Car Door Handle Repair Cost

Any car door handle will always have two parts:  one handle on the outside and another on the inside, and being frequently used, like most parts, it is subject to wear and tear, often leading to the assembly breaking down, preventing you from opening or shutting your car door properly.  It can also break off if enough force is used.

If this were to happen, then either the interior assembly will need to be replaced or the entire handle may need to be swapped out.   Chances are if the exterior door handle doesn’t work, the same can be said about the interior door handle as well.

“Cirrus Passenger Door” (CC BY 2.0) by Paul Kehrer

How much does it cost to repair car door handle?

The cost to replace a car door handle will greatly depend on the mechanic/dealership you choose, the car you drive and your geographical location.  From our research, the parts alone, without any professional help, will often cost $40 to $125, while the professional help, often about an hour of labor time, including the parts, can range anywhere from $135 to more than $315 for either the interior or exterior car door handle.  The costs, for the most part, will greatly depend on the car you drive as a higher-end brand, such as Porsche and BMW, will be almost twice the amount of a Nissan or Chevrolet repair.

Best-selling door handle parts at AutoZone, for instance, range anywhere from $45 to $125, with most being a third-party door handle part, not the genuine OEM part.  Most of the time, if you perform the repair on your own, the average cost will be about $75 or less.

According to a handful of quotes received by customers on RepairPal.com, the estimate ranged anywhere from $126 for a Nissan Armada to as much as $359 for a BMW 325i.

Kristen over at theFrugalGirl.com had a broken door handle and decided to perform the repair on her own after she called around and found it would cost $160 for just the handle and another $100 for the install at her local genuine Toyota dealership.

The repair process

To diagnose the issue, the door panel will be removed in order to gain access to the inside of the assembly.  With most cars, the outside door handle will be bolted to the outer door, while the interior door handle is often connected to a rod or link which moves the door latch.

Once the technician is able to gain access, the broken door handle will then be removed and either fixed or replaced in its entirety.

Before the car handle is installed, the door latch is also inspected to ensure it’s working; if not, this part will be replaced as well.  At this time, the entire car door will be checked to ensure its operating as well.

Lastly, the car handle will be installed in reverse order and tested to make sure it can open and close accordingly.

How do I know when the part should be replaced?

Oftentimes, if you try to open your door and it’s not budging, then the door handle is almost always the culprit.  In some cases, the door handle can break after excessive use due to the lack of lubrication or excessive contaminants found within the mechanism.

Tips to know

If you can no longer open your car door, do not attempt to force the door open or shut as this can cause more damage than good.

As long as you know the car handle is, indeed, the problem, then call either a local dealer or mechanic and ask them for a quote over the phone.  As this is a straightforward procedure, most will be able to offer a quote without having to see the problem in person.   If you’re on a tight budget, consider looking for the part at a local junkyard and repairing the car handle on your own.

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Beard Transplant Cost

A beard transplant, sometimes referred to as a facial hair transplant, is an ever-growing cosmetic procedure designed to help thicken facial hair for those who suffer from either a batch beard or for those who cannot grow a beard at all.  The procedure also helps with thinner-than-average sideburns, thin mustaches or even eyebrows.

“Abin” (CC BY 2.0) by Soumyadeep Paul

How much does a beard transplant cost?

The cost of a beard transplant will greatly vary as every surgeon will have their own pricing policy.  Aside from the surgeon, your goals, your geographical location, the number of grafts and the style/method your doctor uses can all affect the price.  With these factors in mind, the costs of a beard transplant, from people and doctors who shared their costs online, ranged anywhere from $5,500 to $12,000, with the “number of grafts needed” greatly affecting the total costs.

According to Cory Torgerson, MD, Ph.D., FRCSC on this RealSelf.com thread, he noted the costs of a beard transplant for the member in question would cost about $8,000 to $10,000, but in this case, since it was an African American, the hair would require extra skill and experience, meaning a higher price tag.

Gizmodo.com notes the cost of the procedure can range from $3,000 for a partial beard transplant for those who have a patchy beard or $7,000 or more for those who want a full beard and is unable to grow a beard at all.

Bradley R. Wolf, MD, via his official pricing list, charges based on the number of grafts required.  100 grafts via the strip method would cost $25 each or $2,500 total, while 300+ grafts would cost $16 each or $4,800+.  As for the FUE method, 100 grafts would cost $30 each, 200 grafts would cost $20 each and 300+ grafts would cost $17 each.

In this NY Times article, on 28-year-old paramedic paid $7,000 to have more than a thousand hair follicles harvested from the back of his head to his face, while others who had the procedure done, mentioned in this article, paid a total of $22,000, $4,000 and $10,000.

