Control arm labor

[BR11S4]

What had everyone paid to have control arms installed? My local Audi/VW shop wants $2800+tax to install 034motorsports adjustable upper and density lower front control arms.

Kit is just above $1000.00. $1,800 seems way too much for labor and an alignment. Thoughts? What did you pay?

Not really wanting to do these myself but damn lol

Sent from my SM-N950U using Audizine mobile app

[irish07]

2 hours per side is perfectly enough. That’s assuming the pinch bolt comes out with zero effort+ cost of complete alignment.

Odds are they’re assuming the pinch bolt is seized and already charging upfront..wrong approach but only thing I can think of to account for that price. They should quote the actual selling labour and call if pinch is seized(requiring X amount more labour)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Morritse]

I paid like $150 for upper control arm installation...

[Jfonse81]

Damnnnn!!!!That's crazy!! , smh!!! , I did mines myself on my B8.5 S5 and if I was to charge a customer it will be something like $750 tops + the alignment. The upper are really easy , the bottom just a lil work , imo the hardest part is the alignment but $1,800 for labor is something outrageous, I dont think the dealership charges that much , but that's just me , my suggestion is start by checking the labor time guides on that Job like the Mitchell guide and you'll get an idea on what's the actual labor cost , different shops have different hourly rate so at least this way you'll know how many hours this job takes and you won't be fouled by a shop. I'm pretty sure someone has done this and can guide you with the right shop to go to . Best of luck.

Sent from my SM-G973U using Audizine mobile app

[BR11S4]

I couldn't believe their quote. Thanks guys! I do have the Audi shop manual on my laptop but haven't looked at it.

I have f&r sway bars, ss clutch line, driveline inserts and rear subframe inserts I need to install myself so new control arms is just too much wrenching lol


I found a shop that will do them for $400 labor, more if pinch bolts dont come out. I ordered 034motorsports adjustable uppers and density line lowers from FCPEURO, gotta love that lifetime warranty! I will have this new shop install them when I get the parts in.



Sent from my SM-N950U using Audizine mobile app

[BucDan]

I couldn't believe their quote. Thanks guys! I do have the Audi shop manual on my laptop but haven't looked at it.

I have f&r sway bars, ss clutch line, driveline inserts and rear subframe inserts I need to install myself so new control arms is just too much wrenching lol


I found a shop that will do them for $400 labor, more if pinch bolts dont come out. I ordered 034motorsports adjustable uppers and density line lowers from FCPEURO, gotta love that lifetime warranty! I will have this new shop install them when I get the parts in.



Sent from my SM-N950U using Audizine mobile app

Sounds about right. 4 hours of work. IMO, no shop is worth $120/hr, and no way in hell it takes more than 4 hours total for upper and lower.

[theweebabyseamus]

Sounds about right. 4 hours of work. IMO, no shop is worth $120/hr, and no way in hell it takes more than 4 hours total for upper and lower.

You should see the rates up here. Lol

[BR11S4]

Well the best known vw/audi shop here in Cincinnati quoted me 2850 for front upper and lower control arms with alignment.

I didnt bother to even respond. $1000-1100 for parts, rest is labor and alignment. Believe they charged me 150 for alignment in past.

So they wanted around $1500 in labor. I think they are $120 an hour. So 12.5 labor. Ya, dont think so.

Sounds about right. 4 hours of work. IMO, no shop is worth $120/hr, and no way in hell it takes more than 4 hours total for upper and lower.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Audizine mobile app

[BR11S4]

I dont mind paying shop rate but cant stand excessive hours billed!

Sent from my SM-N950U using Audizine mobile app

[wangshuo1989]

Just checked alldata diy for labor information.
Upper control arm takes 1.6 hour each side.
Lower control arm takes 1.7 both sides.

I bet your dealer charges less than that indy shop. I also have several "reputable" indy shop that charges insane amount of money for simple things, you just need to shop around and avoid such shops. Let them perish in competition.

[BR11S4]

I told my brother that I guessed they would charge $800. Found a place doing for $400.

I emailed the shop back and said their quote was outrageous and very disappointing. Wont be going back there until I go stage 2 and need APR flash done for stage 2. Had I originally know this shop overcharged so much I would have gone EPL or IE. I am very happy with APR but not this shop!

Just checked alldata diy for labor information.
Upper control arm takes 1.6 hour each side.
Lower control arm takes 1.7 both sides.

I bet your dealer charges less than that indy shop. I also have several "reputable" indy shop that charges insane amount of money for simple things, you just need to shop around and avoid such shops. Let them perish in competition.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Audizine mobile app

[theweebabyseamus]

Well the best known vw/audi shop here in Cincinnati quoted me 2850 for front upper and lower control arms with alignment.

I didnt bother to even respond. $1000-1100 for parts, rest is labor and alignment. Believe they charged me 150 for alignment in past.

So they wanted around $1500 in labor. I think they are $120 an hour. So 12.5 labor. Ya, dont think so.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Audizine mobile app

$1000 for parts for 034 front arms? Its $650 isn't it..?

[Robdukes]

They were looking for a home run. Must be busy and not really care if they lose the job. Probably thought heck..throw out a crazy figure and maybe he'll bite. Not cool but Ive seen it happen before.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

[Fresh.S4]

Put a jack under the suspension to keep pressure on it and do the job yourself??

Veryone bitches about the pinch bolt but they fail to understand how physics work lol...

[BR11S4]

I ordered the adjustable uppers and density line lowers. Comes out to around 1k

$1000 for parts for 034 front arms? Its $650 isn't it..?

Sent from my SM-N950U using Audizine mobile app

[BR11S4]

Probably would have but I'm really busy with work, life and kids. Divorced dad with 3 young boys keep me busy. Also have a ton of parts I need to get installed myself.

