strat81 said:
Why not change the transfer case fluid yourself? It's just two bolts. Only use GM AutoTrak II in your transfer case. You'll need two quarts.
10 years ago, before I was married, had kids, and worked 50+ hours a week - that would've been the second or third thing I did (the first being to pull the actuator, disassemble, clean, and reinstall it - then maybe a beer). I've reached a point where with a 19 month old daughter, a 2 month old son, a cranky wife (understandably so, we're both cranky, my son doesn't sleep) and little free time that I just can't justify sliding under a car for any amount of time unless it saves me an enormous amount of money ( dollars trump hours - orders from the wife ). I've done the fuel pumps in both cars myself - $800+ at the dealership vs $78 rockauto replacement parts and about 2 hours under the rig each time. Similarly, I've done both tie-rods, both wheel bearings, spark plugs, fuel filters, belts, and at least 2 coils each, in both vehicles; water pump and thermostat in mine, rear brakes and battery in hers - all because the rate at the dealer was just astronomical compared to doing it myself. I figure my time is worth about $35 an hour (I am an amateur after all). If I can save a few hundred bucks after factoring in my own labor rate, I'll do it - otherwise, probably not. I had the wife's second wheel bearing and a tie-rod done at a local shop(not the dealer) - with the alignment minus parts cost the total was $200 and change. I'll never do that again. I found that the dealer's charge for an alignment and the local shop were $5 different (less at the dealer on special). I did both of my wheel bearings and both tie-rods and had the dealer do the alignment at my next oil change - thanks to the special and by combining services the alignment cost me around $30 - and I get dropped off at work in a limo, picked up in a limo and they even washed my car (detail it every now and then, too ). Heck, before the economy tanked, the dealership would take each and every service customer - regardless of work being done - up to the local restaurant for breakfast or lunch in the limo. They're was always a wait to get in for service - I sort of miss those days.
I need to take a very close look at my a/c compressor - they won't diagnose anything beyond the compressor, but I believe it to be the clutch coil. Pressures and levels are good, all connections ok, just no engagement at clutch when signaled to do so. Their estimate $800 to change the whole compressor and recharge. If it is the coil and I can find one, it should be less than $50 if I do it myself.
I know most people like to bash their local stealership, and most deserve it. I have a pretty strong bullcrap filter and weigh everything the dealership says carefully. I know they want to make money, they know I can do my own work (when I choose to).
That being said - if they want more than I'm willing to pay to change it at the next oil change, I'll change it myself. I usually come away from an oil change at around $35 - $45 if they do a tire rotation and brake/suspension inspection. Worth it in my book... but that's just me.
. The shim fix is the first thing I'll try - just need time to do it. Thanks again, Roadie! (and everyone else that commented, it does help to discuss these things).