What is a beard transplant?

The procedure, for the most part, is a fairly straightforward procedure, which involves removing tiny hair follicles in strips from the back of your scalp, often where the hair is the thickest and transplanted where the bald spots are present in your facial hair.

Before the extraction even begins, the area where the hair is being extracted will be first numbed with a local anesthetic, and depending on your surgeon’s preferences, two types of techniques will be considered, either via a process known as FUT or FUE.  FUT, also known as strip harvesting, removes the hair in strips, while the FUE process, known as extracted follicle by follicle, will involve using a hollow needle which is able to isolate the individual hair follicle before implanting in its new position.

The number of grafts for the typical beard transplant can range from 500 to more than 3,000 grafts.

The entire procedure, depending on the amount of the hair being transplanted, can take anywhere from two to six hours to perform.

When the procedure is over, the hair often begins to grow immediately, with results often seen in as little as two to four weeks.  As far as the recovery, most patients will recoup in as little as five days as long as the area is kept entirely dry.

Potential risks

While there are very few side effects and the procedure is considered to be relatively painless, there are still risks involved as with any cosmetic procedure.  The risks involved, as per the Wimple Clinic, may include scarring, redness, swelling, tenderness and/or an infection.

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How Much Does a VNG Test Cost?

A VNG test, which stands for a Videonystagmography, will test the vestibular system of the inner ear to help determine if any of the dizziness and/or loss of balance you’re experiencing is due to an inner ear abnormality.

The National Dizzy and Balance Center notes that this sort of test is the new standard over an Electronystagmography because it’s able to measure the movements of the eyes directly via infrared cameras instead of measuring the eye mastoid muscles with electrodes.  It’s known to be more accurate, more comfortable and even more consistent.

“Ear” (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Menage a Moi

How much does a VNG test cost?

The cost of a VNG test will greatly depend on the clinic you’re using, the geographical location and your health insurance coverage.  From our research, the costs of the test, without any health insurance coverage, was anywhere from $125 to $310.  Seeing the test takes about two hours to perform and is broken into multiple parts, as we explain below, the costs will heavily depend on your local geographical region hourly rates.

Health insurance, from what we did research, would cover the procedure, but again, this would depend on your health insurance policy.  In one PDF we did find, Medicare would reimburse for the basic vestibular evaluation, the spontaneous nystagmus test, positional nystagmus test and the caloric vestibular test.  The National Dizzy and Balance Center said the testing is covered by all insurances.

Preparing for the test

To make sure the VNG tests are as accurate as possible, doctors recommend:

Avoiding certain medications within the first 48 hours.  Be sure to talk to your doctor ahead of time to know which medication you should avoid.

Avoid alcohol consumption for at least 48 hours prior to the test.

At least four to six hours prior to the test, no food or beverage, with the exception of water, should be consumed.

No smoking a few hours before the test.

Any eye makeup, especially mascara and eyeliner, should not be worn.

Source:  Audiology Hearing and Health

The testing process

According to EverydayHearing.com the test you have will greatly depend on the clinic you choose and its protocol and one way will not be considered better than another; the test will just be utilized in a different way.

Regardless of how the test is performed, it will be broken down into four main parts, namely:

Sensory organization testing – During this portion of the test, you will either stand or walk in random situations, either with your eyes opened or closed.  This, in turn, will help determine how your sensory system is working in sync to help maintain your balance.  This portion, for the most part, may feel as if you lose your balance, but you will not feel dizzy.

Ocular motor testing – For this portion, a specialist will ask that you watch a light back and forth or an object with your eyes in random directions, either with or with goggles designed for the test.  Some people have experienced this portion did make them feel dizzy.  During this time, they will be paying close attention for your ability to follow an object, which may indicate a central or neurological problem and/or a possible problem connecting the vestibular system to the brain.

Positioning/positional testing – With the help of the specialist, you will move your head in various directions, either up or down, side to side, or in a series of random motions.  While moving your head, you will also be asked to either keep your eyes opened or closed during the movement to help record your eyes.

Caloric test – During this portion, which will always be performed at the end, you will lay on your back while either cool or heated water is released inside your ear canal, one canal at a time, starting with the warm water, followed by the cooler water.  This is designed to help stimulate your vestibular system and analyze the responses between each ear, ultimately determining if the vestibular organs are operating properly and/or if one is considered weaker than the other.

The entire process usually takes about 90 to 120 minutes and is considered to be non-invasive, and the only minor discomfort felt is as a result of wearing the goggles used during the process.

