Why the hell are mounts and bushings so expensive??

[redneck truck]

I still haven't figured out how polyurethane wheels for rollerblades and skateboards could sell for $5-10 a piece just a few years ago (some with complicated cores and multiple plies, and of all different durometers) while terribly generic and simple polyurethane bushings sell sometimes for several times the amount. Can anyone explain that to me? I can't fathom spending $1000 to replace all the mounts and bushings for my driveline, suspension, and subframes when I could buy 200 rollerblade wheels for the same amount.

[awdjunkies]

I still haven't figured out how polyurethane wheels for rollerblades and skateboards could sell for $5-10 a piece just a few years ago (some with complicated cores and multiple plies, and of all different durometers) while terribly generic and simple polyurethane bushings sell sometimes for several times the amount. Can anyone explain that to me? I can't fathom spending $1000 to replace all the mounts and bushings for my driveline, suspension, and subframes when I could buy 200 rollerblade wheels for the same amount.

Supply and demand perhaps? I guess mankind can do without blades but we can't do without our vehicles. I feel your pain though man.

[A62TURBO]

Engineering and design of these parts is where the actual high cost comes from.

[redneck truck]

So if I don't care for engineering or design I could fabricate my own cheaply? Does anyone have any information on how to do this? Would love to use the original part as a casting or something.

[krew53]

haha... Sounds like you should go back to riding rollerblades.

[A62TURBO]

Being self employed myself I can tell you that it's not that easy to keep prices as low as the consumer would like when overhead is as high as it is. Maybe the direct cost of making some of these parts is low, but throw in all of the other operating expenses plus a fair profit margin and you're talking current market prices. On the other hand you can buy "made in china" at a fraction, but I would rather pay the higher price for the better quality goods.

[redneck truck]

If overhead is that large a percentage of sales, maybe it's time to stop being so picky about what markets you're servicing and start making better use of your capacity. On the contrary, I'm thinking these prices are profit driven and market based, not cost based, in which case it's the "you gotta pay to play" mentality of guys like Krew53 that keeps prices high.

[16V-Dub]

Honestly though, if you can find the right material and have a lathe, poly bushing can be some of the easiest things to make.

I didn't want to pay a ton for swingarm and fork sliders for my old buell, so I machined some up out of round stock aluminum and threaded rod. Then again I just happened to work at a shop that had a 2.5k dollar lathe.

[Calimus]

As I've been told.

"Those with the means to make things..Do, Those without the means...Pay"

Has always seemed to be true in the course of my travels.

[G Men 08]

9.95 for trans mount!

[G Men 08]

but it is ridiculous that you still have to pay that much for a part that has been sitting around for 5 years plus.. I could see if they had to be made to order.. but come on..

[alien_brain]

just close your eyes and pinch yourself while you click 'buy it now' and then take a deeeep breath and let it out slowly...

[JediJoker7169]

Holy necrobump, Batman!