Hi everyone. I have a 2004 with 130k miles on it. Recently had an engine overheat and while at the dealer they said I need my front lower control arms replaced and my ball joint on the right was shot. They quoted $1500....

I just watched an 11 minute video of someone replacing theirs. I've never worked on cars before but this looked pretty easy. I will need a lift and a couple wrenches? Is this something I can feasibly repair on my own?

Thanks in advance

 

You can do it yourself for a lot less than 1500.

Did they tell you if it's the transverse link (underneath the shock) or the bigger control arms that go from the subframe to the steering knuckle? Ball joint you will need to rent a press from AdvanceAuto or someplace similar. It's basically a large C clamp with different adapter cups.

No lift required. Just some jacks, jack stands, wrenches, and ratchets. I'd get a cordless/corded impact also it will make your life a lot easier.

I replaced both ball joints and control arms for about 300-400 bucks on my own. Buy your parts from RockAuto.com.

 

Thanks for the reply. From their quote sheet: "Needs control arms links front lower."

Here's everything they recommended:
lower control arms $1435
Sway bar end links front $421
Rear sway bar end links $362.90
Valve cover leaking $1808
Front brakes $395
RWD service $175
Camshaft rotation sensors leaking $743
Spark plugs $565

The impression I got while talking to him was that the radiator issue and the suspension issues were priorities. Everything else was not urgent to repair, just that it wouldn't be a bad thing to do.

I'm looking at offloading this car, hoping I could get 2-3k. Are any of these repairs worth making?

 

Holy butt rape!!!

$1435 to change control arms? Even if you go OEM on those which are $300- $400 for parts, how is that like $1000 in labor? If I'm not mistaken, Infiniti labor rate is $130- $140 an hour. How does it take 7 hours to change control arms? I did it myself with no experience with it and had the old arms out and the new ones in about an hour on each side. Keep in mind I'm doing this without a lift. What a RIP-OFF.

I'm looking at most of these services they suggested and almost all of them are overcharged by $300- $400. Adding this up is probably the value of what your car is worth. Do yourself a big favor and buy the parts from Rockauto or even OEM if you want to and save yourself like $2k

 

Yeah no kidding. When my car broke down we had to get to get it towed and didn't know any local shops so it went to the dealer. To replace upper and lower radiator hose, thermostats, and gasket they charged parts plus 6hrs of labor at $130 an hour. Of course I called around and found much cheaper prices, but then they would charge $200 for the inspection if I didn't get work done there plus the towing fee. NEVER AGAIN.

I was just thinking of repairing the parts that are actually broken and selling or trading it in. The spark plugs for example, he said "they usually need to be changed at a certain milage so we might as well do it" but there isn't anything actually wrong with them...

 

Holy butt rape.

I think I paid $100 for a control arm from Rockauto. Of course my driveshaft fell off before I got around to replacing it

 

There you go talking about that damn drive shaft again lol.

Sway bar endlinks $400 are you freaking kidding me? They're around $40 each and it literally takes longer to jack up the car than it does to replace them. I feel violated and I just read your post..........

 

That is f-ing insane the prices they charge.

Did they make sure you didn't have any engine damage from the overheat prior to bending you over?? Wow, I can't believe they can get away with overcharging you that much.

I've done just about all the below on my own with jacks, jack stands, tools, and time.

lower control arms $1435 - You can get both for 100 bucks, I bought Dorman one.
Sway bar end links front $421 - I paid 30 bucks for both I think. I haven't put them on yet though. It's really simple.
Rear sway bar end links $362.90 - I haven't replaced these.
Valve cover leaking $1808 - MAJOR RIP OFF. Unless you need new covers then they are about 300-400 a piece - Still 1000 in labor...RIGHT. If it's just the gasket then it's 20 bucks I think. I recently replaced mine and the driver side was a PITA.
Front brakes $395 - Rotors and pads I think I paid about 100 and did it myself.
RWD service $175 - Changing the DIFF fluid? 15 bucks for the fluid, 10 for a pump, 5-10 for the allen bit, and 30 minutes of time.
Camshaft rotation sensors leaking $743 - Are they talking about the VTC solenoid or the camshaft sensors? I think they have just an o-ring on them and you can buy those separate for like 10 bucks for a set. If it's the VTC solenoid then it's just 20-30 I think I paid for the OEM gasket.
Spark plugs $565 - Absolutely ridiculous I think I paid 60-70 bucks for the plugs at AutoZone and you can swap them out easily. I think they're supposed to be changed at about 105K miles.

You can do all that work on your own if you have the time and some decent tools. I buy most of my tools from Harbor Freight and haven't been to a dealer in years or even a regular mechanic outside of alignments, inspections, emissions, etc...

 

Wow, Infiniti must really think their customers are all wealthy gullible idiots! Thank goodness we have this site full of DIYs and useful maintenance info.

Just for sh*ts and giggles I would call that stealership and ask them to give you a breakdown of parts and labor for all of those items, just to call them out for those ridiculous B.S. prices.