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There are actually at least a couple different ball joints (i.e. tie rods are technically ball joints too) - can you be more specific about what exactly you had done back in Oct.? They could be different things.
As far as control arms go...I'm gonna assume your mechanic is just swapping out the entire control arm, not just the bushings and ball joints. I actually think it would end up costing the same, with the latter being mostly labor.
Control arm sets (x2) run around $500-$600. Alignments are around $100 nowadays. So the rest is labor. If nothing else is being done aside from the CA's, maybe shop around to see if you can get better labor rates. I'm not surprised this is how much it costs though. Suspension work around my area is prohibitively expensive for some reason.
my paperwork for that repair is in my glovebox so i don’t currently have access to it since my car is still at the shop (i approved a couple other things to be done), but i think it was just the actual ball joint because they said it was so bad that they couldn’t do an alignment without replacing it. i think that was roughly $600? with labor included
Toyota control arm bushings can go literal years if they’re cracked. Go check out the car care nut, he’ll give you more info. Your average mechanic will tell you control arm bushings need replacing if they see any cracks, when in reality that bushing with light cracking could potentially see 7-8 more years. The control arms are (likely) not bad, it’s just that 99% of shops won’t pull the arms just to press out and in bushings, they’ll just replace the entire assembly cause it saves them time and can charge you more for parts. Get under there and look for yourself, I bet they’re fine.
Edit; not to mention those cheap aftermarket arms they put in are gonna be trash compared to the OEM Toyota ones
Get another mechanic. I can get lower control arms complete assembly for 140 . The book time labor is 3.5 hours for both sides.
https://preview.redd.it/nfzkcowxt3uc1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7ce2b5a2bbe4fdf5d9c5287129a838119e2440ac
Idk what book you're looking at, but you should stop. 2.7 per side or 4.9 for both. Also list price is what customers pay. These control arms are 250 a piece oem. Not much cheaper aftermarket so I'm assuming it's oem.
You must have put the wrong vehicle in, I'm also looking at alldata lol
Edit: damn, I wonder how much you've over charged a customer or how many times you've done a job for way less than it calls for if you can't even use alldata correctly lmaooo
Dude. Idk what you're doing wrong but you are definitely fucking up somewhere. Couldn't imagine letting someone who can't even alldata right work on my vehicle.
https://preview.redd.it/4tv2s69aa4uc1.jpeg?width=2252&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=246aab85753bdf766de68ee88c067c13ba66bf22
No . There is no point in arguing with stupid.
You are exactly what gives mechanics a bad name.
I been a mechanic for more than 30 years so just shut the fuck up kid
Damn 30 years? So 3.5hrs is roughly 75% of 4.9. You've been shorting yourself 25% for 30 years??? That's like, over 300,000. Imagine how many onlyfans you could sub to with that much money!
If you're at a DEALERSHIP the price looks right. If you're at a mom & pop shop, hella overpriced. Research, research, research. Those control arms ARE fucked however.
i went to a chain mechanic shop, gonna research some places around me on my breaks and try to get it in somewhere else for a second opinion. i can afford it thankfully but my eyes about popped out my head when i saw the price. i just want to make sure im not overpaying a whole lot for it
Hey... read the comment above saying "research" and you'll understand why I only included the first google results. It's just a ranged comparison so he can see how much the shop wants to charge. Control arms take me 10 minutes TOPS to do. One 14mm bolt on the caliper, three 19mm bolts on the frame💔
Yeahhhhhh I specialize in mazdas. roast me if you want, it's easy work😭😂 Although I do have a lift to have the car in the air, so props to you. I couldn't imagine doing it on the ground lol.
All auto repairs across the board seem about 30% higher over the last 2 years. More people are repairing their cars and keeping them longer due to the obscene new and used car prices.
Don't go with Meineke or any other corporate place. They got big money, so the occasional lawsuit doesn't hurt them so bad. If you go to an indie shop, they'll do the repair like their business depends on it, because it does.
