$450.00 to change 1 bushing! - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

SGOS252382 · 05-05-2012, 02:37 PM

I went to Tuffy's Automotive (Colonial - Ft. Myers Fl) and they told me it would be $450.00 to replace 1 trailing arm bushing.

Their computer showed 3.5 hours to do the job and they wouldn't budge on the cost. I tried to explain to them, I just wanted 1 bushing replaced but they said it would be a minimum of $450.00

Of course I didn't let them install the bushing. I'm going to get a performance shop to install the bushing for me.

But $450.00, that's highway robbery.

lexlueger · 05-05-2012, 02:50 PM

Did they at least buy you dinner before they....

midnighter · 05-05-2012, 02:55 PM

Welcome to labor costs. This is why I have learned to do the most I can in my garage and spend the money I save on labor costs to buy tools instead. I can almost be a certified mechanic with all I have learned and I am considering getting into it at least part time so I can charge people the big bucks to do stuff that is not that hard for me to do for them with all the right tools.

SGOS252382 · 05-05-2012, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lexlueger

Did they at least buy you dinner before they....

Yeah

I've been to them before and the owner or different sales guy was there and he worked with me (treated me fair and charged me a reasonable price for work).

What was even worse is they had 0 business (not 1 other customer) and no one was working. But he still wanted to charge me $450.00 for work his suspension guy could easily do in 1 hour.
I would have gladly paid them the going rate. If it took him 1 hour to do the job I'd pay him for 1 hours work. But to tell me it would be at least $450.00 to change 1 bushing is being completely unreasonable and not very good customer service.

lexlueger · 05-05-2012, 04:02 PM

Most shops don't get the concept of consumer loyalty. If I receive good service at a mutually fair price then I'll return to your establishment. Over charge me once and it virtually guaranties that I won't return. Seems pretty simple to me.

SGOS252382 · 05-05-2012, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by midnighter

Welcome to labor costs. This is why I have learned to do the most I can in my garage and spend the money I save on labor costs to buy tools instead. I can almost be a certified mechanic with all I have learned and I am considering getting into it at least part time so I can charge people the big bucks to do stuff that is not that hard for me to do for them with all the right tools.

Hopefully you won't charge people $450.00 to swap out 1 tailing arm bushing that you can do in 45 minutes. If so, you won't be getting much return business.

But I do understand what you're saying. Labor costs are a major part of any job. But customers should be charged a "fair" rate for the job being done.

HufferSS · 05-05-2012, 04:24 PM

If its 45 minutes.....then do it yourself.

SGOS252382 · 05-05-2012, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HufferSS

If its 45 minutes.....then do it yourself.

I would but I just had surgery on my ankle and I can't do any crawling or lifting etc. I can barely walk.
I tried to jack my car up (not too smart with my ankle the way it is) and ended up hurting myself even more.

SC2150 · 05-05-2012, 04:28 PM

We do them all the time here...but were a 2 hour drive from you. $200.

SGOS252382 · 05-05-2012, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SC2150

We do them all the time here...but were a 2 hour drive from you. $200.

Just curious. Would that be your charge to install a pair of trailing arms or just to replace the 1 bushing I need replacing?

I've already got BMR trailing arms on my car. I just need the lower bushing replaced on the driver's side trailing arm.

And its wouldn't be that big of a deal for me to drive up there to get it done. I'd just have to pick a day and drive up there.

Thanks for the info.

mhog · 05-05-2012, 08:03 PM

Find someone on the forum to help you that in your area. Buy him a fee beers.

ssmike · 05-05-2012, 08:22 PM

If I could do both in 1 hour on jackstands a professional shop should be able to do 1 in that time or less! $100 job IMO!

Why only 1 needs replacing?

Comrando · 05-05-2012, 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ssmike

Why only 1 needs replacing?

Ditto.

Don't these things go in pairs?

SGOS252382 · 05-06-2012, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ssmike

If I could do both in 1 hour on jackstands a professional shop should be able to do 1 in that time or less! $100 job IMO!

Why only 1 needs replacing?

