Try not to laugh. I know next to nothing about restoring cars.
So I planned to change my turn signal handle and blinker switch as my steering column is out. My "friend" said, let me do it as I have the tools and "I'll will treat you right." I thinking like $50. He charged me $150. He charges $50 an hour and it took 3 hours. Really? Do I need a new friend or am I just being a cheapskate?
PS The blinker handle is a repop and already lost some of its chrome near the bend where it connects to the column. Flaked off. Some of these repops are utter crap imo.
I guess I am asking how long should a job like this take for those you have done this?
Thanks in advance.
Ugh: Well an hour should do it if you have to fight with the wheel can I suppose. Did he blast it, repaint it and change bearings or anything like that or just change the switch?
Only switched the turn signal and blinker handle. That's it. I almost need the next person I hire to tell me the price up front as I don't mind paying, but I hate over paying. He's been fair so far, but this bill kind seems unfair.
Thanks
An hour if you are working slow , maybe he had to build a crush can puller & charged you for that otherwise it takes minutes to pull the switch & replace it.
An hour would be plenty of time unless he had to blast and paint something.
You know it's a pretty easy job to do that column yourself?
https://www.e-bodies.org/videos/
You can watch me take all the time to explain and then show you how to take a column completely apart in less then 30 minutes (Video #2).
Ughhhhhh.
I was confident I could do the job myself but he told me it's a "hard job." I was trying to save some time as I have 3 small kids and it's hard for me to get anything done nowadays.
I appreciate your help even though it wasn't the answer I was hoping to hear. Now I just got to face whether or not I'm tough enough to tell him I think he overcharged me.
Thanks again.
Cody thank you for those videos and I was planning to refer to them. I just kind of got caught up with trying to save time but ended up paying. I'll say something to the guy as I'm not totally timid but I'm also not a very confrontational type person. I just try to treat people right and expect them to do the same but the more I live here in California I'm having a hard time finding others who are like that. There are great people here. Just an expensive place to do business.
Yep...I just changed the Duster's turn signal switch and lever in under 30 minutes....and I'm a girl! :haha:
Rev-It-Up Restorations
Specializing in turn signal replacement. :tool:
I like it!!! :bigthumb:
Jim
:haha: :haha: :haha:................Oh sorry......
Quote from: Slotts on June 01, 2017, 05:13:50 AM
Rev-It-Up Restorations
Specializing in turn signal replacement. :tool:
I like it!!! :bigthumb:
Jim
:rofl: :haha: I don't think so Slotts.
Don't be afraid to ask questions about nice little jobs like that. Most of us have done those jobs and can guide you through if there are any pitfalls or tricks.
Don't sweat it too much. That's not much money in the grand scheme of things. Use it as a lesson. You can do more of these small jobs then you think. You learn as you go. No one was born with all of their knowledge. It's learned by trial and error...by doing.
Good thing you were not low on blinker fluid. Wonder what the going rate for that would have been? :headbang:
But on a serious note, as Burdar, Runcharger and others said, you learned a little lesson, and ask questions here, and the best part, the questions get all kinds of good info and doesn't even cost a dime. :cheers:
Yes with time you learn lessons and unfortunately this one cost me about a hundred bucks. Some good news is I sold the 70 Cuda I was trying to sell for what I wanted and so that's basically going to pay for the rest of my paint job. Yeah!
From this point forward I am going to do as much of it as I can to finish my car by myself which I think will be everything. Appreciate your help and support.
And NO belittling!!! No body knows everything, and people hear like to share there experiences. :wrenching:
Great advise everyone. :banana: And glad to hear you found a buyer for the other Cuda. Please let them know if they need any help or tips on restoring it, we're here to assist. :slapme5:
Quote from: nsmall on June 01, 2017, 09:56:13 AM
Yes with time you learn lessons and unfortunately this one cost me about a hundred bucks. Some good news is I sold the 70 Cuda I was trying to sell for what I wanted and so that's basically going to pay for the rest of my paint job. Yeah!
