Mad props for K&H Imports in SoCal

[NLXTACY]

So unfortunately I haven't had the opportunity to do ANYTHING to my truck for a few months because my new job prevents me from sleeping plus sends me all over the world. Guess I should be happy I am working.

Anyway...I have a long list of stuff that I have been wanting to do to my LX but just could never find the time. One of those was doing the complete front axle service. I was hearing clicking and knew it needed to be done. Well a week or so ago the right front tire started smoking because the wheel seal was leaking.

I had intended to do it all myself although SPIKE STRIP and Mark Algazy were interested in helping because they had never done an axle service on an 80. So that was my plan, get everything together and have these guys help me out on a weekend. Well with the work schedule that just wasn't going to happen. I have an engine over at Mark's already for my 60 and at this point just felt guilty asking him to help with something else.

So I got everything together for the front axle:
• Found two low mileage used birfields on mud-bay
• Ordered every single nut and bolt and gasket and seal and bearing for the entire front axle from CDAN
• Got the Marlin front seals
• Ordered caliper rebuild kits from CDAN
• Got drilled and slotted rotors from SLEE
• Got all the extended brake hoses from SLEE being as I will be going FOR lift sometime this year
• Got all the fluids and tools together
• Got a 2.2kw started from CDAN
• New emergency brake shoes from CDAN
• and a few other bits and bobs

I had everything ready to go. All I needed was the labor.

Now normally anything I don't do myself I generally take to Enterprise Import Service in Canoga Park but the last three times I went the experience left me wondering why they didn't listen to my instructions. Just annoying. I was also going to contact Robbie and have him do it but the timing wasn't going to work especially since the wheel was smoking now.

So I called up Richard at K&H, two doors down from Jerry at Enterprise.

I explained to him what the situation was. That I wanted all of my own parts used, I wanted certain things done the way I wanted them done and if he was interested in the labor portion of it.

His said "bring it!"

I dropped the LX off Thursday morning and I detailed everything I wanted done. Told him I needed the truck for the weekend so he could have all day Thursday and all day Friday and just left my number.

I got a total of 5 calls from him during those 2 days telling me the progress as of the phone call and telling me of anything else that the truck needed. Turned out the birfields I got were from a 93/94 which were 1/2" too short. He said there is a replacement plate he could get from Spectre Off Road that would allow me to use the earlier birfs. I said go for it.

So I arrived yesterday to pick up my truck and everything was done. Here is a detail of everything they did:

• Oil filter change using OEM filter and Mobil One Synthetic oil (they supplied filter and oil)
• Replaced top radiator hose that was leaking slowly (I supplied)
• Replaced rear emergency brake shoes (I supplied)
• Replaced all four of my springs with a set from a RETROFIVE that had less than 100k miles on them
• Fixed a cross threaded bolt on the front shock eyebolt
• Replaced my front rotors (I supplied)
• Replaced new OEM 100 series pads (I supplied)
• Replaced my 250k mile starter with 2.2kw starter (I supplied)
• Did a complete brake fluid purge
• Replaced ALL brake hoses with Slee's
• Did entire front axle service replacing all bearings, seals and gaskets including trunion bearings/races and replacing both of the birfields. (I supplied all parts).

I now have a spare birf and a spare starter. He did not rebuild the calipers even though they had 250k miles on them because they were perfect and absolutely nothing wrong with them.

My total cost for everything that you see in the list was a total of $1200.00. $760.00 of it was for the front axle service. $100 of it was parts I didn't have and the other $340 was for the service of everything else and any tax on the parts.

I was floored. I was expecting sooo much more especially reading what I have been reading here about estimated costs. And he didn't cut corners. Everything was used and replaced. He even brought my truck over to the steam cleaners to have them steam clean the underside of the truck and clean the gunk on the knuckles before hand. He said he wanted to give me a clean start so that if it started leaking it will be more obvious.

Great guy and could not recommend him enough.

 

[retrofive]

Thats awesome NLX!

Hope those springs work for you. Notice anything better or worse with them?

(Sidenote: the springs came from my '94 LC stock)

 

[NLXTACY]

Are you kidding, the springs are NIGHT AND DAY compared the 250k LX springs I had on there. The truck sits up higher especially in the back and it just feels firm. The death wobble is gone! thanks again!

 

[retrofive]

Very

 

[80t0ylc]

Thats awesome NLX!

Hope those springs work for you. Notice anything better or worse with them?

(Sidenote: the springs came from my '94 LC stock)

Not to be a wet blanket, but It was necessary for me to replace my '94's springs at 165K. The fronts were still fine, even with the ARB, winch & 2nd battery. But the rears kind of let me down on a trip to Canyonlands back in 2004. Heavily loaded for camping, 2 teenage sons and with my Kaymar, maybe I was asking too much out of it. Anyway, the exhaust pipe was clanking on the panhard rod going over the slightest bump. I'd taken several road trips fully loaded with family (3 kids) and baggage in the years before with no issues, so this was the 1st off road with full load. Went with the OMEs in my sig line and haven't had any issues, no matter the load - including some medium towing chores. Maybe I just wore them out, don't know. But, one thing to keep an eye on, Joey. Sounds like you got a good deal, though!

 

[NLXTACY]

Oh dont get me wrong. I WILL be going with Frankie's lift. I just needed something to hold me over till then. I was going thru saggy butt syndrome pretty bad and I was getting really bad roll and bottoming out going over speed bumps. It was sad. These 94 springs are heaven compared to what I have and is a place holder until I get a chance to do my FOR lift.

 

[retrofive]

Not to be a wet blanket, but It was necessary for me to replace my '94's springs at 165K. The fronts were still fine, even with the ARB, winch & 2nd battery. But the rears kind of let me down on a trip to Canyonlands back in 2004. Heavily loaded for camping, 2 teenage sons and with my Kaymar, maybe I was asking too much out of it. Anyway, the exhaust pipe was clanking on the panhard rod going over the slightest bump. I'd taken several road trips fully loaded with family (3 kids) and baggage in the years before with no issues, so this was the 1st off road with full load. Went with the OMEs in my sig line and haven't had any issues, no matter the load - including some medium towing chores. Maybe I just wore them out, don't know. But, one thing to keep an eye on, Joey. Sounds like you got a good deal, though!

I had them sitting in my garage from when i put my lift on, Joey just paid for flight

 

[80t0ylc]

Oh dont get me wrong. I WILL be going with Frankie's lift. I just needed something to hold me over till then. I was going thru saggy butt syndrome pretty bad and I was getting really bad roll and bottoming out going over speed bumps. It was sad. These 94 springs are heaven compared to what I have and is a place holder until I get a chance to do my FOR lift.

I had them sitting in my garage from when i put my lift on, Joey just paid for flight

You should have picked them up on your way through Oregon last summer, Joey.

Sounds like they'll work out for you. From what I hear about the FOR lift, you'll be in 7th heaven when you get them. Frankie did a good job on my sliders - his products rock!

 

[retrofive]

LOL, I know when Joey stopped by we had a good BBQ, I have know clue why I didnt just have him grab them when he was here

 

[NLXTACY]

I was too busy story telling

 

[hatman406080]

K&H,did the work on my 40'60' 80'

for last 15years

 

[spdwaver]

Wow, thanks for the recommendation and for posting up the details. I never thought so much [quality] work would be performed by a mechanic for such a good price.

I have called them in the past, upon Hat's recommendation, but have not yet had the pleasure of doing any business - yet.

 

[lt1fire]

The one and only time i've ever taken the 80 to a mechanic, get the valve adjusted when I first got it, was to them.

Great people and great work.