Results

The results of this test will help determine if your dizziness and/or balancing issues were caused by an inner ear abnormality.  If the results indicate it is an inner ear issue, then a diagnosis could be made and a treatment plan could be created.  However, if the results are inconclusive or normal, then alternative testing may be considered for the future.

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Vitamin D Blood Test Cost

Vitamin D is essential to our bone health and it has been proven to help prevent rickets and osteomalacia.  Previous research studies have also shown those who lack vitamin D are also prone to other serious diseases such cancer and heart diseases, prompting doctors to order vitamin D tests to see your levels.

For this reason, individuals who are considered to be a high risk for vitamin D deficiency may often be asked to take a vitamin D blood test, especially if suffering from osteoporosis, osteomalacia or a syndrome which keeps them from absorbing enough vitamin D, but some skeptics state 90 percent of the time, the test isn’t necessary.

“Tears of the Sun” (CC BY 2.0) by jijake1977

How much does a vitamin D test cost?

The costs of a vitamin D test will greatly depend on the testing method the laboratory uses as labs will use different testing methods.  For the most part, however, the average cost of a vitamin D blood test will range anywhere from $45 to $65, but if you were to have this test performed inside of a doctor’s office, you would need to add the doctor’s examination fee as well.

As for health insurance, the test is often covered by your policy as long it is considered medically necessary.  If covered, you will only be responsible for your co-pay and meeting your deductible, all of which will greatly vary depending on your insurance coverage.  If you do want to use your health insurance policy, it’s highly recommended you check with your insurance company and doctor’s office to know what you’re responsible for.

At the Walk-in Lab, for example, you can order a test directly from their website for about $60.  Once ordered, you simply go to a local lab they work with, have your blood drawn and they will send your results in as little as three days.

On Amazon.com, some labs offer its services for about $50 to $65.

How does the test work?

A vitamin D blood test is very straightforward.  No preparation is required and all it requires is a simple blood draw via the vein in your arm.  Once your blood is drawn, it is sent off to the lab, and depending on the lab you work with, the results can be sent in as little as 48 hours.

This test will usually assess the volume of 25-Hydroxyvitamin D, which is the form of vitamin D that is circulating throughout the blood, according to Quest Diagnostics.  Depending on the test, some may include information on the levels of vitamin D2 and D3, which make up the total of vitamin D levels.

What the test is used for

It can help determine if you have any bone weakness, bone malformations and/or an abnormal metabolism of calcium as a result of a vitamin D deficiency.

In some cases, it can help diagnose or even observe difficulties with the parathyroid gland functioning since PTH is vital for the vitamin D activation.

May be used to help screen people who are at a high risk as per the National Osteoporosis Foundation, the Institute of Medicine, and the Endocrine Society.

Also used to screen those who may be suffering from a disease that interferes with fat absorption, such as cystic fibrosis or Crohn disease.

After gastric bypass surgery, this test may confirm the body is able to absorb enough vitamin D.

Can help determine if the vitamin D being prescribed is working according to plan.

Source:  LabCorp

Facts you should know

According to this infographic, if you do not have a medical reason to be tested, the treatment options won’t change, even if the test finds you have a deficiency.  Those who suffer from low vitamin D levels are often encouraged to take a supplement and/or eating foods rich in vitamin D, such as cereal, salmon, cod liver oil, tuna, eggs, cheese, orange juice or milk.  Also, sun exposure can produce all of the vitamin D you need throughout the year by staying outside for five to 30 minutes twice a week during the spring, summer and fall months.  However, if considering the sun, the
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force does recommend avoiding it as this can increases your chances of skin cancer.

Those who are obese or have darker skin are known to have lower vitamin D levels, but no studies have shown these lower levels will hurt your health.

ChoosingWisely.org states you should only consider the test if you have osteoporosis or have a disease which damages your body’s ability to use vitamin D.  If your doctor does recommend this test, ask him or her about your risks because if your risks are high, then the test makes sense; however, if the risks are considered low, then you may want to ask if you can skip the test and consider boosting your levels with food or supplements.

What is a normal vitamin D level?

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How Much Does Vision Therapy Cost?

Vision therapy, as per VisionTherapy.org, is basically physical therapy for your eyes and the brain.

As we see with our brain and our minds, not just the eyes, these sessions are designed to help correct any deficiencies in the visual system either caused by inadequate sensory and motor development, stress, or trauma to the nervous system.

Since everyone has a unique deficiency, this therapy is personalized to help the brain learn ways to utilize the eyes to successfully gather data, process that data and react to it accordingly.

