Labor estimate

[Roky]

Well I guess I have my answer. I called a 4th shop and they also came in at $1350 ($1050 for the labor and $300 for alignment). They said it's a full day job.

I also started the conversation stating I had Dynatrac Balljoints and Reid Racing knuckles and wanted to ask about getting an estimate on labor. Which then got the response "Is this for the front and rear?" and then "What kind of knuckles are you looking to put in? Factory OEM?"

Maybe it's me. Am I asking the question incorrectly? Is there a better way I can phrase my questions to shops to get a better response?

No…..those shops with those answers are the ones to avoid…

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[SadRobot]

No those shops with those answers are the ones to avoid…

That shop is a well known shop, huge youtube following and well known in the Jeep world. I'd understand if I was calling random auto shop around town but I'm calling big names. I dunno.

 

[Roky]

They told me it was $300 since i had adjustable control arms. $180 if not. Maybe I am missing something there as well. An alignment involves adjusting the toe with tie rod and resetting the wheel with the drag link. How would the control arms need to be adjusted when installing ball joints and knuckles? If I'm wrong on that I will fully admit i don't know what I'm talking about.

Again….. avoid those shops, you have a grasp on how it works, so stay the course…. Use the shop that doesn’t ask any questions except do you want to set an appointment?

 

[Camaroboi13]

They told me it was $300 since i had adjustable control arms. $180 if not. Maybe I am missing something there as well. An alignment involves adjusting the toe with tie rod and resetting the wheel with the drag link. How would the control arms need to be adjusted when installing ball joints and knuckles? If I'm wrong on that I will fully admit i don't know what I'm talking about.

Unless they’re removing the axle completely there’s no reason the control arms should be touched. They will be removing the tie rod and steering components so the toe would be the only adjustment needed. If your Jeep drives straight after the install and your steering wheel needs adjustment, that’s a 5 minute fix that you can do yourself.

 

[SadRobot]

Unless they’re removing the axle completely there’s no reason the control arms should be touched. They will be removing the tie rod and steering components so the toe would be the only adjustment needed. If your Jeep drives straight after the install and your steering wheel needs adjustment, that’s a 5 minute fix that you can do yourself.

Ok then I'm not crazy.

 

[Roky]

That shop is a well known shop, huge youtube following and well known in the Jeep world. I'd understand if I was calling random auto shop around town but I'm calling big names. I dunno.

That’s scary…..

 

[SadRobot]

That’s scary…..

I'm fine naming the shop. It was Rebel Offroad in Lake Forest, CA

Blackstone Jeepshop told me the $960 but needed to adjust trackbar and see first

Edit: I've run out of shops to call. Looking through my original list of 17 that I called for the t-case the rest I am still waiting for a call back from 3 months ago as they "research" how to swap out a t-case

 

[SadRobot]

Ok officially giving up with this today. Last ditch effort calling one more local offroad shop. They said they couldn't send me an estimate unless they saw my Jeep.

 

[Roky]

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Ok officially giving up with this today. Last ditch effort calling one more local offroad shop. They said they couldn't send me an estimate unless they saw my Jeep.

yeah, I’ve heard both good and bad about Rebel, got a good friend in Corona, he won’t even let them rotate his tires…. I don’t put a lot a stock in social, to easy to make shit up….I’m more of word of mouth real world experience kinda caveman….

 

[hoag4147]

.

yeah, I’ve heard both good and bad about Rebel, got a good friend in Corona, he won’t even let them rotate his tires…. I don’t put a lot a stock in social, to easy to make shit up….I’m more of word of mouth real world experience kinda caveman….

Maybe Erik would like to take on another jeep project

 

[Roky]

Maybe Erik would like to take on another jeep project

Lmao…. I already PM’d him to find out, before I mentioned it…

 

[hoag4147]

Lmao…. I already PM’d him to find out, before I mentioned it…

Great minds think alike

 

[SadRobot]

Lmao…. I already PM’d him to find out, before I mentioned it…

Ha I don't know this Erik but if he is willing to help me I'd be forever grateful. I mean if I have to pay one of these shops the money then I have to pay the money but I'm going to be angry about it because I know I'm being taken advantage of.

 

[Maverick909]

again you are capable of going ball joints in the garage. just hit up auto zone and rent the ball joint press. i can try and find my old invoice from when i did my ball joints and re-gear on my jeep. If i remember correctly it wasn't to bad. couple hundred bucks. I always pre set my aligment best i can after all my suspension work. my local shop that double checks it is like 100 bucks

 

[Tread4Lo]

These shops are just used to people saying, "OK, when can we schedule?" They don't think people will question any of the numbers they throw out on the phone.

As others have said, rent the press from a local auto parts store. You can have the 6 hours in your garage, going slow and methodical and get this done.

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