front end repairs

[dewdo]

I took my 2000 Ram 3500 dually in for a transmission leak and the shop came back saying the transmission was fine, but the front end was in need of some drastic repairs to the tune of $3,869. 00. They said hauling the 11. 5 Arctic Fox around puts extra stress on the front end. (I had replaced both front sheel bearing assemblies to the tune of $500. 00 each previously) The guy in the shop says the ball joints are shot as well as the front brakes and a few other things. Ha anyone else had extensive repairs to the front end? If so how much did it cost them?



Dewdo in the other Washington

 

[DBentley]

The dodge front ends do seem to use parts fairly quick. Ball joints are wearing quick on most new 4x4s. I think because of the weight and road salt eating things up. And poor quality parts(mexico). The slide on shouldnt add much to the front axle weight. All the slide on's I have had seem to have center of gravity point 6 or more inches behind the rear axle center. So mabey it makes the front lighter if all the weight is so far back. (What are the camper mfgrs. thinking?)

 

[dewdo]

I don't know where the CG is with the camper on but the water tank is in front behind the cab so I would imagine the cg would be toward the front if I was carrying a full tank which I seldom do unless we are boondocking.



They are quoting me "severe duty" front brake pads at $186. 00. I have never heard of this type of brake pads. this will make the third set of front pads I have put on. They are quoting me $294. 00 for a new steering box. There has never been any play in the steering wheel.



They just faxed me the quote with the price now at $4,065. 00 for the front end work. I think I will start checking out the price of the parts to keep them reasonable honest on them.



Dewdo in the other Washington

 

[TowPro]

If it was mine, I would take it somewhere else and get an 2nd opinion. Any shop should be willing to give you an estimate for free!

 

[GaryCarter]

Sounds like the shop I went to once for a front end alignment. They looked the truck over and came back in and quoted me a price to replace all the front bushings & ball joints, shocks, etc.

I told the service writer "let's go look at all those worn out parts, first". I had just replace all these same parts myself. Then he tried to excuse it by saying they just "assumed" the parts were worn. I left.



Get a second opinion.



Gary

 

[JOdell]

I just had my entire front end rebuilt before Labor Day weekend. all 4 ball joints, tie rods wheel bearing assem, and rotors to the tune of $3400. 00. -Jason

 

[dewdo]

front end repair

I just totaled up their estimate and it came to $4,065. 00 and then priced out the parts and it looks like they are getting about a 80% mark up on parts and labor. I don't begrudge a shop a decent margin of profit, but 80% is a little much. Gary would you E-mail me the name of the shop you mentioned. -- email address removed --

 

[JHardwick]

I went in for a front end alignment before I bought my 3rd set of tires 2 days ago. Instead I got handed a $1,675. 00 estimate. All four ball joints and all rod ends. I'm at 208,000 miles.

 

[MMeier]

You guys must be getting those bling bling gold plated parts, right?

 

[Schlickenmeyer]

I guess my truck got lucky on the Dodge stuff. . I am all original front end, (except a balljoint and such from a collision). just had her on the rack at the shop, all was good. odd, mabye this is my payback for the front seal eating a groove in the crank. (but hey, free new bearings and gaskets with the crank).

 

[TPoulsen]

The front of my truck is on jack stands in the garage now. I am doing upper and lower ball joints and axle u joints.

Uppers=$102 ea.

Lowers=$89 ea.

U joints=$47 ea.



Hope this helps,

Tyler

 

[JHardwick]

You guys must be getting those bling bling gold plated parts, right?

I sure wish! I went back to the guy who does more mechanical stuff and he got it down to $1,000. 00 with Mopar parts. The alignment dude was using NAPA (which is cool), but almost $700 is rediculous. We will be putting the ole farmers alignment on this dude :-laf

 

[Moose Truck]

Dewdo, Try Quad 4X4 www.quad4x4.com or 406-446-2427 for the parts and tools, if you want to do it yourself. If you don't want to try it your self, give Rip a call at Source Automotive http://www.sourceautomotive.biz/ in MILWAUKIE, OREGON. If he can't help you he should be able to point to a reasonable priced shop.

 

[GWBourne]

If it was mine, I would take it somewhere else and get an 2nd opinion. Any shop should be willing to give you an estimate for free!

ditto. i was going to sugest getting an exhaust brake but i see you have one already... how often are you using it? i use mine 100% of the time... thats just me though...

Grant

 

[jelag]

04 3500 4x4 dually, always pulling a heavy trailer..... trailer weight of 18-22K lbs... this truck has never seen a full tank of fuel when it was empty..... now has 212K miles... was in for an alignment the last time we put tires on it..... at 200K or so... Front end shop is know to suggest parts and service when the part is on the edge but they said the front of old blue was in good shape and not to worry...



this truck has been ridden hard an put away wet so many times its got mold growing on it... so to speak... . We have done one front wheel bearing set... and the brakes once... that's been it. .

 

[dewdo]

Thanks for all the information. I heard about another diesel repair facility that I will have look at it and then take it to a alignment shop and have them look at it.



The shop that is quoting me said the manifold is already on order. I checked the price on it and it is $389. 50 and they told me earlier it was over $500. 00.



This is one outfit I will never even drive past it anymore. I copied down all the prices on the parts they want to replace and used their part numbers and they have just about doubled the price on everything. They claim to be a family run business for over 15 years. The way they are trying to rob me I think the family might be from Sicily, Italy.