“eye exam (no. 2)” (CC BY 2.0) by noir imp

The cost of vision therapy

The costs of vision therapy will depend on your diagnosis, your symptoms, your goals, the number of treatments needed, geographical location and doctor you’re using.

From our research, the average cost per vision therapy session, without insurance, is often $135 to $195 per hour visit after the pre-test assessment and examination, with most people paying a total of $2,000 to $9,500 to see desirable results.  With so many variables, each situation will be so unique, so it is hard to offer an exact estimate.

Before the recurring visits begin, a pre-test assessment and examination assessment is required in order to determine a treatment plan.  This test, depending on the health of the patient and the factors mentioned prior, can range anywhere from $225 to $500 without insurance.  With this assessment, your doctor will be able to determine the best course of action and how many sessions you may need to reach your goals.

Your health insurance provider may cover the procedure, but this will greatly depend on your policy and the level of coverage provided.  In most cases, you will need to refer to your health insurance plan, not your vision insurance policy, but from what we did notice, many vision centers that specialized with vision therapy would not even consider insurance, even if you had it.

As all health insurance plans greatly vary, talk with either your insurance company or the vision center you plan on using to see what you may be responsible for during your visits.  If you do not have a health insurance plan or even want to change your current policy, then we recommend checking out eHealthInsurance.com to see if you can find a plan that makes sense and may cover these visits.  Keep in mind that most insurance companies, from what we read, will not cover the costs of this therapy, and even if they do, it will be a very small amount.

From the very few people we found online who had their insurance policy cover their sessions, they said they only had to pay $25 to $45 per session.

TheVisionTherapyCenter.com notes the typical prices will greatly depend on your vision problem, and their center, according to its FAQ, charges $152 per visit, with most of its clients paying anywhere from $1,000 to $7,000.  Here, first-time clients will learn about what they may pay during their initial patient education visit.

According to one mom on this Mothering.com forum thread, she said she was quoted $6,300 for her son’s vision therapy.

On this WellTrainedMD.com forum thread, another mom was quoted $7,000 for six months of treatment, whereas another member on this same thread noted she was paying $1,440 for 12 treatments which would last about three months.

What exactly is vision therapy?

Vision therapy is a supervised treatment program which is designed to treat any visual-motor and/or perceptual-cognitive deficiencies.  This system will train the entire visual system, including brain, body and the eyes, with the ultimate goal of training the brain to use the eyes to receive information effectively, comprehend it as fast as possible and react as needed.

During these sessions, your doctor will design procedures which will be designed to help control your eye’s alignment, eye movements, eye teamwork and focusing abilities, often using specialized computer software and optical devices, including special lenses, filters and/or prisms.  At the end of your treatment plan, the final stages include testing your newly acquired skills through repetition to ensure the therapy went according to plan.

Not all therapy sessions will be the same, similar to that of physical therapy, as doctors who provide it will have unique systems and not everyone will be the same with their treatment plan and/or goals.

The length of the program will ultimately depend on the severity of the conditions that need to be treated, how motivated the patient is and the readiness, according to ADD-ADHD.org.  Some people can see results in as little as three to six months, while some may need more than two years to meet their goals.  In some cases, just like other types of therapies, many find themselves attending for years without an end in sight.

Diagnoses that may be treated by vision therapy

Accommodative disorders — having a difficult time adjusting or holding a focus from near to far

Binocular vision dysfunction — difficult time adjusting the eyes at once

Convergence insufficiency — a difficult time bringing the eyes together to an approaching point

Diplopia — double vision due to the eyes not working well in sync

Eye tracking disorders — difficulty with smooth or rapid eye changes

Strabismus, including intermittent exotropia or esotropia

Vision information processing disorders

source:  BrightEyesTampa.com

Symptoms treatable by vision therapy

Amblyopia.  Also referred to as a “lazy eye,” amblyopia is a visual development problem when an eye is unable to attain a normal visual acuity, usually due to either strabismus or related problems.

Binocular-related vision problems.  Referred to as phorias, these subtle eye alignment issues may cause either eye straining and/or fatigue when reading.

Eye movement disorders.  In some studies, it has been shown vision therapy may help improve the accuracy of eye movement when either reading up close to other related close work.

Focusing disorders.  Some research has shown near-far focusing skills did improve during these sessions.

Strabismus.  Strabismus, a condition in which the eyes will not stay properly aligned when reading despite good eye alignment, has been known to be treated by vision therapy, all depending on the magnitude and the frequency of the eye turn

Tips to know

To find a doctor who is able to help with vision therapy, refer to the National Directory of Board-certified doctors at Vision3D.com.

