Hey y’all! Looking to get a second opinion on a price estimate I got for a repair/replace at a Ford dealership. The underlined price is the one I’m concerned about
Dealership messages included. They recommended replacing the upper/lower control arms and front struts, with a quote of $4310.
This could very well be accurate, but any insight would be very helpful. Does it seem accurate?
I called a second (nearby) dealership to get an estimate from them for this replacement, and they told me that the parts are obsolete and they can’t give a price estimate for either of them.
The Filters and wiper blades would have me looking elsewhere. You can do all that yourself but for a 4k job that would be at cost. Naw, they are fucking you.
I did OEM lower control arms and KYB front struts/rear shocks on my 2013 Fusion in my garage for like $1500 last year. I’d have to dig for the invoice.
Not sure what all the differences are between my generation and yours but don’t think this quote makes sense. I also did the work myself, obviously that changes things a bit, so I could be wrong.
@Beck
The 2013 Fusion has a very different control arm setup. The 2010 has two lower control arms per side and the rearward one is mounted above the subframe.
I would never go to a dealership for work. Go to a local trusted shop. In my experience it’ll be way cheaper, and I wouldn’t be surprised if you don’t even have to replace all those parts. (Happened to me)
Best thing is if you’re capable of doing it yourself. You’ll save so much money.
@Keagan
Yeah the front rearward lower control arm from 2006-2012 is mounted above the subframe so you have to drop it to get at a bolt. The ball joints are comparatively trivial.
You could probably just loosen the back of the subframe to get them, but it’s not something I would have an inexperienced mechanic do. And the job is usually quoted assuming a full drop.
Quick struts are like 150 a piece × 2 at AutoZone. Easy to do yourself with the right tools. Control arms probably the same for upper and lower. Could do this job yourself in a weekend for $1000. This rest is parts being upcharged and labor. I’d look for a mechanic around $2500 if you don’t want to do it yourself.
Also, air filter for cabin is 10 bucks and behind the glove box. Super easy. Same with other filter. Just under the hood. Two metal snaps. Can get both at AutoZone and they might even do it for you. AutoZone people are pretty handy with cars!
Sorry. Adding to my response again. Wipers definitely do yourself they are cheap at AutoZone. Super easy and they will do it for you.
I did my brakes and rotors myself. If you’re doing the struts you’re already there. Cost me $280 for 4 rotors and 100 for the pads but AutoZone has a lifetime warranty on pads so free exchange.
TPS Sensors. What a pain. Basically like changing a tire. The part itself you can put at AutoZone for about 40 bucks. Installing it requires cutting the old one off and just pulling the new one in place with some grease. My mechanic did this for me for 20 bucks. You then have to train it after with the other tires. It requires following a procedure. You should really look into these things OP. You are paying about 3k more if you have the dealer do it compared to finding a good mechanic/ doing it yourself.
At dealer rates that’s probably accurate. I did the entire front end on my 2011 to save thousands - even local shops were pricey (but not to that extent). The lower control arms are a bear to get out of the knuckle (air or a good electric impact, the right tools, and a BIG hammer make it possible). The upper control arms and the struts are cake. If you don’t have the tools or aren’t mechanically inclined I wouldn’t make the lowers your first project. The later cars are easier on the LCA front but we’re dealing with a 2002 Mazda6, lol - I mean that in the best way possible. The front end geometry is why they handle the way they do, after all.
I used Moog control arms and Motorcraft struts. I’m not particularly happy with the “one spring fits all non-Sport regardless of engine” strut assemblies (it seems all manufacturers do this, even Ford) and the front of the car sits a bit too high now (4cyl), but I needed to replace a broken left front spring and get the car back on the road and they were the best option I could get quickly. I have not been that impressed with Monroe Quickstruts lately - they were awesome 15 years ago when I put them on my old Taurus, but the ones installed this year on my wife’s '12 Focus are just okay, and the ones on my '14 Escape I installed six months ago are noisy even though nothing is loose. I’m just now remembering that I put struts on three cars this year. Oof.
If you are a handy shade tree mechanic it’s doable but I would not want to attempt the lower control arms with only a pickle fork and a hammer. If you just bash them out the tapered knuckle insert will come out with the ball joint (I popped all four without pulling those out - make sure the separator you use fits around the ball joint stud only, and separates it from the insert). It will take a LOT of pressure and beating with a BFH and when they let go it sounds like a gunshot, and make sure you protect the axle because the LCA will rocket right up into the CV boot.
I wouldn’t bother with the TPMS sensors unless you’re also getting tires - they can wait till the tires need to be dismounted anyway, just keep an eye on it old school. Air filter, cabin air filter, and wipers are highway robbery. The brakes are about going rate in my area for one axle but are very easy if you’re mechanically inclined.
