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  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
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Here's exactly what my car needs to be up and running, but need advice.

  • Thread starter Thread starter No.11
  • Start date Start date Dec 28, 2009

No.11

10 Year Member
Oct 13, 2009
614
10
48
Los Angeles
Dec 28, 2009
#1
  • Dec 28, 2009
  • #1
Ok so with a little more time, I was able to look underneath my car and notice the broken upper control arm and blown out bushings. I decided it was too much for me and I took it to a shop (SB Automotive in Downey, CA). That place is great! Bryan is a cool guy and treats customers right! They took a look at my car and came up with the following which needs to be done to my car:

1. Replace upper and lower control arms
2. Replace motor mounts
3. Replace trans mounts
4. Replace inner and outer tie rod, front pass side
5. Replace lower ball joint, front pass side
6. Replace ebrake cables
7. Replace oil pan gasket

For all of this including parts, the total cost would be $1610. When they told me that I was like so I talked with Bryan for a while, then thanked him, payed, and left. I was already set on selling the car and starting over, but not a single person has replied to my craigslist ad (I guess I was too honest). So, I'm rethinking just keeping the car and spending some real money to get it running right. I went on to latemodelrestoration.com and got together the parts that I need. The total comes out to almost exactly $500. Now the question is how much will the labor cost me? I can do the trans mount, ebrake cables, and oil pan gasket myself (maybe on the oil pan gasket, I'm not allowed to make a mess in the driveway lol).

How much would someone say this labor should cost me? I'm looking for a conservative amount. Keep in mind I am a college student working part time.

If this plan doesn't work out I might be looking at getting this and having a monthly payment X_X:



which would actually be great, except for the part of shelling out $350-400 a month for 5 years!
 

ID89GT

10 Year Member
May 26, 2008
1,659
18
49
Spokane Valley, WA
Dec 29, 2009
#2
  • Dec 29, 2009
  • #2
Well if you were to do the oil pan gasket yourself you would be right there for doing the motor mounts also.
 

tannerc91gt

This last 25% is foreign territory at this point
Founding Member
Nov 29, 1999
4,392
2,967
234
Indiana
Dec 29, 2009
#3
  • Dec 29, 2009
  • #3
Trans mounts are also simple. Control arms aren't too bad, actually it's all very straight forward and once your under the car it's all there for you. $1600 is an insane amount to pay IMO
 

No.11

10 Year Member
Oct 13, 2009
614
10
48
Los Angeles
Dec 29, 2009
#4
  • Dec 29, 2009
  • #4
I didn't want to do the engine mounts because I'm afraid of not supporting the engine well enough and damaging something. but I suppose the more I do myself, the more I save, and the more I learn. I'm definitely not touching any steering components though. As for the control arms, I've just heard it's not too easy.

Anything could happen though. I finally got a reply to my ad a few minutes ago. By now I'm more into the idea of keeping it though, lol. Well, we shall see.
 

apollo12

New Member
Dec 11, 2007
155
0
0
port st.lucie fla
Dec 29, 2009
#5
  • Dec 29, 2009
  • #5
I do the builds and repairs on all my cars,I can't see paying someone else (IMO)
 
T

TokyoJoe

New Member
Mar 25, 2007
179
5
0
Dec 29, 2009
#6
  • Dec 29, 2009
  • #6
Man, really everything that is on your list is an easy DIY job. Just research and don't be intimidated. Be sure and give yourself plenty of time to get through it. The best part is, pretty much everything on your list is bolt on stuff so it either goes on or it doesn't....$1600 is crazy for that man.
 

No.11

10 Year Member
Oct 13, 2009
614
10
48
Los Angeles
Dec 29, 2009
#7
  • Dec 29, 2009
  • #7
Do these ebrake cables come doubled up already? Or would I have to order two of these?

Mustang 82-92 Cable, Parking Brake, Rear, W/ Rear Drum Brakes at LRS - Same Day Shipping!

I'm guessing I have to order two.

So I need the above and this one:

87-93 Mustang Parking/Emergency Brake Cable by Ford at LRS - Same Day Shipping!

Do I need anything else?
 
3

331ci

New Member
Nov 27, 2009
26
0
0
bridgewater
Dec 29, 2009
#8
  • Dec 29, 2009
  • #8
No.11 said:
Ok so with a little more time, I was able to look underneath my car and notice the broken upper control arm and blown out bushings. I decided it was too much for me and I took it to a shop (SB Automotive in Downey, CA). That place is great! Bryan is a cool guy and treats customers right! They took a look at my car and came up with the following which needs to be done to my car:

1. Replace upper and lower control arms
2. Replace motor mounts
3. Replace trans mounts
4. Replace inner and outer tie rod, front pass side
5. Replace lower ball joint, front pass side
6. Replace ebrake cables
7. Replace oil pan gasket

For all of this including parts, the total cost would be $1610. When they told me that I was like so I talked with Bryan for a while, then thanked him, payed, and left. I was already set on selling the car and starting over, but not a single person has replied to my craigslist ad (I guess I was too honest). So, I'm rethinking just keeping the car and spending some real money to get it running right. I went on to latemodelrestoration.com and got together the parts that I need. The total comes out to almost exactly $500. Now the question is how much will the labor cost me? I can do the trans mount, ebrake cables, and oil pan gasket myself (maybe on the oil pan gasket, I'm not allowed to make a mess in the driveway lol).

How much would someone say this labor should cost me? I'm looking for a conservative amount. Keep in mind I am a college student working part time.

If this plan doesn't work out I might be looking at getting this and having a monthly payment X_X:



which would actually be great, except for the part of shelling out $350-400 a month for 5 years!
Click to expand...
look on ebay aii that stuff shouldn't cost more then 300bucks
 
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