I'm not TOO knowledgable about stuff, especially major car repairs, but I had to take my car to a place in Los Angeles for some repairs. I read some reviews online about this place being fair and honest, but I feel like I got ripped off. What do you guys think about these prices:

- Replace rack and pinion = $680 ($400 parts, $280 labor)
- Replace all 4 struts = $760 ($520 parts, $280 labor)
- Replace knock sensor = $385 ($185 parts, $200 labor)
- Replace both outer CV boots = $180 ($60 parts, $120 labor)

 

Rack & pinion: that sounds reasonable. It's not a small job.
Struts: $280 labor seems high.
Knock Sensor: there are 2 ways to do it, and if you know the smart way it's a $40 labor job and you can get the exact same Nissan sensor for $75 on eBay. By the book (the slow way), you will see a couple hours of labor. Find someone local to do this the easy way and get the sensor yourself.
CV boots: sounds reasonable.

I hope these are estimates only, because after the fact it's a waste of time to compare costs.

 

It sounds to me that he has already coughed up over 2 grand.

Next time, post in the regional forum beforehand and you might be able to find someone who is mechanically knowledgeable that can give you a hand with some of your maintenace requirements.

 

I agree with every letter of this post. The strut estimate is extremely high. Knock sensor is extremely high only because there is an easy way to do it that doesn't go "by the book" but most people don't realize it. The other two are decent prices.

 

Not to bad. I hope the quality of work was excellent and you got a complimentary wash when you got the car back, you sure paid for it. He got you on the knock sensor labor, thats a 15 min. job for most any mechanic with the right tools.

 

That is the think that sucks about not working on your own car. We have had customers dump 2x what the car is worth into repairs, even after we suggested against it. On large jobs like that it is best to use resources like this forum, or local ones, to find people who will do it in their spare time, or help you if you have time and are willing to get dirt on your hands. Overall I dont think the pricing is terrible, though I do agree with most of the comments about them.

 

Why does everyone post about getting ripped off? You already had the work done, you paid all the money and even if you got ripped off, it's only going to make you feel bad. Honestly besides interior engine work and tranny work, I feel like I get ripped off having anyone do work on the car. Just because I know that I can parts cheaper and do the labor for free. I would agree with everyone that the KS was high, but most all shops qoute high because the "book" way to fix it takes a while.

 

Struts are def ripoff, I bought GR-2 for 215$ and had it installed for 80$... Steering rack sounds like a hella deal though, should cost about 1k for that job.
CV boot is a rip, you can get both CV JOINTS done for 200$ parts and labor.

 

pretty much what everyone is saying. Rack is the best deal you got. CV is right about average. i personally would charge about 1k to do it. but Its all somewhat related to each other in terms of work.

 

It's cool to get input because sometimes a person can't afford to go through the forums finding a good deal. Plus I'm a little pissed because I had these guys rewire one of my headlight sockets and my original light is shining the xenon white but the one they repair is shining regular yellow. So I'm thinking to myself, you guys this major suspension work and can't even rewire a socket right let alone check the damn light afterward to make sure it's working properly? I guess I got an itchy trigger finger and just let them go ahead with all of it instead of buying the parts ahead of time and having them install it. Thanks to those of you that already responded.