Pricey repairs

[Jim Owens]

Ron,

I think Jack has hydraulic brakes on his '71 FC. $3500 sounds steep
to me anyway! We paid about $250 to have the parking brake valve
replaced - the mechanic did have to trace down the lines, drain the
tanks and adjust the rear brakes also - sad scenario where a water
line had been plumbed into the back of the park brake valve (his
assistant traced that line and connected it to a spigot under the
batteries)... We haven't found anyone willing/able to service the
air dryer - they want to install a new unit and say it will take
hours just to plumb the new connections...(copper vs. plastic, etc.)

Parts can be bad enough but it's the labor charges that really cost -
is there such a thing as a flat rate book for Blue Birds? (duh) Some
shops seem to charge a substantial markup on sublet work justifying
it by saying they lose about three percent to the credit card
companies!? It pays to scrutinize the repair invoice and ask about
any questionable charges.

I envy those who have the mechanical expertise, tools and equipment
to tackle major chassis repairs. My wonderful wife is willing and
able to tackle many repairs - she has crawled under the coach/into
the doghouse many times - heater valves, hydraulic lines, fuel
filters, accessory belts, etc. She's also gutted the roadside twin
bed to access the water tank/pump and lines. She was single for many
years and learned to do a lot to keep from being taken advantage of
by unscrupulous mechanics and repairmen.

Jim and Pam Owens
77 FC33SB (Gas)
Lake of the Ozarks, MO

In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "ronmarabito2002"
wrote:
>
> Unfortunately on that $3500 brake repair. You were ripped off.
> Probably nothing buy an air leak and the emergency brakes set. You
> should have gotten an entire brake job.
>
> R.E. (Ron) Marabito, Dallas, TX 92WB40
>
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Jack & Donna Smith"
> wrote:
> >
> > ALL: Though I didn't plan it this way, I seem to be getting an
> idea
> > on the price of reparing a "Vintage" Coach.
> > The first 'Mistake' was that we got it at a great price.. Then we
> > took it to San Diego for a weekend. Brakes locked up and wouldnt
> > move, so we took it to Holland Motors, feeling they knew something
> > about Birds. They simply farmed the job out and hit us with a
> $3500+
> > bill. (Felt we were ripped off).