Rear differential leak

for real, right?! I paid an independent shop $140 to have a pinion seal replaced, which included a fluid change.

For something that takes a tech probably 45 minutes to an hour and takes about $25 in parts, that price is bordering on criminal.
Shops charge anywhere from 80-120 per hr, plus parts. What do think it should have cost? Better yet, buy the necessary tools and diy. It isn't difficult.
 
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Shops charge anywhere from 80-120 per hr, plus parts. What do think it should have cost? Better yet, buy the necessary tools and diy. It isn't difficult.

well, $80 for an hour of labor plus $25 in parts (at retail price) is $105. He paid double that.
 
He chose to, nobody forced him

My problem isn't with his choice. My problem is with deceptive pricing. I'm sure if you call them and ask them their labor rate, they'll be happy to tell you it's $65 an hour and they'll only charge half an hour for a gear oil change, which is probably lower than most, if not all the shops in the area.

But then they hide a bunch of profit by marking their parts up by 1000%...$137 for $15 worth of gear oil, and $40 for less than half a $7 tube of RTV. If they only doubled the retail price of materials, they're really charging over $300 an hour, not $65.
 
well, $80 for an hour of labor plus $25 in parts (at retail price) is $105. He paid double that.
Look at the receipt, the shop charged 64 an hr, pretty good in that regard. Where he over paid was for the oil, at 137 dollars. He was charged for 2 hrs labor and parts.
 
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My problem isn't with his choice. My problem is with deceptive pricing. I'm sure if you call them and ask them their labor rate, they'll be happy to tell you it's $65 an hour and they'll only charge half an hour for a gear oil change, which is probably lower than most, if not all the shops in the area.

But then they hide a bunch of profit by marking their parts up by 1000%...$137 for $15 worth of gear oil, and $40 for less than half a $7 tube of RTV. If they only doubled the retail price of materials, they're really charging over $300 an hour, not $65.
That’s the way they work. I took my truck in for an oil change (free coupon) and of course they come walking in with my air filter which looked very dirty.

I asked how much for a new one and it was like $15. I said go ahead.

Then I get the bill for $55 because of the labor to install it.

I was a bit pissed since they’d have put my original back in for nothing.

But I took that all the way to the owner of the dealership and walked away with a $15 air filter (I paid) and more oil changes.
 
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I can only speak for California; there has to be an estimate given and approved prior to work being done. A shop cannot simply do the work and spring an unknown charge on you. And if the estimate isn't going to cover said work, a revised estimate must be done and approved by the customer.

On something like an oil change, there isn't much that can be found and revised. Going in, the op here should have known what the total would be. But that isn't his complaint; he is unhappy he now has a leak, a year later. He needs to find out if there is any type of warranty, whether in place by the dealer or something written by the county, state, etc in regards to auto repairs. I highly doubt it but, you never know until you ask.
 
If I use a gasket to seal the rear end plate I dont use sealant. Correct?
Lube locker gasket then yeah, no rtv.

Plate is called a cover...

Paper gasket...that's up to you...some folks rtv one side to hold it in place while installing...some do both sides...some none... everyone has an opinion.

I'm of the opinion use a bead of rtv... torque it down, fill it up...but when I redid my axles I tried Lube Locker resuable gaskets and they work great...no rtv!

And then which RTV... different colors and brands denote different properties...red is high temp...gray high torque...blue is regular...black and you'll be cursing a lot trying to get it apart. (Use blue.)

-Mac
 
Lube locker gasket then yeah, no rtv.

Plate is called a cover...

Paper gasket...that's up to you...some folks rtv one side to hold it in place while installing...some do both sides...some none... everyone has an opinion.

I'm of the opinion use a bead of rtv... torque it down, fill it up...but when I redid my axles I tried Lube Locker resuable gaskets and they work great...no rtv!

And then which RTV... different colors and brands denote different properties...red is high temp...gray high torque...blue is regular...black and you'll be cursing a lot trying to get it apart. (Use blue.)

-Mac
Thanks for the reply. I installed the lubelocker gasket yesterday. Gonna take it for a ride today. I torqued it at 30 foot pounds. I believe that was right. I appreciate the help.
 
Really depends on what kind of service was performed on the diff. But I am saying your are incorrect.

2018 to 2020 is more than a enough time for something to go bad on its own. A bit of a stretch to cast the blame now.

Do you have a copy of the service ticket? Reason I ask is that sometimes a tech may write a reccomendation down on the ticket while performing the service you requested. But often, it doesnt get back to the client.

Example being; you have a rear cover leak serviced. The tech notices the pinion seal is also leaking. He Writes it on the ticket, the service writer overlooks it, and hands the keys back to you without any mention.

I find it interesting that you used the word, “stealership.” It seems as though you alrrady have your mind made up in that they caused the issue and want others to validate your same view. No need to play victim, find another shop to take it to that you feel confident in. If in your mind they didnt fix it the first time, why would you take it back?

This is an Old post but I want salude you and say Thank You and Well said. 👏👏👏 lots of people like to point fingers when they have been driving their vehicles like MadMax.
 
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