Help! Checkup came with these problems

[elone]

I really don't trust the service station near me. I live in an extremely wealthy town (actually the #1 wealthiest in the country), and I really think they try to get over on everybody by charging too much for anything.

Anyways, here are the problems they listed for me... they estimated about $3,000 to fix!! It CAN'T be that much, the car is in great condition.

I have a 1999 grand cherokee that runs great, 80,200 miles.

1. Vehicle will need tires soon (maybe, but they only have about 15,000 miles on them)

2. Vehicle is leaking fluid from the front and rear differentials (does this mean it needs to be replaced?!)

3. Vehicle is leaking from the transfer case

4. Right front axle shaft is bad

5. Oil pan gasket is leaking

Can anyone give me some advice on what I should do? I would rather take it to the Jeep dealership in the area, they always seem to be straight with me on prices.

Thanks!

[JDPascal]

Originally Posted by elone

I really don't trust the service station near me. I live in an extremely wealthy town (actually the #1 wealthiest in the country), and I really think they try to get over on everybody by charging too much for anything.

Anyways, here are the problems they listed for me... they estimated about $3,000 to fix!! It CAN'T be that much, the car is in great condition.

I have a 1999 grand cherokee that runs great, 80,200 miles.

1. Vehicle will need tires soon (maybe, but they only have about 15,000 miles on them)

2. Vehicle is leaking fluid from the front and rear differentials (does this mean it needs to be replaced?!)

3. Vehicle is leaking from the transfer case

4. Right front axle shaft is bad

5. Oil pan gasket is leaking

Can anyone give me some advice on what I should do? I would rather take it to the Jeep dealership in the area, they always seem to be straight with me on prices.

Thanks!

1. to check the tire tread, take a penny and insert it in the tread groove with Lincoln's head down and facing you. If you can see the top of his head above the remaining tread, you'll need new tires very soon.

2. Where are the leaks and how much is leaking out. Do you have a digital camera?? If you want, take front and rear shots of both diffs and transfer case leaks and post them (set the camera on the lowest resolution).

If the pinion seals are leaking to the point of needing replaceing, thats $50 (max) for parts and an hour labor (+/-)

3. same as #2

4. Replaceing just the axle shaft/cv joint is a $300 (+/-) job. $150 for parts and 2-3 hours labour max.

5. same as #2 pan and front/rear seal leaks are not fatal to an engine - just messy. Often, just tightening the pan bolts will do the trick for you.

If the leaks are just so the oil is collecting dirt, that should not be cause for replacement. If the oil is running down the housing and dripping off onto the ground that's another level of consideration.....

In any case, wash the area down with a pressure washer, check/top up the fluid levels and monitor the oil loss for a set amount of miles (500 would be a good place to start). If you are loosing a significant amount compared to the components fluid capacity, then get the leak fixed by someone you trust.



JD