$914.17 for 2 CV joint replacements? WTF?

[hoypinoy1234]

So my car is sitting at a stealership, waiting on my order to proceed.  But something doesn't smell right.  The dealer said the job would cost $914.17 and that the warranty company is only willing to pay $495 and I would be responsible for the balance.  So I logged into my warranty company website and the claim was logged and approved.  But the fishy thing is that the math doesn't add up.

The stealership is charging a $95/hour rate.  According to the detail in the warranty website, I was approved for part # 3B0498099DX at a cost of $150 x 2 @ 2.5 hours of labor for a total of $545.  This sounds reasonable to me.  A little high, but reasonable.  What I don't get is the $914.17 amount.  At 9am, I asked the service advisor to fax me over the work order so I can see the detail before I approve.  The service advisor studdered for a couple of seconds and sounded reluctant but agreed to fax it to me.  He said it was all hand written.  

As of 11am, I have not received the work order in my fax machine.  Is my Bullsh!t meter malfunctioning or do you get the same feeling the dealership is trying to screw me and the warranty company?  Any advice is appreaciated.
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[NH VW Junky]

I smell that too - WTF is right.

You want that in writing - so you can take it up the ladder.  Call the VW 800# when you get copies of both.  FOR SURE sounds like they are pulling a fast one on you.

Keep us update on this.  FREAKING VW SERVICE IN THE US IS TERRIBLE.
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I'd Rather be in Key West.

[Marshalus]

Today, I just got quoted $255 to change the spark plugs and fuel filter in my 1.8T. I couldn't f*cking believe it, that's almost as much as I was quoted to change my tip tranny fluid by an indy! I figured it'd cost me like $80 or something, which I was willing to shell out for since it would already be there for them to look at a possible oil leak/PCV issue. Screw that, I'll do it myself.
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[hoypinoy1234]

Okay, I got a fax from them and here is what is on the invoice printed by the computer:

[4meezy]

[4meezy]

Maybe you should call the warranty company and speak to one of their reps.
Ask them if they approved the whole claim or just part of the costs.

That may put your mind at ease.

[NH VW Junky]

Jeff - they dont sell the CVs as entire assemblies.  

If I read that right - they want to replace the end joints AND the entire shaft.

I'm not sure why they would replace that shaft - Unless its damaged or the splines are in bad shape or something.

YOU MUST RESEARCH THIS A BIT MORE - Don't bend over just yet.
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I'd Rather be in Key West.

[hoypinoy1234]

I called the warranty company and the discrepancy comes from two things.  The first one is the cost of the part.  VW brand wheelshafts (is that still a CV jont?) cost 261.37 each.  The warranty company knows you can get other CV kits for $150 each.  The second discrepancy is the amount of labor.  The warranty company has 2.5 labor hours in their books for this type of job, but the dealership is charging 4.0 labor hours.  The warranty company said that if the dealership can provide documentation on that 4.0 labor hours, then they will approve the cost of labor.
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[hoypinoy1234]

Another thing.  If I were to buy the parts online and take it to an indy, I would only get reimbursed the cost of the parts and not the labor.
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[4meezy]

Perhaps call around to another dealer for an estimate?
when I had my passat I had prices very from dealer to dealer as much as 175%

[hoypinoy1234]

[AbEx]

Well if vw was doing the warranty they would only pay what it says in the book, the dealership would have to deal with it. That's why they don't like doing warranty work. The issue is that they are trying to charge your warranty company what they would like to get for the job, the same that they do to any out of warranty customer. The warranty company is right in fighting with the dealership about this, but at the same time you shouldn't have to get involved.

And they are replacing your axle assemblies, not just the cv joint.

[NH VW Junky]

I bet like Bel could do both in 1 hour - somebody just good 2 hours.
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I'd Rather be in Key West.

[hoypinoy1234]

Thanks for all the replies guys!  I just called an indy and they will do it for $520 TOTAL!  The warranty will definitely cover that.  I've taken my car there before and I'm stupid for not calling them before going to the dealership .  I think I was still jet lagged when I brought it in.  Oh well, $98 teardown charge from dealer + $50 deductable is still better than $419.74.  

Here's a few      for the  crew.
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[hoypinoy1234]

[4meezy]

[NH VW Junky]

[hoypinoy1234]

To quote the German mechanic I talked to, "Zay are nue ahn zay are made eeeen Eeeetaly".
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[Mauro]

Go see QuattroHaus in the future they'll take care of you.
M.

[hoypinoy1234]

[NH VW Junky]

[nm+]

My guess is the VW dealer thought they could pull a fast one on the warranty company.  Then when it was rejected they ahd to sollow through to avoid charges of fraud.

[T_Jollimore]

They're just shafting you on the hours they're charging. The point of spending extra on getting the entire axles (complete with CV joints) is so you can do the job quick. No tearing down the joint, rebuilding, relubing, etc...

[4meezy]

This is what happens when you pay the service advisor a % of the total sale like VW does.

[hoypinoy1234]

Thanks for the input, guys!  When I picked up the car last night, the service advisor "only" charged me $53 for the tear down charge instead of the $98.  Gee how nice.  All they had to do is look through the five-spokes to see the torn boot and stick their finger in there to feel that there is no more lube.  I bet they didn't even take the wheels off.
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