Does This Cost Sound Right For Ball Joints & Bushings?

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adam17
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Joined: Sat Oct 03, 2015 1:14 pm
Your car is a: 1979 Spider

Does This Cost Sound Right For Ball Joints & Bushings?

Postby adam17 » Sat Dec 02, 2017 10:08 pm

I know very little about fixing cars. But love my Fiat Spider. This is why I appreciate this forum so.

I had some issues with my Fiat making noise on the front end.

Was charged $550 in labor and $135 in parts.

The work performed was the following.

Removing and replacing all 4 ball joints (2 Upper and 2 Lower). And replacing the Upper A-Frame bushings (4 Upper bushings)

I will say it was a night and day difference in the sound. I creaked so bad...and now it is so quiet. It's like a new car. I love the difference. The place I took it to specializes in Fiat's.

mamsterla
Posts: 69
Joined: Sun Nov 26, 2017 10:10 pm
Your car is a: 1969 Fiat 124 Spider AS

Re: Does This Cost Sound Right For Ball Joints & Bushings?

Postby mamsterla » Sun Dec 03, 2017 2:38 am

I am doing that job myself and I can tell you it is a ton of work. The price you were quoted seems fair for how much work it really is.
1969 Fiat 124 Spider AS0012768

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johndemar
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Your car is a: 1976 Fiat 124 Spider
Location: Phoenix

Re: Does This Cost Sound Right For Ball Joints & Bushings?

Postby johndemar » Sun Dec 03, 2017 10:08 am

The price you paid seems fair to me. My truck needs ball joints and tie rod ends and was quoted $2,200.

The parts ran me a little under $300, and I will attempt it myself. Wife thinks I'm nuts.
76 Fiat 124 Spider
One owner since July 20, 1976
Amadio Motor, Jeannette, PA

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RRoller123
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Your car is a: 1980 FI SPIDER 2000
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Re: Does This Cost Sound Right For Ball Joints & Bushings?

Postby RRoller123 » Sun Dec 03, 2017 10:49 am

550 would be bargain for that work in Eastern MA.

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'80 FI Spider 2000
'74 and '79 X1/9 (past)
'75 BMW R75/6
2011 Chevy Malibu (daily driver)
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adam17
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Your car is a: 1979 Spider

Re: Does This Cost Sound Right For Ball Joints & Bushings?

Postby adam17 » Mon Dec 04, 2017 9:25 am

mamsterla wrote:I am doing that job myself and I can tell you it is a ton of work. The price you were quoted seems fair for how much work it really is.


First off all. With all do respect. I commend you for doing this job. I only wish I had the desire to learn it and do it. And i bet if I did...I still would mess it up. So I applaud you. I agree with you. It's a ton of work. And if not done right...it could be dangerous. Who I took this to only works on Fiat's and has done so for the last 30 years. So he was able to do it in like an hour and a half while I waited. But I appreciate you telling me it's seemed fair. Why I questioned it is I was charged such a large amount of money in a short time. But I guess it does not matter the time. It's the job performed. So you comments helped me digest this more.

Adam

mamsterla
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Re: Does This Cost Sound Right For Ball Joints & Bushings?

Postby mamsterla » Tue Dec 05, 2017 12:10 am

I finished one side and it took me about 6 hours. Most of it is probably because I have not done it before, but I am also doing the front hubs at the same time.

Getting some of the nuts off is really hard - especially the 22mm on the ball joints themselves. If you had both sides done, you really did well for the complexity of the job. I am sure my second side will go faster, but I still think it will be a couple of hours at a minimum.
1969 Fiat 124 Spider AS0012768

DieselSpider
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Your car is a: 1978 124 Spider with Isuzu Turbo Diesel

Re: Does This Cost Sound Right For Ball Joints & Bushings?

Postby DieselSpider » Tue Dec 05, 2017 5:16 am

Did he charge you a flat rate, average hours per the book or are his labor charges really over $275 an hour (over $275 an hour is a bit extreme)?

Did he actually remove the lower control arms or just lower them a bit and pop the ball joints without removing the arms and then do the bushings and ball joints on the upper without removing the springs?

Image

mamsterla
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Re: Does This Cost Sound Right For Ball Joints & Bushings?

Postby mamsterla » Wed Dec 06, 2017 2:34 am

There is no way to replace the 4 A arm bushings without removing the spring and the A arms themselves. Doing just the ball joints you might be able to do some shortcuts, but getting those 22mm nylock nuts off the spindle would be tough.
1969 Fiat 124 Spider AS0012768

DieselSpider
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Your car is a: 1978 124 Spider with Isuzu Turbo Diesel

Re: Does This Cost Sound Right For Ball Joints & Bushings?

Postby DieselSpider » Wed Dec 06, 2017 5:27 am

mamsterla wrote:There is no way to replace the 4 A arm bushings without removing the spring and the A arms themselves. Doing just the ball joints you might be able to do some shortcuts, but getting those 22mm nylock nuts off the spindle would be tough.


Only the upper were done which I don't believe requires the spring to be pulled since its a through bolt that can be slid out going though the bushings. Once you have the lower supported and the ball joints popped the upper does not encapsulate the spring since its an open wishbone.

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RRoller123
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Re: Does This Cost Sound Right For Ball Joints & Bushings?

Postby RRoller123 » Wed Dec 06, 2017 8:57 am

That is correct. I just replaced the upper bolts on mine and it is really easy. The spring does not effect it, once supported from below, simple unbolt/rebolt job.
'80 FI Spider 2000
'74 and '79 X1/9 (past)
'75 BMW R75/6
2011 Chevy Malibu (daily driver)
2010 Chevy Silverado 2500HD Ext Cab 4WD/STD BED
2002 Edgewater 175CC 80HP 4-Stroke Yamaha
2003 Jaguar XK8
2003 Jaguar XKR
2021 Jayco 22RB
2019 Bianchi Torino Bicycle


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