2700 Clams

[Adam Wartell]

So, I was thinking about selling my 79, but decided against it because despite all its problems, I love it and my dad was the original owner. So there is too much history to let it go.

With that in mind, I decided to take it to a Corvette specialty shop to get it checked out, mostly to fix the leaking T-Tops, but have everything else checked too. It is about to become my daily driver, since my Pathfinder's lease is up next week.

So, the "Fix the T-Top Leaks" visit to the shop has suddenly turned in to a $2700 visit.... here's what they found:

Turn Signal Switch arm is bent, needs replacement
Door Lock electrical connectors and wire need replacement
Rear Body Mounts are rotted
Lower Control Arm Bushings are gone
Parking Brake Cable broken
Rear Strut Rod Bushings need replacement
Rear Leaf Spring hanger bushing need replacement
3 Brake hoses are cracked and rotting
Two sets of T-Tops reseal, adjust and adjust windows.
Speedo Head bad

So to get all of that fixed, minus the speedo head and body mounts is about $2700. UGH!!

But I still love the car, right? :crazy
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[dmrodco]

A tip I heard recently was " is it worth it to you ? " since it has so much history I would say yes. However I am sure that one day the history and the money might collide.

 

[warren s]

Invest in a few Corvette books and manuals. You will be able to do lots of the work yourself.

A car with family history is always cool and a good reason to hang on to.

 

[Adam Wartell]

The biggest problem about doing it myself, is I don't have the right setup, tools, know-how or time. I'd rather have someone that works on Vettes all week long for years do the work. The labor cost is definately the sucky part!

 

[JohnGrawcock]

Adam,

Sounds like this shop wants to take you for a ride. And I don't mean a Sunday drive in the Vette. The misconception that Corvette owners have extra money falling out of there pockets is all too common. Most of us (particularly C3 owners) are just working stiffs.
Most of the defects you listed are pretty minor. If thats all thats wrong with your 20+ years old car your doing good. The only good reason to keep these car is because we love them. For many of us that means doing the work ourselves. If your not mechanically inclined make friends with some Vette nuts in your area. They may be able to offer advice and/or help with such repairs or at least point you towards a more reasonable shop.

John G.

 

[CHEV66JB]

Re:

If I may ask, did your dad do any maintenance on the car himself? Is he still available to maybe teach you some of the things? I've saved so much money over the years doing things myself. For example- the windshield wipers in my truck stopped working recently... Thanks to the world wide web, I was not only able to locate the replacement part (for $70 cheaper than the dealer wanted for it), I was able to replace it in less than 15 min.! The dealer would have probably wanted another $70-100 for the labor. Some of the things on your list I might let the dealer handle (like the bushings and control arm issues), but things like the turn signal lever and the speedo I would at least try on my own. Brakes are very easy too and don't really require any special tools. Give it a try on your own! At least you always have the dealer to fall back on if you can't figure it out..

CHEV66JB

 

[Adam Wartell]

Re: Re:

If I may ask, did your dad do any maintenance on the car himself?....

Nope. Not only did he not do his own maintenance, he did not keep it in tip-top shape by any means.

I am just not capable of doing as good a job at repairing the car as an experienced Vette mechanic. I'd rather pay an extra 2000 to make sure it is done correctly and in a reasonable amount of time.

 

[CHEV66JB]

Re:

I've worked on quite a few Bowtie's in my day, and can pretty much say that up to the C3 years, work on Chevy's was pretty much the same across the board (even worked on my own '81
'Vette back in the day). If you have the 2K available to spend on the repairs, by all means go for it. I myself don't, and actually like learning how to maintain cars myself. It really makes you appreciate your vehicle even more, not to mention drive it more carefully to avoid wear to the new parts you install. When I think of what I can do with the money that I would have to pay the dealer to do the exact same thing, I'm always proud. Best of luck with your car-

CHEV66JB

 

[nd4speed]

One other thing to try that i have done. if you know and trust your mechanic you could quietly ask if they do any work on the side. i have alwats gotten the work done. doesnt cost arm and leg.

 

[Robin7TFour]

Adam, keep in mind paying extra doesn't garuntee quality work. before dropping a bundle ask for other corvette owners as refence to the mechanics work.
i've done alot of car ,and motorcycle , work because the shop mechanic guessed his way thru a repair.

keep them on the road

robin

 

[Eric]

Adam,

I completely understand your hesitance at attacking all of this yourself. Granted, some of the bushings they say are bad will require special tools to replace but I would offer you some advise. Invest in an assembly manual and maybe even a Haynes manual(some hate them but step by step instruciton is easy). Review that work required for each item on your list and see which one's you think you might be able to tackle yourself.

