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I'm trying to break down this crazy quote I got for work that my Vette needs done.
I'm going to go at it in little bits. The first thing that jumped out at me was the front control arms.
Are they really $3400 in parts?? They're quoting a Van Steel part that's listed at less than $2100 on the website.
And $700 in labor. My questions are; 1. Don't shops get better deals on parts than the public? 2. Is $700 fair for labor (no, I can't do it myself). 3. Why do they need to be replaced rather than just being taken off and refinished?
They didn't say anything about cracked metal or serious rust that would require replacement.
Second thing that jumps out is the rear trailing arms. $833 for parts seems reasonable, but almost $1200 in labor? Again, I'm not capable of doing the work myself, but that seems high. Is it really 10 hours of shop time?
I would just replace the bushings and ball joints, about 200 in parts total, labor about 500, and I would find another shop for sure.
the a-arms on these corvettes are good components as stock
First where are you located? I would then post need help to find a shop near me that someone on the Forum has used and is reputable. The part prices seems to be rather high in cost Unless you are upgrading to and aftermarket kit. All the stock components to rebuild a front suspension should cost no more then $400 plus then labor. If you are also replacing springs, shocks and Bearings add another $400. Rear suspension has a lot of labor time depending on what is being done. You should also add all the components that are being replaced front and rear for a more accurate estimate of cost.
I hate to say this because I know the challenge you've had with finding a reasonably priced and trustworthy shop... I don't like that they are looking to replace rather than refit with new consumables. The rubber bushings are meant to wear and be changed out. Did you happen to ask about only replacing the bushings? What are your goals with the car in general -- I forget if you mentioned in another thread, are you OK with aftermarket parts or are you trying to keep it all GM original appearance?
$700 in labor > $350/side> assuming $75-$100 hour rate... 3.5 to 4.5 hours side. That's not out of line from what I remember of the job - which I hope includes resetting the alignment.
The trans is from 1967, the engine is from 1974. Original she is not.
So with that out of the picture, yes, I wonder why they want me to replace entirely instead of fixing.
I never said I wanted to do that.
And no, there's a $469 charge for alignment after...
Holy smokes thats an expensive alignment. the only way i could see it being anywhere near that price would be if your rear alignment was way off and the everything was rusted/frozen up where the shims go for the toe adjustment. i think you may need to look elsewhere for someone to work on your car. i had my car lined up last summer and the price was under $100.00 they did not have to adjust the rear toe. same deal with the control arms unless they are rotted out or something you would only replace the bushing and ball joints.
In my business we used to call that a “I don’t really want the business, but if you insist I’ll take your money” bid. Completely unreasonable in my mind.
From: Some days your the dog and some days your the hydrant.
Royal Canadian Navy
He owns a vette so he must have money. Charge him double. Go back with a Nova and the front end repairs would be half that price for basically the same suspension. Find another shop.
I don't know if they just think I'm a rube or what. I'm going to print out the entire quote and go back and have them discuss it with me.
The mechanic seemed to know his stuff but he just inputs the data and then the guys in the office do parts and labor for the estimate.
I went to this shop on a recommendation. Supposedly they service A LOT of corvettes for the local Vette clubs.
I'm beginning to think Brevard Co, FL has zero honest auto shops.
Brother, I do all my own installation. I paid $189 (retail) for a full rear suspension kit, $183 (retail) for a full front suspension kit. All parts installed on my original Corvette pieces. And then $300 for an excellent 4 wheel alignment which is just a tad high but the guy is as fussy as I am so I don't mind paying. Your shop is quoting you in the stratosphere for this job. Dump them quick, they're boning you.
The trans is from 1967, the engine is from 1974. Original she is not.
So with that out of the picture, yes, I wonder why they want me to replace entirely instead of fixing.
I never said I wanted to do that.
And no, there's a $469 charge for alignment after...
Again, I forget from a couple months ago, is there a negative driving characteristic you are trying to fix? Does it wander on the road? Is there a looseness in the steering or suspension causing driveability or tire wear issues? Only if there is a definite problem you'd like to address would I recommend servicing either the front or back. If you still want to move forward (I'm projecting here, so take it as you may): I'd reply to the estimate that I just can't swing that amount of money, what options do we have? And ask for an estimate to put in standard replacement bushings.
I don't know if they just think I'm a rube or what. I'm going to print out the entire quote and go back and have them discuss it with me.
The mechanic seemed to know his stuff but he just inputs the data and then the guys in the office do parts and labor for the estimate.
I went to this shop on a recommendation. Supposedly they service A LOT of corvettes for the local Vette clubs.
I'm beginning to think Brevard Co, FL has zero honest auto shops.
Please advise if you expressed your intended use/performance requirements. Unless you are wanting to remove all deflection from your suspension (and frame, don't forget that it flexes also) AND the control arms are not cracked or rotted, I don't see the need to do more than replace with good quality rubber TRW or equivalent components. I refreshed my suspension over 20 years ago and with it sitting indoors most of the time, it gets little to no rot on rubber components.
I told them that I wanted them to give me an honest assessment of my car and what they think needs to be fixed on it. I also told them that I've been to 2 other places and got what I felt were pretty high quotes.
I did not say, turn her into a race car. I did not say, money is no object (quite the opposite).
I did say that it wanders a bit at lower speeds and then straightens up once I hit 45 to 50 mph.
And the full estimate of everything they suggested, bottom line $18k in fixes. And they didn't even address the new convertible top, top frame repairs, and window adjustments that I know it needs.
I’m speechless. Look at the cost of parts and then what the labor adds and you get an idea of the ridiculous mark up. That said, what is their hourly rate? That will provide some insight into whether they have hands of gold, are just really really slow or both.
So, over $300 for a dimmer switch. Someone remind me. Does a ‘71 still have the dimmer switch on the floor? If so, two screws and a connector is a five minute job. If it is in the steering column, one hour for a master mechanic. Is their hourly rate $300/hour!
Yes, it's on the floor. That's one of the things I want to talk to them about. I really hope they upgraded their software and made a huge mistake and really aren't gouging people this bad on purpose.
I don’t know that I would bother talking to them, just run away as fast as you can. OMG, the dimmer switch is the one that got me too! I can’t believe that estimate. Wow.
$453 dollars for a fuel tank? Like Factoid said, they are marking up your parts over 100 percent in addition to an insane amount of labor. I can’t stop looking at that estimate. Sheesh!
Last edited by 69ttop502; Feb 26, 2021 at 07:55 AM.
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Replace 71 control arms?
