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£40 on ebay for steering rack
£40 on ebay for steering rack
And?
I'll take 50% of your saving as a consultant fee.
Tell you what, you do all the leg work including providing me with a loan car and also guaranteeing the work for three years and I will then give you 75% of the savings.
But does it work.....
The Volvo main dealer is guaranteeing their work for 3yrs?
You've already decided. I am interested in your car. It's worth a one way train ticket. Could we discuss on email if you are leaning that way?
That quote is nuts, paid a quarter of that when we renewed the PAS on the Porsche at a performance specialist, only item not replaced was a recent pipe. Even the Porsche main dealer was cheaper than your main dealer.
Tell you what, you do all the leg work including providing me with a loan car and also guaranteeing the work for three years and I will then give you 75% of the savings.
Tell you what, go buy a new car; justify it using ManMaths.
Let Hora do the hard work and reap the benefit.
I think you should get it re diagnosed by an indie garage or two, my local volvo dealer charges soemething insane like £100 an hour labour...and they aren't shy about suggesting you need to buy a new engine for a failed spark plug, official dealers are daylight robbers, I suspect all manufacturers dealers are pretty much the same, and..
Don't be hoodwinked into thinking your getting more skills/experience/competance because it's an official dealer, often the complete opposite is true.
Hire a car from enterprise or something whilst you sort this out and it will still be a lot cheaper than 4k.
Least I know why it's so expensive now. They are covering their arse. And doing it absolutely by the book. Can't guarantee that you've got absolutely all of the bits out. So you just replace. Then the guarantee can be given. (It's *probably* parts only. So you'll still have to cover labour if it fails again.)
Plus with their hourly rate, cleaning to 100% would probably cost more than the parts. Then getting rid of the stuff they used to clean it (probably OE PAS fluid) is expensive.
Independent will probably do a similar process but won't have to use new stuff or OE parts. Might also be more willing to clean instead of replace with the lower hourly rate and no guarantee.
Back street garage will just stick it in a parts cleaner then jet wash it.
Another thing that springs to mind. Couple of the derivatives of V70 I think you need to half lift the engine and dismantle some of the corner/suspension to get the rack out.
Haha ghostly tbh with steering rack that was my first thought.
Sold a tab 4 on here that needed a rack ( all faults declared) as I looked at how it was done.
Take car apart entirely . Remove and replace rack rebuild car.....
If you are anywhere near West London, I can recommend a very good Volvo Specialist with years of experience.
If you are anywhere near West London, I can recommend a very good Volvo Specialist with years of experience.
I'm 60km due south. There are three down on the south coast which are relatively close but still a 45 minute drive to.
None of the posts the bang on about how I'm being ripped off, how main dealers are crooks, how it cannot possibly cost that much because you had a sister in law once who had this cat that they got from a bloke down the road who had a garage who can do it for free are remotely helpful but thanks all the same.
Least I know why it's so expensive now.
Yes, and thanks as your post below that was actually quite helpful.
GT
I think I get the picture:
[i]I know what. I'll spend a few hours and ask a bunch of randoms on an Internet forum what they think. Hopefully they'll tell me to get a new car. The time I've wasted on the internet looking at their replys and responding to then will kill any chance of me quickly sourcing the parts, because if I'm really honest, I just can't be bothered anyway. Either way I get to spunk a load of cash on a shiny new car. The Mrs will never know and I can justify it to all and sundry with the excuse that "I'm a very busy person".[/i]
None of us on this forum have lives to run and we have management consultants to do the donkey work for us, too. I even employ a man to fill up my car for me, as doing it myself is too much bother. If I can't get my man to do it, I simply buy a new car so long as it has a tank of fuel. I suspect the skoda dealerships (and a few Audi/BMW ones too) are kept very busy by STWers who are either too busy just to refuel or can't be arsed.
Dealers still having your pants down at 4k
I think the posts are helpful in that lots are recommending you try a couple of Indies as £4k sounds very steep. You don't want the hassle though hence that's not a helpful suggestion to you.
I'd suggest you focus your efforts on getting a good deal on a new one.
Yep getting a right deep dicking there at £4K for that. Still despite asking for advice on here the OP knows best and seems determined to pull his pants down at the main dealers, bend over and take a large one regardless!
Tbh I nearly got pantsed at an Indy for a rear axle .
1200+ vat.
Recon axle from I and m after recommendations on here for 300 quid. Knowing how long it takes me to earn 900 quid and already having a few grand in tools I'll invest a couple of days in it if needs be.
At 3/4 a day of work so far and both axles are on my garage floor with most of stuff on new axle.
Good fun too when you drive a desk all day
Buy time and hire a car for a week (?£250) give you some space to either diagnose your car or find a new one. Either way it'll save you cash if you don't have to sort asap.
Not suggesting you diy btw just pointing out we all get mad quotes at times
I could replace the full system for sub 1k reckon rack about £400 pump for about £150 pipes will flush out resrvoir will likely be cleanable aswell. Performed a similar operation on my citroen c5. Dealer wanted 1k just for the rack, i spent £300 and 3 hrs of my time to do it myself with a recon rack. That car the suspension was linked to the steering so no way id of gone with your dealers scatter gun replace everything approache. 40k later its still driving like i did the work yesterday.
