Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting Control Arm and SubFrame Bolt Question

Hi,

I recently got two estimate on replacing front left and right control arms and left subframe bolt. One quote was for $1100 (labor rate was 80 per hour; this guy does mostly MB and I think it a very high estimate). The other quote was for about $600 (including 4 wheeel alignment and the install of 4 new tires <I purchased the tire through tirerack>).

My question is that the first mechanic told me that the subframe bolt is cracked but the second mechanic did not tell me the same thing. I told the place with the lower estimate that I wanted the bolt replaced. Should I be concerned?

Thanks.

$1100!!!!!!!!! $600!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's maybe a $200 job. $400 at the extreme tops. I'd get a quote from a regular Ford dealer. Bet it would be the cheapest. Are you including parts in the cost? You can get them from Jenkins or BAT for like $50 a piece if you have the 2 bolt style.

Not sure what you mean by subframe bolt being cracked. Have you ever heard of a "cracked" bolt. They can break in half I guess. Only 4 bolts hold the subframe to the body. Sounds like you're geting hosed big time. You can't even align the rear wheels so don't know why you'd need a 4 wheels alignment. It's generally about $50 to align the fronts. You should be able to get the entire job done including alignment, part and labor for $400.

Yeah, parts are included.

I've always had the impression that going to a dealer is always more expensive.

The bolt was rusted and broke. Thanks for the tip on the alignment. I'm in the NYC and everthing is expensive.

So, are you saying that I shouldn't pay more than $400 for this job. Is getting to that bolt time consuming?

I've already brough the car to two diff places and I've been told that it's not safe to drive so at this point I kind of just want to have the work compeleted ASAP.

Any other thoughts?

Thanks.

One other thing:

front alignment: $60
installing new tires and balancing: $80 (20 per tire)

140 for tires and alignment
about 460 for the arm and bolt work.

Thanks.

Have you visually seen this broken bolt or taken the persons word for it?

Originally posted by Todras:

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You can't even align the rear wheels so don't know why you'd need a 4 wheels alignment.

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Then why are there adjustment bolts on the rear toe arms?

OK, I've called two local dealers on the work as well. Here's the summary:

labor rate for ford service in the NYC area is $95 per hour. THey're talking 5.5 hours to put in new left and right control arms. Parts are $339. Alignment will need to happen as well. So, with both Ford Dealerships the estimates came out to be around $1,000.

The quote of about $600 sounds good to me (the shop is using Ford parts and the labor rate is about $45). I don't know where I would go to get this done for $200 (I can't even get the parts for that and I've called 5 different places).

Thanks.

Probably because you are in NYC.

holly crap $90 an hour!!!!!

Im being charged $50/hour for my headers! phewww but dammn man thats a lot of $$