These programs are not endorsed by  American Optometric Association as there is no scientific evidence which claims these exercises can help reverse nearsightedness or other refractive errors, according to AllAboutVision.com.

Multiple vision therapy exercises can be found via this VisualEx YouTube channel.

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Freeze Plug Replacement Cost

As water freezes, it will expand, and without antifreeze, the water being pumped through your car is prone to freezing, ultimately causing problems with your engine block if it were to freeze.

Luckily, an engine block will not crack as long as a high-quality freeze plug is installed and working properly as they will pop out when the freezing occurs, preventing your engine block from cracking.

These parts are designed to not only prevent cracks from appearing within your engine, it can also help reduce coolant leaks from starting.

As the freeze plug rusts, becomes damaged and/or doesn’t work as needed, your engine block could crack, leading to unnecessary spills and leaks, causing a lot of problems in the future.

“IMG_0942” (CC BY 2.0) by SloopRiggedSkiff

How much would it cost for a freeze plug replacement?

The costs of replacing your freeze plugs will greatly depend on the type of vehicle you drive, the exact freeze plug as there are multiple plugs in various locations on the engine, and the mechanic/dealership you use to perform the repair.  Researching online, an easy to reach freeze plug could cost anywhere from $200 to $400, whereas a freeze plug that requires the mechanic to lift the engine or transmission out can cost anywhere from $900 to more than $1,800.  In some cases, the engine or transmission will not necessarily need to be removed, but a good chunk of the engine parts may need to be taken apart in order to gain access.

As mentioned, each location can dictate the amount of labor time required to replace the freeze plug.  While the part itself can cost as little as little as $2, it’s the labor which will greatly affect the price tag.  On forum thread we found on nc4x4.com, for example, the dealership noted they would have to pull the entire engine out in order to fix freeze plug, and because of this, his total bill would be north of $1,800.

Someone on a RepairPal.com Q&A thread noted he was quoted $1,574 to replace his rear freeze plug because of its location.

In some cases, if you’re lucky and the leak is extremely slow, then a block seal compound could work, but your results will vary.  If going this route, a good block seal compound on the market will cost about $15, but do not consider a long-term fix as it will eventually wear away.

The repair process

Once the mechanic gains access to the freeze plug, here or she will hammer it into the block with either a screwdriver or a large punch.  Doing so will allow it to pop through the engine so that he or she can pry it out with a pair of pliers.

When the plug is removed, the hole will be cleaned with a piece of sandpaper to help remove the corrosion and older sealant, and the new freeze plug will be installed with some sealant around.

To install the new freeze plug, a special tool is required in order to do so, but EconoFix.com does note you can use a large socket, but by doing this, it could cause damage so it’s not recommended.

The entire process, depending on the exact location, can take as little as one hour to much more than eight hours if multiple parts need to be removed.

What is a freeze plug?

All vehicles will vary, and the freeze plug will either be located on the side, back or beneath the engine block.   If you look closely at your engine block, you will see a line of circular depressions which are about an inch and a half in diameter and about a quarter of an inch deep, according to EconoFix.com.  These holes in the side of the engine block will be plugged with what’s known as the freeze plug or sometimes referred to as an expansion or frost plug.

The freeze plug will act as a backup if the antifreeze wasn’t running through your car.  As water can freeze, it can expand, as we mentioned above, and in order to prevent this expansion, these plugs will pop out to prevent this from happening.  If the water is able to freeze inside of your engine block, the block can crack, eventually destroying the motor.

Signs of a faulty freeze plug

In most cases, your car will start to leak coolant, and depending on the severity of the leak, a slow leak may mean a pinhole-sized hole, pointing signs to a faulty freeze plug.  As mentioned, these freeze plugs are located in various parts of your engine, but for the most part, they are located on the side of the block, the back of the block and between the transmission and engine.  With these various locations, the point here is that most leaks will run down the side of the engine as it makes its way to your driveway.  If you open your hood and see fluid leaking down the side of your engine or the bell housing between the transmission and engine, then it’s a good sign you will need to repair or replace the part.

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Radiator Hose Replacement Cost

Made of rubber, the radiator hose will help carry the engine’s coolant to and from the radiator.

If this hose were to burst, then the engine will not be able to receive the right amount of coolant, which, left ignored, could cause it to overheat, causing quite some damage.

As these parts are made of rubber, as mentioned, they are prone to cracking and wearing down over time from the high temperatures its exposed to regularly.