Yep getting a right deep dicking there at £4K for that. Still despite asking for advice on here the OP knows best and seems determined to pull his pants down at the main dealers, bend over and take a large one regardless!
I don't think the endless references to main dealers being crooks and the whole 'pants down' thing helps - you tell someone they're stupid or worse and then you're surprised when they resent it. Fwiw, I don't think there's anything to lose by getting some alternative quotes, maybe try a Volvo owners forum for some suggestions?
Main dealers are expensive for a reason - high overheads / OE parts / conservative approach to repairs and replacement of parts etc - but that just makes them expensive, not (usually) dishonest. I wouldn't use one personally, but I don't feel the need to sneer at people who do.
Good reconditioned parts like steering racks and gear-boxes are fine, ditto quality pattern parts, but will save you a lot over genuine OE spares.
Fwiw, mostly I think people are trying to help the OP save a bunch of cash, but the semantics aren't helpful. All imho / ymmv / etc...
For heavens sake, it's not £4k read the post, it's more like £3000. The additional cost is for other work on consumables that need replacing and I've agreed in theory a 10% discount.
I'm not saying it's not a lot of money and I've already spoken to two independent garages and both have said that the most they reckon they can save me for a like for like job is £1200 and both have said they don't know how long it will take.
I don't really want to buy a new car, not even remotely. I'd rather pay down the mortgage and build an extension on the house (and then buy another new camera). I don't care much about cars; a really nice one is just too expensive and cheaper ones are dull.
If someone could give me an assurance (in theory I mean, not here) that the most the car would cost me is £3300 for the next two to three years, then consumables aside I would opt to keep it.
So no, this isn't a ruse to justify an extravagent purchase to myself and no, I am not about to spend three weeks waiting to get it fixed as that's just not compatible with the household.
No one could guarantee that on Amy car(other than a car with a 3 year warranty and even then it's not guaranteed and will cost more than 3300.
common fault on the V70 I'm afraid but there is a solution.
Sell the car to me for £3k or try this
Obtain another PS pump, they have different sized pulleys so make sure you get one the same (iirc its a 1cm difference in size )
Buy 4 ltrs of PS fluid and a couple of big magnets
selotape the magnets either side of the PS resevoir
Change pump and fill / bleed system
Go for drive . Should work OKish but may be abit grabby so change the PS fluid after a day or so.
Then change the fluid weekly , when he resevoir is empty use a torch to see if you have collected the metal parts on the magnets. I read on a Volvo site that some people hang the magnet inside the pas resevoir, then it can be removed and cleaned.
Or drop £2k getting an indy to look at it , good one in Blasingsmoke if your near there?
If the Volvo is anywhere near Spean Bridge I'll give you £200 quid for it.
[quote="trail_rat"]Take car apart entirely . Remove and replace rack rebuild car.....Heard a bit of coffee machine chat a few years ago, failed rack in an old SAAB (9000 i think). The "official" method requires pretty much dismantling the whole front of the car (engine and subframe out i think).
The engineers method is to dismantle the rack and surroundings as much as you can, cut a hole in the wheel arch, slide whats left of the rack out through the hole. Then put your new (but dismantled) rack back in. Reassemble, test and then weld your patch of metal back in. Goes from being a whole weeks worth of evenings cursing and swearing and then having a car that won't sodding start to about 4 or 5 hours.
[quote="singletrackmind"]common fault on the V70 I'm afraid but there is a solution.Depends if it's 9 years old or 9 and a bit years old. IIRC the first of the gen 3 V70s came of the production line almost exactly 9 years ago. So it could possibly be one of two extensively different cars.
It's the latter generation model.
Jeez tough crowd.....!
You do have a proper dilemma. At 77k stuff might just be starting to wear out..as an example, have you ever have the brake pads/disks done? That could be £400 and you might need it sooner rather than later, who knows.
You could get the steering pump and bits done and the car will run without another hiccup.
Main dealers will possibly replace more than they need to, they won't want you back with a reoccurring fault, you'll be a pissed off customer and they won't want that.
It sounds like the indies near you just don't want the work, why not try a few local garages.. ask around for a reccomended one. They may be able to sort you out but it sounds like a big job. Whatever happens you might be without a car for a bit.
I'd possibly try to explore with Volvo the chances of them helping a bit more. A power steering pump shouldn't really die at 77k be cheeky and try for 50/50 on parts say....
My V70 is on 191K and the original PS pump. 04 reg so different build, although if yours is a D5 chances are the pump and resevoir are the same.
Gotta be worth a punt though , the magnets and repeated flushing?
Its gonna cost you £30 max I would have thought.
You do have a proper dilemma. At 77k stuff might just be starting to wear out..as an example, have you ever have the brake pads/disks done? That could be £400 and you might need it sooner rather than later, who knows.
You could get the steering pump and bits done and the car will run without another hiccup.
