I dropped off my '77 GMC motorhome to have new CV joints installed at Henn Automotive in Waxhaw, NC. The estimate was that the job would be in the""mid-800's"". After several days I called to see what was going on and they were having trouble locating parts. I gave them the number of Alex Sirum GMC (Okeechobee, Fl) who deals exclusively with vintage GMC's. I called Jeff Sirum (with whom I have long association) and he gave me the price: the CV joints would be $225 each plus $36 shipping. He also said that for him, the job would take two hours, but for an inexperienced mechanic, it would take three hours. The parts were shipped and after a week, and with no callback, I called Henn again for an update. The mechanic had apparently been out of town and so it wasn't done yet, but he would be back Friday the 9th of April. The RV would be done Monday. I called again on the 12th, and the mechanic was having a hard time (I suggested that he call Sirum's again for technical advice), but he said the job would be done Monday eve. Tuesday AM Henn's did call and said that the work still wasn't done (splines were ""rusted in"") but should be finished late Tuesday PM. Late that afternoon, they called my wife (who was out of town) to tell her to tell me that the work was complete. Wednesday the 14th, I went to pick up the GMC and the bill was over $1100! I looked at the bill and Henn's had even added to the cost of the CV joints that I had to locate for them! They also charged me for six hours of labor due to the problem with ""rust"". Sirum's told me that it only takes six bolts to take the CV joint out, and the problem is not rust, but grease all over the area. I asked Henn's why I was charged more than they paid for the CV joints and the response was that they needed to make money on the deal (they already charge $75/hour). I, in effect, paid for an extra three hours of work because of their inexperience (for which they shouldn't have accepted the job). The price was lowered by $100, but it still cost me more than $300 to have Henn do it instead of an expert. Could they do a basic mechanical job well? I'm not going to find out. I'm not sure that they did this one right. I am sure that they charged my too much.
Pros: The vehicle made it home
Cons: Cost, unknowledgeable mechanic, I don't trust them
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