I was in the same boat not too long ago, having done only the most basic maintenance on my cars - oil, plugs, belts, fluids, etc - but after I got the Vette I decided to do it myself and ended up doing just that. No one else ever touched my Vette. Upside of this is that as a result of using my Vette as a test bed, I now do almost all work on my other cars myself as well.

Also, check around with Vette clubs in your area. Many have gobs of specialty tools for loan to their members and many also have shop nights where members converge on a sponser dealership and work on their cars. This is a great way to make some new and very knowledgeable Vette friends and get your car fixed in the same shot. And you'll have the satisfaction of knowing that you learned something and that it was done right.

Good Luck!

 

[Adam Wartell]

Well, the shop I took it to comes highly recommend from other Vette owners in my local club.

I was told all the items need to be replaced for safety and piece of mind.

While it is possible I could do it myself with some help, I'd rather not be bothered with such a list. If it was just one item, perhaps I'd take a shot at it. But I need it running by the end of next week becuase it is going to be my daily driver, since I my truck is coming off lease.

I certainly appreciate all the words of encouragement and advice!

 

[bossvette]

Adam
I agree try to do the work yourself, most of what you have down are relativly simple repairs. Do one at a time any buy your self some manuals. Join a Corvette club and ask who does their own work, I farmed out the rear bearing job on mine because of time constraints ($900) and had to do it over again 6 months later myself when the spindle nuts kept working loose(inferior quality parts used). Post Questions, who knows there may be some CAC members nearby.
also get a second opinion from someone else.
Craig sr

 

[Bob Chadwick]

Adam,

Some of this stuff doesn't need repair immediately. For example,

Turn Signal Switch arm is bent, needs replacement
Door Lock electrical connectors and wire need replacement
Rear Body Mounts are rotted
Parking Brake Cable broken

Unless something is going on that is more serious, these can wait until you can do them one at a time at you leisure.

Some need immediate attention.

Lower Control Arm Bushings are gone
3 Brake hoses are cracked and rotting

I would do these right away, either myself or have it done.

Other items need to be evaluated by another shop

Rear Strut Rod Bushings need replacement
Rear Leaf Spring hanger bushing need replacement (if these are the bushings on the end of the springs you can do both of these in an hour, give or take)
Two sets of T-Tops reseal, adjust and adjust windows.
Speedo Head bad

What 25 year old car doesn't have some bad rubber.

Bob

 

[Adam Wartell]

Some of this stuff doesn't need repair immediately. For example,

Turn Signal Switch arm is bent, needs replacement
Door Lock electrical connectors and wire need replacement
Rear Body Mounts are rotted
Parking Brake Cable broken

The way I look at the turn signal switch... as long as I'm paying 2500, what's another 200.

The thing about the door locks, is that I actually have a bigger electrical problem, that I keep blowing the fuse that the radio is on. In order to do a good diagnosis on that issue, the door lock electrical crap needs to be in working order first. It also, may in fact be the cause of the fuse blowing. So I may be killing two birds with one stone on that one.

They actually are going to leave the body mounts alone for now. He said they aren't that bad, just getting there.

As far as the parking brake cable, there is more to it than just a broken cable. I forget the specifics, but he said it requires a kit. Maybe I'll call him tomorrow to explain that part to me again. He needs 3 hours labor, so it's more than just the cable.

Unless something is going on that is more serious, these can wait until you can do them one at a time at you leisure.

Some need immediate attention.

Lower Control Arm Bushings are gone
3 Brake hoses are cracked and rotting

I would do these right away, either myself or have it done.

Yeah, I agree with that. I actually had those stupid bushings repaired two years ago by Pep Boys, but I'm sure they didn't do it right.

Other items need to be evaluated by another shop

Rear Strut Rod Bushings need replacement
Rear Leaf Spring hanger bushing need replacement (if these are the bushings on the end of the springs you can do both of these in an hour, give or take)
Two sets of T-Tops reseal, adjust and adjust windows.
Speedo Head bad
What 25 year old car doesn't have some bad rubber.

This shop came highly recommended by many members of my local Vette club. So if they say it needs to be done, I belive them.

The T-Tops was the whole reason I brought it there. I replaced them myself last year, and they still leak horribly! I figured I need to take it to a place that deals with them all the time, and can do a much better install of the seals than I did. Also, the tops themselves and the windows probably need adjusting to get it to stop leaking. So again, better left to the pros, in my oppinion.
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