I recently had a clunking noise coming from the front end of my 2005 Dodge Caravan. A guy I work with told me it was my Sway Bars and volunteered to change them for me. I called Car Quest and the parts were $52 for both. I told him I would have to save up more money to pay him, but had enough for the parts. He told me not to worry about it. I ended up paying him $25 which was all I had (period). It didn't fix the clunking noise, so the next week he changed the Sway Arm Bushings. Part cost was $8.
He keeps telling me that I owe him big time and that he saved me TONS of money. I feel really bad and want to skip some bills (electric, cell, cable, ect) anything, to pay him. I knew I would pay him eventually what he said it was worth, but he's just being annoying about it now. Calling me all the time telling me how much I owe him. But he won't give me a price. So I ask you please! Tell me how much a dealership or mechanic would charge so I can pay him off and get him outta my hair!
2007-12-03 12:13:14 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
When he changed the Sway Bars it did not fix the problem. Those cost me $52 and $25 that I paid him to do it. It took him nearly 3 hours to change them.
The next week he changed the Sway Arm Bushings ($8 for both) and that took him 4 hours.
The clunking noise went away after the Sway Arm Bushings were changed. So that was most likely the problem.
I would just like someone to give me an idea of how much I owe him for the work.
He is NOT a mechanic and offered to do it knowing I didn't have any money to pay him.
Now, he is acting like a big baby about it and I just want to pay him what it was worth to shut him up.
2007-12-03 15:29:25 · update #1
It is the Stabilizer Bar End Links that are the problem, not the frame bushings or the bar itself. These ALWAYS go bad on Caravan's/Voaygers/T&C's. I bet my shop does 4 or 5 sets a week.
Me thinks you replaced the wrong parts initially. Labor time is IIRC 0.6 hours for both, at whatever the prevailing rate is in your neck of the woods.
2007-12-03 12:23:15 · answer #1 · answered by Naughtums 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Dodge Magnum Sway Bar Bushings
2016-11-06 11:24:06 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When the mechanic told you what it would take to fix the clunking noise, and if it did then he should be paid per your agreement in the start, hopeful not more than an hours pay, if the clunking noise repair he told you would fix the problem, but it has not, then he does not deserve the money because of a misdiagnosis. Next time get three estimates and choose the one that guarantees he will fix the problem or you don't pay for the repair. Its not your place to pay for guess work. God Bless
2007-12-03 12:34:06 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
or some reason, people seem to believe that you never get away from the dealer for under 1k.
The sway bar brackets take about 15 minutes to change both sides, and the sway bar links take about 30 minutes.
If it took him longer than an hour, he was slow.
Buy him a cup of coffee, and let him know it would cost that much more than he charged you. Next time something goes wrong, find another friend to help you out....:)
2007-12-03 12:31:37 · answer #4 · answered by Michael H 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sway bar bushings are cheap (and easy to put in)...and the link kits are about the same. He's boning you.
Go to a dealer and ask them how much it would cost to fix that particular problem. Ask them how much for parts and how much for labor. An estimate shouldn't cost you anything.
I woulda fixed it for ya for free.
2007-12-03 12:19:35 · answer #5 · answered by db667089 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm curious for the answer to this question too
2016-09-19 11:42:52 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