Garage charges excessive?

[david]

For a while I have been worried that the steering on my 2003 alphard hasn't "felt" right. When the last set of front tyres lasted only 8 months I was sure there was a problem so I took it into my local Toyota garage for investigation. They found issues with the steering and also with the front and rear suspension.  Items that need fixing and the costs are :-

 

Steering. N/S track rod worn. Inner rack arm joint worn.       Cost   £511

Front Suspension. Both ball joint boots split.                          Cost   ££218 each

Rear Suspension. Both suspension bushes worn.                 Cost   £775 each

                                                                                            Total Cost   £2497

 

I'm obviously not a mechanic and I'm happy to pay a fair price but I can't help feeling that's a bit excessive. Can somebody out there reassure me that that's the right price and put my mind to rest.

Thanks,

Dave

 

 

[Rojie]

2 hours ago, david said:

For a while I have been worried that the steering on my 2003 alphard hasn't "felt" right. When the last set of front tyres lasted only 8 months I was sure there was a problem so I took it into my local Toyota garage for investigation. They found issues with the steering and also with the front and rear suspension.  Items that need fixing and the costs are :-

 

Steering. N/S track rod worn. Inner rack arm joint worn.       Cost   £511

Front Suspension. Both ball joint boots split.                          Cost   ££218 each

Rear Suspension. Both suspension bushes worn.                 Cost   £775 each

                                                                                            Total Cost   £2497

 

I'm obviously not a mechanic and I'm happy to pay a fair price but I can't help feeling that's a bit excessive. Can somebody out there reassure me that that's the right price and put my mind to rest.

Thanks,

Dave

 

 

 

Hi David.

 

I suggest you call NorthStar Conversions and ask them who they use.

 

Those charges are excessive, but if you go to a main dealer that is probably about what they normally charge.

[MonsterS]

2 hours ago, david said:

For a while I have been worried that the steering on my 2003 alphard hasn't "felt" right. When the last set of front tyres lasted only 8 months I was sure there was a problem so I took it into my local Toyota garage for investigation. They found issues with the steering and also with the front and rear suspension.  Items that need fixing and the costs are :-

 

Steering. N/S track rod worn. Inner rack arm joint worn.       Cost   £511

Front Suspension. Both ball joint boots split.                          Cost   ££218 each

Rear Suspension. Both suspension bushes worn.                 Cost   £775 each

                                                                                            Total Cost   £2497

 

I'm obviously not a mechanic and I'm happy to pay a fair price but I can't help feeling that's a bit excessive. Can somebody out there reassure me that that's the right price and put my mind to rest.

Thanks,

Dave

 

 

 

The N/S track rod about £20, the rack arm joint about £25 ish about an 1 hour to 2 to fix

front suspension boots £30 for a pair and about an hour to fit

Rear bushes £50/60 and about 2 - 3 hours labour.  

They clearly do not want the job. I'd take it to a 3rd party.

[Nigel Heyward]

Main dealers will generally be a lot more expensive than a small independent, that much we all know, my advice would be to do a bit of research and find a reputable trustworthy garage and stick with them.

[John Harrison]

Take it for an MOT, then do the jobs that come up at a small local garage you will find a huge reduction in price. After I had my two new track rod ends on my 2008 Vellfire. The mechanic asked "Why didn't you buy just the rubber boots?" I told him I didn't know you could and he said "I've got a box full of them!!!"

Always go to a few  smaller garages for estimates to have work done and ask questions!!!

John  

[John Harrison]

A note though, main dealers are helpful for prices, numbers and detail sheets of components.

Quite often they will print out diagrams for you, if you ask?

 

John Harrison. Wallasey

[Picasso]

You can also try island automotive they do a lot of work on alphards 

[david]

Thanks for all your advice.

Got all the works done, plus an MOT, plus 4 wheel tracking and alignment for total £781. Not £2400 as originally quoted.

 

[Picasso]

Hello David who did the work for you worth a mention 

[Andy cooper]

I have just had my two rear bushes and one CV boot done for mot total £384

At adelaide rd automotive East cowes

[Rojie]

16 minutes ago, Andy cooper said:

I have just had my two rear bushes and one CV boot done for mot total £384

At adelaide rd automotive East cowes

 

You could add them to the recommended garages in the appropriate section.

[Robert Chipp]

I have been to five local garages in my area and all are reluctant to give a price to change the cam belt on my 2002 v6.

[Alphard Club]

7 hours ago, Robert Chipp said:

I have been to five local garages in my area and all are reluctant to give a price to change the cam belt on my 2002 v6.

My friend changed mine. i helped him and it was pretty simple, there is lots of room around the alphard engine bay so I dont see what the issue is.

 

In my local area, I find dealers that sell jap imported cars and ask them where they recommend locally. They will know everything, garages and part sources.

 

I had to do the rear axle bush so used a garage recommended by the dealer, they were happy to oblige.

Steer away from normal garages.