Damn American Trucks!
 

This thing is gonna-cost-a-plenty in the future it seems.

I had a big run around today to buy discs for the front. ONLY the Chevy specialist had them. From everyone else it's "we'll have to get it in for you" And guess what? They get it from the Chevy specialist too. Cost $126.16 (US$72.16) They are ACDelco (17D726) & I've no idea how good they are. They came from L.A.

Anyway, they're in & I need to top up the brake fluid but I'll leave that to the garage down the road tomorrow. It's booked in for a service & tune up. (not the Chevy guys - they're booked till late Jan)

Also Spark plugs NGK Platinum @ $35 something each! Again, not a stock item - "we'll have to get it in for you"

Oh yea, nearly forgot. Broke a wheel stud on the right front. Left ignition on (accessory) while working = flat battery. wtf? Not even the radio was on! Something is draining my battery & fast. This is still the new battery I got a few months ago.

Damn Haynes manual is useless! (At least for RHD)

"I is havin a bad hair day" lol [/align]

RE: Damn American Trucks!
 

Sounds kinda normal on discs, but those plugs are rediculous. It would probably be cheaper to have us buy them stateside, and ship to you I would think..

Also you brake fluid probably doesnt need topping off, its just that the pads are low, so more fluid is in the lines/piston than the reservoir.

But good luck! Its nice when things pile up isnt it :D

RE: Damn American Trucks!
 

AC Delco rotors are good rotors. There are just cheaper alternatives in the States. Some that are comparable in quality to the AC Delcos and some that are not.

As far as the plugs, $35/ea even in NZD. Heck, I just paid $60 for a complete set of NGK Laser Iridium plugs for my Bravada (iridium center electrode and platinum ground). The NGK Double Platinum plugs would have only cost ~$40 for the complete set.

RE: Damn American Trucks!
 

Are you sure the plugs weren't for a set? Sounds ridiculous for $35 each. You could probably find someone local that carries that model number.

RE: Damn American Trucks!
 

$35 each!

RE: Damn American Trucks!
 

Try www.rockauto.com

They ship very fast. Their prices are good.
Sorry to hear your problems on parts gathering :(
I dont have any idea about how the customs regulations over there but, I m ordering parts by myself and saving a lot.

RE: Damn American Trucks!
 

Kiwi, as Much as I enjoy keeping my money also; I have to say that the AC Delcos are about accurately priced and the last place you want to "Go Cheap" is in Brakes.

and I am betting your $35 ea. plugs are the 100k Mile plugs from GM
I hit that bump too.

RE: Damn American Trucks!
 

I could probably buy them here and ship them to you cheaper. USPS flat rate is like $40 for express

RE: Damn American Trucks!
 

Remember that to "protect" the Holden brand in New ZealandGM don't have Chevy dealerships. Holden don't want to encourage Chevy as it is competition. Also, remembering that the total NZ populationis only 4 million (nearly half here in Auckland) so the chance of anybody keeping stock for "non regular NZ" vehicles is small. Add to that the fact that because of the fuel price scare car yards have stopped importing vehicles which are deemed to be gas guzzlers. So the Blazer is no longeravailable here. Less chance for anyone to keep spares. AND, with the current exchange rate things are a lot more pricey. Importing from the US is now possibly a viable option for me as long as the values are below 3-400 bucks. The big issue really is choice. Like I would have preffered to get ceramic discs. Mention that & you can see the guys eyes glaze over & dollar signs appear lol.

I had my truck serviced today & it cost $218. Not too bad but excluded a tune-up. They checked the spark plugs as requested & say they're fine. Rear brake pads are still at 80% so no worries there - yet.

They were impressed with the overall performance of my Blazer & I had lots of positive comments on my meagremods. I told them if they were impressed then they need to check out the albums on bf.com & bf.net - that's impressive!