stealership quotes

Now, please be patient with me as I'm just a naive 18 year old trying to learn.
Recently, my lower control arms snapped while driving, not a huge deal, because of the recall.
While at the dealer, they gave me a repair estimate on other things that needed to be fixed
Now I'm not sure if i'm looking at the wrong parts, but im finding these parts a great deal cheaper. I found the front driveshaft for $108, not $707. Same story for the other parts.
I heard dealerships over charged you but is it really by this much? Or, am I just looking at the wrong things. Also, Is replacing these parts easy to do at home, especially the driveshaft and the front differential pinion seal?
Thanks for any help

Yes, those prices are excessively high.

Dealerships do not necessarily overcharge, but they buy parts at one price and then mark up to give themselves an amount for ordering the part, getting the part etc. Its all to cover overhead . If they didn't do that well they would not stay in business very long at all
NOW you are looking at prices, lowest price I assume which may in fact be a totally junk part from the get go.
To rebuild the rear CV on the front driveshaft I can buy the parts for 40 bucks which are good parts for example.
Its all economics, if you do not have the tools and knowledge to do something then you must pay someone else.
While you think 700 is high, its what they charge to make a living, pay the tech, for a building, insurance, electricity, water, taxes, rags, cleaners, etc
I'm by no means sticking up for them , but they are a business.
Do you know what it really costs to make a pizza they charge 14-18 bucks for ? :happy175::happy175:

Yea i know how it works i was just wondering if this dealership was excessively high. I know every shop has to up charge everything to stay in business

aaronjmartin said:

Yea i know how it works i was just wondering if this dealership was excessively high. I know every shop has to up charge everything to stay in business

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You have to look at the quality of parts being used
I mean there are radiators advertised for less than 100 bucks and some for 400. The cheap ones are what I consider total junk not worth carrying home where as the higher dollar ones are good parts
So while you list part prices ( your price / their price) it does not tell us the quality of the part ( brand name etc ) so how are we to know its excessive?
They may have one that is being built with ultra rare high dollar parts :emotions34:
Just looked on Parts Geek, for a front KJ 2003 driveshaft, prices from 167 to 543,.....................so.........543 is for a Mopar, cheapest is from strange company
Now if I was the service manager I know which one I would price and order, thats right the one from Mopar

tommudd said:

You have to look at the quality of parts being used
I mean there are radiators advertised for less than 100 bucks and some for 400. The cheap ones are what I consider total junk not worth carrying home where as the higher dollar ones are good parts
So while you list part prices ( your price / their price) it does not tell us the quality of the part ( brand name etc ) so how are we to know its excessive?
They may have one that is being built with ultra rare high dollar parts :emotions34:
Just looked on Parts Geek, for a front KJ 2003 driveshaft, prices from 167 to 543,.....................so.........543 is for a Mopar, cheapest is from strange company
Now if I was the service manager I know which one I would price and order, thats right the one from Mopar

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Ok gotcha. Thanks for the help. Do you know if replacing those parts would be too hard. I know the drive shaft shouldnt be that bad

aaronjmartin said:

Ok gotcha. Thanks for the help. Do you know if replacing those parts would be too hard. I know the drive shaft shouldnt be that bad

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Driveshaft is pretty easy
Whats wrong with yours ?
If its the rear boot that has deteriorated then easy fix for a few bucks

Remember, these guys will only use OEM parts unless OEM isn't available anymore, then add the markup. As stated, be mindful of quality, some things it isn't worth paying the extra for but I have found with modern Mopars it generally works out better going OEM if you can for most things (but especially electronics) simply because the quality is better.

Watch the videos on you tube. Some you will do, other stuff you will want a pro to fix.
Before you buy an expensive part ask here if your choice is a good one.

Good Luck!

Youtube,...sorry some are a real joke when it comes to repairs

tommudd said:

Youtube,...sorry some are a real joke when it comes to repairs

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This is true! Be careful out there!

aaronjmartin said:

Now, please be patient with me as I'm just a naive 18 year old trying to learn.
Recently, my lower control arms snapped while driving, not a huge deal, because of the recall.
While at the dealer, they gave me a repair estimate on other things that needed to be fixed
Now I'm not sure if i'm looking at the wrong parts, but im finding these parts a great deal cheaper. I found the front driveshaft for $108, not $707. Same story for the other parts.
I heard dealerships over charged you but is it really by this much? Or, am I just looking at the wrong things. Also, Is replacing these parts easy to do at home, especially the driveshaft and the front differential pinion seal?
Thanks for any help

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Driveshaft from dealer = 100% brand new,the one you found is a remaned shaft with a $10 junk end put on and re-painted.

Huge price difference(quality) between OEM "new" and remaned,heck even china built "new".