I had my car inspected by an average shop when I bought it a month ago and they only saw that it needed new front tires, belts and rear brake pads. Well, I took it into Mann for the 60k mile service today and they just called me with some bad news.

-All four struts need to be replaced
-The steering rack is leaking and needs to be replaced ($900 parts + 5 hours labor?)
-All four tires need to be replaced (I didn't realize that you can't replace tires in twos)

Apparently the only thing that would cause the steering rack to leak is if the car was absolutely slammed to the ground at some point in its life.

I'm not sure what I'm going to do...have them fix everything or do it myself. I'm definitely going to change the suspension myself, any suggestions that won't break the bank? And has anyone replaced their steering rack?

Ugh...this is not a good day...

 

lol just had my oil changed by Mann the other day and was told my steering rack is leaking too....I have less than 50k and its the drivers side which is, yes, about $800-900...Luckily its a slow leak...

 

research more prices and parts

5 hours seems like a lot for steering rack replacement

and how much was your 60k if you dont mind me asking? girlfriends subie needs 60k maintenence, pm if you would like

 

I have a complete non leaking, working fine suspension set from my 06 sti with less than 35k miles, its complete and ready to bolt in asking 250 obo. PM me if your interested.

 

A like new one on eyebay for about 90$
-The steering rack is leaking and needs to be replaced ($900 parts + 5 hours labor?)

I did mine myself and the first time it did take about 5hrs. However someone who knows what they're doing (now I am that person) could have it done in as little as 2.

 

seems like a lot. you should get a second opinion or get a price quote for some work from Aaron and Agnes @ Garage 1 Auto in downtown san jose, ca.

 

If you're going to do the work yourself just get some of your buddies to help you out and just buy them some beer and snacks... win win situation

 

I have a place that can do it. Seems a little high since I just had this done on my GF last week and it was almost half that for a remanufactured one.

I had my timing belt done by them last week and they charged a lot more than the dealer. When I talked to Gary about it, he said it is because they don't have the luxury of parts that are effectively below cost like the dealer does, so their prices are higher. Based on my experience with some of the real dealerships in the area, I am more than happy to give Mann my money.

They had bad news for me when I did the timing belt too though, which ended up being a new radiator. I'd rather they point that stuff out to me though, before it becomes a real problem.

 

Way to save the day lol!

 

Just a question, have any of you guys who did do things from Mann ever get a 2nd diagnoses elsewhere?

 

I second this but then again I've never had to take my car to them since I go to Garage 1 Auto. Prices seem pretty steep IMO but some people like paying more for wrench work.

hope you get things figured out... look on the bright side... it could be worse, you could be like me and have a blown head gasket =)

 

I try.. Win win right.

 

sounds to me like they want to make some money off of you... put on new tires and drive till the it's broke lol

 

what was the diagnosis on the radiator? just curious to know what they found ... how many miles were on the radiator before it was swapped out?

 

He said the upper tube was cracked. He said when they took the hose off, the end came off with it. Normally for something like that, I would ask for the parts that came off, but this time I didn't. Car has 102K on it. I talked to the owner for at least an hour that day, and I had previously talked to the mechanic as well. Gary, the owner, seems very knowledgeable and comes across as honest. They don't strike me as the kind of place that would tell you something was broken just to make a buck, but their prices are a bit high.