Hey All,

Just wanting to know if my mechanic is about to rip me off...... (yeah I know)

My starter motor has been making a horrible sound (like a spoon down an insinkerator) sometimes on startup.

Mechanic says its the ring gear that is making the sound, and it needs to be replaced.

He reckons to do this he has to remove the gearbox which will take 7 hours labour.

My vehicle is a 93 Hilux Surf Diesel.


I will need to get the work done regardless, but just wanting a second opinion before I book in with him. 7 hours seems like a long time to take out a gearbox, but since I know nothing about mechanics I thought I'd ask you lot.

Cheers

Chris

PS could the rebuilt ECU be at fault, causing the stripping of teeth on the ring gear? I noticed that as soon as my computer was rebuilt a few months ago the problem started.... or just another unlucky conicidence?

Chris, yep 7 hours has a bit of fat in it, but he has to make a $, and if you trust him then it should be jake.
Just had my gearbox done, and labour was from a dedicated gearbox place a little less than that, but they were chasing the box rebuild as business, so hours to remove and install, plus fit up a new clutch kit and skim flywheel.
Now in saying that, the ring gear must be real shot for him to need to replace it, but age of vehicle my be contributing factor
To do this he will need to pull flywheel, remove old ring gear, heat the new and shrink fit to your current flywheel, so box and clutch kit out first to do.
Just for peace of mind, when he gets it ready to do and pulls the starter motor, fit the replacement "first" and test, before anything else is removed.. Its not hard to test and three bolts, plus cable remove and install. Be a pain in the you know what to find out all you really needed to do was just the starter.

Sounds about right fair amount of work involved fair chance the starter motor drive gear will be shagged as well.

bugger it just buy a new car.

The boat probably needs upgrading as well