A while back when I was getting the trailing arms installed, I ran out of time and had to quickly get to a doctor's appointment.

So I ended up 1 BMR bushing short on the driver's side bottom. Remember, lot of guys replace their trailing arms and leave the stock bushing in the bottom. BMR charges extra for the bottom bushing (trailing arms come with the top bushing only).

Getting the 1 bushing installed (by another shop or friend) isn't a big deal.

I just thought it was highway robbery for Tuffy's Automotive to try to charge me $450.00 to replace 1 trailing arm bushing.

I asked the manager if they would charge people $900.00 to install both trailing arms. He said "yes."
But like I said, the computer shows 3.5 hours per side (7 hours labor for both sides).

bucketobolts · 05-06-2012, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mhog

Find someone on the forum to help you that in your area. Buy him a fee beers.

I'm for a work day

ActNup NY · 05-06-2012, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SGOS252382

I went to Tuffy's Automotive (Colonial - Ft. Myers Fl) and they told me it would be $450.00 to replace 1 trailing arm bushing.

Their computer showed 3.5 hours to do the job and they wouldn't budge on the cost. I tried to explain to them, I just wanted 1 bushing replaced but they said it would be a minimum of $450.00

Of course I didn't let them install the bushing. I'm going to get a performance shop to install the bushing for me.

But $450.00, that's highway robbery.

They must have saw you coming a mile away in that hot red cam, and said fellas I think we might have us a bite today. Good for you for walking away.

That's highway robbery to the max.

BMR guy · 05-07-2012, 02:07 PM

They had to look it up wrong, there is no way even a one-armed monkey would take 4.5 hours to change one trailing arm bushing. Even if you removed the entire spindle and changed the bushing on a work bench, you could probably do it in 2 hours. I hate to say it but they either don't like you or are completely incompetent...

ActNup NY · 05-07-2012, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMR guy

They had to look it up wrong, there is no way even a one-armed monkey would take 4.5 hours to change one trailing arm bushing. Even if you removed the entire spindle and changed the bushing on a work bench, you could probably do it in 2 hours. I hate to say it but they either don't like you or are completely incompetent...

SGOS252382 · 05-07-2012, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMR guy

They had to look it up wrong, there is no way even a one-armed monkey would take 4.5 hours to change one trailing arm bushing. Even if you removed the entire spindle and changed the bushing on a work bench, you could probably do it in 2 hours. I hate to say it but they either don't like you or are completely incompetent...

Yeah, I agree. But he showed me the computer screen with the trailing arms on it, and it did show 3.5 hours (per side) to replace the bushings (7 hours to do both sides).

What's funny is I started saying the same things you mentioned to the manager. I started listing all the suspension mods I could get installed for the cost they were trying to charge me.

I'll definitely never go back to that shop.

blackSSRS · 05-10-2012, 11:02 AM

Find anyone yet? I have a die hard chevy neighbor with a custom car shop. I could get him to be much more reasonable for you. if interested PM me your number and I can get you his info. he's in north fort myers and A++ work

SGOS252382 · 05-10-2012, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackSSRS

Find anyone yet? I have a die hard chevy neighbor with a custom car shop. I could get him to be much more reasonable for you. if interested PM me your number and I can get you his info. he's in north fort myers and A++ work

Not yet. I'm waiting to set up a day when I'm not working. Or I might get Performance Plus on Fowler to do it. They are very close to my work location and it would be real easy for me. They told me to give them a call and make an appointment to drop it off.
Another option is to give Justin a call over at J&J Performance. I haven't been over there in a while and I would like to stop by and chat.

But I'll keep you in mind if I don't use either of them.
Thanks.

SUX2BU · 05-10-2012, 07:17 PM

Wow!
If you lived here in Dallas i would do it for a 6 pack of Bud Light.

JusticePete · 06-05-2012, 04:09 PM

The video is a bit dark, but you get the idea. The tech will have more time getting the Camaro on and off the lift than he will have in the repair.