From this point forward I am going to do as much of it as I can to finish my car by myself which I think will be everything. Appreciate your help and support.
Yay! I was looking at ebay today and saw that you had removed it. Congratulations! I know you can do the rest on your own, with some help from some friends! :banana:
Hey we all started somewhere. Even Cody and Alan had to learn this stuff one time..
If you have a questions ask!
BTW...if anyone wants a PDF document of how to rebuild a steering column, just PM me, I have one I received from someone on another form a long time ago and I am always happy to pass it on. It is very similar to Cody's videos, which are great, but gives you a paper format to refer to with lots of pics. All depends on what you like I guess!
Jason
please can you forward, the other night I installed a replacement 70 cuda steering column. Was too short, compared it the 71 column that was installed in my 70, and the 70 was shorter. After a little web surfing, ..pretty sure the 70 column is "collapsed". Tonight's mission is to prep to extending.
pictures of the two are attached.
also took pictures of the wiring harness wire color differences for those interested. on the one connector (starting with a yellow wire on the left), the third wire from the right is black on the 70, and on the 71 there isn't a wire. the 71 column was installed and working on my 70 before "the big tear down"
bob
Quoteplease can you forward, the other night I installed a replacement 70 cuda steering column. Was too short, compared it the 71 column that was installed in my 70, and the 70 was shorter. After a little web surfing, ..pretty sure the 70 column is "collapsed". Tonight's mission is to prep to extending.
Manual steering and power steering shafts are different lengths. Make sure that's not your issue.
Quote from: Cuda Cody on June 01, 2017, 07:03:18 PM
@Cudajason (https://forum.e-bodies.org/mlist/cudajason_260) Any chance that's the PDF "How-To" of the Black to Green Column Shift rebuild I did about 10 years ago? My hand looks like it had a burn just above my thumb during the disassembly? (it was a pressure washing accident). If not, I have the PDF of that one too if anyone wants it. :twothumbsup:
Quote from: Cudajason on June 01, 2017, 12:54:57 PM
BTW...if anyone wants a PDF document of how to rebuild a steering column, just PM me, I have one I received from someone on another form a long time ago and I am always happy to pass it on. It is very similar to Cody's videos, which are great, but gives you a paper format to refer to with lots of pics. All depends on what you like I guess!
Jason
:haha: :haha: :haha: :haha: :haha: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:
For some reason I thought that may have come from you
@Cuda Cody (https://forum.e-bodies.org/mlist/cuda-cody_1), but I have had it for so long, I forgot who sent it to me.
Thanks fro that...it has helped me a few tims int he past, including rebuilding my column. :bigthumb:
Pressure washing accident...ouch!!!!
Jason
I was actually born/ created with the knowledge I have but then I am one of the Bots on this site
where is the Bot smiley ??
We all learn & education always costs $$ one way or the other , either up front or by making mistakes so guess what you are just human :waving:
:crazytalk:Quote from: Chryco Psycho on June 01, 2017, 07:20:01 PM
I was actually born/ created with the knowledge I have but then I am one of the Bots on this site
where is the Bot smiley ??
If you decide to "query" your "pal" may I suggest you approach him with- Hi Charley, say, I was talking to some guys on the E-body web site and they believe an hour should've been lots to change that switch. Can you help me with a breakdown of how it went? If he gets all defensive without describing why it may have in reality taken him 3 hours, then you'll have your answer. :takemymoney:
@CamasCuda (https://forum.e-bodies.org/mlist/camascuda_321) the shaft looks collapsed. You'll need to find a way to pin it or glue it. Remember when you were at my place and I was making those Steering Column Videos? They will help you out a lot. :yes:
https://www.e-bodies.org/videos/
Quote from: CamasCuda on June 01, 2017, 01:08:20 PM
please can you forward, the other night I installed a replacement 70 cuda steering column. Was too short, compared it the 71 column that was installed in my 70, and the 70 was shorter. After a little web surfing, ..pretty sure the 70 column is "collapsed". Tonight's mission is to prep to extending.
