Front End work: A good price?

d9103365 · Apr 20, 2020

I haven't had any front end work done in years, so I don't have any good frames of reference.

I was recently quoted $850 parts/labor to replace upper ball joints and upper/lower control arm bushings on my 75 plymouth fury sport. The front end has been vibrating badly especially on the driver's side, and the front tires are worn to the threads on the inner treads due to bad camber wear.

I got a little bit of sticker shock when I heard the price. Last time I remember having any front end work done was when I was a kid and my Dad had ball joints and tie rod ends replaced on our 71 Maverick

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Is this a reasonable price today?

70chall440 · Apr 20, 2020

Does that include a front end alignment? If so, it isn't horrible, if not IMO its a bit high but then again shop rate is something like $70/hr (guessing here) and then parts, so it might be in the ball park.

Aeronet · Apr 20, 2020

Doesn't sound so bad, especially considering the work involved to replace lower control arm bushings.
I've also read (Rick Ehrenberg of Mopar Action) that you don't need to replace the upper ball joints unless they are completely shot. From personal experience I would worry about the lower ball joints. They are the ones that take most of the load.

1 Wild R/T · Apr 20, 2020

Aeronet said:
Doesn't sound so bad, especially considering the work involved to replace lower control arm bushings.
I've also read (Rick Ehrenberg of Mopar Action) that you don't need to replace the upper ball joints unless they are completely shot. From personal experience I would worry about the lower ball joints. They are the ones that take most of the load.

Agree!! Upper ball joints don't carry any load, nearly a pivot point... Lower ball joints carry the load... Lower bushings & lower ball joints are the high load parts...

Aeronet · Apr 21, 2020

The upper control arm bushings must be replaced if they are worn out or it won't hold caster or camber, and thus the toe will change too (personal experience).
I don't know if the upper control arm can be removed without damaging the ball joint. The boot will get damaged and need replacement.
Also, I'm pretty sure the balljoints on a '75 are threaded. Make sure the shop knows this.

yella71 · Apr 21, 2020

that's what it costs in 2020......and you will get cheap **** chineese parts. its called progress

Jeff Brundage · Apr 21, 2020

yella71 said:
that's what it costs in 2020......and you will get cheap **** chineese parts. its called progress

The reason all we can get is cheap china parts is nobody wanting to buy made in usa/canada parts. We did this to ourselves slowly over the last couple of decades. Instead of complaining about the $850 to do the work, you should ask around if the shop does quality work? Does he treat/pay his employees good? Just being focused on everything being cheap has put North America in the crappy position its in now.

Don Frelier · Apr 21, 2020

I think it's a bargain.
That's a bit of work I would ask what the replacement parts will be, they do vary quite a bit in quality.

Mopars & Missiles · Apr 21, 2020

It ALWAYS costs more when you can't do it yourself.

yella71 · Apr 21, 2020

Jeff Brundage said:
The reason all we can get is cheap china parts is nobody wanting to buy made in usa/canada parts. We did this to ourselves slowly over the last couple of decades. Instead of complaining about the $850 to do the work, you should ask around if the shop does quality work? Does he treat/pay his employees good? Just being focused on everything being cheap has put North America in the crappy position its in now.

you got that right

d9103365 · Apr 24, 2020

Thanks for the input. Yes, the upper ball joints had no rubber left on them I'm told, and the tires had really bad camber wear. I had to replace them too. And yes, they did do an alignment. Drives much better now, and at least I'm not terrified that the front end will go out from under me and put me in the ditch. I can see a big difference in just how the car sits. I can do some things myself - but not this...just don't have the room or tools for it.

I'm also pretty confident in the shop's mechanics and their work - had work done here for years and so has my neighbor....so I'm sure they did a good job. I was just surprised by the price, but these postings have made me feel better about it....thanks! Now I've got to lysol the inside of the car to ensure that its COVID free before driving.

Front End work: A good price?

d9103365

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1 Wild R/T

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Aeronet

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yella71

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Jeff Brundage

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