• Welcome to the Contour Enthusiasts Group, the best resource for the Ford Contour and Mercury Mystique.

    You can register to join the community.

Questions on new struts, price, tie rod

M

Myrosia

CEG'er
Joined
May 27, 2003
Messages
171
Location
Shelby Twp, Michigan
Hey guys.

I want to get new struts from the dealer.

1. I had a 2 quotes.

One dealer quoted me $981.52: fronts = $467.04, rears = $514.51

The other quoted me $724.00: front = $306.00, rears = $418.00

So, why is one dealer charging $257.00 more?

2. I also need an outer tie rod. Should I ask them to replace it at the same time I have my struts put on since they have to undo the tie rods anyways?

Therefore, I should not have to pay labor to replace the strut right?

My car is an 1999 Ford Contour SE 2.0 DOHC 4 cylinder.

Manufactured: 10/98

Tires are 205/60R15 90T

Thanks.

Maria
 
Dealers are free to set their own prices. One of them chose to be more expensive than the other.

Just disconnecting the tie rod end to replace the strut is not as involved as actually replaing it. I would expect to pay a bit more. Since it is already a pretty big job, it certainly worth asking if they would replace it without additional labor or reduced labor. They might surprise you.
 
Myrosia said:
...2. I also need an outer tie rod. Should I ask them to replace it at the same time I have my struts put on since they have to undo the tie rods anyways?
....
Click to expand...
My experience has been, they give a discount (on the labor) when doing something else at the same time which reduces the labor time.

The other alternative is to get a quote for the parts (discounted) from Bill Jenkins. And then check to see if there is an indy who is willing to install it with your parts and see how much cheaper it would be.

The labor for the indy that I go to is very reasonable but their parts cost an arm and a leg. They usually advise me to get my own parts (theirs are usually "gold-plated" ;) ).

www.teamfordparts.com

http://www.contour.org/ceg-vb/member.php?u=39930
 
Last edited:
http://www.tirerack.com/suspension/...ntour+SE&autoYear=1999&autoModClar=&brand=all

You can buy a full set of KYB struts for $300 the car. Take it to any shop for install. ~$400 in labor or DIY.

Tie Rod ends at Summit Racing
http://store.summitracing.com/partd...907400+4294924667+4294925130+115&autoview=sku

If you have them done at the same time it should not cost any additional since they have to be removed to install the struts.

You will also need an alignment so if you have a shop do the install make sure that is included in the price.
 
They only have to disconnect one end, not remove it. Replacing a tie rod end will mean getting an alignment, or at least setting the toe. It is more than appropriate to charge more, but perhaps not as much as doing it by itself.

Unless you work for a living for free, don't expect a mechanic to do so either.
 
Strusts? Tie Rod? Man oh man, that stuff is easy. Do it yourself man

a suspension overhall can be done with 2 sets of hands, 2 sets of socket Wrenches, a spring compresser and an afternoon of your time. Hit up bill Jenkins and order a new suspension. Hell you could even upgrade it to an SVT suspension for way less then having a dealer do the work.

Then take it to Discount tire or some other place that does alignments and have them give you a lifetime alignment for like $70.
 
Thanks guys.

I don't want a race car drive with tough suspension. That's what I been trying to avoid. I want the most comfortable ride I can get.

I am thinking of letting the dealer install all 4 OEM struts and do the tie rod.

-Maria
 
Last edited:
AliasJerk said:
Strusts? Tie Rod? Man oh man, that stuff is easy. Do it yourself man

a suspension overhall can be done with 2 sets of hands, 2 sets of socket Wrenches, a spring compresser and an afternoon of your time. Hit up bill Jenkins and order a new suspension. Hell you could even upgrade it to an SVT suspension for way less then having a dealer do the work.

Then take it to Discount tire or some other place that does alignments and have them give you a lifetime alignment for like $70.
Click to expand...

Well, if I do them myself, are their pictures online that explain how to replace them? Also, I am not comfortable working with spring compressor.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top