Hi there. My mechanic has informed me that my stabilizer link kits and bushings are broken and need replacing. He quoted me $193 for the parts and $177 in labor to install them. I've been using him for years but not sure I fully trust him anymore (he also told me I needed new shocks and struts, which only have 25K miles on 'em). Does this quote seem reasonable? Any help is appreciated!

'99 4Runner
103K miles

 

I got my end links at Autozone for $20, made by Prothane; they came with the bolts, spacers and poly bushings. I also had them get my the actual stabilizer bar bushings, which they usually keep in stock on the shelf for another $12, it took me about 45 minutes to install them. There are 2 bolts per side on the sway bar brackets and 1 nut on the end link. If your end link nuts will come off easily you only need the bushing kit that they can get also that comes with everything you need. I had to cut my passenger side off since it was rusted tight. These bushings are VERY easy to change with out even jacking the truck up! Take the bolts loose, move the brackets out of the way pull the old bushings off, grease the new ones with the stuff that comes with the kit and put them on the bar, tighten it back in and your finished. That price is WAY to high in my opinion. I am not kidding, this is a very easy job if you have a socket set and an hour to kill. Here is a link to a pic of mine so you can see what Im talking about! http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/saabbo...9b.jpg&.src=ph The end link is the gold colored bolt with the red bushings. The sway bar bushings are a little further under the truck but you get the idea, not a $250 job.

 

Are those prices with or without Vaseline?
I replaced my sway bar end-link bushings with poly ones and they cost me about $20 and 1 hour I think

 

Thanks for the help, really appreciate it. I'll give it a shot this weekend.

 

I took a look at what I think are the stabilizer bar links tonight and snapped a few photos. It looks like the bottoms are snapped on both sides, but this is not my area of expertise so it may be that it's just supposed to look like it does. Can you take a look at the pics and let me know your opinion when you have a chance?

[url]http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/smittie6/detail?.dir=e314&.dnm=d84c.jpg&.src=ph

Thanks for your help,

Brad

 

Yup, those would be your links! If you can pull them, and they move, they are broken.