I thinkl my Hoe is going to $500.00 me to Death

[icehead]

Just got the power brake assist fixed...$547.00. Got an est on fixing the idle arm, pitman arm and some other motor he said I needed...$543.00 before alignment. I guess I'm lucky i only paid $3700.00 for it with 160,000 miles. Geez, Only had it less than a week.

 

[BlueTahoe2001]

I'm feeling the same! Only had the truck a couple months and had the A/C go out, Battery Trey rote through, and battery go out.

To my luck though I was able to get the new battery (Optima), and battery trey cheap enough. Also, got both of them installed in the truck as well.

Next is the A/C and that stupid idle problem I am having as well!

 

[96ProCompTahoe]

thats just the name of the game with an older vehicle with semi-high miles.

i just put a fuel pump, carrier, and new hoses under mine, a radiator about a month ago, and now the high quality napa water pump is on its way out yet again...

 

[Accord_boy619]

Got mine about 4 years ago @ 118k mi. Heres what have done on mines.
118k = put a 6" Fabtech $3200
123k ish = I got an slip yoke eliminator and a Tom Woods drive shaft double cardan drive shaft. $2k
128k = new ball joints, tie-rod inner and outer. $600 around
135k = replaced radiator(was same price vs. just the tank) $150 around
140k = new ball joints, tie rods in and outer and pitman and idler arms. $freeMOOG
145ish = A/C went out, founder out a year later(now) the compressor is leaking.
148 = I fixed my intake manifold gasket. $80 in gaskets
148 = Had to replce my distributor cuz I broke a tab a year prior to the intake job. $140 for a metal one.
152k = Now still the A/C is out but I still like her, Im fixin the A/C at maybe mext month.(Need time)
Some where in between there I burnt like 6 batteries(I had a dual batts at one time), the battery issue is due to my deploments. Oh and I did all the work my self.

 

[ravingmadman]

Don't you dare pay $500 for a pitman arm. I'll find you and kick you in the nuts myself. If you don't own a single tool yourself, you're still looking at <$50 for all the parts and tools to do the entire job if you do it yourself. I did a "how to" on it, if you search for it.

 

[bablurp]

I feel ya too. I bought a 96 with 260k on the original engine. The previous owner had the cylinder heads re-done and a "complete" tune-up. The day I received my pink slip the damn thing heated up and the cylinder head cracked. Water in the cylinders, oil boiled over, the whole damn engine went with that. Now it's been down for about 3 weeks. It's seen more garage time than driving time since I've owned it. I'm still working on it about 2 grand later =(



1996 Chevy Tahoe 4x4 2dr (out of service)

 

[haks310]

Don't you dare pay $500 for a pitman arm. I'll find you and kick you in the nuts myself. If you don't own a single tool yourself, you're still looking at <$50 for all the parts and tools to do the entire job if you do it yourself. I did a "how to" on it, if you search for it.

LMFAO!

lol save all of MadMan's How-To..s while you are at it.

 

[road1will]

Some where in between there I burnt like 6 batteries(I had a dual batts at one time), the battery issue is due to my deploments. Oh and I did all the work my self.

You need to invest in a battery tender!

 

[Accord_boy619]

You need to invest in a battery tender!

I learned after my 4th deployment, so I got one. Better late than never.

 

[ChevyManDan]

I am feeling you guys! My Hoe had about 140k on it when I bought it. I have a new crate 350, fuel pump w/ lines, a/c compressor, radiator, power steering pump, all new suspension, the list goes on and on!!! All in all I'd say I have put about $15K into just the mechanics of my Hoe.....but she's worth every penny!!!!

 

[ravingmadman]

I learned after my 4th deployment, so I got one. Better late than never.

What branch of service?
RLTW

 

[Accord_boy619]

What branch of service?
RLTW

USAF, Im Power Pro(generators and aircraft arresting systems)

 

[cebo]

Arent older rides fun.

Owning older vehicles are fun. Paying for maintenance and upkeep, always staying on the lookout for something going out. But I must admit, I love my Tahoe. It is a 2000 and I have had it for a little over a year. Bought it with 118k miles. Now it has about 122k. Still runs like a top. The one thing i don't worry about is the engine. It feels as strong as any engine i have owned. There are little upkeep things here and there that i get fixed or updated. But so far so good, the maintenance hasn't broke the bank and i thouroughly enjoy my Tahoe.

