Another $ Shock of the Day ...

[ctaylor738]

This is the wedge bolt that secures the long shaft that keeps the two halves of the rear end and the carrier together.

$93 list.  Even the dealer parts guys were sympathetic.

[waqas]

Ouch!

So how much does the carrier mount cost these days? (the long cylindrical mount sandwiched in two concentric cylinders of metal)
I assume you're replacing that too?

[mdsalemi]

Chuck,

Methinks you should find a friend with a small machine shop or metal lathe.  Looks like about a 10 minute job to me.

Many years ago when my father was still working, he befriended all the guys in the metal shop (foreman was German!) at the laboratory where he worked, and always did them favors when asked.  In return, whipping out something like this was done for my father with thanks and a smile.  I once had to do a clutch job on a Datsun 510 in 1977.  I needed a clutch alignment tool, which at that time was not available to the general public.  The local Datsun dealer let me look at it, though.  I brought my calipers and graph paper, and sketched it up.  The dealer also showed me a few other trick tools they needed.  I drew them too.

The German machinists whipped up these custom tools for my dad, and the clutch job went swimmingly, except for the fact is was about 25 degree in our garage.

Oh, how I miss those days...

At least you got the right part, it was available, and now all is well except for the weight loss in your wallet. 

[ctaylor738]

The rubber mount for the carrier was $159.72 from K&K.

I wish there were some local resources for stuff like this, but they are getting to be mighty scarce in the DC area.  I did show the bolt to the machine shop and they said no way because of the hardening needed.

[Bob Killam]

As the owner of A small CNC orientated machine shop it all depends on the Rockwell hardness required,If the part could be made from pre hardened 4140 it would be cheap if you had some laying around as we do here.Now if you have to go to Heat Treating there  are min charges that would drive the cost of A one pce. item way up.
   The old school was get oil hard steel,Torch it to cherry red,dip in oil,Polish it and draw it down going by the color,when the proper color is achieved throw it back in the oil,A light straw color is a good hardness that can take some shock, I saw the expensive tool for adjusting the valves and would not mind doing A run of say 10 pces.

[Michel Richard]

Bob stole the words right out of my mouth.  Except I'm not a pro like he is.  I have a lathe and a small mill in my basement and even I could whip together something like that part together in no time . . . except if it's hardened.  Then things are a lot more complicated.

Still, when looking for a part, I always have in the back of my mind the possibility of making it myself or taking it to a local machine shop if it's beyond my capabilities.

Of course, if you're looking for a ten tenth restoration, things will be different.

My .02

Michel Richard

[Benz Dr.]

Mike has been to my place ( although not for a while ) and knows how much stuff I have around here. I have several wrecked axles laying around that would have this part.

All you have to do is put the word out you're looking for something and I might have it. Most places won't pull just one piece from a complete assembly ( who can blame them ) but I've been known to do that.
Once you remove something it's not complete but then who wants a rusty hard top or an axle with a howling crown gear? 

[Shvegel]

I went to a chrome plater in Minnesota known for top flight Pebble Beach winning work. I used to use him 20 years ago. I was expecting $350-$400 to do 5 pieces of the grill. Out the door was $850...ouch.

[mdsalemi]

I went to a chrome plater in Minnesota known for top flight Pebble Beach winning work. I used to use him 20 years ago. I was expecting $350-$400 to do 5 pieces of the grill. Out the door was $850...ouch.

$850 for the grill surround, the two wings, and what two other pieces?  $850 sounds very fair for top notch work for these pieces.  The surround is a bear to do, very easy to deform.

[Shvegel]

Michael,
The other three pieces(I goofed) are the barrel and the 2 piece star. back in the bad old days I used to do my own polishing to save money.   The price is reasonable in retrospect.  I just walked into the door thinking it was 1980. 

Jim the owner of Plating Specialties in Duluth Mn where I grew up does alot of cars that end up at places like Pebble Beach. He showed me pictures of Duesenbergs and Delahayes that were really nice. He then told me about a customer who sent him some stuff and he figured the prices, called the guy up, the owner balked and had him send the parts back. A couple of months later he sees a batch of parts come in with new bad chrome on them and he thinks "These look familiar." 

Like everything else it only stings until it's done and paid for. If the job is done right the price fades away.