Looking for 2nd opinions....

[Yamazaki]

So Maryland apparently has a VERY thourough inspection system before a car can be registered there. The shop that inspected the Outback said they found only two problems: Power steering rack leaking and busted boot; and right inner CV boot leaking grease.
The cost to fix these issues is about $1300 they said.

Does that sound right? I don't feel any problems with the steering (although I realize that might not mean anything). And guys from MD, if you know of some "alternative" places to get inspected (preferably near Severn), you have my attention.

Thanks.

[chuckthefuk]

if its a steering rack replacement then yes its going to cost close to $800 (incudes re-man'd rack and labor)..
The CV boot is $40 with labor..

I would get a second opinion....

[Yamazaki]

And how much should labor be per hour? These guys charge $97/hour.

I just blew about a grand on a garbage tune in San Diego (for the Impreza). I'd like to stop throwing money away.

[httrdd]

There are a bunch of "half ass" inspection shops that will look around those problems. I have some here that would inspect my car in its current condition. Just have to ask around.

[mlitz]

Call around and ask for hourly rates... I work for an auto parts store and our accounts that we sell parts to range from 75 to 100/hr.. I'm not saying cheaper is better but I know one of our biggest accounts that does really god work is 75/hr. Call some auto part stores in your area and get some opinions.

[rougeben83]

I would check where on the rack its leaking from, if its around the lines to the pump thats a different story than replacing the whole rack. You can get a 2nd hand rack for much less, check car-part.com In fact, I just checked rockauto.com and a remanfucatured rack is like $300 over there.

[MmmCheese]

So Maryland apparently has a VERY thourough inspection system before a car can be registered there. The shop that inspected the Outback said they found only two problems: Power steering rack leaking and busted boot; and right inner CV boot leaking grease.
The cost to fix these issues is about $1300 they said.

Does that sound right? I don't feel any problems with the steering (although I realize that might not mean anything). And guys from MD, if you know of some "alternative" places to get inspected (preferably near Severn), you have my attention.

Thanks.

try n go to the little side shops that md inspect cars. and try to go around closing time bc they just wanna get it outta the way. ull def need to get the cv boot fixed but go to advance auto or autozone for that shouldnt be too much. idk too much about the power steering rack but try those parts shop u can replace the axle in 30 mins or so..

[httrdd]

Oh ok I thought you were stripping parts off of the outback anyways. Lol.

[Yamazaki]

Oh ok I thought you were stripping parts off of the outback anyways. Lol.
I will, but I wasn't going to do anything more than cosmetic stuff. The steering rack is definitely not something I was planning on touching.

[hansvonaxion]

Don't know about the steering rack but I heard there are 2 types of CV boots, one is a wrap-around type that you can put on without having to drop the axle or anything, might pay to look into it cos you should be able to do it yourself... it's what the garage replaced mine with here in Japan when I thought they were using the OEM style and yet they charged over $200ea iirc.

[Yamazaki]

I'm not able to do any work myself right now. I'm living in a hotel with no tools.

[hansvonaxion]

Right, well if a shop uses the wrap around type it shouldn't cost you much at all, less than 1 hour labour and $20ish in parts.

$1300 seems pretty damn steep for a "leak". I would suggest calling a few places to get an idea of what might need doing.

If you're not planning on keeping the car running you might be able to just do the seals? Make sure you tell the workshops you just need a temp fix.

http://www.subaruoutback.org/forums/66- ... -leak.html (http://www.subaruoutback.org/forums/66-problems-maintenance/37959-power-steering-leak.html)

http://www.subaruoutback.org/forums/66- ... -rack.html (http://www.subaruoutback.org/forums/66-problems-maintenance/16126-changing-steering-rack.html)

[chuckthefuk]

dead91silvia is right..

just find another inspection shop.. industrial areas usually have shops who look the other way...

$100 /h for a generic shop is a tad high.. for that you can go to a dealer.. Should be $60-80..

-Chuck

[Wiscon_Mark]

$100 /h for a generic shop is a tad high.. for that you can go to a dealer.. Should be $60-80..

Everything's more expensive on the coasts...

[rougeben83]

Even here in NYC $100/hr for a generic shop is on the steep side, $80 is about mid-way, if you go to areas that are industrial/service a lot of fleet vehicles the rate is even lower. I think they're trying to hose Yamazaki. $100/hr is about average for a subaru dealership/ specialist tuner shop.

