Labor Costs!

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What's a fair price to have the following work performed? I'd try to learn and struggle through some if this myself, but...1.) I have no tools, and 2.) I'm not mechanically inclined.

Anyway, here's what I need done.

Front lower control arms and ball joints
Rear lower and upper control arms
Shocks and struts
Springs
Replace stock axle with new 31 spline axle and carrier
Rear disc brake conversion
Front disc brake 5-lug conversion
Subframe connectors
Caster/Camber plates

Thanks in advance for your help. Later

 

[TC93]

I would say in the neighborhood of $500 if not more, for all that..

 

[QDRHRSE]

I would say in the neighborhood of $500 if not more, for all that..

No disrespect intened but you're high. Even if labor rates are as low as $50 an hour thats way too low. I would guess more than double that unless you have a buddy with a shop or something. Mechanical labor is not cheap- those guys have to keep the lights on too.

 

[cola8d8]

I will agree with QDRHRSE. Much higher than $500.

 

[bazzman]

yep no doubt higher than $500....the front end work you have listed would be close to $500 by itself(labor no parts!)...no joke!...all i have is a little concrete patio to work on and i saved a load of cash that way and gathering tools as i need them...the blunt truth to the matter is, and i think most here will agree with me, is that if you own a mustang you've got to learn how to work on it yourself or pay outrageous labor charges! ...usually you can find the answers you need by searching these forums...thats where i get most of my knowledge...BUT to give you my guess to your question i would guess your looking at $1000-$1500 in labor alone ...if i were in your shoes i would take that labor money and go to sears and buy a good jack and jack stands and one of those craftsman toolkits that come in the plastic cases...also a good hammer and prybar!...YOU CAN DO IT!

 

[blk92stangg]

Put it this way, my friends uncle got raped for 1600.00 to change a fricken FUEL PUMP in his chevy truck. I know they had to trouble shoot a bit, but come on, that is way too much. Out your whole laundry list, I would be pretty sure you can at least do the first 4 on your own. If not, I think everyone's guesses are a tad bit low.

 

[TC93]

No disrespect intened but you're high. Even if labor rates are as low as $50 an hour thats way too low. I would guess more than double that unless you have a buddy with a shop or something. Mechanical labor is not cheap- those guys have to keep the lights on too.

No disrespect taken.. Personally I wouldn't pay more then $500 for all that, but then again I don't what shops charge now-in-days. I haven't taken my any of cars, to get anything in about 6-7 years. The last time I did was to get gears installed and that ran $125. I do all my own work, so I am kinda out of the labor cost loop.........

 

[Stang8URMPRT]

Ok, Most shops charge anywhere from 65-75 an hour. This is appoxamite from my experiance with Mitchell's Labor Estimate Guide.


1) Front contol arms and ball joint... Why would you need to replace the control arms? The ball joints would probably be about 1 hour a side... If you get control arms with the joints in them, About 2 hours a side.
2) Control arms... 1.5-2 hours.

3) Struts would not be much replace... It's all over 3 bolts... I would say .7-1 hours a side. Shocks would be about .5-.7 a side.

4) Springs would go along with the rear control arms (because you have to take them out anyway to do the lowers. Also, if you were to replace the front lower control arms, you can replace them at the same time, included in price.

5) The axles.. 1-1.5 hours... But with the carrier I would have a rear end shop do this so it is set up right.

6) Rear disk conversion is hard. They don't have the time in the book for that. It would be based on what the mechanic thinks he could do them in... But I would say 2-2.5 hours.

7) 5 lug disks in front also could be included in the struts, springs, and control arms up front... That's not bad. I would say just that along.. 2 hours... If you did all the work up front, I would say 5-6 hours.

8) Subframes... They would have to have a mig... but I would say 1-1.5 hours.

9)The Camber plates would be all of .5 hour... Then you would need the alignment which can run 30-60 bucks... Usually 30 is just a toe set and not adjusting the caster of camber.

