found a shop in my area that will change my A-Arms upper and lower with alignment for 650 "labor costs already have the parts from summit-

if this a fair labor rate ? for 850 they can convert the front drums to disk brakes
as i have the kit but i think drum brakes are more efficient because i have an RS with front disk and my 67 has stronger brakes and they self tighten -

either way for labor is this stiff or the norm as a ball park figure ?

what do you do when shops tell you there computers dont go back that far ..? as i don't want to be hosed with labor costs?

 

that seems high to me , but then I would that work myself other than the alignment
around here the labor rate is $70-85. per hour.
it has been quite a while since I did that. I believe I could take it apart and have it together in 5-6 hours if everything went right

 

Once a vehicle passes a certain age shops will shy away book times. Book times do not take into account the problems caused by ageing. What would normally be a quick job can really drag out and require "other" parts or welding that would tie up their bay.

Many shops will not even quote a job like this. They will tell you I think it will be around X dollars but if it takes long its on you, AKA Time and material.

I was in a hurry a few months back and had to pay to have one control arm bushing replaced on my winter unit (trailblazer) and a alignment for $225. Based on that, they are about right.


You drum brakes have about half the stopping power of rotor brakes. IMO swapping front drums to rotor in the best investment you can make in these cars if you plan on driving in any type of traffic. Everything on the road can stop in about 25% of the distance you can.

FYI: Drum brakes have mechanical self adjusters that are very prone to jamming and not working and they only adjust when you back up. Rotors on the other hand have no need for self adjusting and have very few moving parts.