The car should be good for 120-150k, more than worth it to do brakes/disks and the steering IMO. I appreciate OPs concern re: safety but I'd do the magnet/flush thing and see how it goes and see if brakes/disks could last another few 1000 miles whilst seeing how steering fares (I am sure they would I have done 8,000 miles since I was advised I should change pads/discs)
Ah yes. A Toyota main dealer told me my tyres needed changing, the rear wiper was dangerous and the brakes were 'very worn' during an agreed £120 fixed service special offer service'.....
I then said 'really? I inspected it myself before dropping it off for its MOT the day before. I remember your service manager trying to insist on me doing it with you but I'd already paid at that point'.
How many older FMDH customers are rinsed successfully?
rear wiper was dangerous
They can take your eye out don't you know, particularly if you poke yourself repeatedly in the face with it 🙂
Quick Google fu shows you can get a refurbished rack for £420, or one from a breaker (showing as in stock) for £120+vat.
Couple of hundred quid labour for fitting should be more than enough.
God only knows where they pull a figure of 3K after discount from.
http://www.volvopartshop.com/steering-rack-137-p.asp
http://www.volvobreakers.co.uk/volvo-suspension-and-steering-parts/volvo-steering-racks/
uno the dealer wants to replace more than just the rack, read the OPs subsequent posts. TBH I think the dealer wants to offer OP a "great" trade in price and have him buy a new/nearly new car
Yup or "scare" him into cutting his losses into a new car.
Kwikfit 'could you fit my winter tyres'? Yes it's £20 each wheel. Sir do you realise for just 'x' more we can sell you new winter tyres?
Upselling...the OPs car gets bumped on with the cheap fix (or sans the phantom issue)._I love most car mechanics but I'm no fan of the management/the sales side of car dealers.
Come on Op get a grip 😀
So I guess if you decide to get a new car you'll have a Volvo for sale?
OK so I've spoken to two independent Volvo speicalists that have been recommended to me from the Volvo forum and both have said the same thing. Neither are crazy about the idea of using parts from a breakers yard as they point out that the saving, while potentially significant, doesn't result in peace of mind; you could easily end up with the same problem a few months down the line. They also said you could source a reconditioned part that would give more peace of mind, but the problem there is availability. They don’t know how long it would take to find the parts so any saving I make would need to be off set against the cost of finding something else to drive in the meantime.
They both agree that you could take the route of replacing only the broken parts, i.e. the pump and the reservoir, flushing the system out and hoping this solves the problem. They agree that this is less likely to work than be successful, in which case I would then simply have to bite the bullet and replace the whole system. That might be no great issue or, if it all goes wrong while I’m in the middle of a long journey with two kids and lots of luggage, it could be a right pain the ass.
Both dealers have said that their recommendation would be to replace the whole system with new parts, meaning that the realistic opportunity for saving is on labour. Indie dealer is £6o+ VAT, the Volvo main dealer is £115+ VAT. There is a saving of about £400 by going to the indie but again the offset is that I need to get the car down to them, which is half a day each end.
My mother inlaw always takes her little Hyundai to the place she bought it from. £700 for a clutch. I had got her a quote of £330 from mr clutch but she "always takes it to the main dealer"
Why does it need to be a Volvo specialist at all ?
It seems as above, you've already made up your mind on this.... Go shopping and report back on your new shiny toy 🙂
to be fair .
id have gone with the dealer at 700 quid for a clutch change rather than let MR clutch (who i know are a franchise but the staff they employee from what i could see when i was in getting a quote are the ones that get let go from kwikfit..).... i was only there for 10 minutes but already decided id rather do it my self than let them near it.
i paid 450 at a known garage rather than let those cowboys do it for 300....
garages are so variable - even down to the guy on the ramp on the day within the same garage i can understand the Ops hesitance.
Bought the new car yet? Whatcha get?
[quote=trail_rat ]id have gone with the dealer at 700 quid for a clutch change rather than let MR clutch
I'd go to a proper, non main dealer garage myself. Which is indeed what I do. I've only used the services of a main dealer a couple of times, and they were so incompetent the last time (which I think was related to them being a main dealer) I'm never going back, it's totally unrelated to price.
you dont understand how bad the mr clutch i was in was.
Why does it need to be a Volvo specialist at all ?
It doesn't but it gets me peace of mind that they know what they are doing and since their labour rate isn't going to be materially different to anyone else, then why would I add in another component of FDU (fear doubt and uncertainty)?
It seems as above, you've already made up your mind on this
I have mande up my mind and just 10 minutes ago instructed the main dealer to fix the car.
I was told I needed a new rack and all ancillaries by Citroën after my steering fluid exploded all over the engine bay and I lost steering. took it to an independent and turns out the pressure sensor bolt had split causing fluid to be fired out he spotted it immediately and the fluid in the engine bay centered around that particular bolt he sent me to the dealers to pick up a part. 45 quid for a new one and it's fixed, took ten minutes and was charged 20 quid for labour and steering fluid top up. Dealers aren't always the best option