Is $970 for parts and labor way too much to replace the front wheel bearings in an 83 4x4?

Or $900 in just labor to replace oem exhaust manifold with an new performance header kit. Welding needed. Parts extra

This shop had good reviews, but prices seem steep. I just need my own home garage.

 

Sounds a bit high for the bearing replacement. Parts should only be a couple hundred dollars there.
These bearings are very robust.
What makes you think anything but repacking the existing bearings is needed.??

 

the shop just said: Both front wheel bearing have the play and need to be replaced. It has 140K and the steering in general needs some tightening up.

 

Not sure I would trust that mechanic.
Any play in your straight axle 4x4 wheel bearings is easily adjusted out.
At 140,000, the bearings likely need repacking and new hub seals, but unless water has laid in them,
and they are shown by actual cleaning and inspection to be damaged; they are likely fit for further service.

 

It's hard to price older cars so that both parties are happy. What might be a straight forward repair on a newer vehicle could turn into something unexpected. Last week we had a customer bring in a 1963 Ford Fairlane for a simple clutch replacement, he brought his own parts. Guess what? His parts were so wrong it looked like dump truck parts. Guess what else? That clutch disc is not available from anyone anywhere. We had to have the clutch relined and the pressure plate rebuilt. That 2 hour job sat on a lift for a week. A shop needs to make a profit to stay alive.