And the other part of the problem has been waiting for parts.
I had ordered a new brake master cylinder from http://www.rockauto.com/ . Even with the exchange rate and shipping it was probably half the price of what it would have cost in Canada. I don't understand why stuff is so much more expensive up here. Anyhow, it showed up on Tuesday, so we drove down to our daughter Lindsey's house to pick it up yesterday morning.
I took it over to the garage and went over things with the mechanic. Fortunately, it's the right part because there were about a dozen different versions available to order. But I'm pretty good at that kind of thing.
The rest of the stuff was pretty much ready. The u-joints and the drive shaft were installed. New upper and lower rad hoses and clamps and the coolant drained and new antifreeze put in. Complete mechanical and brake inspection.
So the only thing left was the brake master cylinder, and put new brake fluid in and bleed the system. Oh, and tighten the power steering belt.
But, I know how difficult it is to get at these things which is why it's not a very straightforward job. In all honesty, if it was a straightforward job, I would have done it all myself!
So, there's going to be a price to pay. I don't even know yet how much it's all going to cost, but we're guessing the bill is going to be between $2,000 and $2,500.
Yikes.
But, in the ten years we've had Sherman, we haven't spent very much money on repairs and maintenance. I just had a quick look at the figures, and it's maybe $5,000 total in ten years. So $500 a year average. The biggest single bill was $1,700 for front end work.
So while this is definitely going to be a big bill, it's likely going to keep him going for a few years before there is another one!
Can't wait to get him back! He would be ready today, but the mechanic has a doctor's appointment and didn't know what time he would get back to work. If not today, definitely tomorrow. In the meantime, we called on some old friends of ours and are staying in Jeff and Shelley's spare room for a night or two. Thanks guys!
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Great price on the original "Club" steering wheel lock...
The Club 900 Steering Wheel Lock, Yellow
And in Canada...
Makita Drill Driver Combo
That amount of money over that period of time is a pretty good deal for upkeep on your "house". Comes a time with any older vehicle when you just have to spend a few bucks. Stuff wears out.
ReplyDeleteYep, and that is exactly how we feel and how we are looking at it. Sherman has treated us well so we need to make sure to treat him well. It is still a lot cheaper than looking after a REAL house.
DeletePoor Sherman must miss you guys :-) Sounds like you've spent relatively little on Sherman over the years, so while this bill will be big, in the scheme of things, it's not too bad.
ReplyDeleteI bet he does, I know that we are sure missing him.
DeleteYes, we are looking at it that way. We knew this work had to be done and so we are prepared for a huge bill this month and as you said in the whole scheme of things it really isn't too bad.
It's your home and whether it is 4 wheels on the ground or a frame house they need maintenance or things could be much worse later. It will be nice to know everything is in top shape before you head to Mexico
ReplyDeleteAll in all, doing the upkeep on Sherman is a heck of a lot cheaper than doing the upkeep on a house and we really don't mind because we knew that we had to get this work done to keep Sherman running smoothly. He is worth it! :-)
Deleteyou may have to pay now but like you said it all evens out. This should give you another five years before any more repairs are needed.
ReplyDeleteBe Safe and Enjoy!
It's about time.
I doubt we could go another 5 years without needing repairs but hopefully it will be that long before anymore major repairs need to be done. Sherman has sure been good to us and we really don't mind spending a bit of money on him to keep him running smoothly, it sure beats the alternative. :-)
DeleteNot too bad to have those repairs done, and you be good to go. We average about $1500.00 a year in repairs maintenance and upgrades. But them we do a lot more travelling in our coach year round and have a lot more miles on it too, 135,000 miles. Soon Sherman and you guys will be back together again and happy.
ReplyDeleteStill $1500 a year is pretty darn. I have heard of others that spend way more than that on a newer motorhome.
DeleteWe are quiet happy with that considering it is our house, It it needs something we will do it just like you.
DeleteSherman is your house and vehicle so $2,500 may sound a lot but it really isn't. I spent that much on new roof for my small house...got 50 year roof. Then, I spent another $1,500 on my old 2002 dodge truck which has paid for itself more then three times over at 161,000 miles. It now has new tires, front end work, new water pump, new serpentine belt, new battery and cables, new fluids, and new hoses for emissions. I love my mechanic and he knows every part he has replaced :-)
ReplyDeleteWe totally realize that $2,500 it's much in the whole scheme of things and we don't mind paying it in order to have Sherman in ship-shape for our travels, it is just a big bill all at once but we are prepared for it.
DeleteIn the end it wasn't as much as we expected so we are happy campers! :-)
Our motorhome costs run about $2000 per year but I include everything to do with the motorhome (except gas) in that category. We had a bad year last year that brought the average up a little.
ReplyDeleteEven if Kevin included the non mechanical upgrades that we have done to Sherman over the last 10 years we would still be below $2,000CAD a year. Even at $2,000, it is still less than what you would pay for maintenance and upkeep on a house, which you have found out this year with the work that has been done on your house. All motorhomes need work, new or old some just need more work than others, luckily Kevin is able to do a lot of the work himself which helps to keep our costs down, especially with labour fees at $100 an hour or so.
DeleteEverything costs too much in Canada especially repairs the labor fees are over the top. We need more regulation here. Glad things are working out!
ReplyDeleteYep, so many things cost way more in Canada compared to what the same thing costs in the US even with the exchange rate. It is totally unfair but is seems that there is little that can be done about it. When we can we will buy in the States and get it shipped Canada when it works out to cost us less than to buy it here.
DeleteSame thing happened this summer when my sister and b-i-l arrived at our place from Nanaimo. Their 1992 Eurovan needed repairs and it took 10 days to get parts and have the work done. Seemed like slow motion, but after hearing your similar story it's obviously not uncommon in Ontario. :(
ReplyDeleteMotorhomes and campervans are quite different to cars and even more so when they are older units. They aren't as easy to work on and the parts can be harder to find so yes, it sometimes can take longer to fix.
DeleteI'd say Sherman has done really well. Especially for his age. Don't think many can say they have only spent $500 a year. I'll have to look up our costs on Winnona. It is shocking to think of him in the shop since you generally do all his work.
ReplyDeleteWe think Sherman has done really well too so really we don't mind spending the money on him to get the work done and to get it done properly.
DeleteIt is hard to have him in a shop and someone else working on him and hopefully having the work done correctly, that's why Kevin normally likes to do the work himself but sometimes you just have to know when it is best to hand the job over to someone else.