Rebuild vs. new part ??

[ArkRescue]

I was told that for a starter and alternator, I should consider having a place rebuild those parts as opposed to having new parts installed (Chevrolet).

Is it true that the cost would be cheaper to rebuild? If so, who in the Waldorf area does that so I can call to get a cost estimate?

Example I was given: I was told that for a particular case the cost for a new starter was $310 but the lady had her old started rebuilt for $120. That's a big difference.

 

[desertrat]

I was told that for a starter and alternator, I should consider having a place rebuild those parts as opposed to having new parts installed (Chevrolet).

Is it true that the cost would be cheaper to rebuild? If so, who in the Waldorf area does that so I can call to get a cost estimate?

Example I was given: I was told that for a particular case the cost for a new starter was $310 but the lady had her old started rebuilt for $120. That's a big difference.

Did that include the removal and reinstallation?

 

[ArkRescue]

I asked and here is the response I got:

"120 was handing them the starter, have them rebuild it and handing it back to me"

... so no that did NOT cover the labor to uninstall-re-install hmm. So I guess if a person knows how to do part installations themselves it's a savings?

Did that include the removal and reinstallation?

 

[glhs837]

Yep, figure what, $60-$80 an hour for labor. Depending on the vehicle, a starter R&R could take 15 minutes (Your average pickup truck), or a couple of hours in cases where its obscured by other components. Same for the alternator. I can do the wifes 99 Blazers in about 15 minutes, while my Neons would have taken a while longer.

Rebuild is better deal, assuming of course, that you are getting a quality product. If the guy doing the rebuild is off his game, and they dont have much of a quality control system in place, it could be worse.

 

[ArkRescue]

Maybe I've forgotten? But I don't recall the starter ever being replaced (230k miles) and the alternator was probably replaced about 100k miles ago ... so I was thinking it may be a good idea to replace those to avoid a surprise break down?

Yep, figure what, $60-$80 an hour for labor. Depending on the vehicle, a starter R&R could take 15 minutes (Your average pickup truck), or a couple of hours in cases where its obscured by other components. Same for the alternator. I can do the wifes 99 Blazers in about 15 minutes, while my Neons would have taken a while longer.

Rebuild is better deal, assuming of course, that you are getting a quality product. If the guy doing the rebuild is off his game, and they dont have much of a quality control system in place, it could be worse.

 

[glhs837]

You generally get warning signs with both of those parts.

 

[Iv4girlz]

Take It To Wengers On Bishop Rd. In Mechanicsville. They Rebuild Starters And Generator Motors.

 

[desertrat]

I was told that for a starter and alternator, I should consider having a place rebuild those parts as opposed to having new parts installed (Chevrolet).

Is it true that the cost would be cheaper to rebuild? If so, who in the Waldorf area does that so I can call to get a cost estimate?

Example I was given: I was told that for a particular case the cost for a new starter was $310 but the lady had her old started rebuilt for $120. That's a big difference.

Also check on rebuilt parts at auto supply stores.

 

[GWguy]

Also check on rebuilt parts at auto supply stores.

It's been my experience that they give you a rebuilt anyway unless you ask for new, when it comes to gen/alt/starters.

 

[ArkRescue]

Not when the alternator went out - no signs to ME (that I recognized) that there was a problem.

You generally get warning signs with both of those parts.

 

[desertrat]

It's been my experience that they give you a rebuilt anyway unless you ask for new, when it comes to gen/alt/starters.

Yep.

 

[CrashTest]

Not when the alternator went out - no signs to ME (that I recognized) that there was a problem.

Yea - the warning sign is that your headlights go dim and the radio cuts off warning you that you have about 1/4 mile until your dead on the side of the road.

 

[ArkRescue]

oh that MUCH advance notice? LOL I thought what was meant was maybe days-in-advance type of advance notice ....

and if it was daylight and you didn't have your headlights on? all I knew was suddenly the engine cut off ......

Yea - the warning sign is that your headlights go dim and the radio cuts off warning you that you have about 1/4 mile until your dead on the side of the road.