600hp-lpe · 06-05-2012, 05:45 PM

hmm... the bushing on the BMR arm is poly and would be able to be removed rather quickly.. especially compared to the stock arm. a punch and a hammer would drive out the steel sleeve, and then you could pry the poly bushing out with your fingers.

Like Pete said.. longer to get the car on the lift than to change the bushing.

Aceman1120 · 06-06-2012, 11:04 AM

Lol... I love this site!! You guys save us all a lot of money... cause you guys really know your Sh#%T!! "Knowledge is Power" ...and savings

05-05-2012, 02:37 PM	#1
SGOS252382 Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: S.W. Florida Posts: 5,944	$450.00 to change 1 bushing! I went to Tuffy's Automotive (Colonial - Ft. Myers Fl) and they told me it would be $450.00 to replace 1 trailing arm bushing. Their computer showed 3.5 hours to do the job and they wouldn't budge on the cost. I tried to explain to them, I just wanted 1 bushing replaced but they said it would be a minimum of $450.00 Of course I didn't let them install the bushing. I'm going to get a performance shop to install the bushing for me. But $450.00, that's highway robbery. __________________

05-05-2012, 02:50 PM	#2
lexlueger Drives: V10 BMW M5, Supercharged 2SS/RS Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Charlotte NC /Brooklyn NY Posts: 2,029	Did they at least buy you dinner before they.... __________________ MAST 416 STROKER: RDS STAGE 3 TVS 2300 CUSTOM CAM TPIS 102 TB IW 8 RIB PULLEY W/ OD COG REARS NX EXPRESS NITROUS KIT CMGS METHANOL INJECTION RX CHILLER CIRCLE D 2800 TCFLEX PLATE /ADM TRANS COOLER DSS DRIVESHAFT/1400 HP AXLES LPE 3.70 GEARS/JRE POSI MOD DYNATECH HEADERS/MAGNAFLOW EXHAUST/ TEST PIPES SQUASH RETURN STYLE E85 FS/ID 850's BMR/EIBACH SUSPENSION Killing mustangs,because the good Lord wants me to

05-05-2012, 02:55 PM	#3
midnighter Drives: 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS 6M Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: CA Posts: 18,160	Welcome to labor costs. This is why I have learned to do the most I can in my garage and spend the money I save on labor costs to buy tools instead. I can almost be a certified mechanic with all I have learned and I am considering getting into it at least part time so I can charge people the big bucks to do stuff that is not that hard for me to do for them with all the right tools. __________________

05-05-2012, 04:02 PM	#5
lexlueger Drives: V10 BMW M5, Supercharged 2SS/RS Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Charlotte NC /Brooklyn NY Posts: 2,029	Most shops don't get the concept of consumer loyalty. If I receive good service at a mutually fair price then I'll return to your establishment. Over charge me once and it virtually guaranties that I won't return. Seems pretty simple to me. __________________ MAST 416 STROKER: RDS STAGE 3 TVS 2300 CUSTOM CAM TPIS 102 TB IW 8 RIB PULLEY W/ OD COG REARS NX EXPRESS NITROUS KIT CMGS METHANOL INJECTION RX CHILLER CIRCLE D 2800 TCFLEX PLATE /ADM TRANS COOLER DSS DRIVESHAFT/1400 HP AXLES LPE 3.70 GEARS/JRE POSI MOD DYNATECH HEADERS/MAGNAFLOW EXHAUST/ TEST PIPES SQUASH RETURN STYLE E85 FS/ID 850's BMR/EIBACH SUSPENSION Killing mustangs,because the good Lord wants me to

05-05-2012, 04:24 PM	#7
HufferSS I Wanna Go Faster!! Drives: 2011 2SS Synergy Green M6 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: SC Posts: 3,339	If its 45 minutes.....then do it yourself. __________________ Built by Vengeance Racing 9.31@154.81 mph Procharger F1-X RPM Level 7 4L80e + Coan Converter Hendrix 9" Rear Axle + 3.50 Gear ARH 2" LTs+3.5" Exhaust Fore Fuel System, Bogarts + Hoosier Slicks Pfadt Drag Pack Suspension My Build Thread \| Best Pass To Date

05-05-2012, 04:28 PM	#9
SC2150 Drives: 2001 Camaro SS Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Bradenton, FL Posts: 8,006	We do them all the time here...but were a 2 hour drive from you. $200. __________________ www.RevXtreme.com 941-721-1826 Turbo & Supercharging specialist VMax porting development from the begining RX Super Chiller

05-05-2012, 08:03 PM	#11
mhog Drives: 2010 V6 Camaro 2LT/RS Join Date: May 2011 Location: NC Posts: 389 View My Garage	Find someone on the forum to help you that in your area. Buy him a fee beers.

