What Cost Should I expect???

[Bonnell]

Hi,

I am taking my car into a shop that is supposed to have a great deal of corvette experience. I suspect that I will have the following issues to be repaired. Can anyone give me a ballpark dollar amount that I should expect to pay? I don't want to get taken.

1) Driver side sterring rack (?) boot - The rubber boot is melted open on the top and I can see the steering rack/rod.

2) Driver side u-joints - Should I have all u-joints replaced at once?

Any guestimates would be appreciated.

Thanks,

J

 

[Ken]

The Steering Store sells 1988-1992 Chevrolet Corvette rack & pinion units for $225, for either the standard or performance power steering.

As for labor costs, the length of time a job should take, hence the labor charge, is usually established by the flat rate system. When your mechanic estimates a job, he'll look it up in his flat rate manual, multiply the number of hours by his shop's hourly charge, and add parts and supplies costs. Labor costs for a competent Corvette mechanic can range from a low of $45-50 an hour to $75-80 an hour.

Regarding the u-joints, I'd replace them all if it hasn't been done already. Your car is 17 years old and parts do wear out, no matter how well they've been maintained. I figure it's better safe than sorry, because if you lose a u-joint, severe damage could result to the foorpan and surrounding mechanisms. Typically, if the car is not going to see race duty, especially drag race duty, u-joints with Zerk fittings are all that's necessary. If you were going to race it, a better bet would be to install solid u-joints without grease fittings.

 

[Bonnell]

Thanks for the input. When I dropped the car off, he didn't think that he could get just the boot. It sounds like he was right. I guess it is ok to drive it until it leaks or is this a case of a larger expense if I don't do it before the boot leaks?

Thanks for your input. I don't feel like I am going it alone with you guys here.

 

[Ken]

The boot is just there to keep the rod clean and debris out of the seal area. Unless you were driving it in dirty or otherwise harsh conditions, you shouldn't have a problem.

Not the it affects you, but the boots on CV joints the are there to keep the joint lubricated, as well as keeping debris out. You need those boots.

_ken

 

[Bonnell]

Thanks Ken. I showed the thing to the mechanic and you are right, it is the boot. He told me he didn't think that he could get just the boot but he would look. It turns out that he can get just the boot so I am having them changed.

Thanks again.