Hope this helps.
Nick

 

[cobra dave]

your gonna get hosed plain and simple especially if your having a dealer do it. Some of the things you listed are pretty time consuming. I think your looking at the least a grand. Hell even breaking some of the bolts loose on some of your items are gonna be a bitch. Good luck bro.

 

[1986LX2002]

To bad you dont live out here in Arizona, i'd install those parts for free as long as you were trying and willing to learn also. I've never charged anyone money when it comes to installing parts "guess i'm too nice lol" I'd look for some mustang guys up around your area buddy that would glady help you out.

 

[QDRHRSE]

To bad you dont live out here in Arizona, i'd install those parts for free as long as you were trying and willing to learn also. I've never charged anyone money when it comes to installing parts "guess i'm too nice lol" I'd look for some mustang guys up around your area buddy that would glady help you out.

I'd help too...but he'd have to feed me twice a day! It would probably take a couple of weekends to do all that.

 

[1986LX2002]

oh yah,almost forgot about food lol. Gotta eat sometime lol

 

[Ourobos]

I did the first four, plus put a whole rear end in in about 6 hours. Next time would be quicker no doubt, as I know wassup with the front springs now. Say 5 hours.. I'de charge $200-300 to do that.. I think $500 - $700 would be a fair price, he might find a mustang guy locally to do it for.

 

[Auto Reverse]

Well, I got a quote from a local Mustang SpeedShop fro all the labor. $1200. Now, if that's a not to exceed number, I might do it, or say screw it, try it myself and hope to god I don't "F" things up. My car is my most prized possession though. It's a tough call.

I may at least try eveything but the rear brake and axle conversion, but it's not like I'm rebuilding the carrier, it's going to be brand new.

Let me ask this. Without a lift is this going to be a real pain in the ass?

 

[bazzman]

hard flat surface, a jack and some jack stands is all you need(instead of a lift)

 

[bln92cpe]

I'd say 1500 tops and have a professional do it right the first time.

 

[ninety15.0]

me and my buddy with a stang just did almost the same thing as you in an afternoon. We changed shocks, struts, springs and caster/camber plates out on two cars in about 6 hours of working time. once you have the front end apart for the spring install...then the control arms, brakes. and struts are all right there and you could change them out at the same time. The problems you are going to run into invole getting the old rusted ass bolts to break free in the suspension....we would up cutting the nuts off the strut towers. as far as the rear end is concerned....i think that is actually where you are going to have the most problems. getting the uppers and lowers out could be a little tuf...the shocks are real easy and so are the rear springs...but the axles could be difficult...and the gears should be done by a professional if u dont wanna hear em all the time....pry bars, breaker bar, a couple jacks and some jackstands should get you there....i think you might need a special tool for the ball joints and/or tie rods....but they are available at any parts store for much cheaper than 1500 in labor...good luck man

 

[87'GTstang]

Shops almost always go by a book value for certain things. For instance, an alignment is rated by Alldata for an F150 (off the top of my head) to take 50 minutes and we charge $79/hour of labor, so do the math. all shops are about like this, it doesn't go by "how fast can I do it in". You are asking for some major tasks there and quite a few custom things, which not all technicians will be knowledgeable in. Tools are a man's best friend, if you don't have them, then you don't have them and there is nothing you can do. No man in their right mind however should have a car that they have at the very least "admirations" for and not even have a hammer. Bite the bullet and get at least a craftsman tool kit, they are a great starter set for a nice price. Do as much of the work yourself that you can to help save on some labor costs.
I enjoy two things about my stang, spending the time working on it and seeing how it turns out with the satisfaction of driving it down the road. Like just today I took it on its first roadtrip and at 5 hours it was a hell of a trip from the first time I got it. Barely cranking over, puffing black smoke galore, overheating, complete wiring fiasco, 4 different fluid leaks and at all places known to man on a car possible, and a failing clutch. It's a great feeling when you can do something like going from that to a beautifully running car that I would trust anyday of the week (including that nice 5 hour trip). It's a great feeling when you have done somethine like that and for those that don't even attempt do anything themselves - you are only missing out!