05-05-2012, 08:22 PM	#12
ssmike BLACK is the new Chrome! Drives: 2010 2SS/RS RJT M6 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 4,778	If I could do both in 1 hour on jackstands a professional shop should be able to do 1 in that time or less! $100 job IMO! Why only 1 needs replacing? __________________

05-07-2012, 02:07 PM	#17
BMR guy Drives: 2010 1SS Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 1,081	They had to look it up wrong, there is no way even a one-armed monkey would take 4.5 hours to change one trailing arm bushing. Even if you removed the entire spindle and changed the bushing on a work bench, you could probably do it in 2 hours. I hate to say it but they either don't like you or are completely incompetent... __________________ Brett Internet Tech BMR SUSPENSION

05-10-2012, 11:02 AM	#20
blackSSRS Drives: 2010 RS Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: FL Posts: 510	Find anyone yet? I have a die hard chevy neighbor with a custom car shop. I could get him to be much more reasonable for you. if interested PM me your number and I can get you his info. he's in north fort myers and A++ work

05-10-2012, 07:17 PM	#22
SUX2BU Quit being a pu$$y Drives: FAST Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Sachse TX (DFW) Posts: 5,467 View My Garage	Wow! If you lived here in Dallas i would do it for a 6 pack of Bud Light. __________________ <----- Click HERE to see ALL of my mods/write ups

06-05-2012, 04:09 PM	#23
JusticePete Needs Lowering Drives: Pedders USA Camaro Justice Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 13,626	The video is a bit dark, but you get the idea. The tech will have more time getting the Camaro on and off the lift than he will have in the repair. __________________ Camaro Information \| Buy Pedders Parts \| Pedders Dealers \| The 5th Gen Book \| GMPP \| SEMA Hot Wheels Camaro Brochure \| EOD Fund Facebook Pedders Head Office 248.522.8021 Last edited by JusticePete; 06-06-2012 at 11:27 AM. Reason: Fixed Video Link

06-05-2012, 05:45 PM	#24
600hp-lpe Drives: 2010 2SS RS RJT MN6 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: NH Posts: 4,596	hmm... the bushing on the BMR arm is poly and would be able to be removed rather quickly.. especially compared to the stock arm. a punch and a hammer would drive out the steel sleeve, and then you could pry the poly bushing out with your fingers. Like Pete said.. longer to get the car on the lift than to change the bushing. __________________ 2010 2SS/RS RJT 6SP 600 HP Lingenfelter package 526 RWHP 491 RWTRQ Pedders Justice package with Z-bar and supercar coilovers LPE ZR-1 twin disc Clutch, LPE rear w/3.73 gears NHRA cert. 8.50 CM 10 point roll cage, Cobra racing Seats Gforce 5 PT. Harnesses, MOMO steering wheel and pedals 285/35/19 Bridgestone RE-11 Tires, CCW 19X10 SP16A Wheels 315/30/18 Front, 335/30/18 Rear Hoosier tires, CCW C2K Wheels Racing Brake Rotors, stainless lines, MT800 Brake pads Spohn HD Rear Axles, Toe Links, Trailing Arms, Lower Control Arms Beware of the LPE Brotherhood

06-06-2012, 11:04 AM	#25
Aceman1120 Drives: Orange Metallic RS Join Date: May 2009 Location: New York Posts: 194	Lol... I love this site!! You guys save us all a lot of money... cause you guys really know your Sh#%T!! "Knowledge is Power" ...and savings __________________ Http://www.LaFiestaNy.com "Seek and You Shall Find"