Front End Work

S1L3NTSH0UT · Post by **S1L3NTSH0UT** » 22 Sep 2022, 11:42

Hello All,

I own a 2002 V70 XC wagon (the 2.4 L turbo). It's almost at 200k miles and is in decent shape outside of a few issues. I had it sitting for a few months (long story) and now it's back on the road, so I'm trying to straighten out as much as I am able financially. I bought it used in 2015 for $4k and it had about 110k miles on it.

Anyways, I brought it to a shop I usually go to for tires/alignments/etc. and they quoted me for a lot of things. Basically it comes down to new control arms, shocks, struts, and other parts related to those things. I asked them to quote these because it has been riding really rough over bumps and patches of rough road, rumbling a lot, and just feels less comfortable than it used to.

Their quote is like $4,700. I've attached it as an image (with my personal info and the shop info edited out).

My question to the forum is - does all of this stuff seem excessive or too expensive? I intended on getting a quote elsewhere but I have a feeling it may be expensive any which way I cut it.

I live in the south eastern US, if that helps.

Thanks in advance.

Post by **jonesg** » 22 Sep 2022, 12:40

its kinda like that if you don't do the work yourself, I would buy the tools needed, watch videos.

How many miles are on it now, has the timing belt been done.?

S1L3NTSH0UT · Post by **S1L3NTSH0UT** » 22 Sep 2022, 13:34

I don't really have a garage that's good for this type of thing, and I'd be starting almost from the ground up buying the necessary tools. It's almost at 200k miles and I am unsure if the timing belt was done before I bought it. I know I haven't done it. But that is another thing I will look into.

Post by **br0dy519** » 22 Sep 2022, 18:39

https://www.volvoxc.com/wp-content/uplo ... ontEnd.pdf

Post by **jonesg** » 22 Sep 2022, 19:10

I worked on my cars in gravel driveways and the side of the street for 20 years, only recently got a garage.

theres a lot of gold bricking in that estimate, they shouldn't charge for swapping out the strut and then charge more labor to swap the boot, they've already got the thing apart on the bench,

I would opt for quick struts. Its a 20 yr old car, no way I would pay dealership prices .
https://www.completestruts.com/product/ ... ab-content

Take the quick struts to a different garage and pay for installation.

Or hire a mobile mechanic who works out of their van, those guys can be much cheaper and better to deal with.
https://www.google.com/search?q=chattan ... nt=gws-wiz

Same with the control arms and sway bar links.
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/volvo- ... VNEALw_wcB

These mssg boards are for the diy crowd, we're too cheap/poor to pay mechanics,
I don't make excuses for not doing the work, I make excuses to buy more tools.

S1L3NTSH0UT · Post by **S1L3NTSH0UT** » 23 Sep 2022, 06:58

br0dy519 wrote: ↑22 Sep 2022, 18:39 https://www.volvoxc.com/wp-content/uplo ... ontEnd.pdf

Thanks for the info!

S1L3NTSH0UT · Post by **S1L3NTSH0UT** » 23 Sep 2022, 07:03

jonesg wrote: ↑22 Sep 2022, 19:10 I worked on my cars in gravel driveways and the side of the street for 20 years, only recently got a garage.

theres a lot of gold bricking in that estimate, they shouldn't charge for swapping out the strut and then charge more labor to swap the boot, they've already got the thing apart on the bench,

I would opt for quick struts. Its a 20 yr old car, no way I would pay dealership prices .
https://www.completestruts.com/product/ ... ab-content

Take the quick struts to a different garage and pay for installation.

Or hire a mobile mechanic who works out of their van, those guys can be much cheaper and better to deal with.
https://www.google.com/search?q=chattan ... nt=gws-wiz

Same with the control arms and sway bar links.
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/volvo- ... VNEALw_wcB

These mssg boards are for the diy crowd, we're too cheap/poor to pay mechanics,
I don't make excuses for not doing the work, I make excuses to buy more tools.

That makes sense. There was so much outlined in this quote that I was having a hard time telling what was redundant. I may opt for the mobile mechanic route possibly but I'm going to look further into things and see how much I really would be spending in tools and such. I really wanted to keep this thing on the road for as long as possible.

Post by **abscate** » 23 Sep 2022, 09:11

Look for a maker space nearby. I see 13 hours of labor being estimated for about 4-6 hours of shop lift time

Post by **jonesg** » 23 Sep 2022, 18:49

S1L3NTSH0UT wrote: ↑23 Sep 2022, 07:03
jonesg wrote: ↑22 Sep 2022, 19:10 I worked on my cars in gravel driveways and the side of the street for 20 years, only recently got a garage.

theres a lot of gold bricking in that estimate, they shouldn't charge for swapping out the strut and then charge more labor to swap the boot, they've already got the thing apart on the bench,

I would opt for quick struts. Its a 20 yr old car, no way I would pay dealership prices .
https://www.completestruts.com/product/ ... ab-content

Take the quick struts to a different garage and pay for installation.

Or hire a mobile mechanic who works out of their van, those guys can be much cheaper and better to deal with.
https://www.google.com/search?q=chattan ... nt=gws-wiz

Same with the control arms and sway bar links.
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/volvo- ... VNEALw_wcB

These mssg boards are for the diy crowd, we're too cheap/poor to pay mechanics,
I don't make excuses for not doing the work, I make excuses to buy more tools.
That makes sense. There was so much outlined in this quote that I was having a hard time telling what was redundant. I may opt for the mobile mechanic route possibly but I'm going to look further into things and see how much I really would be spending in tools and such. I really wanted to keep this thing on the road for as long as possible.

Under $1000 in tools, shopping carefully at harbor freight, that would be enough.
Their ratchets and socket sets are fine. Big breaker bar to crack the tough bolts (lug bolts etc) loose.
$75 alum Speed jack and at least 2 jack stands, never trust a jack if you're going under there.

My sister lives in Arizona, she drives a Mercedes but never goes to a dealership or even a specialist, she hires an illegal mexican guy who does great work for cheap in her driveway.
Her daughter (my niece) is 28, tall pretty thing, works as a model, she changed the alternator in her own Mercedes with borrowed tools.
I just donated to her cause my MIlwaukee elec ratchet and impact wrench ( an excuse for me to buy updated replacements).

With all the work I do on my car, I'm wondering why I don't have a Mercedes too.

Post by **cn90** » 23 Sep 2022, 20:17

The shop marked up the parts alot!
For example, the control arm made by Lemforder is $110.
Not only that, most shops use parts from local auto parts store, and you can be sure that they will be from China!

Search:
- FCPEuro, autohaussaz and rmeuropean websites for proper parts.
- Forum for tips/tricks, you can do it if you are handy.