Man, just when gas hit $3/gallon, I found this.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,464
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From: SoCal OC
S, GL, Escalade ESV, my shoes
Man, just when gas hit $3/gallon, I found this.
Took my car in this morning for service (engine oil change, transmision service). By the time all is inspected and done (shop called me and notify of problem, I authorized some, defer other), the tab went crazy.
- Flex Disc crack, I authorized the repair: $395
- Control Arm bushing: $1100
- Valve Cover Gasket: $400
- Oil Pan Gasket: $200.
So the tab came out $600 total. I defer the control arm and gasket job, since my car still go straight & stable, and I see no leak. After checking the internet and found that's it's not that hard to change the FlexDisc, I'm kind of mad that I let the shop do it. My budy could have done it for $100 or less labor (6 lugs !!), part cost $60.
How much is people paying for the control arm bushing. I know Mario was talking about doing it himself ? How about gasket ?
Have anyone have to change out the Flex Disc. My car still shift and drive smooth, the FlexDisc is probably bad, but not that bad. Just that they called while I was in a middle of a conference call, and when I heard "if that thing break, you'd be in big trouble", so I authorize it. Only now I find out that there would be several warning sign prior to that FD break: vibration at speed, rought/jerky shifting, wooble..., none of that on my car right now.
Dang, and X-mas credit card bill is about to due.
- Flex Disc crack, I authorized the repair: $395
- Control Arm bushing: $1100
- Valve Cover Gasket: $400
- Oil Pan Gasket: $200.
So the tab came out $600 total. I defer the control arm and gasket job, since my car still go straight & stable, and I see no leak. After checking the internet and found that's it's not that hard to change the FlexDisc, I'm kind of mad that I let the shop do it. My budy could have done it for $100 or less labor (6 lugs !!), part cost $60.
How much is people paying for the control arm bushing. I know Mario was talking about doing it himself ? How about gasket ?
Have anyone have to change out the Flex Disc. My car still shift and drive smooth, the FlexDisc is probably bad, but not that bad. Just that they called while I was in a middle of a conference call, and when I heard "if that thing break, you'd be in big trouble", so I authorize it. Only now I find out that there would be several warning sign prior to that FD break: vibration at speed, rought/jerky shifting, wooble..., none of that on my car right now.
Dang, and X-mas credit card bill is about to due.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 957
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From: Ventura, CA
AMG 55, 335i, Mini Cooper S
What's up Huy,
I will order my new conrol arms and busings soon after I add 50wheel hp to my car this month and richen my air/fuel. You can go online (Ebay) and get new control arms with bushings and pivot bushing for $118 each (I think all 210's use the same arms and bushings) and it should only take your guy a couple of hours to do the job and then get an alignment.
Another choice is removing your old control arms and just replacing the pivot and busing for under a $100 for all four, you would just have to reuse your old arms, no biggie.
Let me know what you do.
Mario
I will order my new conrol arms and busings soon after I add 50wheel hp to my car this month and richen my air/fuel. You can go online (Ebay) and get new control arms with bushings and pivot bushing for $118 each (I think all 210's use the same arms and bushings) and it should only take your guy a couple of hours to do the job and then get an alignment.
Another choice is removing your old control arms and just replacing the pivot and busing for under a $100 for all four, you would just have to reuse your old arms, no biggie.
Let me know what you do.
Mario
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Joined: Nov 2005
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I would never take my car to a dealer if it wasn't under warranty. There job is basically to "come up" with things that need to be replaced. Dealerships often persude people to replace parts with the slightest bit of wear. Many dealerships even offer free oil changes and things of that nature just to reel people in and then there is all of things that they find that are just on the edge of disaster. I have been a part of many automotive communities and although I am new to MB I have seen this hundreds of times. I know I am kind of on a rant here, but in the short time I have been on this forum I have seen this way too much. Find a good mechanic in your area that relys on their reputation and take your car there, the prices will be better and they will likely try to rip you off a little less with repairs that are simply not needed.
When I search on this forum I find tons of threads about cars going in for an oil change or a rattling sunroof and leaving with over $3000 in suspension and drivetrain repairs that they were talked into doing. Don't let it happen to you, at least get a second opinion.
-Stephen
When I search on this forum I find tons of threads about cars going in for an oil change or a rattling sunroof and leaving with over $3000 in suspension and drivetrain repairs that they were talked into doing. Don't let it happen to you, at least get a second opinion.
