Help estimating time needed to make repairs
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2000
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From: Massachusetts
Help estimating time needed to make repairs
My 95 Bronco is going into the shop tomorrow morning to have all four shocks replaced, the radius arm bushings replaced, the front sway bar bushings replaced, and the double cardan joint in the rear driveshaft repaired with a new bearing kit. Can anyone please give me an estimate as to how long this should take a professional mechanic to do with all the proper tools and a lift? I just want to have an idea so I don't get screwed over on labor hours. Thanks.
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Joined: Apr 2004
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I'm not a mechanic but anything over 8 hours and I'd freak. The shocks are the easiest. 1 hour. Double cardon joint 1 hour. Radius arm bushings could be tough because of the threads getting rusted and what not. 2 hours. Front sway bushings. 1 - 2 hours. Tops.
Just my .03
Just my .03
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2000
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From: Massachusetts
Well, I tried to do the shocks myself. First I found out that the size socket I needed was the next size up that happened to not come with my tool kit. So, went out and bought the right size. Then, try to unbolt the shocks, but nothing. Spray them with penetrating oil, let em sit for half an hour, but nothing. Try the breaker bar (under the truck with no jack stands, no ramps), but nothing budges. So, basically living in an apartment and having no storage space for tools, no space to work on a truck, and no time at home during daylight means I'm screwed and can't do much to my own truck. Wish I could, but I'm going to be living like this for several more years, so I'm stuck going to mechanics for now.
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Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Corinth, TX
most shops bill by the book, not by actual hours. unless it's a custom job, they have a guide that tells them how many hours to bill for each type of job. Something like 1 hour for shocks, 1.5 for each bushing, etc. They should be able to quote you the labor costs over the phone. Specialized shops will sometimes be cheaper since they can do more business by moving more work through the shop. They get more business by doing it cheaper than the standard. My advice: shop around over the phone. Tell them what you need, ask if they will allow you to supply the parts, and get a quote for parts and labor. keep em honest, and you won't get screwed 
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