[Dead91silvia]

dead91silvia is right..

just find another inspection shop.. industrial areas usually have shops who look the other way...

$100 /h for a generic shop is a tad high.. for that you can go to a dealer.. Should be $60-80..

-Chuck

What did I say?! haha....



So Maryland apparently has a VERY thourough inspection system before a car can be registered there. The shop that inspected the Outback said they found only two problems: Power steering rack leaking and busted boot; and right inner CV boot leaking grease.
The cost to fix these issues is about $1300 they said.

Does that sound right? I don't feel any problems with the steering (although I realize that might not mean anything). And guys from MD, if you know of some "alternative" places to get inspected (preferably near Severn), you have my attention.

Thanks.

That is crazy talk! $1300 for an axle and a rack?! I would do some shopping around!

Also, with the miles that car has, I have a feeling they might be blowing smoke. I have only seen a couple cars with bad racks.

[chuckthefuk]

whoops.. i ment httrdd

[Legacy89]

Drop the car of with a bottle of liquer in the passenger seat and there should be no problem.

Been there done that.

[98legwag]

I will ask around. A friend lives out near there so I will see what shops he knows of.

[Hinyo]

Hey i'm living in Columbia MD (10 minutes from u) in Glenburnie there is a DIY shop you get all tools and rentals with lift 22 per hour i think. Hope to meet you sometime(send me a PM). http://selfserviceautorepair.com/index.html Theres a link to the place

[Dead91silvia]

You could get a butt load of Castrol Super Clean and go to the car wash and pressure wash everything around there, or find an undercarriage car wash to blast all the oil off also. That might help get you through inspection.

I find it fortunate that we just have to pass a smog test here in Seattle. Those car inspections are complete BS! I can see if you car is rusty as hell and not passing, but a split CVC boot and a leaking rack is just dumb for not being able to drive your car!

[Legacy89]

It's the same deal here, yearly controls for trucks and construction equipment, every other year for cars.
It's called a EU inspection but the only country that does this is Norway and we aren't even in the friggin EU.

[Hinyo]

MD is 1 time inspection per owner no yearly.... doesn't matter if the car is only a year old just policy... only things that's more often is emission testing

[98legwag]

MD is 1 time inspection per owner no yearly.... doesn't matter if the car is only a year old just policy... only things that's more often is emission testing

Emissions is every two years. Expect to have to do it soon after registering the car.

[prodriver1]

I just got a new rack off a junk yard forester (still has stickers on it and the lines came rite out) and a descent axle, I wonder how much shipping would be? I wish you lived closer to me I only charge $40/hour. I'd sell u the parts for $150 and the labor would'nt be that much :smt009 , oh well.

[grayguy]

Fix it your self, subaru steering racks are some of the easiest I've seen to swap out.

[Dead91silvia]

Any word on a 2nd opinion yet?

[Yamazaki]

Today I decided to get the CV boot replaced and the shop I took it to said that the rack was fine. Since they were also an inspection station, I just had them inspect after the repair was done. Everything passed and the car is now registered!

/drama

[Wiscon_Mark]

Hooray!

[Reason]

Just trying to make money. I had my GT inspected and I failed because of my brakes. I picked up the car put new brakes on then they failed me for my tint... they just wanted money from me. I told the guy off and had it "passed" elsewhere. But I'm glad it worked out for you man.

[Dead91silvia]

Today I decided to get the CV boot replaced and the shop I took it to said that the rack was fine. Since they were also an inspection station, I just had them inspect after the repair was done. Everything passed and the car is now registered!

/drama

Thought so! :smt023

[Huffer]

Little bit confused why you would register a car now, when you're going to tear it apart later?

[chuckthefuk]

tare apart just means body modifications (as in start in the morning and have it done by the afternoon).. I doubt Yamazaki is looking for heavy mechanical projects...

[Dead91silvia]

^ Yep Just cosmetic stuff's like Chuk said...

[Yamazaki]

Yeah, I'm not going to "tear it apart" in the way dead91silvia would (that is, into its individual component pieces and then cut THOSE up :shock:). I'm just replacing all the interior and exterior. I still need the chassis, engine, transmission, and wiring.

[Dead91silvia]

Hey now! LOL... I really cant wait to see this car transform into some JDM goodness!