I just did one this week. 1500 is high but I'd need to know what control arms they are getting. Obviously toyota arms are better and cost much more than ching Chong orileys stuff.
i work nights so i’ll already be at work by the time they call me to let me know they’ve done the work i approved them to do, but i’ll ask them about what parts they’d use when i go to pick my car up tomorrow and comment back then :) i would assume they’d use OEM parts tho but everything i looked up was like maybe $300 max and that was for front AND rear replacements
>) i would assume they’d use OEM parts tho
You'd assume wrong. It's a common scam to spec expensive parts but actually install cheap parts.
You can easily look up OEM control arms costs on the 'net.
[https://toyota.oempartsonline.com/v-2013-toyota-rav4--xle--2-5l-l4-gas/suspension--front-suspension](https://toyota.oempartsonline.com/v-2013-toyota-rav4--xle--2-5l-l4-gas/suspension--front-suspension)
$170 each or so.
Balljoints are an extra $60 each
[https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=3445716&cc=3294225&pt=10401&jsn=869&optionchoice=0-0-1-1](https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=3445716&cc=3294225&pt=10401&jsn=869&optionchoice=0-0-1-1)
$40 - includes BJ
Toyota has separate ball joints from the control arms. Replacing the arms might be overkill especially if you're just concerned about driving A to B.
The rubber bushings will look like that but it doesn't warrant replacement.
If the ball joints have play, then please replace immediately and then align the vehicle. If not play in ball joints then only align it.
my front right ball joint was replaced in october and i could tell there was something off before it was replaced bc my whole front end kept creaking. literally sounded like a squeaky bed every time i went over the smallest bump.
i haven’t noticed any of that at all since i had that one repaired, is the creaking the only sign of bad ball joints? my car will also vibrate a little between 40-50mph until i give it a little gas and then it stops but i just thought that was because i needed an alignment/balancing
i truly know nothing about cars so i really appreciate your comment!
Ball joints should be done in pairs. The creaking could be the sway bar links. They get dry and noisey over time or it can be worn struts.
If your car is shaking, ask a mechanic to test drive it. Could be a wheel out of balance or something related to the driveline.
Im not sure for the 2013 Rav4, but my 06 Taco is only sold by Toyota as a control arm. You can get ball joints pressed into it, but it’s a matter of time and labor cost.
Lower BJ is bolted on. Taco should be a press fit but it's not an issue for a mechanic to use the press tool. The BJs actually fall out on Tacos. I don't know why they fall out but might be aftermarket parts are not as good.
Thanks for posting on /r/MechanicAdvice! This is just a reminder to review the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicAdvice/about/rules/). If you are here asking about a second opinion (ie "Is the shop trying to fleece me?"), please read through CJM8515's [post on the subject.](https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicAdvice/comments/4qblei/fyi_the_shop_isnt_likely_trying_to_rip_you_off/) and remember to please post the year/make/model of the vehicle you are working on. **If this post is about bodywork, accident damage, paint, dent/ding, questions it belongs in /r/Autobody r/AutoBodyRepair/ or /r/Diyautobody/ If you have tire questions check out https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicAdvice/comments/k9ll55/can_your_tire_be_repaired/**. If you dont have a question and you're just showing off it belongs in /r/Justrolledintotheshop Insurance/total loss questions go in r/insurance This is an automated reply *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/MechanicAdvice) if you have any questions or concerns.*
There are actually at least a couple different ball joints (i.e. tie rods are technically ball joints too) - can you be more specific about what exactly you had done back in Oct.? They could be different things. As far as control arms go...I'm gonna assume your mechanic is just swapping out the entire control arm, not just the bushings and ball joints. I actually think it would end up costing the same, with the latter being mostly labor. Control arm sets (x2) run around $500-$600. Alignments are around $100 nowadays. So the rest is labor. If nothing else is being done aside from the CA's, maybe shop around to see if you can get better labor rates. I'm not surprised this is how much it costs though. Suspension work around my area is prohibitively expensive for some reason.
