Miles on the car...........

[Viper04]

i found a 1985 buick la sabre for sale for $600.
the car was in ok condition, couple little rust spots but not too bad, and was missing one of the mirrors. the car had a note on the window that said it had a new altenator, battery, starter and tires. the car was unlocked and so i looked in to see the condition of the interior and it was pretty nice, everything was was bone stock and the pieces on the door were hanging off a bit but again not too bad. i happened to look at the miles and it read 326969 but the last number the 9 was the number that spins and so i dont really know how to figure out the amount of miles on the car. Can you help me?

Thank you, it is late so i have to wait till tomorrow to call about the car.

[tman]

If the 9 is the tenth of a mile digit, the correct mileage is 32,969.9 miles.

[Viper04]

thanks, you were right and i bought the car today and it runs good but there are a few problems with it.
1. it needs a new power steering pump.
2. needs rear break drums .

How much would be for a new pump and would i be able to install it myself?

How much for the breaks as well?

[spinne1]

Based on your questions, I don't think you should try to do it yourself. Both jobs are doable, but can be tricky, especially the rear brakes. The power steering pump is easier, but you have to be careful not to spill the fluid all over the ground when taking the hoses off.

Cost? Call Auto Zone and price the parts. That will tell you better than we could.

[redly1]

326969 is x32696.9

the car could have 32k, it could have 132k, even more

back then they didn't have a digit for anything over 100,000 miles, it just rolled over to 0 miles

[mralias]

A 1985?????????? Chances are that unless it was driven by a little old lady only on Sunday to and from church, It has a min. of 132,000 miles on it. I would say more like 232,000 as the vehicle is twenty years old.

I am going to assume that the vehilce is a 1985 Buick Lesabre Custom with a 3.8 liter engine. If it is then a power steering pump is going to cost you around $51.00 with reservoir. A rebuild kit is around $15.

The rear brake shoes will cost about $20 for a pair and should be replaced when you do the drums which will cost you about $30 per drum. Don't forget brake fuild and be prepared to bleed the brakes. As you may have guessed, if you have to bleed them, chances are the bleeder values are rusted on. If you are lucky, you can get it off and out and put a new one in (cheap money), if not, your looking at bigger problems.

I would suggest you get yourself a Hayes repair manual or Chiltons and read up on what you are attempting to do. If you feel you are over your head then bring it to a shop and have it done right. You don't want to be messing with something like the brakes unless you know what you are doing. Good luck.

[tman]

Originally Posted by redly1

326969 is x32696.9

the car could have 32k, it could have 132k, even more

back then they didn't have a digit for anything over 100,000 miles, it just rolled over to 0 miles

*shoots self in foot*

I freaking knew that, but I've been working on this forum so long, and I assumed it was a 92-98 lesabre, as it usually is, which does have the hundredthousands digit.

[Gocart879]

when did they start the 100,000 mark, or the 200,000 did they have it in 1989?

[buickmastermind]

the odometer on the 86 goes to 999,999 but has no tenths digit.