hey guys, about two years ago I hit a curb pretty hard during a snow storm and jacked up my alignment bad. I went to a place called Discount mikes and told them what happened, I told them about how I hit a curb and they told me I need a new control arm and outer tie rod end. The total came up to be over $800 and all I wanted was an alignment. So I went and checked everything and my control arm and all that snaz looks fine the ball joints are old but still good. I just wanted to see what you guys thought. Thanks!!

 

I think so. I doubt if they used Nissan parts. A lower control arm at Autozone is about $120. A tie rod end end is $19.

What do you think?

 

ye they told me that It couldn't be aligned unless I got a new control arm and a tie rod end but it all looks ok! I think they are just trying to get money out of me.

 

well man i work at a nissan stealership and that would maybe cost you 100 bucks here but you would have to buy parts and if they are good then an alignment here is 75 bucks so you do the math

 

"looks OK" and measured on the alignment rack are two completely different animals.
Do you have a print out of the specs as it sits now? If camber and caster are way off, then the control arm must be replaced. Is there any play in the tie rod end? Is it bent at all? Must be a reason they suggested replacing it.
If you hit a curb and your steering wheel moves out of the center position, you've bent something and it needs to be replaced before setting the toe.
$800 does sound high.

 

800 sounds high to me as well. 400 tops

 

ifi was you man id take to a few other shops and get a quote maybe even a dealership they may be expensive but they do know nissans they could screw you over and they also may give you the answer your looking for

 

Well you hit a curb really hard during a snow storm...
Maybe is not only the lower control arm but probably a bent strut mount too.

 

Why dont you replace everything yourself and get an alignment?

 

Sounds high?? How can some people even question that statement.... new control arms with ball joints and tie rod ends inner and outter are 130 on ebay shipped... and at a shop to swap a control arm and outter tierod end would take about 35-45 minutes at the most.. so do the math.. 1 hour labor plus 130 for parts... plus alignment charges... no more than 330 at most and thats going by east coast prices in connecticut with labor at 90 per hour and 100 for the alignment...save yourself the money and get a buddy and do it yourself all repairs shops are crooked and shady

 

Lol, what the heII shop gets their parts from ebay? They are probably buying an OEM LCM, and aftermarket tie rod. Add to that the price of an alignment. The job is probably closer to 1.5-2 hours x~$90.
As shops go, no your not getting screwed. You could do it yourself shopping around for parts and installing your self.

Considering the Max has no caster/camber adjustment, you most likely do need the parts.

 

I purchased my parts from a local belle tire.

I paid 200 for the following parts

2 control arms with ball joints
2 inner tie rods
2 outer tie rods

The work is done easily with a standard set of tools and a few hours of work. Very simple process. When you are done you can get an alignment and be good to go.

 

I'm with you. You will most likely not be happy with the work performed by a shop. I only use shops when I must (Do not have the proper tools) and I am never satisfied. They cut corners, and if they screw up they will deny it, and if it's something they can not deny, then will give you run around and never correct it.

I'd say 90% of shops operate in that manner. I wish I knew of a reputable shop in my area but unfortunately none exist. When I go it's a random pick from driving by.

 

wow.. your getting screwed. I got a brand new lower control arm (lucked up on a junk yard find, for 20 bucks and had the alignment guy put it on and align my car for another 80 bucks.. total cost, 100 bucks..

 

i had a quote to replace both control arms and the total came out to $600 and that is both sides

 

Sounds about right as far as taking it to a legit shop goes. Labor isn't based on how fast someone can fix your car, it's based on a standard that was set to give mechanics a way to price their work. It's pretty cut and dry, if the flat rate guide says that a takes 2 hours to do a job, the customer pays for two hours of labor +parts even if the job only takes 30 mins. Not to mention a slight overhead charge. It also depends on what the shop charges per hour for labor, so if the shop say charged 50$ labor per hour you would wind up paying 200$(+parts mind you) in the above scenario. Shop around you may find a better deal(or someone who'll do it on the side)