Suspension & steering gearbox replacement estimate -- is it reasonable?

[mlupone]

I received an estimate to replace some suspension parts on my 2004 Z71 Suburban w/204K. Is this $2810 estimate reasonable?

ART -UPPER CONTROL ARMS W/BALL 2 213.97 427.94T
JOINTS (BUSHINGS WORN)
LABOR - REPLACE ABOVE PART 1.7 112.90 191.93T
PART - LOWER CONTROL ARMS W/ BALL 2 273.96 547.92T
JOINTS (BUSHINGS WORN)
LABOR - REPLACE ABOVE PARTS 3.3 112.90 372.57T
PART - SWAY BAR END LINK (WORN) 2 67.89 135.78T
LABOR - REPLACE ABOVE PARTS 0.6 112.90 67.74T
PART - IDLER ARM 1 208.96 208.96T
LABOR - REPLACE ABOVE PART 0.8 112.90 90.32T
PART - GEAR BOX (R) (LEAKING) 1 432.84 432.84T
LABOR - REPLACE ABOVE PART 1.6 112.90 180.64T
FLAT RATE - TRUCK/SUV 4 WHEEL 1 89.95 89.95T
ALIGNMENT
FLAT RATE - SERVICE/FLUSH(FLUID 1 63.95 63.95T
EXCHANGE) POWER STERRING UNIT
Subtotal 2,810.54T

 

[Fless]

Moved this over here for you.

 

[Doubeleive]

there getting you on some of it
more parts in this kit for $350 on amazon
then you just need the idler another $100
gearbox can be had for $250 or so plus a core deposit
then then just labor

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0741TYW4S/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Doubeleive]

they are charging $1000 for just the control arms, the kit I linked above is good quality (1A auto/trq)

 

[mlupone]

Thanks Doubeleive. Great info.

 

[mlupone]

I got the estimate down $700 by going with none OE parts. The shop manager stated they're following industry standard hourly rate for labor and 50% mark-up on parts. I was surprised that they acknowledged the wide margin on parts mark-up. Manager told me some repair centers charge much high mark-up on parts.

 

[MassHoe04]

Couldn't the bushings on the upper and lower control arms be popped out and new ones pressed in? Seems like throwing the baby out with the bathwater to me. Maybe doing that is more labor than slapping in all new control arms? IDK...

 

[Doubeleive]

I got the estimate down $700 by going with none OE parts. The shop manager stated they're following industry standard hourly rate for labor and 50% mark-up on parts. I was surprised that they acknowledged the wide margin on parts mark-up. Manager told me some repair centers charge much high mark-up on parts.

ya they gotta make money like all of us, but when you are poor like me you find a way

 

[Doubeleive]

Couldn't the bushings on the upper and lower control arms be popped out and new ones pressed in? Seems like throwing the baby out with the bathwater to me. Maybe doing that is more labor than slapping in all new control arms? IDK...

doing the ball joints and bushings is just as much if not more work than just replacing them, ball joints have to ground off and bushings have to done on a press