chiefttp

I own an 81 that needs upper control arm bushings, sway bar bushings, etc..mostly front suspension. We're going to replace them all since the originals are all still on the car. Ballpark a reasonable price, with a 4 wheel alignment. Just want to see if I'm getting a good deal. Getting rubber bushings, not the poly
Thanks

Mr D.

I'm guessing 12 - 16 hrs labor @ $75 per plus alignment plus parts.

My WAG is $1,500 to $2,000

It's a pretty easy job you can do yourself if you have the space to work in and a few tools.

Peterbuilt

I'll guess $600.00 to $800.00.
It depends on the quality of the ball joints as prices are between $20.00 and on up. (x4)

If you have the original trailing arm shims you can forget about getting the rear toe set or be prepared to pay extra.

Easy Mike

What kind of deal do you have and can you live with it?

RMVette

Gotten any quotes yet? Just curious....

chiefttp

$1300. This includes all the front end and some rear bushings as they are all original. Also includes new front shocks and the final 4 wheel alignment. The shop owner is a friend, and most importantly is a "car guy" who knows his way around Vettes. Thanks for your inputs,

CA-Legal-Vette

I think that's a pretty good price. It be curious which rear bushings he was planning on replacing. If the trailing arm bushings, that's a great price.

chiefttp

I asked him about the trailing arms and he said they looked pretty good. He said the monospring bushings looked good too, but they'd replace them. I know my way around a car OK but am a bit out of my league when it comes to suspension systems..I figured let the experts take care of this job.

upnorth

I must of got a pretty good deal . I bought all the parts . Was charged 500 each for front and back . Front did all the bushings Bought a full rebuild kit ) and new coil springs . back had rebuilt trailing arms , new mono spring and bushings replaced . Car drives like new no play anywhere . Took him a few weeks to get it done on each , did the back in 2015 and the front 2016 . This year its seats and door panels .

mardyn

1300. for all of it sounds almost too good to be true... that's a bargain IMO.

mardyn

flyeri

A lot of people here with tools, average or better mechanical skills, and room to do this job would never think of paying that much. However I think you found a very good deal if you must pay for the work to be done. It will be a day or little more for your guy to do. For most of us it will be a multi day task because we will have to clean and repaint everything within sight of each wheel well. Also we will find some other things to fix at the same time. After it is all said and done your price is probably better.

Mr D.

That is a very fair price, parts alone are about $750.00 retail.

Mr D.

A front end rebuild would turn into a frame off in my garage.

chiefttp

Update,
With some of the advice proferred here on CF I spoke to my friend who will be doing the job. I mentioned about the problem concerning if the rear shims were originals he may have an issue with the alignment, and he knew exactly what I was talking about. I'm more than happy with the cost, especially since he's done a lot of Vettes in the past and knows all the ins and outs of the job.
Thanks for all your advice and suggestions

joewill

for all you folks that want to do this at home.. be prepared for a long and lengthy process.. is you are paying someone to do it.. and your parts are all original and 40 years old, be prepared for price escalation. bolts will break, the project will be delayed by waiting on parts. your trailing arms and front control arms might be rusted out or bent, making alignment impossible. if you are doing front coil springs you should do the rear spring also. you will need coil spring compression tools, a press, torque wrench, special GM tools, etc..

want your parts to look really nice.. how about powdercoating/sandblasting/painting the parts.

the 'while you're at it disease' will hit you. since it is all apart, how about throwing a kit into your calipers and new brake hoses, turn your rotors, new pads.. new ujoints on your half shafts.. heavy duty rear end cover.. replace your front bearings.. tie rod ends, idler arm, power steering pressure hoses.

the point is, if you are going that far into your car. it is a good idea to consider going all out. make it nice and pretty, do it right and you are good for 100K miles.

Mr D.

I will add to Joe comment, if you are going to do a complete front end and rear end rebuild than just pull the body and run through the whole chassis.