I want to thank you guys. I started my search to find a reputable shop to assemble my
9" Ford 3rd member so I could install it. I am looking for a REAL professional that can put it togther correctly the 1st time. NO whinning, clunking, clanking, humming. All those things are noises and noises are vibration, and vibration is a sign of something is wrong...LOL I have a pro street car and have to remove my rear housing to change tires, so if the assmebly isn't done right the 1st time thats what I have to do to remove the 3rd member. ANYWAY I read this thread and would like to kindly TYVM because I saw a few buisness names I had contacted for estimates. I will now stay away from them. BUT I would also like to mention. Myself being a MD State Inspector, & 30 yr. professional mechanic, some of you folks have forgotten the golden rule in any profession and are now paying for it. Someone mentioned that they thought 30 and hour for lbr was about right? Thats about 1/2 the rate for any regular shop! I don't know of any normal auto shop that hasn't been charging $75 and up for the last 2-3 yrs. 4x4 stuff is always more expiensive than conventional repairs. Not so much the hourly labor rate, but in time. Specially when you start lifting, aligning, etc. Thats hard aggrovating work. It also takes a special knowledge accompanied by special tooling. Think about it, on a simpe term. Would you rather mount up a regular 15" tire or a 44"? 1st off the typical machine that does the 15" will not be able to mount the 44". [more expiensive} extra physical labor the 44" requires, not to mention 4-5 times the wheel weights. So I think its only common knowledge that the guy with the 44 should expect to pay more. I personally charge $8 for a dismount and re-mount. $12 additional for balance. If I had to charge those fees for a 44 I wouldn't do them at all. Its not worth the time and effort or the extra cost of the machines and weights. Its the same ole story reguardless of profession. Be willing to pay more, check out the shops reputation and cross your fingers. Do NOT let cheaper get involved in your decession. In my expierence 'cheaper' always cost more in the end result....LOL
Thats why I am shopping these sites to find a REPUTABLE shop/person to assemble my 3rd member. I never like to pay a lot of money...LOL But regaurdless of cost, I want it RIGHT the 1st time. And in my expierence its long and few between times the cheaper guy has the ability or tooling to accomplish that. Ya want a GOOD lawyer or a cheap one?
Ya want a GOOD surgeon, in a GOOD hospital or a cheap one in a clinic?
So with all that being said....LOL Can anyone recommend a GOOD place to have my 3rd member set up?
Thanks
Ed
