Three years ago in a shop in Tucson, a customer brought in a bike with a stripped bottom bracket.

We spent two hours trying every trick in the book, from heat to impact drivers, and finally got it out with a custom ground tool. The whole thing made me wonder if we should just stop trying to save every single part that's clearly been neglected for years. What's your hard line on when a repair becomes a waste of shop time?

2 comments

2 Comments

the_beth1d ago

My buddy Mike runs a small engine repair shop. Last month a guy brought in a lawnmower with a blade shaft so rusted it was basically one piece with the deck. Mike spent half a day soaking it in penetrant and beating on it with a hammer. He finally got it apart, but the bill was more than a new mower. He told me he won't do that again, it's just not fair to the customer.

adams.ivan1d ago

My old boss at the Mesa shop had a rule. If the labor estimate hits 75% of the item's replacement cost, we have to stop and talk to the customer. Like that bottom bracket, once you're grinding custom tools, you're in the red. I explain it as paying a premium for sentiment, not for a smart repair. Sometimes they choose to, but at least they know they're buying a story, not a deal.