why does it cost $150 to take step bars off?

[dahell]

My passenger side step bar is bent so it's been making rattling noises. I wanted to take them off. Since I don't have a lift, I have to slide under the body and unscrew the bolts to take them off. But it's just a tedious job to loose those rusty bolts. So I decided to take it to a local body shop and asked for the price. They said it's gonna be $150 to take those step bars off. Why is it? Isn't that a simple job with a lift and an air torque wrench? I am just wondering.

 

[jremington59]

Take it to another garage. I'd think 50 would be more than fair. Personally, I'd jack it up, block it and do it myself.

 

[my pos mounty]

Because they have to take a skilled body man off his work and put him on taking off the step bars. ($$$)

 

[dahell]

I see....

oh, that's what it is. Thanks for the answers.

 

[my pos mounty]

If you lived closer to New Hampshire, I would tell you to drive over here and I would help you do it for nothing.

 

[Todd82TA]

My passenger side step bar is bent so it's been making rattling noises. I wanted to take them off. Since I don't have a lift, I have to slide under the body and unscrew the bolts to take them off. But it's just a tedious job to loose those rusty bolts. So I decided to take it to a local body shop and asked for the price. They said it's gonna be $150 to take those step bars off. Why is it? Isn't that a simple job with a lift and an air torque wrench? I am just wondering.

Unfortunately, one of the answers is correct. These guys normally get paid by the hour, and if the bolts are rusty, you're probably looking at an hour's worth of work. They DO have to take one of their skilled body guys off another project to work on it.

You might be better off just taking it to like an oil change place. I'd be willing to bet they'd take it off for 20-30 bucks.

Also... someone's got to pay those crazy Massachusetts taxes! I heard that for every $1000 in worth of your car over and above $3,500... you have to pay $100 bucks for property / registration fees for the car (to keep it legally registered)? Be thankful you don't live in Boston... they actually have a CITY income tax! Unheard of!!!

 

[my pos mounty]

Be thankful you don't live in Boston... they actually have a CITY income tax! Unheard of!!!

<BZZZZZZZZZZZZZ> Wrong, they do not have a city tax, I worked there for 16 years, no such thing. The city tax is only on tourists type activities.

You have it confused with New York City, which does have a city tax.

 

[Dan Whitaker]

Be thankful you don't live in Boston... they actually have a CITY income tax!

Kansas City MO has one too. They call it an earnings tax. They tax yoe 1% of your gross income. It applies to anyone that lives or works in Kansas City MO

 

[Turdle]

Kansas City MO has one too. They call it an earnings tax. They tax yoe 1% of your gross income. It applies to anyone that lives or works in Kansas City MO

4% if you live on the Kansas side and work in Missouri.

Kansas doesn't do that to ya do they? :

 

[BigRondo]

Mass does have an excise tax for any registered vehicle. I think it's $25 for every $1000 your vehicle is valuated. The valuations are actually a lot lower than the book value.

 

[my pos mounty]

Its still a rip-off compared to New Hampshire. It costs me 50 a year for my mountaineer, and 200 for my 06 harley. If I moved to Massachusetts again, they could charge me sales tax on my motorcycle!! Even though I was not a resident when I bought it, nor was I for years after. How is that fair...or legal?

 

[BigRondo]

My passenger side step bar is bent so it's been making rattling noises. I wanted to take them off. Since I don't have a lift, I have to slide under the body and unscrew the bolts to take them off. But it's just a tedious job to loose those rusty bolts. So I decided to take it to a local body shop and asked for the price. They said it's gonna be $150 to take those step bars off. Why is it? Isn't that a simple job with a lift and an air torque wrench? I am just wondering.

dahell, I found the thread I was looking for. There are pics and an explanation on removing the running boards.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=274054&highlight=running+boards

 

[BigRondo]

Its still a rip-off compared to New Hampshire. It costs me 50 a year for my mountaineer, and 200 for my 06 harley. If I moved to Massachusetts again, they could charge me sales tax on my motorcycle!! Even though I was not a resident when I bought it, nor was I for years after. How is that fair...or legal?

They don't call it Taxachusetts for nothing. I was in the Marine Corps for 13 years, not even living in Mass or earning money in Mass and still had to pay Mass income tax. They are now charging sales tax on booze. I make the trip to NH quite frequently to purchase my beverages!

 

[Dan Whitaker]

4% if you live on the Kansas side and work in Missouri.

Kansas doesn't do that to ya do they? :

Yes they do. I have to pay taxes in KS & MO. I don't live in Kansas City itself so I don't have to pay the earnings tax.

 

[G-96XLT]

I though Toronto Canada was the only place where we get ####ed up the ass with bullshit taxes. Last year they doubled the plate renewal by adding a new $60 city sales tax. This year they doubled and tripled most of the traffic fines. All in recession year too , before it used to go up $2-3 a year, now in the worst year since 1920 they double it. I swear some of these people in city hall should be executed. (by stoning)

 

[askingxforxit]

I took mine off with no problems but then again I live in southern california so I don't encounter rust problems like you east coast guys. Just soak the bolts in some PB for a few days and they should come right off with a 1/2" ratchet

 

[Blazepet7]

Haaaa hahaha I love it Nyc has cigarrettes fro 12 dollars (manhattan) when they cost what 2.50 a pack and now you cant buy a soda without paying a "soda tax" thay say its gunna make people healthier...lol...full coverage on car...yeah only if its financed

To get back to the thread Listen grab some PB blaster for 6 bucks some cardboard to protect your back and driveway and just take it off make sure you soak the bolts with pb and wait a little while then have at it and save yourself $144

 

[G-96XLT]

I think a leverage bar would do the trick. A plain hollow steel tube. I have taken the nastiest bolts out with this thing. you just slide it over your ratchet and turn.

 

[Blazepet7]

yeah its amazing what a little leverage can do just make sure to lube it up cause sheering the head off would suckkkk if the leverage dosent work take a tortch to it that works EVERY time...tortch $10-$15
pb blaster 2 for $6
Pipe freebeeeeee!!!

Savings $134+...Thats three tanks of gas

 

[smurfxlt]

i can not believe you even considered paying somebody to do this! sometimes you have to get a little dirty, just do it