Dealership Charges For Large Tires and Winch??

[GladGreg]

Need some help on this one. I'll go ahead and tag @JeepCares as well. Took my 2020 JTO (40k miles) in due to the classic lifter tick. Dealership diagnosed it as both camshafts damaged and also requires replacement of rockers and lifters for intake side. This repair is covered under the powertrain warranty, but they are trying to charge me $410 for the labor required to remove my "oversized tires" and "aftermarket bumper and winch." I had never heard of these extra charges and they seem like an unreasonable money grab, considering the majority of Jeeps have oversized tires and all kinds of modifications. Hell, you can buy it from the dealer with these modifications.

The dealer is currently waiting for my response as to whether or not to go ahead with the repair. I'm trying to figure out what I should do. Any help/insight is much appreciated.

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[Minty JL]

Yeah that's a BS money grab attempt

 

[JRobes]

The oversized wheels/tires are BS, but an aftermarket winch/bumper combo does possibly introduce complexity... their service department techs work based off of factory provided equipment they are familiar with, and when you bolt on aftermarket equipment that blocks access to things they need to service, they need to cover their bases and probably overestimate a bit. If removal of the grill is required for their engine warranty work, that means the bumper and winch need to come off first since the winch probably blocks the grill from coming off (Using a Warn EVO winch does when combined with the MOPAR steel front bumper). Are they overestimating? Probably. I'd expect maybe an extra $100 charge or so.

I'd bet that if you told them you'll pull the bumper/winch off before dropping it off they'd remove the extra charge completely.

 

[AstroZombie]

show up with tools and remove it yourself

 

[Lost1wing]

I know my winch cables are actually touching the grill, preventing it from pulling forward. The Warn controller can be removed/loosened for the task. 10 minutes off 10 minutes on. Don't know what the bumper has to do with it.

 

[Scott L]

Sounds like bull crap to me. Can you take it to a different dealer? The service advisor is trying to make his Christmas bonus on you. A hundred bucks might make sense to deal with the winch but that should go to the tech IMO. Or take the bumper off yourself.

 

[JRobes]

I know my winch cables are actually touching the grill, preventing it from pulling forward. The Warn controller can be removed/loosened for the task. 10 minutes off 10 minutes on. Don't know what the bumper has to do with it.

It might be factory procedure to pull the grill and bumper for better worker access during engine teardown.

 

[Alpine Warthog]

DID you mount 40s or something?! Sheesh.

That's garbage. The bumper and winch? YEAH..... that part I can see as legit. I'd negotiate and agree to half, but that's just me.

 

[Lost1wing]

Yes! That is what I figured. Well I can see the grill coming off. No need to pull the bumper for the grill removal. Radiator support could be mounted to the same location as the bumper. Someone else will know more on that.

Free for the oversized tires is a joke. That just tells me they are being stubborn.

 

[GladGreg]

DID you mount 40s or something?! Sheesh.

That's garbage. The bumper and winch? YEAH..... that part I can see as legit. I'd negotiate and agree to half, but that's just me.

I have 37's. Nothing crazy. I brought up the fact that it's possible to buy this truck from the dealership with these exact mods. The advisor said they would charge for this even if the truck was purchased from the dealer (a different dealer) with the oversized tires and bumper/winch installed. To me, that's even more insane and unreasonable.

 

[Lost1wing]

Chicagoland dealers gave my parents a hard time with a simple free oil change. Tried to charge them $25 because they didn't buy the car from them. I told my parents to find another place. They did and got their free oil change.

The bumper is not a big deal to remove. It gets a little heavy with a winch in it. I think they don't want the job and want you to go away.

 

[Florida Mojave]

Yea - I am also calling a big B-S on this dealer! No way in HELL they would get my business !!!

 

[Volt0]

Got pics? If you’re running 37’s on an overland, then you’re running a lift too. That tech may now have to push around a step stool and other apparatus just to reach in there.

how much higher is the hood off the ground now, since factory? 6”s ? Got a big bull bar? Mounted lights?

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Need some help on this one. I'll go ahead and tag @JeepCares as well. Took my 2020 JTO (40k miles) in due to the classic lifter tick. Dealership diagnosed it as both camshafts damaged and also requires replacement of rockers and lifters for intake side. This repair is covered under the powertrain warranty, but they are trying to charge me $410 for the labor required to remove my "oversized tires" and "aftermarket bumper and winch." I had never heard of these extra charges and they seem like an unreasonable money grab, considering the majority of Jeeps have oversized tires and all kinds of modifications. Hell, you can buy it from the dealer with these modifications.

The dealer is currently waiting for my response as to whether or not to go ahead with the repair. I'm trying to figure out what I should do. Any help/insight is much appreciated.

I'd want to see the bumper and winch before rendering an opinion.
As a person who has leaned over fenders for decades and knows how tough it can be to deal with "tall vehicles", I could see tires over 35" being an issue. 37s you have a lift - so the tires and lift mean it's harder to lean over to do the work.
The thing sits clean up in the air compared to their flat rate allowance for the work being done. It does take more time.
I've been there, done that - and now see a cardiologist every year.
It's not easy leaning over tall fenders and lifting weight out 2 feet in front of you.
Try it for a few years.

The bumper, again - if it interferes with the grill removal - IF the grill even must come off for this work, they are allowed xx hours for each job. Add anything that interferes with their ability to meet that time and it costs them money.

I'm coming at this from having been there, done that, for my living for years.
Today, I don't relish the thought of leaning over a pickup fender to lift heavy parts.

A friend had to quit the work because of the pressure he was putting on his heart - doc told him to quit or die.

All of this is being said not seeing your bumper/winch and not seeing their time allowances and so on.

The bumper is not a big deal to remove. It gets a little heavy with a winch in it. I think they don't want the job and want you to go away.

Takes time - if it takes 45 minutes to remove and their rate is near $200/hour, then you have the explanation for the extra charge right there.
I'd not say it's no big deal - but it's time consuming depending on the bumper and winch - skid plate removal for MOPAR steel bumpers means extra screws, unplugging fog lights, takes a few minutes to get it done.

 

[Dickster]

Tell them you have to remove a bumper and tires anyways. Ask the advisor what the book calls out for each. Tell them you will come remove whatever they need but you want them to pay you the cost. This is calculated and listed in the warranty work.

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