Got a quote from one local shop to replace suspension bushings (14 bushings, 10 of which are press-fit).

$819 + tax in labor (I have the parts).

Does that seem high?

Waiting on another quote, but at that price, I may try to rent a press and do this myself. Geeze!

Btw, has anyone here replaced their bushings using a press?

Cheers.

 

If you are comfortable with suspension work, strip the whole suspension, take the parts and bushings in to the shop and have them press them in for you. Then reassemble. My local shops average $10-20 each for most press-in bushings and bearings, they rebuilt a unitized hub in my Nissan for $40 when I brought in the knuckle. $30 for both control arm bushings on the same car. Was $20 for both Panhard rod bushings on the Rover, and $30 for all four ball joints on my Ford. All done by a tire shop that doesn't dare work on anything with a green oval on it.

Yes the quote seems high but perhaps not when you break it down. They are essentially rebuilding your entire suspension.

 

I feel OK doing the work. I just did shocks and springs over the weekend, and it wasn't too difficult. Problem is, I don't have a press.

So that leaves me thinking I should just buy a $200 press from HF and spend a weekend doing it myself.

 

Cool. I've cursed enough bushings I just take the arm in to a shop. Some day I'll own a press, but I don't want to haul it around with me.

 

Yeah. I'm not planning on moving anytime soon, so it could live in my garage. I could impress my neighbor buddies with it.

 

OK, so if I decide to buy my own press and cut out the auto shop from the equation, does anyone know of the best sleeves/jigs or whatever they are called that I should use to press in/out the various bushings on the D1?

 

Check out the HF ball joint press kit. I've used the adapters that come in those kits for pressing bushings.

 

Also look for a coupon.

If you get their ads in the mail, they usually have some sort of percentage off and a free crappy flashlight.

 

Is it one of these?

Search results for: 'ball joint'

Thanks!