Hey all-
I am not the most mechanically inclined person. With that being said, took my car in for an oil change the other day and received a "laundry list" of things to fix- of course. Ranging from replacing the coil springs (not sure if it's the correct term, so please bear with me) to replacing the front bushings to a rear brake re-alignment... to name a few. They wanted to charge me ~ $1000. And, if I can save some money through reading a technical manual and with the help of a very mechaincally inclined neighbor, I would like to. I think I've spec'd out the correct parts on Rock Auto.com and it shouldn't come out to more than $400-500. I do know enough that the rear brakes should automatically align themselves if you drive in reverse and depress the brake pedal... at least that's what I thought. As far as the front bushings go, would it be easier to just replace the arms? I apprecaite your help and time.

--Christian

 

Well rear brakes you have to set the tension but if you can push a screwdriver in a hole you can do it. lol I know my old car I just went backwards and they set. What bushings did they say you need up front

 

Alot of times a shop will tell you what they feel should be replaced and or fixed. It doesnt mean its what needs to be done right away. Thats how they make their money. You should make some friends who have cherokees or just ask around here or an auto parts store before you shell out any money.
What front bushings are you talking about? Lower control arm bushings? (body or axle side?) Or Upper control are bushings? (body or axle side?) I think theres several other bushing is the front but the mechanics probably talking about the control arms. How does your jeep drive? Does it make any weird sounds you can feel under your feet when you apply the brake? If it does, thats usally worn out upper control arm bushings on the axle side.

 

Hi Christian and welcome to CF from Tj in NJ. WOW did they see you coming...lol. You can do ALL the work yourself with the help of a friend for sure. I sent something to your PM so check it out also the ppl on this forum will help you out whenever they can so just ask...Tj

 

I think your may have confused some of what was recommended to you.. but thats not a big deal. You'll learn as you go.

Walk over to your neighbor and ask him if he'd be willing to show you how to do some of the work that they claim you need. I'm betting he would be more than willing to help you out if your willing to get your hands dirty.

Then without him knowing drop off a case of his favorite beverage of a gift cert for him and his Mrs to a local restaurant. At that point he and the wife will be willing to assist in the future in your learning curve.

 

My rear brakes werent even engaging. I had to take off the drums and used a flat head screw driver to adjust the sprocket. Then I drove it in reverse down my street white pressing the brakes several times. It wasnt hard at all.

 

Nicly said.

 

Hey all-
Thanks for the great info. As far as a case of beer goes, he'll have two cases of Yuengling. And I may have been misleading. While I'm not mechanically saavy, I'm wanting to learn. So, all I need him to do is show me (verbally) what to do. I'm more than willing to accept what I need to do and will do whatever it takes, no matter how long, to get the job done- correctly! The front bushings, again, bear w/ me on exact terminology, are on the lower control arms. Closest thing I can assimilate to to describe my problem is the bushings no longer look like a hamburger in the middle of a bun. Now they are dry-rotted and look like the hamburger moved forward on the bun and there is very little in between the arm "joints".

 

it's also HIGHLY possible that your vehicle doesn't need all that stuff replaced in the first place, I'd take it somewhere else, especially if you know someone who can be trusted and get a second opinion. Meinekee told me I needed a new transmission, I didn't, and Midas told my younger bro and his wife they needed about $1900 worth of work done to their Pathfinder, they took it to our family friend/mechanic and he did half of what they said needed replaced for about $250, don't trust shops unless you know they can be trusted, hope I didn't come off sounding TOO paranoid,lol, but that's been MY own personal experience with taking vehicles to shops, especially the big chain shops like the two I mentioned. Go buy a Haynes or Chilton manual and you can do most of the stuff you need to, especially if you've got someone there to help that is mechanically inclined.

 

flexin91xj-
No, no sounds when I depress the brake pedal. Have noticed the car will "stutter" a little when I first start the car and make a turn, but only after some significant moisture has fallen. Snow or otherwise.

 

No, thanks for the advice Ogre in KS. I'm paranoid when it comes to service/dealers. They all seem shady to me. Much like my Air Force service recruiter. I was young and dumb and they knew it. I like to think after 10 years I've wisened up, but the car dealerships will always rule me. Forget pride, I take the grizzliest looking person I can find to haggle for me. There are many things I can do, but when it comes to cars- about all I can do is drive them...

 

If you had your location available someone here with experience may be interested in helping guide you along.

 

OverlandXJ-
Updated my profile. I'm in the bustling metropolis that is, Warner Robins, GA...