Fair price for labor?

[Griswald]

shopping around for someone to do the work on my '89 runner, and I was hoping for an honest opinion.

Here's what I'm looking at:

Upper and lower ball joints have play, need to be replaced
Tie rods (cant remember if its inner or outer) I already replaced one set this summer.
Master Cylinder brake leaking into booster.

What do you think is fair for hours and price?

thanks

 

[RedSled]

I would start by going out and getting an estimate from at least 3 different shops and go from there.

 

[Bad_Vision]

Shop rate is usually around $100 an hour. Time for your front suspension is three hours per side. Master cylinder one hour. So you're looking at $700 plus parts.

All the items you listed are easy to do on your own with the factory service manual and a Saturday afternoon you could have it all done by yourself. You could also try finding a local 4runner member to help and or do the work for you way cheaper


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[4runninky]

In my area $60-$80 a hour about the norm for hourly labor rates. The shop I use when i have to is $60 but good ole boys. the kind that let u stand around and watch.

 

[Griswald]

Shop rate is usually around $100 an hour. Time for your front suspension is three hours per side. Master cylinder one hour. So you're looking at $700 plus parts.

All the items you listed are easy to do on your own with the factory service manual and a Saturday afternoon you could have it all done by yourself. You could also try finding a local 4runner member to help and or do the work for you way cheaper


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thanks Bad Vision - that's about what I figured. I have the service manual, although just not sure if I have the time, etc....BTW, my cousin lives up in Grand Rapids. Wouldn't be surprised if you knew him

thanks!

 

[shahsmerdis]

Ygpm

 

[Kean]

I would do as RedSled suggests and collect a few quotes. I wouldn't fixate on hourly rates since one shop may quote more/less time than another, charge less/more for parts, etc. I also wouldn't base my decision solely on price either. Reputation and quality of work are just as important when considering what is a fair deal IMO/IME.

Anyone can give you what may seem like a great deal but if quality of their work is lacking, it could end up costing you more in the end.

btw, here in CA I believe labor rates are also upwards of ~$100/hr.

 

[amalik]

I would do as RedSled suggests and collect a few quotes. I wouldn't fixate on hourly rates since one shop may quote more/less time than another, charge less/more for parts, etc. I also wouldn't base my decision solely on price either. Reputation and quality of work are just as important when considering what is a fair deal IMO/IME.

Anyone can give you what may seem like a great deal but if quality of their work is lacking, it could end up costing you more in the end.

btw, here in CA I believe labor rates are also upwards of ~$100/hr.

CA is not a good baseline.

You also have $2 million houses in San Francisco that could barely fit a few people sitting down and having coffee. lol

 

[Kean]

CA is not a good baseline.

You also have $2 million houses in San Francisco that could barely fit a few people sitting down and having coffee. lol

Just threw it out there to show how labor rates can vary. A "fair" rate in my area is not going to be the same in his.

SF is about 500 miles north of me. Drove through there once during one of my visits to the Napa Valley.

 

[Griswald]

Just threw it out there to show how labor rates can vary. A "fair" rate in my area is not going to be the same in his.

SF is about 500 miles north of me. Drove through there once during one of my visits to the Napa Valley.

Interesting point though - if the overhead of the shop is low (i.e - rent) chances are the labor is low/lower. Not always, but makes sense.

 

[Dropzone]

Tie rods (cant remember if its inner or outer) I already replaced one set this summer.

I would always replace those all at the same time. If you replaced one set, no reason you can't replace the other set...

 

[flyinhawaiian01]

OOH! Can I get in on this too??? Hawaii labor rates are usually around $125 and up, and parts? Well, you can actually double the price of most parts!

Try looking up parts on autozone or napa in your area, then change your zip code and see what they are in 96822, you'll be happy you live where you do!

Here's a different suggestion for you. Ask some of your neighbors about who and where they take their vehicles to for servicing. Chances are you'll get better results from your neighbors on who to go to, as well as who NOT to go to! Ask around work/school too, who knows? Maybe one of your neighbors/friends/coworkers have a family member who owns a shop, those are usually the best places to go to, as they will be less likely to rip you off and/or do a crappy job!

 

[amalik]

OOH! Can I get in on this too??? Hawaii labor rates are usually around $125 and up, and parts? Well, you can actually double the price of most parts!

Try looking up parts on autozone or napa in your area, then change your zip code and see what they are in 96822, you'll be happy you live where you do!

Damn, that's terrible.

 

[Griswald]

I got an outrageous quote (mainly on the parts mark up) for brake system and front end work from a shop near me. Over $4k for everything. I know they dont want to do the work...dont want to mess w an old Toyota...

Luckily Ive got some friends who are just gonna help me do pretty much everything....parts at cost, and $500 for two days labor.

problem solved!

 

[shahsmerdis]

I got an outrageous quote (mainly on the parts mark up) for brake system and front end work from a shop near me. Over $4k for everything. I know they dont want to do the work...dont want to mess w an old Toyota...

Luckily Ive got some friends who are just gonna help me do pretty much everything....parts at cost, and $500 for two days labor.

problem solved!

you have good friends ! I need to find some wrenching buddies near me =|

 

[Kean]

I got an outrageous quote (mainly on the parts mark up) for brake system and front end work from a shop near me. Over $4k for everything. I know they dont want to do the work...dont want to mess w an old Toyota...

Luckily Ive got some friends who are just gonna help me do pretty much everything....parts at cost, and $500 for two days labor.

problem solved!

...nice. Sounds like you have your solution.

 

[Griswald]

Ok, all done now. Lucky to have good friends help me out.
Replaced the ball joints, inner and outer tie rods, master brake cylinder and booster. Put in braided steel Brake line. And took it to Merchants for an alignment ($89). Was about $500 for parts, and I gave my friend about the same for the labor. It Would have been 2-3, maybe 4x that had I taken it to a "professional" mechanic. The parts mark up a lot of places charge is crazy.
also, certain shops don't want to work on an old truck, old cars in general. So when I do have to take it in, I'll be sure and find a guy who appreciates the vehicle.

So right now my old girl is pretty much tip top. Only small issue I haven't figured out is a faint oil leak...