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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 100
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Anybody know of a decent mechanic around the Mira Mesa area? I'm willing to drive a bit (15 miles or so) to Clairemont, PB, etc.
I just need some basics done before I drive up to the Bay Area, like brake work, fluid checks/top off, lube,...
Any recommendations?
1998 E0 Ford Contour SVT - DOB 8/19/97 - #3101/6535
Silver Frost/Midnight Blue
Visit MY SVT website * K&N RU-3530 (howls like a MOFO  ) and Homemade Heatshield *
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 44
New CEG\'er
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New CEG\'er
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I got my tires changed at AJ usa and they were good and pretty reasonably priced. They specialise in luxury and performance cars. I am planning to take my car in to them for a tune up and see if they have any suggestions for getting a couple more hp out of her. When I took it in for the tires, the service rep knew about contours having problems with the lower control arms and showed me the condition of mine (not good), so they are familiar with them.
00 Silver Frost CSVT
#1136/2150 Born 4 Jan, 2000
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Joined: Apr 2003
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Hard-core CEG\'er
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Hard-core CEG\'er
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I have had good luck with Evan's Tires. I always buy tires there and have had them do PS fluid flushes. They are a full service store. The one I visit is in El Cajon, not sure if they have one in your area. They do have a website.
1999 Toreador Red SVT, DOB 4/22/99, 2005 Of 2760.
"Many posted questions are answered by farm boys"
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 100
CEG\'er
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Originally posted by SVTC1136:
I got my tires changed at AJ usa and they were good and pretty reasonably priced. They specialise in luxury and performance cars. I am planning to take my car in to them for a tune up and see if they have any suggestions for getting a couple more hp out of her. When I took it in for the tires, the service rep knew about contours having problems with the lower control arms and showed me the condition of mine (not good), so they are familiar with them.
Thanks guys. I ended up taking the car to AJ USA since they are so close and seem to know the basics of the contour.
I had some bad wear on my front right tire, and sure enough Greg at AJ-USA told me my lower control arms are kaput (bushings torn). Unfortunately its really expensive to get fixed. AJUSA wanted just over $800 for parts and labor to fix the lower control arms. I decided to just drive up to the bay and maybe trying to find a better quote up here.
AJ USA seemed like they were pretty good all in all, but they took $85 just to look over my car and tell me whats wrong (ouch!). I don't think I can afford them, hehe. But I guess they made up for it when I got my K&N and MAF adaptor for cheap a couple years ago.
1998 E0 Ford Contour SVT - DOB 8/19/97 - #3101/6535
Silver Frost/Midnight Blue
Visit MY SVT website * K&N RU-3530 (howls like a MOFO ) and Homemade Heatshield *
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Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 2,353
Hard-core CEG'er
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Hard-core CEG'er
Joined: Aug 2002
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Originally posted by vcontoursvt:
Originally posted by SVTC1136:
I got my tires changed at AJ usa and they were good and pretty reasonably priced. They specialise in luxury and performance cars. I am planning to take my car in to them for a tune up and see if they have any suggestions for getting a couple more hp out of her. When I took it in for the tires, the service rep knew about contours having problems with the lower control arms and showed me the condition of mine (not good), so they are familiar with them.
Thanks guys. I ended up taking the car to AJ USA since they are so close and seem to know the basics of the contour.
I had some bad wear on my front right tire, and sure enough Greg at AJ-USA told me my lower control arms are kaput (bushings torn). Unfortunately its really expensive to get fixed. AJUSA wanted just over $800 for parts and labor to fix the lower control arms. I decided to just drive up to the bay and maybe trying to find a better quote up here.
AJ USA seemed like they were pretty good all in all, but they took $85 just to look over my car and tell me whats wrong (ouch!). I don't think I can afford them, hehe. But I guess they made up for it when I got my K&N and MAF adaptor for cheap a couple years ago.
That is insane! Just buy a new lower control arm for $50-$100 (depending on what year your car is) and install it yourself. It is pretty easy to do, I did mine in under an hour working very slowly. New bushings already come installed in the control arms. Plus you really shouldn't drive with torn bushings, it could cause damage to other parts of your suspension. If you need an extra hand just let me know and I be willing to help.
1999 Blk/Tan CSVT #654 - SOLD
2003 Suzuki SV650s
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Joined: Mar 2002
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Hard-core CEG\'er
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Hard-core CEG\'er
Joined: Mar 2002
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Originally posted by path914:
Originally posted by vcontoursvt:
Originally posted by SVTC1136:
I got my tires changed at AJ usa and they were good and pretty reasonably priced. They specialise in luxury and performance cars. I am planning to take my car in to them for a tune up and see if they have any suggestions for getting a couple more hp out of her. When I took it in for the tires, the service rep knew about contours having problems with the lower control arms and showed me the condition of mine (not good), so they are familiar with them.
Thanks guys. I ended up taking the car to AJ USA since they are so close and seem to know the basics of the contour.
I had some bad wear on my front right tire, and sure enough Greg at AJ-USA told me my lower control arms are kaput (bushings torn). Unfortunately its really expensive to get fixed. AJUSA wanted just over $800 for parts and labor to fix the lower control arms. I decided to just drive up to the bay and maybe trying to find a better quote up here.
AJ USA seemed like they were pretty good all in all, but they took $85 just to look over my car and tell me whats wrong (ouch!). I don't think I can afford them, hehe. But I guess they made up for it when I got my K&N and MAF adaptor for cheap a couple years ago.
That is insane! Just buy a new lower control arm for $50-$100 (depending on what year your car is) and install it yourself. It is pretty easy to do, I did mine in under an hour working very slowly. New bushings already come installed in the control arms. Plus you really shouldn't drive with torn bushings, it could cause damage to other parts of your suspension. If you need an extra hand just let me know and I be willing to help.
If you have the 4 bolt LCA's I could see them coming up with that estimate. I think with Bill J. discount it's 130+116+80 give or take a little for L/R arm and new bolts. The manual tells you to drop the subframe to replace the driver side arm, so shop labour hours will add up. I did mine with the cut / install bolts upside down method which avoids the sub frame hassle and it wasn't too bad. The only big PITA was trimming down the top of the bolt under the tranny afterwards as I couldn't get my angle grinder in there. Hackasaw on grade 10 bolts in cramped quarters isn't fun at all.
97 Contour SE MTX
K&N 3530, UR UDP, 19# Injectors, mystery mod, FMS wires, Fordchip.com chip, SVT: TB, Flywheel, clutch, exhaust
04 Grand Caravan SXT
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Joined: Aug 2000
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Seeing as how this seems to be a common problem with our cars, are there any better alternatives than replacing it with the same OEM part? I mean what prevents this from happening again in a couple years?
Oh and thanks for the offer path914, but I think I'll take your advice and have it fixed before driving down to SD again. If school doesn't kick my butt again this year, maybe I'll find time to make it to one of the SD meets.
1998 E0 Ford Contour SVT - DOB 8/19/97 - #3101/6535
Silver Frost/Midnight Blue
Visit MY SVT website * K&N RU-3530 (howls like a MOFO ) and Homemade Heatshield *
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Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 2,353
Hard-core CEG'er
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Hard-core CEG'er
Joined: Aug 2002
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I'm actually moving up the Bay area in August, so it will probably be about the time you will be coming down here for school.
Unfortunately, there are no readily available options to the mediocre OEM parts. Fortunately, if you have the 2-bolt LCAs they are pretty inexpensive to replace when needed.
1999 Blk/Tan CSVT #654 - SOLD
2003 Suzuki SV650s
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