Hi all, so Ive been talking with a mechanic back and forth about rebuilding my front suspension and also adding my rough country lift kit. He initially tried to just do the lift kit but couldnt go on because the lower strut bolt was so seized. Anyhow, he said id need a new lower strut bushing and that exploration lead me to just look into replacing all my weak front end parts while im at it.

Anyhow, this may look a familiar from my previous post but here is what im replacing:

2x Rancho front shocks/struts
2x Front Upper Control Arms Front (left & right) Complete with bushings and ball joints
2x Front Lower Ball joints
2x Front Outer Tie Rod Ends
2x Front Steering Inner Tie Rod Rack Ends
2x Stabilizer Sway Bar Links
2x Front Upper Strut Mounts
1x Sway Bar Bushing Kit
2x Lower Control Arm Bushing kit w/ bolt
+ Rough Country lift kit with rear shocks.

He told me other shops he called around wanted 1450 -1700 in labor but also wanted me to buy their parts from them. His price he quoted me at for everything is $850.

Is that a fair price? Please let me know, thanks.

 

Don't know about the pricing, sounds reasonable. I hear moog parts for replacements are better. I replace/upgrade only stuff that is broken usually.

Throw the sway bar end links in the trash, along with the sway bar, that will save you some $.

I think the upper ball joints and the sway bar end links are the weakest components.

 

Thanks. Yes, I had to reorder everything making sure I got the moog problem solvers. Any who, im really looking to get opinions from others on the pricing. Thanks

 

To get my Struts, and Mounts done, and leveling kit installed cost me around $600 alone so, I also had a oil change and tire rotation done to, but those arnt much.
Tie-rods and End Links arent expensive, KEEP YOUR SWAY BAR since your 2wd, Unless you plan to off-road alot.

Having it all done at once would cut the labour cost alot, I did most or mine part by part, Before I started doing most myself (Tight costs when I got my ATV made me replace my Wheel Hub myself, learned the front suspension and brakes good)

 

good price for all that labor. Thing is he is doing it all at once so it makes it easier for him but at the same time it is a lot of work to do plus if that includes an alignment it is a good deal..

 

Does that price include parts and installation or just installation? If his labor rate is $75/hr, thats 12 hours worth of work. I'd ask to see that little book all mechanics use to estimate times for labor charges. See if it is actually supposed to take 12 hours for all that work.

 

Thanks guys. I talked to another mechanic and hes also just down the street from my house. Says he will do it all for $500 and include an alignment. The other mechanic decided to price match minus the alignment so im leaning towards the new mechanic who promises $500 flat rate for everything with free alignment.

 

If you have a seized lower strut bolt, the chances are good that you'll also have seized lower control arm bolts. If this is the case, it won't be a small job you should have that scenario covered by a "what if" quote by both mechanics so that you know what the worst case might be before you start. Also, if those bolts are seized, it won't be a 1 day job - those parts are dealership parts and will need to be ordered once the mechanic sees he needs them. These bolts/bushings need to be free moving to do a proper alignment.

 

Hi Alfons, i did have that check and the lca looks fine. I already ordered the lower strut bushing with bolt. I got mine from Monroe and thats already included in price.

 

Well then, go for it. If you're paying for all the parts separately, then $500 is a reasonable quote, especially if it includes an alignment, so if you trust either or both mechanics, then go with the one you trust most. Trust is a very big part of cash deals with no paperwork to back them up.