My Positive Dealer Experience with Laurel Motors in Westmont
11-11-2003, 01:44 PM
#1
AudiWorld Super User
Thread Starter
My Positive Dealer Experience with Laurel Motors in Westmont
So as some of you might recall, I bought new tie rod ends last week, went to go install them last weekend, got one on, but the left side one was frozen. I wrestled with it for almost 2 hours, tore the tie rod boot in the process, and said screw it, I'll let the dealer put this one on.
We'll just call it another Waterlooism.
I already had an appointment at Laurel for an alignment on Monday morning. I have established a few relationships with the techs at Laurel, and converse through email sometimes. I emailed the techs and sent them the picture below, they said they would take care of me.
I was worried that a boot wasn't available, and it would be some terrible story of needing a new steering rack for some huge amount of money. I even suggested to the tech that if they had a steering rack sitting around that they took out of a car, use that boot.
<img src="http://www.audipages.com/Tech_Articles/susp_whls_brake_steer/tr2.JPG">
The boot actually goes over the inner tie rod, which they said might have to come off and be replaced if the outer couldn't come loose. Here's the whole thing:
<img src="http://www.audipages.com/Tech_Articles/susp_whls_brake_steer/tr3.JPG">
So I gave them authorization to replace the inner if required. Picked my car up today, and there was no boot charge on the bill! The tech (ILAudiTech) said that the boot was available, but a local dealer had one, not Laurel.
So I so saw Dave, asked him about it, he stated that they managed to get the old one off (I did spray penetrating oil on it all weekend, hope that helped), and that they had a rack laying around that they just took off the car. So they took off the boot and put it on my car!
So they charged me 1 hour labor to remove the old outer tie rod, put on a new boot, and install my supplied tie rod end. Plus the alignment. Oh, and the boot clamp for $4.00.
Their labor rate is $120.99, but I paid one hour, which I feel comfortable with. Plus they gave me a rental car. They also provided me with the "as-found" and "as-left" alignment printout as I asked.
I'm glad that I can report this positive experience with Laurel. Thanks for taking care of me!
We'll just call it another Waterlooism.
I already had an appointment at Laurel for an alignment on Monday morning. I have established a few relationships with the techs at Laurel, and converse through email sometimes. I emailed the techs and sent them the picture below, they said they would take care of me.
I was worried that a boot wasn't available, and it would be some terrible story of needing a new steering rack for some huge amount of money. I even suggested to the tech that if they had a steering rack sitting around that they took out of a car, use that boot.
<img src="http://www.audipages.com/Tech_Articles/susp_whls_brake_steer/tr2.JPG">
The boot actually goes over the inner tie rod, which they said might have to come off and be replaced if the outer couldn't come loose. Here's the whole thing:
<img src="http://www.audipages.com/Tech_Articles/susp_whls_brake_steer/tr3.JPG">
So I gave them authorization to replace the inner if required. Picked my car up today, and there was no boot charge on the bill! The tech (ILAudiTech) said that the boot was available, but a local dealer had one, not Laurel.
So I so saw Dave, asked him about it, he stated that they managed to get the old one off (I did spray penetrating oil on it all weekend, hope that helped), and that they had a rack laying around that they just took off the car. So they took off the boot and put it on my car!
So they charged me 1 hour labor to remove the old outer tie rod, put on a new boot, and install my supplied tie rod end. Plus the alignment. Oh, and the boot clamp for $4.00.
Their labor rate is $120.99, but I paid one hour, which I feel comfortable with. Plus they gave me a rental car. They also provided me with the "as-found" and "as-left" alignment printout as I asked.
I'm glad that I can report this positive experience with Laurel. Thanks for taking care of me!
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11-12-2003, 03:47 AM
#9
Ouch. They're $100 here at Butler, I guess the $85 is Chicago factor + dealer factor.
Still a good deal overall, I'd say.
Butler is a high-end tire shop here, their people "get" it. Everytime I go, there are 2-3 brand new Mercs from RBM Mercedes getting Lorinsers or some such put on.
Butler is a high-end tire shop here, their people "get" it. Everytime I go, there are 2-3 brand new Mercs from RBM Mercedes getting Lorinsers or some such put on.
11-12-2003, 03:53 AM
#10
AudiWorld Super User
Thread Starter
I think it's high too....but
at least they know how to do a quattro. I have the as-found and as-left printouts of the suspension (will have to scan them someday, they look cool.
If I brought it to the local tire place, they don't do the same thing. I think $150 at the dealer is fair. But then again, alignment is pretty much the only thing I bring it there for now so it's not that big of a deal.
pw
If I brought it to the local tire place, they don't do the same thing. I think $150 at the dealer is fair. But then again, alignment is pretty much the only thing I bring it there for now so it's not that big of a deal.
pw