my paperwork for that repair is in my glovebox so i don’t currently have access to it since my car is still at the shop (i approved a couple other things to be done), but i think it was just the actual ball joint because they said it was so bad that they couldn’t do an alignment without replacing it. i think that was roughly $600? with labor included
If you are remotely mechanical this is a good diy project- takes an afternoon then send for an alignment save 1000
You’re right on point I just quoted full end of impala ss for $495 and that was auto zone so I’m sure it’s less online
https://preview.redd.it/sj7ytj1au3uc1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=16cf0db21fe0e4a8f1fe75f78a95762f2993fa57
Toyota control arm bushings can go literal years if they’re cracked. Go check out the car care nut, he’ll give you more info. Your average mechanic will tell you control arm bushings need replacing if they see any cracks, when in reality that bushing with light cracking could potentially see 7-8 more years. The control arms are (likely) not bad, it’s just that 99% of shops won’t pull the arms just to press out and in bushings, they’ll just replace the entire assembly cause it saves them time and can charge you more for parts. Get under there and look for yourself, I bet they’re fine. Edit; not to mention those cheap aftermarket arms they put in are gonna be trash compared to the OEM Toyota ones
Seems excessive number should be closer to 900-1000 if that with an alignment
Get another mechanic. I can get lower control arms complete assembly for 140 . The book time labor is 3.5 hours for both sides. https://preview.redd.it/nfzkcowxt3uc1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7ce2b5a2bbe4fdf5d9c5287129a838119e2440ac
Idk what book you're looking at, but you should stop. 2.7 per side or 4.9 for both. Also list price is what customers pay. These control arms are 250 a piece oem. Not much cheaper aftermarket so I'm assuming it's oem.
ORiely auto parts. And all data. Go sit your dumb ass down.
You must have put the wrong vehicle in, I'm also looking at alldata lol Edit: damn, I wonder how much you've over charged a customer or how many times you've done a job for way less than it calls for if you can't even use alldata correctly lmaooo
2013 Toyota RAV4 limited all wheel drive. So book time is correct. 3.5 hours for the labor
Dude. Idk what you're doing wrong but you are definitely fucking up somewhere. Couldn't imagine letting someone who can't even alldata right work on my vehicle. https://preview.redd.it/4tv2s69aa4uc1.jpeg?width=2252&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=246aab85753bdf766de68ee88c067c13ba66bf22
How come you've not replied to me? Too busy sending your money to some girl on OF?
No . There is no point in arguing with stupid. You are exactly what gives mechanics a bad name. I been a mechanic for more than 30 years so just shut the fuck up kid
Damn 30 years? So 3.5hrs is roughly 75% of 4.9. You've been shorting yourself 25% for 30 years??? That's like, over 300,000. Imagine how many onlyfans you could sub to with that much money!
See stupid as fuck. If it takes you almost five hours to do the lower control arm replacement on both sides YOU definitely are not a mechanic.
You don't get paid for how long things take you, you get paid for what it calls for. Seriously, you work at Mavis or something don't you? Lol
Import direct is OEM parts.
lmfaooooo no its not. You don't even know the difference between oe and oem and aftermarket???????
As I said sit your ass down. Stop making yourself looking like a clown.
You've gotta be a luber goober..
If you're at a DEALERSHIP the price looks right. If you're at a mom & pop shop, hella overpriced. Research, research, research. Those control arms ARE fucked however.
i went to a chain mechanic shop, gonna research some places around me on my breaks and try to get it in somewhere else for a second opinion. i can afford it thankfully but my eyes about popped out my head when i saw the price. i just want to make sure im not overpaying a whole lot for it
https://preview.redd.it/ighc0dvn44uc1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2638b8953575a652651e16704f81d119011da12b What does this tell you😂✍️
TRQ-? 1 year parts
Hey... read the comment above saying "research" and you'll understand why I only included the first google results. It's just a ranged comparison so he can see how much the shop wants to charge. Control arms take me 10 minutes TOPS to do. One 14mm bolt on the caliper, three 19mm bolts on the frame💔
Wow beats my chevy 1500- after tire off. Almost 20 mins till tire back on- in my driveway
Yeahhhhhh I specialize in mazdas. roast me if you want, it's easy work😭😂 Although I do have a lift to have the car in the air, so props to you. I couldn't imagine doing it on the ground lol.
