Monday, July 16, 2007

Of cars and mechanics

Last Saturday, I decided to have my problem with my car's wheel alignment fixed. This had been a problem which had been going for years as having it fixed would be expensive for I knew there's something wrong with the steering system.

So, since I did not have any schedule for lab tests that day (thank God - a respite from lab test!) I geared up very early in the morning and went to the mechanic. After the initial check-up, it turns out there are a lot that needed fixing. BAll joints, tie-rod ends, bearings, etc. etc... And all because I wanted to have my front wheels aligned! (Is there any kind soul out there who is willing to donate a
brand new van to this poor being?) The piece that took the toll was the steering shaft! I was told that a brand new one would cost me Php44 K big ones! Now, where will I get that much cash, right? So, I told them to look for a surplus and they did which cost about Php13K. Still stiff but what can I do?

So, finally, after a long wait for the piece, the final tally, as shown in y receipt, is as follows:


Steering bushing
520.00

Ball Joint
2600.00

Tie rod end
1430.00

Rack end
2340.00

Petrogrease MP 3 (0.5 kilo)
92.00

Oil seal
480.00

Gear oil SAE 90 (18L)
133.00

Steering rack assembly
12350.00

Replace steering
450.00

Replace ball joint
560.00

Replace tie rod end
440.00

Replace rack end
520.00

Replace oil seal
480.00


and finally, what I really wanted:

Wheel alignment (Toe In/Toe out)
450.00

Camber adjustment
750.00


Isn't life ironic?

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Tito Rolly, [ading]tawa ako sa mga charge sa iyo, buti di ka charge sa caster adjustment , naawa[nadaya ka]u nakalimutan siguro.Have a nice weekend.

Romeo Moran said...

funny, i was expecting a "priceless" somewhere in the end, haha.

wishing you good health, sir.

rolly said...

rey hindi na. actually, malaki pa binawas nila sa labor. Kumikita sila sa piyesa siguro at pinapatungan pa nila.

romeo mabuti naman. Ikaw?

Anonymous said...

Gosh, this is a major bite off your budget, isn't it? I can feel the pain even. :(

rolly said...

bayi YOu got that right! It's going to be sometime before I recovered from this unforeseen expenditure.

ipanema said...

well, sometimes we have to thank there's surplus where we can find a bargain. that's the price of an original huh? it's hard to maintain a vehicle. what else can we do? :)

rolly said...

ipanema You got that right

Dr. Emer said...

Ang mahal, Tito Rolls. Ang strategy ko pag ganyan, binibili ko na yung parts sa Banawe before I go to the car mechanic. That way, labor na lang ang sagot ko. Yung mga parts, napili ko na pinakamababa sa kahabaan ng Banawe. I walk by foot and ask each shop for the lowest priced items.

rolly said...

Doc Emer That is the problem. When I took the car to the mechanic, I did not konw what was wrong with it. I did not know what parts to buy. I was at the mercy of the mechanic. Okay na rin. Less trouble.