Did I get bent over? had a banging noise coming from the rear and took it to my regular shop, they told me the leaf spring shackle and hanger brackets were almost rusted thru and one more pothole and I'd be all over the road, so they ground out the rivets and replaced said brackets for $544. I don't have the equipment to do that kind of work but I still feel it was a little high.

I live in So CT so the going labor rate is $107/hr. Bent over or not?

 

That's actually a common problem with old rangers in rust prone climates. The job is a total PIA to do. The easiest approach is actually to take the bed off the truck then cut the old rivets out with a torch. The bolts are usually rusted in the leaf springs so they need to be pressed out. In all, about $100 for parts plus 4 hours labor give or take does not sound unreasonable at all. Still a lot to dish out on an unforeseen issue though.

Josh