Is the Word "Shackle" Different from "Shackle Parts?"

[HilaryP]

TRS's favorite granny checking in (and thanks for the power steering test advice. It was the pump. What I can't figure out is why fixing the pump was so much cheaper than getting the lines replaced, but that's a question for another day.)

The guy I found who fixed the PS pump, changed my oil, and replaced a fuel filter that I supplied him with charged only $140, which I thought was good. He wants to charge $100 for replacing one shackle. Well, I called AutoZone, because back in January, they told me a "shackle" was only @$25. I thought $100 to have the shackle replaced was a little high. Am I wrong?

Also, the AutoZone lady said that "shackles" can't be ordered and that any clerk who told me they could had to mean "shackle parts." But the (male) clerk back in January called it a shackle. I know I'm being sexist, but I don't know who to believe and would like someone to tell me the difference. Thanks as always.

 

[88_Eddie]

a shackle is a shackle, here's what yours might look like
http://broncograveyard.com/bronco/i-93265-rear-spring-shackle-oem.html

the only "shackle parts" would be the shackle itself, the bushings and the nuts, bolts and washers needed to fasten everything together.

i used to work at autozone and i know that you can get conflicting info from them. it's b/c half the people they employ didnt make it past 10th grade.

i doubt that they are gonna have that part, i'd look around on the interwebs and see what you can find. ebay, broncograveyard.com, etc.

 

[Blacked-Out FX4]

I work at a Carquest, we list them as "leaf shackle kit" its only one shackle. And we sell them for $33.35+tax. Dorman part number 722-001.

 

[HilaryP]

Thanks, guys. There's no CarQuest in my area. I *did* notice that different AutoZone clerks say different things. So then you're saying that if I can find another car parts place that sells the leaf-spring kit, $100 is 1) bad, 2) okay, 3) fantastic to pay for it to be welded?

Wait a minute--can I order it from TRS?

 

[88_Eddie]

is that $100 including the price of the part? or $100 to install it plus the cost of the part?

either way, that's a hell of a lot less than anywhere else you'd take it. it'll be a bit of a pain in the neck to get the old one off

there shouldnt be any welding involved either.

 

[HilaryP]

Thanks, Eddie. I'll have to ask the question. You know what's a crying shame? When a repairman/mechanic overcharges you, you b*tch. When he gives you a good price, you get suspicious that he's, like, using scotch tape. I truly would not want to be a mechanic. Sometimes you can't win for trying.

 

[Blacked-Out FX4]

well if you wanna find out the prices at your autozone, they should be able to use that dorman part number to find you the shackle you need. I hope it helps you out a bit.

 

[Surrey]

If the guy is wanting $100 to replace the shackle, with parts, that sounds like a pretty good deal. Although technically it is only two big bolts (one on either end) that holds the thing in, its a real pain in the arse.

My advise for the AutoZone people is pick one employee who seems to know what they are talking about, and refuse service from everyone else if hes around. Nothing is worse than the Auto parts store employees who dont know a fuel filter from an oil filter...

 

[88_Eddie]

wow, autozone does list it......now whether they can get it is a different story

and i would advise you that anytime you need a part from them, look it up online first, then take the part # in there and ask for the part. check the box to make sure it's right and then pay for it if it is.

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/pa...rchByPartNumber=true&itemIdentifier=8815_0_0_

 

[HilaryP]

Oh, I owe an awful lot to AutoZone. There's always someone hanging around who will tell you it's not a worst-case scenario. I can't count how many times this has happened. I just didn't know if the lady clerk really knew what she was talking about, because women mostly do not have hands-on experience under the hood.

What if I call the mechanic, who I really like as a person, and ask if the $100 includes the part and labor, and he says, Yeah, part and labor. Would you guys be offended if someone said, "Is that a NEW part and labor, or a used part?"

I want to stay on good terms because he's in walking distance of where I live, so it's very convenient for both of us. And honestly, if someone who didn't have the expertise in my field got in my face, I would be offended. So is it questioning someone's honesty to ask if the part would be new? I promise this is the last question.

 

[88_Eddie]

i run a home renovation company on the side, people always ask me if materials/parts/supplies are included in my estimates. he wont think you're being rude

 

[Blacked-Out FX4]

I know in NJ where I am the shops closer to NYC will say, need a fender. Buy 1 from a dealer and one from a junkyard. paint primer on the junkyard one, put in in the dealer box, send it back to the dealer for a refund, and charge the customer for the new fender and make that much more off the customer.

 

[HilaryP]

88 Eddie and Blacked-Out, Thanks, and that's why I just have to be up front and ask him. I bought the fuel filter and took it to him; I just hope he installed it, and I'm sure he did.

But I'll call and ask. If he gets bent out of shape, then that will be sort of an answer. Sort of. Thanks, guys. You all do your good deeds for the day here, in case anyone ever asks you. God Bless.

 

[Surrey]

Mechanics are typically one of two breeds - very understanding, or a total dick.
All good ones are used to everyone being skeptical, because really who screws people over more than shady mechanics? Everyone has seen News reports and stuff about shops not doing the work they charge for...
It sounds like you've found yourself a totally reasonable mechanic, Im sure he will understand you wanting to know the details about the part you buy. He probably gets much worse on a daily basis, being in the industry he is in.