99 Ram 1500 4x4 w/ 5.2L

Normally I would fix these things myself, but I am working 2 jobs and just flat out don't have the time to do it. And since this is my only vehicle, I need to get back up and running quickly. I was wondering if the prices I was quoted were fair for the repairs listed below.

Rear Drums:
Wheel Cylinders, Shoes, Drums + Misc. parts (both sides)
$405 parts and labor

Front Axle U-Joints, ones on outer wheel assembly
$450 parts & labor

Trac-bar install, I have the part been meaning to install for the past 2 months
$70 for install

Shocks all 4 corners
$390 parts and labor

I always get nervous about going to shops.... especially since I have an idea of what it takes to fix these things. Anyone have any honest thoughts on the prices there quoting.

Thanks!

 

Mmmm, not versed in 4WD, but brakes are fairly simple. Why are you replacing the wheel cylinders? Leaking? Why not set aside about 3 hours on a weekend and do them yourself and save money?

Again, with owning a 4x4 comes high dollar repair bills. This could be about right.

Probably another Saturday project. That's beer money right there.

I believe this would be considered First Degree Rape. If you agree to this, bring some **** Lube so the reaming doesn't hurt that bad.

 

Pass side cylinder blew, brake fluid everywhere. If I have to replace that one, I'll replace both.


Yeah I could see the u-joints taking 4 hours by the time you pull it all apart and put it back together...

The trac bar I can certainly do, just one of those things... if its in the shop already. And like I said, I am working 2 jobs.... free time is very slim these days.

Yeah the shocks I thought may be high... depends on the shocks though, they run from $40-$65 for mid grade shocks x 4 plus 1-2 hrs labor... it gets you in the neighborhood.

 

You can go and buy some really good Bilistein shocks for $260. Get those and install them yourself. I did mine in half a day.

 

Honestly, do the work yourself. The brakes are the most important, so spend a Saturday doing them. Perhaps something different each weekend and save the major work to be farmed out.


The goal is more beer money -- at least it is in my book.

 

I don't disagree about doing the work myself, I've tackled tougher jobs. Last round of repairs I did front bearings, tie rods, a/c comp., a/c evap, heater core, front brakes, etc...

Right now I just don't have the time, or the luxury of my truck being down for days on end if I hit a snag.

So... back to the question at hand, are the prices ok?

 

Yes, except for the shocks.

I think shops always try to rape people on shocks. I once got a quote for 4 new struts on a 1999 Yota Camry: $850.

 

OUCH! that hurts more than the quote I got!!!

thanks for the input.... I think I agree with you on the shocks being a bit high. I just priced them out more thoroughly... definitely seems padded.

 

Just a thanks for your help/insight guys.

After haggling a little they came down to $270 for the shocks installed. Same shocks and everything.... I knew they were high.

 

shocks cost about $120, i'd say another $120 to install. total=$240.

rear drum brakes are too high. its very unlikely you need new drums. even if you do, they're probably not more than $50 ea. so $50-150 for parts and another $100 for labor. total = $100-250.

track bar ok.

front axle u-joints. maybe a little high, but this is a pretty expensive job, probably close to 4 hrs labor. do this - get it in writing whether your front axle seals are, or are not leaking. also get in writing that they guarantee for 1 year that your seals won't leak. also get in writing that if they do - they will replace the seals at no cost to you. mechanics in a hurry will damage these seals 9 out of 10 times. the repair cost is another $400-500. they will likely not give you this in writing, or, if they do, they plan on screwing you over down the line. a written guarantee gives you a chance of holding them to it.