Dealers are called stealers for a reason, but what is a reasonable price?

[jnb0111]

I took my Explorer to the Ford dealer near me for an oil change today. They were having a special, where I get oil and filter change for $16.95. I can't do it that cheap if I do it myself. anyway, they do a 21 point inspection, and told me that I need rear brakes and front ball joints and control arms. Thats all ok, but the price they quoted seemed really high. For the rear brakes, $427.92 and for the ball joint and control arms, $1,095.63 for a total of $1,510.68
The tutorials on here make the ball joint and control arm look easy. They're charging $563 in labor, and $136 labor for the brakes.

 

[RangerX]

Perfect example of why they offer a cheap oil change and free inspection!

 

[jnb0111]

Perfect example of why they offer a cheap oil change and free inspection!

Yeah, but... Do people REALLY fall for that? I guess they must. It sucks not knowing an honest mechanic, but I'm new in NC, so...

 

[Cozmik]

You could look at it this way, you paid $16.95 for an inspection and now with all the info here can fix everything yourself for a fraction of the cost.

 

[Glen4X4]

That's how they get you in there is with an easy cheap oil change then try luring you by doing the free inspection and telling you what you need in hopes you'll let them do the work

 

[jnb0111]

You could look at it this way, you paid $16.95 for an inspection and now with all the info here can fix everything yourself for a fraction of the cost.

Let's hope this turns out to be the case. I'm semi mechanically inclined, but I have no place to work on my car at the moment. I will say that this forum is one of the more helpful ones i've ever been on.

 

[alohamonte]

to answer your question, i think those prices are high. i would expect to pay about $350 for rear brakes and $850 for balljoints.

 

[bobflood]

to answer your question, i think those prices are high. i would expect to pay about $350 for rear brakes and $850 for balljoints.

And that's in California!! Should be still cheaper in NC. Assuming rear brakes are disc's in a 03 Sport, new pads should only be $40. New rotors about $25 each, but only if you need them. Job itself is an easy DIY even outside in your parking lot; you might need to spend $80 for a jack and a pair of jackstands if you don't have them. Ball joints are a lot tougher job, especially w/o air tools, but still doable. You can rent/borrow ball joint press from Advance/AutoZone/whoever you get parts from. On 1-10 DIY scale, brakes are a 3; balljoints are a 6 if everything goes right and an 11 when it doesn't!