Shop quoted $1200 to replace front control arms and tie rods

LordBritish · Jun 20, 2017

I noticed that I had some vibration while driving so I took it into a local shop to get looked at.

They said there was excessive play in the front control arms and tie rods.

They quoted a price of $1200 of which $610 is parts and the rest labor.

That sounds too expensive to me but I just wanted to get your opinion.

My car is a 2005 Mustang GT Coupe.

tjm73 · Jun 20, 2017

What is the shop labor rate?

You can buy a pair of front control arms from CJ Pony for $190 bucks. http://www.cjponyparts.com/front-lo...P/?year=2005&gclid=CKyv8JeozdQCFYk2gQod380P-Q

bujeezus · Jun 20, 2017

You can buy the GT500 Ford Racing control arms for $305. Moog inner and outer tie rod ends will run you about $140. That leaves $755 for labor? For that price, I'd learn how to replace them myself.

Badd GT · Jun 20, 2017

I just did this to my car, got the gt500 arms for $300, Moog inner and outer tie rods and Moog end links and all new prothane front and rear sway bar bushings for about $500 + or -, and put it all on on a saturday. Its not hard. Google and U-tube will set u up if you are unsure.

Benwhite911 · Jun 20, 2017

Yes. That's a little high. The others here have stated what I think are great options. If you're the type that would like to buy the parts yourself, and perhaps find a trusted shop to do the install, rockauto.com is an excellent way to to do this. Here's a link for the GT500 Front control arms. They're very inexpensive.

https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog...rcharged,1433450,suspension,control+arm,10401

LordBritish · Jun 20, 2017

Are these all the parts I need?

Two front lower control arms
Two inner tie rod ends
Two outer tie rod ends

TIA

Badd GT · Jun 20, 2017

no, you need end links also

LordBritish · Jun 20, 2017

Badd GT said:
no, you need end links also

Hmm, I think I need to look at a diagram of the front suspension.

Do the end links go onto the tie rods?

Excuse my ignorance.

OK, i looked it up, these are the parts that connect to the front sway bar right?

Badd GT · Jun 20, 2017

Correct, and if your doing all that, for $20 more put new sway bar bushings in also. Now you front end is basically new.

LordBritish · Jun 20, 2017

So here's my shopping list:

Ford Performance Front Lower Control Arms (M-3075-E): $302
MOOG Front Inner Tie Rod End (EV80804): $32 each x 2 = $64
MOOG Outer Tie Rod End (ES80805): $24 each x 2 = $48
MOOG Sway bar end link (K80899): $29 each x 2 = $58
Prothane Sway Bar Bushing Kit (6-1161-BL) : $10

Total: $482

That's still less than $610 for parts that the shop quoted me.

So I think I'll just order the parts and have them put it on.

Now, there's no difference between left and right parts right?

Anything else I'm missing ?

RocketcarX · Jun 20, 2017

To play the Devil's advocate you are leaving out some critical info, mostly the labor rate and the parts list.
Post the estimate and I'll rework it and tell you if it is actually high.
They are also aligning the car, so at least $85 of the estimate is that part.

Badd GT · Jun 20, 2017

X is correct, you will need an alignment. I dont know how a shop will react to you supplying all your parts, kinda like bringing your own steak to a restaurant LOL. Parts list looks complete, make sure those part numbers are correct and you should be good to go.

skwerl · Jun 20, 2017

All shops will also have some markup on parts. This is normal and acceptable, so $600 for parts isn't out of line.

LordBritish · Jun 20, 2017

RocketcarX said:
To play the Devil's advocate you are leaving out some critical info, mostly the labor rate and the parts list.
Post the estimate and I'll rework it and tell you if it is actually high.
They are also aligning the car, so at least $85 of the estimate is that part.

Ok, I'll see if I can get the hourly rate.

The shop said the $610 for parts included the control arms and the tie rod ends (inner & outer I assume). They said they would use genuine Ford OE parts. They didn't mention any other parts.

tjm73 · Jun 20, 2017

They probably quoted Ford parts from a dealership, so $600 isn't out of the realm of possibilities. There are cheaper sources, but lots of repair shops don't shop around like that. They buy where it's easy to buy and fast to get.

RocketcarX · Jun 20, 2017

They also have to mark them up to make a profit, as well as repair the vehicle free of charge in the event of a parts failure under warranty.

LordBritish · Jun 20, 2017

RocketcarX said:
They also have to mark them up to make a profit, as well as repair the vehicle free of charge in the event of a parts failure under warranty.

I realize that.

It doesn't sound like they're ripping me off, however, I can obtain better parts for less. So it just makes sense to do that. I'll still be giving them business (for labor).

Iceman62 · Jun 20, 2017

Might also want to double-check w/the shop b/c some won't install parts they didn't procure...some form of legal liability policy.

skwerl · Jun 20, 2017

Yeah, the vast majority of their bill will be the labor. But that's what they need in order to keep the doors open and pay everybody. I think asking them to install parts you bought elsewhere at a discounted price may be taken as an insult and you may not get the kindest reception. If you need to pay them for the service of doing the labor, let them make the $50-100 on parts also. If money is that tight then break out your toolbox and swap the parts yourself. Then pay them for the alignment afterward.

Badd GT · Jun 20, 2017

skwerl said:
Yeah, the vast majority of their bill will be the labor. But that's what they need in order to keep the doors open and pay everybody. I think asking them to install parts you bought elsewhere at a discounted price may be taken as an insult and you may not get the kindest reception. If you need to pay them for the service of doing the labor, let them make the $50-100 on parts also. If money is that tight then break out your toolbox and swap the parts yourself. Then pay them for the alignment afterward.

Bingo!

Shop quoted $1200 to replace front control arms and tie rods

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