When it comes to our GMC 3500 it seems that there is no such thing as a cheap repair. As I mentioned previously, I had to add radiator fluid several times during the STN. I fixed the problem temporarily by adding Stop Leak to the radiator. I also needed to get the front end aligned – something which should have been done 2 years ago when I had my fender bender, but didn’t because the shop could not handle the large truck. So I scheduled a day for service at the local GMC dealer, fully expecting the total cost to be under $500 – a couple of hundred to find and fix the minor radiator leak and about $150 to do the alignment.
If only.
The service rep came to me, in the waiting room, sipping on my coffee, oblivious to the rock that was about to fall on my head. First, he informed me that they were unable to do the alignment because my “camber rods” were frozen and needed to be replaced at a cost of about $800. Then, because that wasn’t bad enough, he told me that the coolant leak was caused by a bad head gasket. Cost to fix that one? Only $5100. So, instead of a $500 repair bill I was looking at about $6000.
Ouch.
I thanked him and told him I needed to get a second opinion. I then drove the truck home.
It ran beautifully. How can a truck that needs that much work run so well?