-Stephen
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,464
Likes: 9
From: SoCal OC
S, GL, Escalade ESV, my shoes
Mario
I would probably go with the "bushing kit", found them on internet for less than $100 part, since the car have spent all its life in California, I don't think the arm need to be replaced. In northern states, corrosion could screw these things pretty bad, but not here.
I have the Silicon for your headlight, wanna come down and pick them up ?, or PM me your address, I'll mail them to you.
Pick up the car today, they gave me a $100 discount, not too bad huh ? Dealer listed the part at $125 (Phil at FastLane has it for 1/2 of that, but no shop would do that, ony for DIY
), so for $300 for the job sounds reasonable. Just that X-mas credit card bills are due
I'll let you know how the bushing job go. My friend own a tire/suspension shop, I don't think he'll have much problem with this.
I would probably go with the "bushing kit", found them on internet for less than $100 part, since the car have spent all its life in California, I don't think the arm need to be replaced. In northern states, corrosion could screw these things pretty bad, but not here.
I have the Silicon for your headlight, wanna come down and pick them up ?, or PM me your address, I'll mail them to you.
Pick up the car today, they gave me a $100 discount, not too bad huh ? Dealer listed the part at $125 (Phil at FastLane has it for 1/2 of that, but no shop would do that, ony for DIY
), so for $300 for the job sounds reasonable. Just that X-mas credit card bills are due I'll let you know how the bushing job go. My friend own a tire/suspension shop, I don't think he'll have much problem with this.
Last edited by zam2000; Jan 17, 2006 at 11:45 PM.
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Does fastlane have the cheapest parts? They seem to from what I've seen, but I am about to replace my tranny fluid and front flex disk and I want to make sure I get the best price. I can't believe what dealers charge to do this kind of basic work, makes me want to forget my engineering degree and replace MB parts for a living.
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Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Ventura, CA
AMG 55, 335i, Mini Cooper S
Originally Posted by silv_w210
Does fastlane have the cheapest parts? They seem to from what I've seen, but I am about to replace my tranny fluid and front flex disk and I want to make sure I get the best price. I can't believe what dealers charge to do this kind of basic work, makes me want to forget my engineering degree and replace MB parts for a living.
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Super Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 957
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From: Ventura, CA
AMG 55, 335i, Mini Cooper S
Originally Posted by zam2000
Mario
I would probably go with the "bushing kit", found them on internet for less than $100 part, since the car have spent all its life in California, I don't think the arm need to be replaced. In northern states, corrosion could screw these things pretty bad, but not here.
I have the Silicon for your headlight, wanna come down and pick them up ?, or PM me your address, I'll mail them to you.
Pick up the car today, they gave me a $100 discount, not too bad huh ? Dealer listed the part at $125 (Phil at FastLane has it for 1/2 of that, but no shop would do that, ony for DIY ), so for $300 for the job sounds reasonable. Just that X-mas credit card bills are due
I'll let you know how the bushing job go. My friend own a tire/suspension shop, I don't think he'll have much problem with this.
I would probably go with the "bushing kit", found them on internet for less than $100 part, since the car have spent all its life in California, I don't think the arm need to be replaced. In northern states, corrosion could screw these things pretty bad, but not here.
I have the Silicon for your headlight, wanna come down and pick them up ?, or PM me your address, I'll mail them to you.
Pick up the car today, they gave me a $100 discount, not too bad huh ? Dealer listed the part at $125 (Phil at FastLane has it for 1/2 of that, but no shop would do that, ony for DIY
), so for $300 for the job sounds reasonable. Just that X-mas credit card bills are due I'll let you know how the bushing job go. My friend own a tire/suspension shop, I don't think he'll have much problem with this.
I will be in your area on the January 24th Tuesday. I'm going to the "House of Power" to get my car dyno'd and have the air/fuel redone. Maybe we can meet up or somehthing, I will be off the of Beach and Slater.
Keep up the good work your lights.
Mario
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 17
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The flex disc is what MB uses instead of a universal joint like most cars have. One flex disc couples the tranny to the driveshaft and the other couples the drive shaft to the rear differential. MB flex disks tend to crack and fray due to poor material and construction. They are roughly $70 from fastlane and it should be a pretty straight forward replacement procedure if you do your own wrenching like I do. Haven't done it yet, but the most you might have to due is drop the exhaust to get access. It might not even be neccessary to, but either way a pretty easy DIY job.
