Does This Cost Sound Right For Ball Joints & Bushings?

[adam17]

I know very little about fixing cars. But love my Fiat Spider. This is why I appreciate this forum so.

I had some issues with my Fiat making noise on the front end.

Was charged $550 in labor and $135 in parts.

The work performed was the following.

Removing and replacing all 4 ball joints (2 Upper and 2 Lower). And replacing the Upper A-Frame bushings (4 Upper bushings)

I will say it was a night and day difference in the sound. I creaked so bad...and now it is so quiet. It's like a new car. I love the difference. The place I took it to specializes in Fiat's.

[mamsterla]

I am doing that job myself and I can tell you it is a ton of work. The price you were quoted seems fair for how much work it really is.

[johndemar]

The price you paid seems fair to me. My truck needs ball joints and tie rod ends and was quoted $2,200.

The parts ran me a little under $300, and I will attempt it myself. Wife thinks I'm nuts.

[RRoller123]

550 would be bargain for that work in Eastern MA.

Pete

[adam17]

I am doing that job myself and I can tell you it is a ton of work. The price you were quoted seems fair for how much work it really is.

First off all. With all do respect. I commend you for doing this job. I only wish I had the desire to learn it and do it. And i bet if I did...I still would mess it up. So I applaud you. I agree with you. It's a ton of work. And if not done right...it could be dangerous. Who I took this to only works on Fiat's and has done so for the last 30 years. So he was able to do it in like an hour and a half while I waited. But I appreciate you telling me it's seemed fair. Why I questioned it is I was charged such a large amount of money in a short time. But I guess it does not matter the time. It's the job performed. So you comments helped me digest this more.

Adam

[mamsterla]

I finished one side and it took me about 6 hours. Most of it is probably because I have not done it before, but I am also doing the front hubs at the same time.

Getting some of the nuts off is really hard - especially the 22mm on the ball joints themselves. If you had both sides done, you really did well for the complexity of the job. I am sure my second side will go faster, but I still think it will be a couple of hours at a minimum.

[DieselSpider]

Did he charge you a flat rate, average hours per the book or are his labor charges really over $275 an hour (over $275 an hour is a bit extreme)?

Did he actually remove the lower control arms or just lower them a bit and pop the ball joints without removing the arms and then do the bushings and ball joints on the upper without removing the springs?

[mamsterla]

There is no way to replace the 4 A arm bushings without removing the spring and the A arms themselves. Doing just the ball joints you might be able to do some shortcuts, but getting those 22mm nylock nuts off the spindle would be tough.

[DieselSpider]

There is no way to replace the 4 A arm bushings without removing the spring and the A arms themselves. Doing just the ball joints you might be able to do some shortcuts, but getting those 22mm nylock nuts off the spindle would be tough.

Only the upper were done which I don't believe requires the spring to be pulled since its a through bolt that can be slid out going though the bushings. Once you have the lower supported and the ball joints popped the upper does not encapsulate the spring since its an open wishbone.

[RRoller123]

That is correct. I just replaced the upper bolts on mine and it is really easy. The spring does not effect it, once supported from below, simple unbolt/rebolt job.