“Fresh new radiator hose for @sjaynerusse” (CC BY 2.0) by JoshBermudez

The average upper and lower radiator hose replacement costs

The costs to replace your radiator hose will depend on the mechanic/dealer you choose, the car you drive and your geographical location.  When hiring a professional, be prepared to spend anywhere from $80 to $210 to replace both the upper and lower hoses.  Since your car does have two hoses, your mechanic will want to replace both at once, seeing if one is bad today, there’s a good chance the second hose will follow.

According to the price quotes received at RepairPal.com, the quotes ranged anywhere from as little as $66 for a Honda Civic to as much as $273 for a Chevrolet Silverado 1500.

On one forum thread on Yelp, someone asked if $130 for the entire repair was a fair price, and according to the responses, they said it was a “cheap” price and much better than what a dealership would charge.

As for just the parts, the average radiator hose, regardless of the vehicle you drive, will often cost $10 to $20.  At Amazon.com, for instance, the best-selling radiator hoses are inside this price range.

CarsDirect.com notes the average hose can cost $15 to $50.

The repair process

First, the mechanic will want to make sure the radiator hoses are the culprit, and in order to confirm their suspicions, they will often perform a pressure test to make sure the entire system is sealed.  Aside from this, they will physically feel the hose with their hands, and if any part feels too soft, it’s often a sign it’s contaminated with oil and is likely the culprit.

When it’s confirmed the radiator hose is the problematic part, the radiator will be drained, and the clamps at both ends, once the radiator is emptied, will be removed.

Removing these clamps will then allow the mechanic to remove the radiator hose, allowing him or her to drain the excess fluids.

After the hose is removed, the fittings will be cleaned with a degreaser and the new hose will be clamped into place, just like the existing hose.

Once the hose is attached, the coolant will be refilled and the engine will be started to see if the problem disappeared.

How does it work?

The radiator hose is made of two parts:  the upper hose, which is designed to carry the hot coolant from the thermostat housing, located on the engine block, to the radiator inlet, and the lower hose, which eventually brings the cooled fluid back into the engine after the coolant passes through the radiator and loses its excess heat.

Symptoms of a bad radiator hose

Oftentimes, a bad radiator hose will either become damaged due to age or from ignored oil leaks.  Over time, these issues can lead to swelling and/or cracking, allowing the hose to split open and leak.  If this were to happen, mechanics will advise you do not drive your vehicle anymore as a damaged hose can cause your engine to overheat, often causing costly repairs you could have avoided in the first place.

Other symptoms include a poorly running A/C or heater, steam coming from the engine or bulges in the radiator hose.

Tips to know

A radiator hose will not wear away like your tires or related parts.  Eventually, as time goes on, the rubber will start to degrade, which, unfortunately, will lead to unwanted leakage.  If the hose doesn’t degrade due to age, then the next culprit is often due to an oil leak as these leaks often cause rubber to swell and weaken, greatly increasing the chance of failure.   YourMechanic recommends replacing the hoses every 5 years or 40,000 miles or whichever comes first.

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Flywheel Replacement Cost

The flywheel, a mechanical device commonly found in a car with a manual transmission, is responsible for generating energy from rotating and storing it for future use.  This part will make sure all of the manual gears are working as they should whenever the driver uses the clutch.

Also, in situations where the engine torque is occurring at irregular intervals, then the flywheel will be able to supplement with its stored energy.

When this part begins to fail, you may start to feel your gears slip as you change or in some cases, the gears may shift on its own.

“Flywheel” (CC BY-SA 2.0) by nzhamstar

The reported flywheel replacement costs

The costs to repair a flywheel will greatly depend on the mechanic/dealer you use, your geographical location and the make/model of your vehicle.  From our research, the parts can greatly vary, ranging anywhere from as little as $40 to more than $300.   As for the labor, the replacement, including parts, can range anywhere from $400 to $1,300 in total. 

Since this part is located on the engine, a mechanic will have to spend a few hours, about four on average, tearing your car apart to take out the flywheel and replace it.  As you probably know, every hour a mechanic needs to work on your car, the more you’re going to spend since almost every shop will charge by the hour.  With the average shop charging $100 an hour, you could expect the labor costs, on average, to be in the $400 range.

Keep in mind that these are the costs for the flywheel part on its own and may not include other necessary parts which need to be replaced at the time of the repair.  If you did need additional repairs, then the costs, depending on these additional repairs, would greatly vary.  From what we saw online, multiple people needed their starter replaced as well, which added an additional $300 to $500 to the total.

On this AnAndTech.com forum thread, for example, a member said he was quoted $350 for a starter and another $450 to replace the flywheel.  He stated his mechanic could not determine if the flywheel needed replacement until they take out the starter and related components.