pictures of the two are attached.
also took pictures of the wiring harness wire color differences for those interested. on the one connector (starting with a yellow wire on the left), the third wire from the right is black on the 70, and on the 71 there isn't a wire. the 71 column was installed and working on my 70 before "the big tear down"
bob
Heck if you lived closer I'd have you come over and I'd show you how no charge.
Quote from: nsmall on May 31, 2017, 10:48:41 PM
Cody thank you for those videos and I was planning to refer to them. I just kind of got caught up with trying to save time but ended up paying. I'll say something to the guy as I'm not totally timid but I'm also not a very confrontational type person. I just try to treat people right and expect them to do the same but the more I live here in California I'm having a hard time finding others who are like that. There are great people here. Just an expensive place to do business.
I think a friend that offers help with something shouldn't charge anything at all, it's different if you go to someone and ask for help. I 'm helping a buddy fixing up his T-Bird after a bent pushrod problem and I will spend days on it, at no charge.
I also learned the hard way that you need to agree on a price or hourly rate and estimated hrs in advance if you decide to pay someone for work.
Got screwed on another type of job.
I've uploaded that PDF to our site now so it's easy for everyone to download and use. Thank you
@Cudajason (https://forum.e-bodies.org/mlist/cudajason_260)
http://www.e-bodies.org/Resources/Mopar_How_To/1970_Cuda_Challenger_Ebody_Steering_Column_Rebuild_Restore.pdf
Quote from: Cudajason on June 01, 2017, 12:54:57 PM
BTW...if anyone wants a PDF document of how to rebuild a steering column, just PM me, I have one I received from someone on another form a long time ago and I am always happy to pass it on. It is very similar to Cody's videos, which are great, but gives you a paper format to refer to with lots of pics. All depends on what you like I guess!
Jason
i just did this same repair and it took me 3 hours 2 hours to fish the wire though the column but now i could do it next time in a hour or so. this was my first time doing it as well.
Did you do it with the column in the car or out of the car? It can be a bit trickier in the car, but after you do one they get pretty easy.
Quote from: hato on June 03, 2017, 12:17:38 PM
i just did this same repair and it took me 3 hours 2 hours to fish the wire though the column but now i could do it next time in a hour or so. this was my first time doing it as well.
i left it in the car the only downside was one of the wire covers got cut going though the column so hopefully some electrical tape will fix that when i fire it up later today
Quote from: hato on June 03, 2017, 12:17:38 PM
i just did this same repair and it took me 3 hours 2 hours to fish the wire though the column but now i could do it next time in a hour or so. this was my first time doing it as well.
The trick is to attach a wire to the plug so that when you pull it up and out, you can attach the pulled wire (no puns please) to the new harness and pull it back down through. :yes:
Quote from: Cuda Cody on June 03, 2017, 10:18:34 AM
I've uploaded that PDF to our site now so it's easy for everyone to download and use. Thank you @Cudajason (https://forum.e-bodies.org/mlist/cudajason_260)
http://www.e-bodies.org/Resources/Mopar_How_To/1970_Cuda_Challenger_Ebody_Steering_Column_Rebuild_Restore.pdf
Quote from: Cudajason on June 01, 2017, 12:54:57 PM
BTW...if anyone wants a PDF document of how to rebuild a steering column, just PM me, I have one I received from someone on another form a long time ago and I am always happy to pass it on. It is very similar to Cody's videos, which are great, but gives you a paper format to refer to with lots of pics. All depends on what you like I guess!
Jason
That's cool! No need to thank me
@Cuda Cody (https://forum.e-bodies.org/mlist/cuda-cody_1) , you did all the work!
Jason