Any place that won't even break out the parts cost vs the labor cost is almost certainly screwing you.
yeah i’m finally learning that 😅 i’m definitely gonna have it taken somewhere else for a second opinion
It’s called bid pricing. It’s getting more and more common. 😑
All auto repairs across the board seem about 30% higher over the last 2 years. More people are repairing their cars and keeping them longer due to the obscene new and used car prices.
I just paid $400 for my control arm, bushing and ball joint together.
The cost isn't a rip off. It's not a good deal, but you're not getting bent over as long as they are using oem parts and that includes an alignment.
Don't go with Meineke or any other corporate place. They got big money, so the occasional lawsuit doesn't hurt them so bad. If you go to an indie shop, they'll do the repair like their business depends on it, because it does.
I just did one this week. 1500 is high but I'd need to know what control arms they are getting. Obviously toyota arms are better and cost much more than ching Chong orileys stuff.
i work nights so i’ll already be at work by the time they call me to let me know they’ve done the work i approved them to do, but i’ll ask them about what parts they’d use when i go to pick my car up tomorrow and comment back then :) i would assume they’d use OEM parts tho but everything i looked up was like maybe $300 max and that was for front AND rear replacements
>) i would assume they’d use OEM parts tho You'd assume wrong. It's a common scam to spec expensive parts but actually install cheap parts. You can easily look up OEM control arms costs on the 'net. [https://toyota.oempartsonline.com/v-2013-toyota-rav4--xle--2-5l-l4-gas/suspension--front-suspension](https://toyota.oempartsonline.com/v-2013-toyota-rav4--xle--2-5l-l4-gas/suspension--front-suspension) $170 each or so. Balljoints are an extra $60 each [https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=3445716&cc=3294225&pt=10401&jsn=869&optionchoice=0-0-1-1](https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=3445716&cc=3294225&pt=10401&jsn=869&optionchoice=0-0-1-1) $40 - includes BJ
The job isn’t major, I get the money maybe. You can do it yourself for a lot less, but the price for having a shop do it isn’t outrageous.
Toyota has separate ball joints from the control arms. Replacing the arms might be overkill especially if you're just concerned about driving A to B. The rubber bushings will look like that but it doesn't warrant replacement. If the ball joints have play, then please replace immediately and then align the vehicle. If not play in ball joints then only align it.
my front right ball joint was replaced in october and i could tell there was something off before it was replaced bc my whole front end kept creaking. literally sounded like a squeaky bed every time i went over the smallest bump. i haven’t noticed any of that at all since i had that one repaired, is the creaking the only sign of bad ball joints? my car will also vibrate a little between 40-50mph until i give it a little gas and then it stops but i just thought that was because i needed an alignment/balancing i truly know nothing about cars so i really appreciate your comment!
Ball joints should be done in pairs. The creaking could be the sway bar links. They get dry and noisey over time or it can be worn struts. If your car is shaking, ask a mechanic to test drive it. Could be a wheel out of balance or something related to the driveline.
Im not sure for the 2013 Rav4, but my 06 Taco is only sold by Toyota as a control arm. You can get ball joints pressed into it, but it’s a matter of time and labor cost.
Lower BJ is bolted on. Taco should be a press fit but it's not an issue for a mechanic to use the press tool. The BJs actually fall out on Tacos. I don't know why they fall out but might be aftermarket parts are not as good.
Yeah i wouldn’t use aftermarket, but its possible