Pricey repairs

[Tom Warner]

Jim do you have air brakes on yours? And if so do you have an AD-2 air dryer?

Tom Warner
1982 FC35
Vernon Center,NY

At 01:05 AM 10/23/2005, you wrote:
>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).
>
>
>
>
>
>
>----------
>YAHOO! GROUPS LINKS
>
> * Visit your group
> "<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WanderlodgeForum>WanderlodgeForum" on the web.
> *
> * To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> *
>
Wanderl\
odgeForum-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
>
> *
> * Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the
> <http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/>Yahoo! Terms of Service.
>
>
>----------