just when you think you got everything fixed

I had my truck in for a service at my regular independant local shop and asked them to put a new hood spring on my w9 ( there's 2 springs , one was broken) . Got the bill, $118 for the spring! I hit the roof over it but that's what it was, I use them regularly and they are honest and that's what it was! Friggin price of parts is a rip, a stainless fuel tank strap cost $400 to replace after having a leak welded up. The price of some parts is unbelievable!
When my truck was in for the clutch at Inland Kenworth in Fontana ca they tried to charge me 0.25 hrs labor extra because the truck has a moose bar on it and they said it takes longer to pull the hood up due to it! Told them what they could do with that!

 

Yeah Kenworth thinks highly of their hood springs.I need one for my T600 but have been putting it off hoping I could get by a salvage yard & see about getting one.

 

You didn't mention it but I hope they replaced the pilot bearing and resurfaced the flywheel while it was out.

 

for 1600 in labor on a clutch job they should have washed waxed and polished the entire truck, dude where they robbed ya was on the labor for the clutch 700 to 900 is normal

 

I find it really amusing how my eyes are drawn to the ridiculous crap on an invoice. I can think of two really small things (relatively) that have stuck with me after spending $1,000's at repair shops and parts counters. I like to go ahead and name the guilty, I am so enthusiastic about it.

One is the marker lamp on the rear of the front fenders on my T-600. I have bought two, from two different MHC KW dealers. I got my wife to pick up the one in Gainesville, GA. and the price was over $30. The one I bought in OKC was $8. I bring that up Every Single Time I ever talk to an MHC dealer for anything. It's a compulsion.

The other was Peach State Trucks (Freightliner dealer) in Norcross, GA. I was quoted 0.5 hours to replace the air filter on a Century. If my math is right, that's about $50 bucks for a one minute job. That is, if the cover wasn't already removed for something else they were working on. Also quoted 1.2 hrs to replace an oil hub cover on a steer. Six bolts, catch the mess in a pan, put the new one on and refill. I guess they even charge for the tech to stand there and watch the refill oil drain into the hub. I asked the service manager if he was screwing with me. He was not. My answer: "OK, thanks but I'll pass on that."

 

I got quated 13 hours of labor for 4500$ 2 months ago.
Yesterday my truck broke down again near Atlanta ga and I got quated 2400$ and paid it and then today they “found “new problem R&R ATD HARNESS needs to be replaced and they quated another 2551$ .Man I feel like if I stay for 1 more day they will give me another bill.
I prolly tell the driver to get out and go to another dealer only not Atlanta ga .never again .better to pay for towing then these guys.Such a rip off .

 

I avoid dealers... I would always rather pick an obscure looking shop with old rusting sinks laying around...there is going to be a mechanic with dirty hands and fuzzy hair...he'll do the job all right.