Just failed an MOT on the following:
'nearside front suspension joint has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint [2.5.1a]'
Was quoted 480 quid for replacement and labour! Sounded a bit steep to me, but what do I know! Reason why I'm asking for guidance.
Car is a 1992 Honda Legend 3.2
Many thanks for any info given.
2007-03-23 00:11:46 · 11 answers · asked by president_mugabe 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
It is steep! get more quotes the part might be silly money as it's Honda
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/WISHBONE-SUSPENSION-ARM-TOP-HONDA-LEGEND-KA7-KA8-91-96_W0QQitemZ220095330696QQcategoryZ10386QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
I know this is the top one BUT they are usually not too much different in price and this is the whole lot not just one joint!
2007-03-23 00:14:47 · answer #1 · answered by Sir Sidney Snot 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's pretty steep. Find a local garage that'll use non-Honda parts made for Hondas (if you know what I mean).
It could well be that more than just the joint will need to be replaced, but it is not in an inaccessible place so labour should not be more than an hour or so.
I used to have an Audi which I took to a garage run by a guy who just happened to be into Audis - he used the non-branded parts. Audi quoted me £400 for a job (front suspension bush and arm) and the guy on the corner did it for £160. The parts were just as good quality - the mechanic wouldn't have used them otherwise, his business ran mostly on reputation and word of mouth.
2007-03-23 07:32:46 · answer #2 · answered by finch 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That is Way off the mark.
Book time (guide to repair times) to replace lower arm (which is the best route to go as ball joint is probably siezed in to arm) is 1.20 hrs (1 hour 10 mins)
which at a labour rate of £50.00 per hour (an average labour rate) Comes to £60.00 Labour. Lower arm will be approx £40.00.
Total £100.00 With vat total price £117.50.
That is a ball park figure. I wouldn't pay more than £150.00.
2007-03-23 08:44:01 · answer #3 · answered by sam 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I'd certainly shop around for a better price. But that said, its an unusual car so getting the part may be expensive. Its likely that honda will be the only manufacturer of it.
Fitting time I'd estimate at 1.5 hours assuming it comes off ok. Sometimes they take a fair bit of shifting on old cars.
2007-03-23 15:16:45 · answer #4 · answered by Mark B 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My car failed on excessive play in the steering rack they said it would £500 but they checked it again and just tightened it and didnt charge me anything, the owner of the garage was a friend so wouldnt rip me off, but make sure that yours cant just be tightened, I know you are on time limit but yeah defo get a second opinion.
Get a ford parts are cheaper.
2007-03-23 07:25:48 · answer #5 · answered by bez 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds high for that type of work. By any chance was that from a main dealer?
Was that just for that or was there other work included? The MOT test itself, plus a service - if these were included then it gets more reasonable.
2007-03-23 07:20:20 · answer #6 · answered by Mark J 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try a few different garages and get quotes. Your car is pretty old so I think having to pay 480 quid repairs to get it through MOT sounds quite reasonable. How about getting a new car?
2007-03-23 07:16:02 · answer #7 · answered by Sean D 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
It may be that this joint is permanently fixed to the lower wishbone assembly, thus that has to be replaced with associated bushes etc. I know this is the case with some vehicles, but just guessing here.
2007-03-23 07:24:04 · answer #8 · answered by Klamidia 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get another quote, from someone with dirt under their fingernails who gives a discount for cash in hand. £100 labour plus parts, say £75 should do it.
2007-03-23 08:08:03 · answer #9 · answered by Dave B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not an expert, but £480 sounds way to high
2007-03-23 07:16:30 · answer #10 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