A member on this Ford-Trucks.com forum thread stated his local dealer quoted $950 for the starter, flywheel and fluids.

At RepairPal.com, a visitor asked a question, claiming he received quotes anywhere from $600 to $1,000 and wanted to know if these estimates were accurate.

As for just the parts, the costs will depend on your type of transmission.  At AutoZone, for example, both manual and automatic transmission parts can cost about $50 to $115 on average, but again, this is for the part only.

The repair process

Once the flywheel is confirmed as the faulty part in question, the car will be hosted and the front wheels and wheel hubs of the car will be removed.

Next, the oil drain plug will be removed, allowing the oil to empty into an oil pan.

As the oil is being drained, the lug nuts, which are designed to hold the strut assembly in place, will be loosened in order for the mechanic to separate the struts.

From the transmission, the stabilizer rods, which are held together via pins on each rod, will be removed.

The wires, connected to the engine and lead to the battery, are then removed in order to successfully start removing the transmission.

Now, the transmission can be removed by loosening the bolts, and here, the mechanic will be able to locate the pressure plate the flywheel.  This pressure plate will be removed, along with the clutch disc and the flywheel.

From there, once all of these components are removed, the new flywheel will be installed and all parts will be put back together in reverse order.

Lastly, the engine oil will be refilled and the engine will be started to test the flywheel.  At this time, if any adjustments are required, they will be done at this time.

The average flywheel replacement, depending on the vehicle make/model, will take anywhere from five to nine hours to complete.

Symptoms of a poor flywheel

If the part is starting to go bad, one of the main symptoms you will feel will be a slipping of the gears whenever you’re shifting, often while shifting to a previous gear.  As time goes on, the gears may begin to shift on its own, out of your control, ultimately contaminating the engine oil due to pressure plate grinding.  This symptom, if felt, unfortunately, will never go away, and failing to ignore it will only make matters worse, and the longer you ignore it, the louder the grinding will become and more dangerous it may become to drive.

In some cases, a slight burning smell may be noticeable inside of the vehicle.  This smell is often due to the clutch being used unnaturally, either due to driver error or the flywheel.  As the clutch produces a lot of heat, the odor can become quite intense as time goes on if the flywheel is considered to be the culprit.  To confirm, it’s the part, not driver error, you will want to pay close attention to any shakes coming from the ground while shifting.  If you feel this, it could indicate the flywheel’s mounting feature is faulty, creating this vibration as the mount is designed to prevent this in the first place.

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Transmission Cooling Line Repair Cost

The transmission cooler lines are designed to remove the excessive heat from the transmission fluid.

The reported transmission cooling line repair costs

The average costs to repair a transmission cooling line, as with any car repair, will depend on your vehicle, your geographical location and the mechanic/dealer you choose.  From our research, the costs to repair this line will range anywhere between $150 to $450 per line.  As this repair takes less than two hours on average, the labor costs are often between $100 to $250, while the parts, depending on your vehicle, can cost $20 to $100.

Repair Pal, for instance, claims the costs of replacing a trans oil cooler line will be anywhere from $100 to $446 based on the mechanic quotes in its system.

On this GMInsideNews.com forum thread, he claimed he took his Silverado Classic 1500 Crew Cab into his local dealer and was quoted $624 ($90 for parts and rest for labor) to replace all three of his cooling lines.

A member on this WranglerForum.com thread noted he was quoted $423 to replace the lines, and the dealer would not patch the lines as all dealers will want to replace the parts in its entirety.

As for the parts, most cooler line assemblies can range anywhere from $14 to $40, according to these AutoZone listings.

How does the part work?

These lines are designed to transport transmission fluid back and forth among the transmission and the radiator cooler.  In most vehicles, these parts are often made of metal and will be screwed into the transmission and the transmission cooler located on the other end.

As the fluid begins in the transmission and begins to generate heat, it will then flow to the transmission cooler via these lines, where it will shed its heat, eventually returning back to the transmission and repeating the process as necessary.   This system will commonly be found in heavy-duty vehicles such as a plow or off-road vehicle.

Repairing the transmission cooling line

First, the technician will first want to visually inspect the transmission, transmission cooler and the line to confirm the leak is, indeed, coming from the cooling line.  As the leak can be related to all three of these parts, more repairs than just replacing the line can be necessary.

Once the suspected parts are confirmed, then transmission cooler will be drained, followed by disconnecting the first line from the transmission.

After the cooler has been drained and the lines are cleared, the entire line will be disconnected from the vehicle, and the new lines will be installed in reverse order.

