Need forum members opinions -

Aside from getting work done at GM dealerships, I would like member inputs on the cost of getting ball-joint work done.

A local GM dealer (that I have used several times in the past and has done excellent work) has offered to do my son's '92 couple's upper & lower ball-joints for $210 in labor - I can bring my own parts as long as they are GM - and Chris has provided me with great prices on the parts already. The labor breakdown is $65 per hour - 1 hr for each upper ball-joint replacement and 40 min per each lower ball-joint replacement ($130 upper & $80 lower). I would never entrust the vette to a suspension shop like Midas but I trust this dealer's work.

Considering my inexperience with drilling out (at the proper angle) the upper joints - and the nightmare & cost that could result, I think this price is very reasonable. Any thoughts?? :)

 

I use my own mechanic.
He is pretty cool.
In HB.
:cheers:

 

Not trying to jack the thread, but is it just me or was :withstupid: absolutely no help at all? What's the point in even replying?! Then again, I guess the same could be said about me here... Oh well.

Assuming that balljoints are a pretty meaty job (labor-wise), I'd say the $210 sounds pretty fair - that's only 3 hours worth of labor! The only downside seems to be the "only GM parts" clause of the deal. Get the price of GM parts and an equivalent non-GM part, then get a quote from a non-dealer repair shop for labor on the job. If the dealer labor + GM parts is more than non-dealer + non-OEM parts, then I think you have an answer! Best of luck, either way... :cheers:

 

Probably not a bad price.

But, why don't you let your 'fingers do the walking', call other dealerships in the area, and get n estimate.
In either case, its not a difficult job, & you may get a non dealership to do it for alot less.

Just a thought. :cheers:

 

Thanks for the inputs...

I've lived in the area all my life - there are a total of 6 dealerships in a 25 mile radius - only two are willing to do the ball-joint work (unless I bought the car there). Of the two, one won't let me provide the parts and their prices are $134 vs $77 EACH for the upper joints alone.

This dealership I use has been great in the past - example - I purchased a new starter from Jeff K - had them install it for $60 - it was bad right out of the box! They got a replacement for me overnight and installed the new one at no charge - I thought that was great "customer-care"... something I didn't think they had to do.

I can understand them only wanting GM parts - they not only guarantee their work for 90 days, but also the GM parts per GM warranty.

I'm not afraid to replace the lower ball-joints, but why bother - they have the car and for $80 when I pick it up, its done. I called several shops to see if they would do the work - when I told them it was a Corvette, the first thing they asked was "upper or lower ball-joints" - they wouldn't even consider doing the upper's, afraid of that drilling I guess!

The GM parts are more expensive even with Chris' discount, but my son perfers not to put anything non-OEM on the car (except for tires). His car - he's paying for the repair so I can't really object - and I don't have a good reason to. :nonod:

 

I know what you mean about non-OEM stuff, but there are several parts on the car that are made for GM by a third party - wheel bearings, for example. You can go to the dealer and pay 200+ for "GM bearings" (well, in a GM box, at least) or you could go to Pep Boys and pay 105 for the *EXACT* same bearing, just not in a GM box. The ball joints could be a similar situation, but as you said, if your son is paying for it, why should you worry? Best of luck!

 

Labor charges seem about right. I busted both my lower ball joints last year, cost me about $100 for the labor. I took it to a TireKingdom I get my alignments at all the time, and I trust them. They let me bring my own parts. I got Moog replacements, suppose to be as good if not better then the GM parts. Plus about $40 cheaper per joint.

 

Why not just replace them yourself, and bring the car in for an alignment after?
:steering: