Mazda B3000 Question

[dwd1985]

My roomate just had his 1999 Mazda B3000 checked out at a local Big-O tires place. His auto hublocker had fallen out of the wheel for some reason. We took off the wheel, replaced the hub locker, and reassembled, and all was well. However, jsut to be safe, he took it to have it checked out. They said it was fine, but that he needed alot of OTHER stuff done (typical). Here is the run down:
Camber Kit 2x$25+$50 in labor=$150
Upper control arm assembly w/ball joint=2x$200+$69 in labor=$538
Lower ball joints=2x$64 +99 in labor= $326
Alignment, Thrust= $49.99
Shop fees= $53.20
Tax= $38.73
Total= $1,155.92

Now, he doesnt feel anything wrong while driving, and the auto hublocker was fine. So how can someone justify $1200 in work for something that isnt really broken? Well since I am always working on my SVX, I figure I might try to do some of this work myself, if it isnt too hard. Anyone know anything baout this stuff? I know ball joints in an SVX are easy, but how about in this truck?

[thundering02]

Camber kit....Is his alignment off? (are the tires waearing poorly inside outside {out of round he doesn't feel anything so no go})
Upper and lower ball joints.....are the falling apart? (grab tire and rock back and forth too much movement in those suspension bits could mean that they are going bad....
Alignment should be included with the new camber bolts.

My vote Big-O should not be visited again if everything is still good.

[Hocrest]

Originally Posted by dwd1985

...So how can someone justify $1200 in work for something that isnt really broken? ...

They need money to stay in business.

I'm no professional, and I've never worked on a Mazda, but it seems to me that they are charging separate redundant labor, when most of the work is common between all the components to be changed?????

As it relates to a Subaru that would be like charging $20 (P) +$50 (L) for Cam Seals and at the same time charging $75 (P) + $50 (L) for the timing belt...

[Mr. Pockets]

Originally Posted by Hocrest

They need money to stay in business.

I'm no professional, and I've never worked on a Mazda, but it seems to me that they are charging separate redundant labor, when most of the work is common between all the components to be changed?????

As it relates to a Subaru that would be like charging $20 (P) +$50 (L) for Cam Seals and at the same time charging $75 (P) + $50 (L) for the timing belt...

It may also have been presented in such a way to help the owner of the vehicle pick and choose stuff that he wanted fixed. I mean, I agree - they are taking the opportunity to get some business from the guy, which is fine - but I wouldn't assume they're being dishonest.

[dcarrb]

One thing I like about my mechanic: He has never, ever tried to sell me anything.

An $1000+ estimate for work one didn't know was needed begs a second opinion. At the very least, get a competitor's quote.

dcb

[NapaBavarian]

Get that ford ranger to a second and possibly third opinion I don't trust shops beyond mounting and ballancing my tires under my close supervision good shops are rare because bad ones make so much more money, running a good shop is hard, getting started anyway.

[demonsvx]

If its a 4x4 with the vacuum hubs you can get a manual hub conversion for under $200 as these are the same as a Ford Ranger. Tech info here http://www.therangerstation.com/tech...onversion.html and http://www.therangerstation.com/tech...to_hubswap.htm . Hope this helps