The starter is just held in by two hex bolts (hex socket set at harbor fright is about ten bucks) and the wires on the back. That heat shield on the motor mount is a pain in the butt but can be bent out of the way without harm.

When mine went bad I pulled it (30 mins. first time), got it rebuilt for 40 bucks at a starter/alternator shop, and had it back in 4 hours after I started. Total cost was 50 bucks and about an hour under the truck (the rest of the time was waiting for the shop to tell me it was ready). You might try that route.

 

What pisses me off is they are a local Rover specialist shop and I've used them before. I do use a shop when work is over my head and I am happy to pay a fair price. For example they helped me with my coil pack when I screwed it up. So now they lose my business for good cause I knew it was a BS quote. They also tried to get me on a few other things which I know for a fact are fine since I do them myself.

 

I'd have the same reaction. You might consider telling them point blank why they are losing our business. though I'd probly be too irritated to bother with it.

 

You could get another estimate and if it's way lower, which it should be. Bring it to them and ask why exactly theirs is so high. I always like to give people a chance to explain. Maybe there's a mistake or a misunderstanding??

 

Roger that times two. So often, people forget that.

 

When I took my block to an old time engine shop to he cleaned, honed, etc, the 70 year old owner walked up and said "I haven't seen a Buick block like yours in awhile. What was it in?"

The problem with rover shops is that they also service range rovers.

 

Well they also did a full inspection and recommended a bunch of other needless crap. I asked for estimates (haven't received yet) but I know they want $1200 for pads and rotors. I guess they think I'm an easy mark cause of where I live or how I appear or something. People never cease to amaze me.

 

Good grief pads and rotors take a couple of hours in the driveway. Total!!!! Don't walk. Run!

 

Yep and I'd comment on their pricing on Yelp and Angie's List.

As a matter of fact, you should post their name here so other members don't get suckered.