So I went to get an oil change and paid an extra $20 bucks for a "complete vehicle inspection" at Firestone Autocare and this is what they came up with for service that I need.


I want to fix any critical/important issues as I drive this daily 65 miles one way to work.

Am I right in assuming that I should fix the Ball Joints and Bearings and Seals right away? How important is it that I fix these things or can they wait? Are these things I can do myself?

I plan on doing whatever work I can do by myself to save money.(brakes,rotors,struts maybe). Any input is appreciated.

 

Year and mileage of your vehicle would help....

But they are trying to hose you on "ignition parts"....Brakes you can get done at the corner shop for at most $70 an axle.

 

Id get second opinions. I NEVER let one of those chain tire shops inspect my car. That's like giving them a free ticket to take you to the cleaners (and they are notorious for selling customers parts/services they don't need or charging them for the part and labor, and not even touch the car) They've been on the news throughout the years. Year and mileage of vehicle would be helpful. I've got a 1996 Accord with almost 207k miles still on ALL original suspension components, although now they are in need of service.

 

Haha! That whole bill is a load of :rofl:.

Almost every one of those charges is a crock.

Struts - 95% chance that's bullcrap. EVERY tire place will try to throw new shocks and struts on. Heck, you could bring in a brand new car and they'd try to replace the shocks and struts. Unless you're cornering like a 1970's cadillac you don't need this done.

Ignition stuff - Grossly overcharged. $67.90 in labor to replace spark plugs? I probably won't spend $67.90 in spark plugs for the entire life of my car! And damn, they want to replace the wires, distributor and rotor too? I doubt all that stuff really needs to be done. But if it does, you could buy all those parts for around $75 and do it yourself in about an hour or less with a cheapo hayes manual at an autoparts store.

Brakes - If they need to be done then sure, get them done. Again, I'd do it myself, pay $40 for brembo rotors and $40 for AEM or Hawk pads. If the rear are rotors they probably aren't the pressed hub type. Again, the year of the Accord would matter here. But they'll recommend to change your brakes if there anywhere around 50% worn, when they still have plenty of life left in them. A brake system flush? I highly doubt it. Unless they're replacing calipers (which they suprisingly didn't recommend), they're no reason they really have to do it.

Bearings and Seals - Hell no! If you don't hear noise your bearings are fine. If you hear a constant - very noticeable usually - whorling noise as you drive then you need new wheel bearings.

Fuel System Tune Up!!! - :bs::bs::bs:What a friggin crock! All they're doing is pouring a can of $6.99 fuel injector cleaner in your tank (Which
they're charging you $34.99 for by the way) and charging $55 in labor? What the friggin hell?! Definitely don't do this.

Ball Joints - Possibly legitamate but again, it probably depends on the year and mileage of car. Being that it's a tire place recommending it, I doubt it needs to be done. Most Honda's dont need major suspension components replaced until around 150K miles or so. I had 200K on my '93 and all the components were solid, with exception to the shocks which I had replaced at 190K.

I wouldn't have anything done at this place. Tire shops are so damn crappy. If you notice any of this stuff going bad then take it to a REAL mechanic and get an estimate. But of all the stuff mentioned, the only thing you couldn't do yourself is ball joints, bearings, and struts. Brakes are an intermediate job but still quite easy if you have a manual. Good luck. And stay away from tire shops! (except strictly for tire stuff).

 

Thanks alot for your help man. I really appreciate it.

I was looking at my Helms manual and it looks like the bearing assembly and struts were something I could do myself. Is there a specific reason you say that I wont be able to do these?

 

I've never done struts or bearings but I was under the impression that there are certain tools that most of us non-mechanic types don't have that are needed for those jobs. With struts, I think it's more of a pain in the neck than anything. Again, I'm not well educated with the two. Most people I know, as well as on the board, have had that kind of work done at shops.

 

I would guess this a 98-99 accord V6 as it has 6 plugs and plug wires the $144.48 for plug wires is too much!!! and the struts it's common for the front ones to leak even with 45k on them but they should give you a reason why they recommend them in the first place ...but most of these places doon't know anything more then to change the oil....

 

You don't need platinum plugs. That just a waste of money if you are needing get out as cheap as possible. Save the labor and do whatever you can like that yourself if you have any car knowledge.

These guys are right about tire places. They just love to sell struts and brake parts when in reality they are just fine. The only question I have is I don't know if they are that stupid or that crooked to make bad recommendations. Honda struts last a looong time. I've had four Hondas and have never replaced a strut or any suspension part in a cumulative 500k miles!

If you are able to do it yourself or have a friend who knows about cars, let them look at it before you have any work done. Also try to use a reputable local repair shop. Ask around for suggestions or you could always take it to the dealer.

 

Some of these things need to be done at some point - buy a Haynes manual and a socket and ratchet set and do them yourself. Brake pads and the ignition system are easy enough. Ditto for an oil change.

It may take you a little longer but you'll get a better idea of how things on your car work. And that's invaluable information - it makes troubleshooting worlds easier. Not to mention you'll most definitely do a better job than those clowns down at the tire shop.