What is the going price for a front end alignment on a Dakota SLT 2x4? The rubber bushings in the stabalizer bars need replaced too. One place here said about $350. Thanks.

 

Firestone does it for around $70. But I have gotten their lifetime aliment. It was about $200. I already used it a good 4-5 times. Completely free after the first time.

 

Yeah, $350 is complete rip off. Most places around me are between $60 and $80.

 

I'm assuming the $350 includes alignment and sway bar bushings? Still a rip. Alignment will be around $70 +/-, unless you go with the Firestone lifetime, which is a great deal! 3 visits, and it's paid for itself.

The sway bar bushings for your 2WD will come in to about $46-$71 (appx) for parts.
Your gonna need: 2 of http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/de...PartType=C0106
And either 2 of http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/de...PartType=C0106 (26mm bar)
or 2 of http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/de...PartType=C0106 (28mm bar)

At least on the 4WD, their pretty easy to replace. 8 bolts. On the 2WD, looks like 6 bolts.

 

Yes, it needs the sway bar bushings and alignmernt. So that's $60-80 for labor plus cost of the sway bar bushings. The sway bar has 6 bolts. I got the two middle ones off, but couldn't get at the rest. Is it true that if the bushings are replaced the front end needs alignment too? Thanks.

 

$75 for base cost of bushings + $80 labor = $155 + $70 alignment = $225

$350-$225 = $125. Either they have a ridiculous markup on parts, or (probably the correct assumption) they are ripping you off.

What do you mean you couldn't get at the rest? I assume your talking about the two holding it to the lower control arms? (theres four bolts total that hold it to the frame, and two bolts total that hold them to the lower control arms)

You do not need to get an alignment because of a steering stabilizer.

 

Does that include all the replacement parts such as ball joints and bushings etc?

 

No, thats just for an alignment. If you need to replace ball joints, you're best off buying the parts and tools and doing it yourself, because it will cost you anywhere from $500-700 to get them replaced at a shop, whereas you can buy the ball joints and the tool (or just rent the tool) for a fraction of that price.

 

I'd show you a picture but can't seem to get it sized right. The impact wrench won't fit in a couple of places.

These bars have a nut on each end that attach to a black place and goes to each wheel. The two middle bolts attach to the frame.

 

Thanks for the tip. I called Firestone and they wanted $75 per bar and $75 for the alignment.