 

[XLdenaliXL]

haha lol i agree guys?? bought my 97 yukon wit 116k custom all hooked up looking pretty right? well the starter went the day i registered it lol
$100 bucks

Day 5 ERG valve lol and heres a funny story. I go to show my friends my super sweet black yukon on 23's with 4 tvs and as i open the driver door the door FALLS OFF!!!! i was soo damn embrased lol but it was funny turned out that the pin was outta the to top latch an it was in the door.... quick fix

like my dad said you want a older truck ur gonna pay!

 

[ravingmadman]

Dude. I've paid something close to $3K in the last couple months on my hoe. Let me teach some basic business owner's finance. The banks won't teach you this in school.

When you make payments on something, you still have to pay for maintenance, you have to pay for full coverage insurance, and you have to pay interest. If nothing breaks on it, you're still paying compounding interest on a depreciating asset, which is mathematically/financially retarded.

When something breaks, and you put money into your truck, it either gains value, or reliability. I pay cash for everything, so I'm not paying interest to anyone, nor do I have to pay exorbitant costs for insurance. In addition, if it were to be wrecked, as much as I love my hoe, I can walk away from it, without any financial risk.

So long as the engine and transmission are sound, you pretty much can't lose by paying cash, and letting your truck break every now and then. Especially if cosmetic things don't matter to you, but you can spend a little more and square that away too, if it is important to you.




---------- Post added at 01:04 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:22 PM ----------

USAF, Im Power Pro(generators and aircraft arresting systems)

Thank you for serving.

 

[icehead]

Ummm....yeah so that is $242.00 for Pitman arm and idler arm instalation and front end alignment. then another $446.00 for whatever motor controls the Pitman arm and idler arm. Well....at least I don't have a car payment, and for those of you counting that is:
1) 1999 Tahoe-$3700.00
1) Power Brake assist $ 547.00
1) Pitman Arm and Idle arm replacement with alignment $242.00
1) Steering motor installed$446.00
thats $4935.00 in it total.
I love the truck,what the Hell, it's worth it

 

[ravingmadman]

Ummm....yeah so that is $242.00 for Pitman arm and idler arm instalation and front end alignment. then another $446.00 for whatever motor controls the Pitman arm and idler arm. Well....at least I don't have a car payment, and for those of you counting that is:
1) 1999 Tahoe-$3700.00
1) Power Brake assist $ 547.00
1) Pitman Arm and Idle arm replacement with alignment $242.00
1) Steering motor installed$446.00
thats $4935.00 in it total.
I love the truck,what the Hell, it's worth it

Pitman Arm=$25, Idler arm=$25, Alignment=$60, Steering Gearbox=$220, Not getting ass ***** by several large, greasy men with wrenches= priceless. If your steering is worn, that indicates other things are worn too. If you're going to pay someone else to do the easy stuff, you'd better pack a lunch and buckle your seatbelt....

 

[icehead]

Pitman Arm=$25, Idler arm=$25, Alignment=$60, Steering Gearbox=$220, Not getting ass ***** by several large, greasy men with wrenches= priceless. If your steering is worn, that indicates other things are worn too. If you're going to pay someone else to do the easy stuff, you'd better pack a lunch and buckle your seatbelt....

You go be a mechanic, I'll be a therapist and pay others to do what I can't do and what I don't want to do or have no business doing. Geez!

 

[ravingmadman]

You go be a mechanic, I'll be a therapist and pay others to do what I can't do and what I don't want to do or have no business doing. Geez!

Sorry- my last was just a touch arrogant, prickish, coarse and insensitive. Just a touch though. In all honesty, my bad. No hard feelings?

You are probably better off finding a buddy with some wrenches to help you. The dealerships and auto shops will charge you $150 to read the trouble codes, when you can go to a parts house and have it done for free, just for instance. The gouging only begins there. Again, I am sorry- I didn't mean to be so harsh, I don't know what my deal was the other day. That time of the month, or something.

 

[icehead]

no problem. I'm new to chevy's I'm trying not to take many hits, but you know sometimes... hey i changed a reverse taillight the other day. I'm moving up in the world..LOL