San Tan Ford

This is the second service for 2001 Ranger XLT, 3.0L (first was about a year ago, also suspicious "repairs"). A year ago: Put truck in shop for maint issues - these were resolved, but new issues cropped up each time I took the truck back to the dealer. Prior to the third visit, the starter was operating normally. After the third visit, the starter was screeching when cranking. None of the previous service visits touched the starter - there was no reason. Having the tools, time, and documentation, I removed the starter to check on the state of the starter gear and flywheel ring gear - both were in perfect condition, and appeared to be operating normally. But I discovered that the battery cable connecting at the starter had mysteriously become loose. The nut was unscrewed about 1/2 down the stud, and the cable was flopping loosely on the stud. (This should never happen - the nut was held in place by a red plastic cover to prevent accidental shorts across the battery. This cover also locks the nut in place.) While the cover was snapped into place onto the nut, the nut had become "loose". Hmmm.... This weekend (8/29/2009): I needed to have some parts replaced and overdue routine service (cabin dome lamp housing, get a quote to replace the tailgate, fuel filter, A/C service, brake service, oil change, oil filter, rotate tires, coolant flush). Most of the routine service seems to have been performed (but I'm taking their word for it). They said they saw dirty hydraulic fluid (power steering), and recommended changing it and the rear differential oil, and transmission fluid (about $500 for diff, tranny, and hyd fluid, seems very high), tires were worn and needed replacement (possibly true, checking this evening). The A/C refrigerant was low (not surprising - first service in 8 years), but the A/C was still working fairly well, and I wanted to keep it that way. They said they found a leak in one of the A/C hoses, and wanted to replace the hose ($480, and they didn't have it in stock). I told them to just add refrigerant ($100) and I would have to budget for the hose later. They didn't have the dome lamp housing ($90), and couldn't find one in the valley. They couldn't provide a complete quote on the tailgate either, but what they did say matched well with online research. I got the truck back, but didn't realize the A/C wasn't working (it did seem warmer than it should have, but I was very hot and sweaty, and couldn't be sure). I had little reason to trust them before this visit, and after I examine the tires and A/C tonight (with black light), I may have strong reason to never go back again.