When the new lines are connected, the fluids will be refilled and started to ensure no leaks are present.

The entire process, per line, will take about 1.5 hours for most vehicles.

Symptoms of a poor transmission cooling line

In most cases, you will start to notice small oil drops beneath the car whenever parked.  If confirmed as transmission fluid, it doesn’t immediately mean it’s the transmission cooling lines as it could be related to the transmission or the transmission cooler.  To confirm, the transmission, cooler and the lines will all need to be inspected in order to confirm the part in question.  If you notice any transmission fluid leaking beneath your car, it’s highly advisable you take your car to a mechanic immediately as failing to do can lead to transmission failure in the future due to the transmission not be able ot receive the proper amount of transmission fluid to run efficiently.

Tips to know

A transmission cooling line, unfortunately, can fail at any time and there is no set “interval” like other parts.  In most cases, mechanics note that you will often see the part fail in high mileage vehicles as the rubber naturally degrades, either due to the age or the heat from driving.  If these lines do start to fail, the transmission cooler and/or transmission could be next, leading to a hefty repair bill.

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Side Mirror Replacement Cost

Whether you damaged or broke off your vehicle’s side mirror, it’s essential you get it repaired/replaced as soon as possible before an accident occurs.

Being one of the most commonly damaged parts, the costs to replace a side view mirror will vary on a few factors.

“Mirror” (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Croswald9

The average side view mirror replacement costs

The costs of replacing a side view mirror will greatly depend on the make/model of your vehicle, the electronics involved, the professional you use (if you choose to hire one) and your geographical region.  From our research, the costs reported by collision shops and customers were inside the $175 to $350 range for a manual mirror with no electronics involved, with car dealerships often charging the highest price.  If any of the vehicle’s body around the mirror needs to be painted, this can increase the costs.

As for a side view mirror with electronics involved, such as a camera, the costs can be much higher, with estimates as high as $700 to $1,300.  USA Today, for instance, said mirrors nowadays often include electronic blind-spot warning features and cameras to name a few, and if your mirror has this sort of technology, then the costs for the mirror could be about $250 to replace and another $341 to replace the camera inside.

For those who want to do the job on their own, the costs of the side view mirror will range anywhere from $17 to $50, depending on your make and model.  On Amazon.com, for instance, a Toyota Corolla mirror would cost about $20 to $45, all depending on the model you purchase.

We sampled a few popular makes/models and included the estimates we found in our table below:

On this MetaFilter.com forum thread, one member noted he took his girlfriend’s car into the shop and was quoted $175 for the entire repair — about $75 for labor and another $100 for the parts.  As for the replies, some said $100 sounded cheap for an OEM part while another said it was much cheaper than a quote he received, claiming his local dealer charged $300 for both parts and labor for an OEM part.

The process of replacing the side view mirror

Replacing a side mirror is fairly straightforward as long as no electronic components are involved, and the process is almost the same for all makes and models.

First, the old mirror will be removed by using either a socket wrench or a screwdriver.  Depending on the setup of the vehicle, a portion of the door may need to be removed in order to access the entire side mirror to install it correctly.

If the side of the door needs to be removed, it’s most often due to the power components that connect to the mirror itself as manual mirrors are often a simple swap.  When removing the door panel, the mechanic will locate the hidden fasteners, often located behind vanity caps, and will remove these in order to pull the panel back.  As all vehicles are different, there is no set pattern, and you will often have to feel around the area for each fastener until the panel is able to come loose.

Once the door panel is removed, the mounting screws and the cable will be connected that’s holding the mirror to the car.  Once these are removed, the new mirror will be attached and installed in reverse order.

For most parts, the entire process, from start to finish, will take about one hour to complete.

How to save money

In case the mirror was just knocked off its bracket, there may be cases where the mirror doesn’t even need to be removed and can simply be bolted back on.  If it was scratched and damage was shown, then the new mirror will be repainted to match the vehicle’s original color.

If you’re doing the repair on your own, an aftermarket part will always be cheaper than an OEM part.  If you’re purchasing online, always refer to the reviews and the warranty information to ensure you’re making the right choice.  For instance, on Amazon, the costs of a third-party mirror with great ratings was often less than $30, whereas the OEM parts from most major car manufacturers were about double this price.  If you really want to save money, consider checking out a local junkyard to see if they have a mirror that’s able to fit.

The Family Handyman notes that this job is often easier than you think and will only require a few tools.  If you’re able to do the job on your own, you should be able to save at least $100 to $200.

If the glass needs to be replaced, there’s no need to replace the entire mirror.  Instead, the old glass can be swapped out with a new piece for as little as $10.

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