Wear and tear?

RobtZ71 · March 26, 2004

I heard about the tailgate cable needing to be replaced so, I went to the dealership to resolve the problem and have them give my 00' 1500 a quick overview for any unscheduled maintenance. Well, besides the fact my truck wasn't on the list for the tailgate cable recall, they always manage to find something wrong. Here is a list of items that are needing replacement or fixing. Keep in mind I only have 52,000 miles and most of that is city driving.

Right front axle shaft seal leaking

Transfer case output shaft seal leaking

Oil pan leaking

rear axle U-joints are cracked (both tranfer case and axle sides)

Needs new titanium slip yoke (new part number, not nickel plated anymore)

window regulator replacement (my driver side window rattles when rolled down)

New transfer case drain plug (I blame Jiffy Lube for that one)

Throttle body cleaning

Emergency brake shoes are worn out and need replacement

$1,800 dollars worth of work. I forgot to tell them about the steering clunk and engine knock.

All my scheduled maintenance has been complied with, on time. I lay down the hammer occasionally but, I've never done anything that would warrant this type of maintenance. Is this what I have to look forward to the next 50,000 miles. I have an extended warranty (thats another bad story) but, I can't imagine this just being normal wear and tear. Cheap parts? I love my truck, my first Chevy, and I don't want to replace it. Am I alone here, are these chronic issues?

Thanks,

Rob

seadoons · March 26, 2004

Rob, hello and welcome to the board. There is a lot of great information here that I know you will find useful. Can you please break down for the the cost of each individual repair? Also, what warranty do you have? Is it the GMPP? Can you tell me which of those items are covered under that warranty? It seems like it would cover most with the exception of the throttle body cleaning, the transfer case drain plug, and maybe the emergency brake problem. Let me know.

Thanks!!

citydriver · March 26, 2004

Can any1 say SALES COMISSION(I may need spell check)

I'd get another opinion B4 puttin up that kinda coin.

I consider a little seepage NORMAL....it's the drips that bother me...

Machine · March 26, 2004

Hi,

You can save a buck or two by cleaning that throttle body yourself. Takes 20 minutes max and is as easy as changing an air filter. That'll save you $100. Tons of great info on this site that'll save you time and $$. The people around here are pretty nice, too.

AZ-Z71 · April 2, 2004

On the window regulator....

Mine rattled before as well. First the drivers side and then the passengers side. On the drivers side I removed the door panel and low and behold there was a screw missing that holds the regulator tract. Added bolt rattle gone. Passenger side same story except the bolt was still there but extremely loose. Tightened them all down and now no rattle.

Oil Pan leaking...

Initiall thought it was main seal but turned out to be oil pan gasket. Had someone else do it because I thought it was going in for main seal. Gasket is expensive. Happened around 100,000 miles on mine.

Transfere case Output shaft...

Yea, mine is leaking as well. Has been for quite some time but hasn't hit the ground yet. Always looks damp. Doesn't appear to be a real hassel to replace yourself but I haven't done mine either.

When you ask the shop to "shop" your vehicle they will find a lot of things wrong. Mostly minor/obvious things. Most can be fixed by yourself but since you are there it is a convience so they put the screws to you. But don't forget, you asked for it.

RobtZ71 · April 2, 2004

Thank you for the input everyone!! I ended up claiming all the work through my extended warranty, cost me 320 buck anyway but, I am glad it's all fixed. My warranty wouldn't cover the new slip yoke because there was nothing wrong with mine. I figure when I lose my drivetrain, they can pay more to replace it all. This warranty isn't a dealer warraty, I will never make that mistake again. They made me go to PEP Boys to get the work done.

Oh, the dealership misdiagnosed my emergency brake problem. The squealing was coming from my rear inside brake pads. I got a second opinion and saved me 120 buck. 52,000 miles.

I'm going to check on that window regulator, if I have the same problem, i'll never be able to thank you enough.

budchevyss · April 3, 2004

somebody was pushing some vasoline on you, glad you got away from it

99-2door · April 3, 2004

I agree on the window regulator. They way these are designed, if it moves up and down correctly there is nothing wrong with the regulator/motor assembly. It only needs to be tightened, or have a missing bolt put in. I am amazed sometimes at the places I find bolts simply missing in trucks occasionally.

RobtZ71 · April 8, 2004

You were right!! I took off the door panel and pulled the plastic back and sure enough, there was a loose bolt at the bottom of the door securing the window rail. I tightened it and the rattling went away. All the rest of the bolts were just fine. I can't believe the dealership told me that they needed to replace the entire window regulator. It took me about 30 minutes to tear down and put the door back together. Saved me 100 buck.

Thank you all for the tips. Now I need to find more information on the throttle body cleaning. Step by step info, maybe some pictures. I'm a bit ignorant when it comes to these new engines.

Rob