YOUR OPINION ON LABOR CHARGES

So over the last year my trucks ride has gotten really rough and i have been fighting a vibration in the steering wheel. I have replaced rack bushings, installed hub centric adapters on my wheels and it still has a slight vibration and still rides rough. So i take it to my local mechanic which is a Napa service center and they check it out. They say my front Bilstein hd's are toast which are only 4yrs old and that the lower ball joints have play also. I also need lower control arm bushings which started squeaking after the last ice storm. He also said that the caster on my alignment is probaly out and causing some of the high speed vibe. The local Autozone is going to warranty the shocks and replace them. The shop will install them. This all comes with a 2yr 24,000 mile warranty that is good at any Napa service center and the ball joints are lifetime. For a grand total of $1350.00. Do you all think this high or a decent deal. Also the man that owns the shop and his first mate are both Toyota master mechanics which gives me some peace of mind. I just dont have the time or facility to tackle the A-arm bushings and shocks and would run all over to get alignment and the proper tools to do the shocks. Anyhow, whats your thoughts?

 

So what exactly would they be replacing? Shocks, lower ball joints, lower control arm bushings, and an alignment?

 

He's charging you $1350 to replace two front shocks, two lower ball joints and the control arm bushings? Maybe it's because I don't ever take my vehicles to a shop, but I wouldn't pay that much to have that done. Seems like only a few hours work to me.

 

That's just labor cost, or that includes the ball joints and bushings?

 

Thats labor, Bj's, bushings, alignment, shop supplies, switching out shocks, and taxes.

 

Wish you were closer, lol. I usually do all i can myself, but with no spring compressor, no ball joit tool, or a press and its cold, icy, rainy ect here now.

 

Yeah it helps to have a shop with a lift.

 

I noticed you are in Denison. I know its a bit of a drive, but I use a toyota mechanic in Fort Worth that will pretty much beat any prices and warranty his work. Hes trustworthy.

Just PM me if you are interested in his information.

 

Yea its also a time frame deal, they said they could do it in day. We cant get along being a car down for very long. Kids basketball practice, school, me and the wifes work.

 

Really they just pull up the manual and charge you by however many hours the book "says" it'll take. Been trying to get my coils replaced on my coil overs and its been pretty pricey. 3-450 just for labor. But if you go to a show that knows that they're doing it should be a lot cheaper because they know the actual time it costs to complete. Still seems a little steep though

 

You don't need a press for the LBJ's. There's a $20 puller tool.
Most shops can change out the shocks on a strut for ~$50 if you bring them the assembly already off the truck.
Is there REALLY play in the LCA bushings? If they're stock LCA's and bushings they are a royal pain to change and I simply recommend replacing the whole arm with a new OEM unit.

I wouldn't pay a shop that much. Just my opinion.

 

That's a fair price, 2.0 to R&R struts, another 1.0 per lower control arms R&R, .5 for R&R bushings per arm, .5 for BJ R&R +alignement+parts+tax. If the shop is charging 100-120/hr that sounds about right. Took me 3 hours to remove my lowers, hammer out the bushings, and press in the new ones.

 

Pressing bushings out was what i would use a press for, new LCA's from Camel back are $190 each. Yes they are loose and they squeak like rubber on metal. I could move the arm about 1/8" to 3/16".

Is a $100 an hour alot, yes. Would i rather go a different route, yes. Do i have time, tools, place, patience to run all over town looking for a shop that is willing to drop what everything and assymble struts and then find an alignment place, no not really. Thanks for everyones info and opinions but i guess ill eat it and be happy that my truck hopefully rides and drives like its suppose again. Its fast approaching 200,000 miles.

 

Not trying to be cute but too bad you live so far away.
I am in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, just across the border from Laredo.
I know a good mechanic who will work for $5/hr, but then you would spend 100s just traveling back and forth LOL.

 

Bad part is they just called and said they had trouble getting the A-frame bushings out and wouldnt have it done today. But i dropped it off at 8am and it dodnt move till 11am. They should have stayed late to finish for me. I was only off work today and now have no truck.

 

Maybe do what's easiest yourself so you can save some money. My mechanic charges me low rates but he does have a system that he uses for most customers. He inputs the job and the computer gives him the time frame. It's usually higher time frame than what the job would call for. Maybe have your mechanic do the LCA bushings because I've heard its difficult. I've done lower ball joints and it takes maybe 1.5 hrs per side. Then For the coils you can rent a coil compressor from auto zone for $40 bucks then You get your money back once you return it, same goes for the ball joint press and puller for tie rod.

Just trying to let you know it can be done in a day by you if you want to save some money. I don't have experience with the LCA bushings but I've heard negative things.