they said as long as I singed off they were not liable I could take it home. I also had them fax me a listing of the full list of work on the breaks.

ItÆs rather major, almost $1600 in parts. Seems that they figured given the age, replacing loads of stuff was the way to go. When I said sorry way to much, he pulled out all the items that could be reused. As he put probably get you another 50K miles before you have an issue, as apposed to another 200K, well doing that drops the price down to 1200. For a rear axel rebuild, new drums and shoes, all new break lines, pads rotors, repack the hubs, and a few other things.

Seems he was under the impression I was wanting to have the car returned to factory new so was looking at a total tear down of the rear end, hubs, breaking system, etc.

Still not sure I am going to let him do it, looking at my calendar I am not going to much time till I need to put around 3k miles on it.

Thanks again for all the help; it has been years since I have owned a car without a warranty. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

If I do go for it, I want to try and get the mounts, ball joints, swap out the auto hubs for manual ones and replace the accessory belts. I figure that sucks up the one free weekend I have.

You can get Bendex after market brake hoses for around $70 for all 6, front pads depending on what kind $30-50, rear shoes depending on what brand $10-40.. That is the exact kind I put on mine. Works fine. I would like to go all mitsu, but not for that much. You can do this stuff easily yourself, I would come help, but I am on the wrong coast. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

One reason that a DIYer saves so much money when doing their own work is that they can purchase discounted parts. The shop guy buys discounted parts to (of course) but they charge you full retail. So, they make money on the parts as well as the labor. Not that there is anything wrong with that, it is just the way it is.

I logged in to rockauto.com and priced out;
two new drums
new shoes
two new wheel cylinders
new axle seal
two new brake lines

Total was $135 plus shipping. If he want $1200 that leaves $1050 for labor. He should be able to do that job in less than 3 hours.

Drive that puppy home and DIY.

Why is getting your truck fixed so often like walking over bridges with toll trolls underneath...

I suppose the theory is that if you're real expensive, you must be good, right?????