i took my jeep in for a alinment then found out my left wheel bearing is bad steering stabilizer sway bar links , and front axle joints are aslo bad. I plan on fixing them myself.Any ideas for good parts or upgrades

I'd just go to Napa. Thats where I bought my front wheel bearing hub assemblies, they work great.

Sean

I would form my OWN opinion as to wheather or not my vehicle actually NEEDS them things fixed! Lots of alignment places PRAY on folks.
Big Jim <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

Holy Criminy, yes, there are bad shops, but holy table cloth batman, the vast majority are good honest shops trying to make a living.
In my shop I show the customer what needs doing and why, I show them the worn out or broken old parts. Jim get off it that everyone is out to "getcha".
Upsales is what I would expect from a quality shop, you know the ones that pay attention and look over the vehicle to see if a problem is pending. Once up on a rack,the techs job is the help the customer by finding loose bolts, leaky seals, warn bushings, low fluid levels, to ask when the last time a diff was serviced...It costs WAY more to be stuck on the side of a highway in the middle of TEXAS, than it does to get preventative maintenance done.
Nothing wrong with DIYers, most of the time they do a great job, the rest give quality shops work.

SD

Supe TRUST in our mechanics went away when EVERYONE in the shop is placed on COMMISSION as is customary in the larger nationwide shops. When a guys income depends on SELLING how can you trust whet he tells you?
In particular our newer vehicles run many thousands of miles longer without upkeep than our older vehicles did.
A prime example would be my wifes 2001 with 165K and complete original front end, shocks, brakes and on and on.
Changing parts just to have newer ones has never made sense to me.
Big JIm <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

Door to door salesmen, jewelers, furniture salesmen, the list goes on and on of honest commissioned salespeople who take great offense to your statement Jim...
So anyone on commission or flat rate is a crook?

It does not pay to make up false repair work. The same integrity you claim to have applies to the guy in the pit just the same.

Folks who have only worked on salary or hourly with your flawed logic Jim; are catagoricaly lazy coasters who have never worked a hard day in their lives.

I've worked on both sides.

SD

Ok then I'll rephrase my remarks..
When the guy in the pit is taken off of a regular wage and put on a commission of what he can SELL to a customer.. What do you think will happen?
Quickly his opinion of what will get the customer by changes to "how much can I convince the costumer he NEEDS".
I have seen if over and over thru the years.

As an example I'll use a local A/C company. OSGOOD A/C has been here in town for 30 or more years. John Osgood installed A/C in 400 or more of my homes. As he aged a company from Houston came and made him an offer he couldn't refuse.
The new company kept the Osgood good mane and held classes teaching the sales folks how to sell and put them all on a commission based wage.
Some of the original sales guys couldn't meet their QUOTAS and were upset at the way the new company was going. I hired one of them and put him in business with his own new company.
Osgood A/C became much more proffitable and within 3 years has been sold again..

When a guy knocks on your door selling a product you automatically KNOW he is a commissioned agent.. But if your coffee pot needs a part, it is doubtful you would SUSPECT the guy opening your pot on his bench to be on commission!
The same applies to the guy with the grease under his fingernails.. Most folks don't even consider that what he tells them MIGHT be said to line his pocket. And trust me..it might!
Big JIm <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

It is not the tech who sells the work that is a service writer. The tech is expected to be honest, as is the writer and the customer too. Customers try and work you for every penny, often implying that a shop down the road quoted them 20% less on the same job when the truth is that they never spoke to the shop down the road.
We all need to make our money on every job.

For example, a truck with 180,000 miles should be looked over harder than one with 80,000 for worn parts.

If the goal of the customer to have a reliable ride as trouble free as possible, ball joints with 180k do not need to be tested for wear, they are worn. Give the customer the choice to have the local neighborhood shop fix it or let the guy at the truck stop in the middle of nowhere do it taking time and money from your vacation.
Repairs cost a ton more than maintenance.

A auto tech is no less honest than a AC saleman or any other job. If you rip folks off you will be out of work.

SD

Supe...
you haven't met enough lawyers!
<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />
Josh