Question for the mechanics

[tubashaman2]

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[steve_decker]

The problem is the shop that did it last time charged $630 total, over $200 for labor, and I don't have that kind of money.

And Todd, an autoparts salesman, also stated it is rare for a shop to let you use your own products you bring in for them to install.

And ACU has no shop/automotive program whatsoever

As far as shops letting you bring your own parts in, that is greatly dependant on the shop. Some do, some don't; there's only one way to find out. However, many shops will provide the service I suggested (which, btw, is completely different than what Todd was commenting on). Taking Todd's word, or mine, will get you no closer to getting the job done though. You need to call around and see what options are available specifically to you.

Having only minimal familiarity with Texas geography, I spent about 3 minutes with a Yahoo search and found that Texas State Technical College @ Sweetwater DOES have an automotive program. Would I typically drive from Abilene to Sweetwater to have someone repair my car? No, but they may be able to offer the solution you're looking for, which is worth the 40 mile or so drive.

The only thing any of us can do is offer suggestions. Ultimately, you have to do a bit of research and figure out what is available to you locally.

[Todd S. Malicoate]

Taking Todd's word, or mine, will get you no closer to getting the job done though. You need to call around and see what options are available specifically to you.

Excellent advice. The plural of anecdote does not equal data.

[eupher61]

often, or at least occasionally, a high school auto shop will do such things, for cost of parts only.

[Rochester2013]

often, or at least occasionally, a high school auto shop will do such things, for cost of parts only.

This is a good suggestion. A lot of schools participate in some sort of technical training program (in my high school it is through BOCES) for people who don't want to go to college but want training. I would definitely check into this. They often have some kind of mechanical training program (at my school it is diesel only). I am sure this would be the cheapest option (other than maybe doing it yourself).

Plus the students would be working under a "master mechanic" so you wouldn't have to worry about the students not knowing what they are doing.

Good Luck!

[tubashaman2]

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[The Big Ben]

I do not believe Abilene has a HS automechanic class like alot of the Dallas Schools get. I will pay $650 it looks like to get it done right instead of trusting me with it

1. I think $650 is a pretty good price. I had this done but my price is not representative because my mechanic is too crazy to charge a proper price. I usually give him a 10% tip on repairs and he still is cheap. The parts are about half that cost, I think. Sorry, I don't think it would be a good value to have your car towed to his shop. It's in Port Townsend, WA- 50 mi. west of Seattle.

2. Is there a vocational school nearby? This would be a training school for HS grads.