need chasis help!
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
From: nj
need chasis help! Ok, so I went to a local garage to look at my front end. The guy is telling me that I need lower control arm bushings, and that instead buying the bushings, I should just buy new arms because he says its cheaper to buy the new arms, than replace the bushings. The new aftermarket tubular BMR arms are about $350-$400 a pair plus installation. I'm not sure if they mount right up. Stock arms are $350 each ($700).The bushings are $30 each. So $120 for 4 bushings. I can't believe it would cost more in labor to install new bushings, than buying and paying to replace new arms. The mechanic says that replacing the bushings is such a pain, that its actually cheaper labor to just replace the arms. Is he saying that only because he doesn't want to spend the time replacing the bushings? I think, because he is is old and week with health problems and I think he doesn't have the strength to replace the bushings so he is saying its better to just replace the arms. Does anyone have actual real experience with this issue to give an honest opinion on what would be the least expensive route? It's just a street driver that doesn't get raced.
On The Tree
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 165
Likes: 0
From: Bloomington, MN
Most shops go off "book time" and often that time is padded to account for an average time accross all vehicles. Personally I think most the numbers are grossly over estimated, but im sure a mechanic will come chew me out for that.
If the book says its a half day job to get your car in, lift it up, remove the old bushings, clean it up, install, align, etc, then theyll charge you $90/hr or so for 4-5 hrs plus parts so yea depending on what arms you buy, its probably cheaper. If you can learn to do it yourself, its definitely worth it.
Example, dealer wants 800-900 to install a bushing on my diff - part was $65 and I did it in an evening with mostly normal hand tools.
If the book says its a half day job to get your car in, lift it up, remove the old bushings, clean it up, install, align, etc, then theyll charge you $90/hr or so for 4-5 hrs plus parts so yea depending on what arms you buy, its probably cheaper. If you can learn to do it yourself, its definitely worth it.
Example, dealer wants 800-900 to install a bushing on my diff - part was $65 and I did it in an evening with mostly normal hand tools.
TECH Apprentice
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 300
Likes: 0
You dnt need to drop the subframe you need to read a service manual before you tackle this job and look into an alignment shop too some may not align the car with aftermarket accessories also if you need help you can pm me I am a certified Porsche tech let me know I will walk you through it
If the shop takes on the whole job it should be cheaper just replacing the bushings. That guy is just probably being lazy and wanting to just replace the arms which is much easier.
Whether you just replace the bushings or install new arms, an alignment is necessary.
Whether you just replace the bushings or install new arms, an alignment is necessary.