Eibach front and rear sway bars
ECS driveline inserts
034 rear subframe inserts
ECS SS clutch line

Put a jack under the suspension to keep pressure on it and do the job yourself??

Veryone bitches about the pinch bolt but they fail to understand how physics work lol...

Sent from my SM-N950U using Audizine mobile app

[Jayz691]

Thats insane. I know b7 is similar, did my own. And my pinch bolt was seized, but got it down now, getting them out. $1800 labor sounds like they just don't wanna do it, period.

Sent from my LM-G710VM using Audizine mobile app

[BR11S4]

Sad for an audi/vw speciality shop

Sent from my SM-N950U using Audizine mobile app

[autologic]

For my Audi Care service I go to an Audi dealership north of San Francisco. there quote on labor is about $220 an hour. I definitely would not be doing any service there outside of my Audi Care.

[BR11S4]

$220 is steepest I've ever heard of, glad I dont live in California lol

Sent from my SM-N950U using Audizine mobile app

[BucDan]

Just to follow up, you're only changing yhe front control arms?

Anyone ever changed out the rear wheels' control arms? Or no reason because it doesnt endure as much stress as the fronts?

Sent from my SM-G960U using Audizine mobile app

[Miller136]

I paid $400 for 4 hours labor upper control arms in my A6 C6. Probably similar. However, they were seized and it took around 6 hours. They still only charged me $400. Shop is in the Columbus, Ohio area. I wish I lived closer. I was visiting family after Christmas. Shop rate is $95/HR. My local shop in Colombia, SC charges $120/HR.
I tried changing the upper on my A4 B7 and the pinch bolts were seized. More power to you guys that can get the seized pinch bolt out.


Sent from my iPhone using Audizine

[Allan691]

Anyone ever changed out the rear wheels' control arms? Or no reason because it doesnt endure as much stress as the fronts?

Curious about this too. I imagine if I were to track it, I would want to, but I am wondering if for daily driving, rears don't need it, or don't wear as quickly..

[BucDan]

Curious about this too. I imagine if I were to track it, I would want to, but I am wondering if for daily driving, rears don't need it, or don't wear as quickly..

Makes you wonder if changing the tie rods make sense as well since you're under there anyway. But then again, if you're steering find, should be ok, unless you hear the creaks when you turn the wheel

[Jayz691]

I changed my rear uppers and the lower smaller trailing arm. The big one is the only one I haven't done yet. Gonna buy used ones and rebuild with new bushings, cuz new ones are $250-$300/each. All my bolts were seized up, so then I can cut what I need to, and install rebuilt ones with new hardware.

Just to follow up, you're only changing yhe front control arms?

Anyone ever changed out the rear wheels' control arms? Or no reason because it doesnt endure as much stress as the fronts?

Sent from my SM-G960U using Audizine mobile app

Sent from my LM-G710VM using Audizine mobile app

[covrtdesign]

Around $1600 at 5280 Motorports here in Denver. Eric and his team is amazing and gives everyone incredible deals.

I do all my own maintenance, but I don't have a lift anymore and didn't want to do it myself on the ground again.

[BR11S4]

I had front upper and lower control arms replaced. I have no plans on doing the rear

Just to follow up, you're only changing yhe front control arms?

Anyone ever changed out the rear wheels' control arms? Or no reason because it doesnt endure as much stress as the fronts?

Sent from my SM-G960U using Audizine mobile app

Sent from my SM-N950U using Audizine mobile app

[Jayz691]

My rears weren't bad, just all my eccentric bolts were seized in bushings. So replacing to get rear alignment adjustment back.

I had front upper and lower control arms replaced. I have no plans on doing the rear

Sent from my SM-N950U using Audizine mobile app

Sent from my LM-G710VM using Audizine mobile app

[Midnight_Rider]

$1900 in DC/Rockville MD area - including Meyle HD control arms kit (complete upper, lower). The charged me $900 for Meyle HD kit.

Nope.

Got the Meyle HD kit for $630 shipped. Looking to see what shop can help me install. Hoping under $500.

The same shop quoted me $900 for ball bearing install (OEM parts).

Nope.

I got that done with Audi OEM parts for $500 install at a local shop with 1 year warranty. Parts are around $250 I think.

[hmc2261]

Audi will charge whatever the book says to charge hours wise for a job. In reality, the book could say its 10 hours of labor, but the mechanic will do it in 3 hours. You will most likely pay the 10 hours cost and the mechanic will get paid for 10 hours of work.
Its kind of flawed for the customer, but great for a good mechanic.

Honestly, you could try to schedule an appointment with them knowing you will be waiting there for it. It could incentive them to not dilly dally since you are there and it would be a lot harder for them to charge you 10 hours when you only waited 3.
Ive done this in the past and it work out in my favor.

[Allan691]

Curious about this too. I imagine if I were to track it, I would want to, but I am wondering if for daily driving, rears don't need it, or don't wear as quickly..

Now that I’ve done my fronts, I notice the rears need it..

[Allan691]

I do all my own maintenance, but I don't have a lift anymore and didn't want to do it myself on the ground again.

This is the key imo. I did the front control arms with jack stands and never again. 70% of my time was wasted pulling myself in and out from underneath the car.. and finding tools that were out of reach or indistinguishable from my position on my back. And torqueing the bolts on the lowers was damn near impossible considering the forces required and angles allowed. With a lift I can understand all the minimalization of the job here. But without one, it is a bitch and I will pay if I have to do it again.

[Midnight_Rider]

GT peace quoted me $1,500 for Meyle HD kit (front top and lower) and ECS coilover install. I have the parts.

Is that good?