Hello everybody.

I have a question of fair price for work done by a mechanic. The truck is the Ranger 3L V6 with 4X4.

I need the leaf springs replaced on both back wheels. I have a broken leaf on both sides. I hammered and jammed them back in so they won't come out. I know that is not safe. Just a band aide. I now live in a more rural area. So to go anywhere I need to go on the highway. That is something I'm not comfortable doing with messed up leafs.

Doing this job on my own is not an option. Both physically and mentally can't do it.

For the work and the time to do it. What in anybodies opinion be a fair price?

All input greatly appreciated.

Jim

 

Fair price is relative to the area you live in and it's cost of living

Shops can't use cheap parts, since they have to warranty them, so look up OEM replacement leafs and add 20%
Some shops will let customer provide the NEW parts but no warranty

Labor time should be about 4 hours total for both leafs, call around to get shop time rates, they may also be able to look up actual shop time they would charge for leaf spring replacement on your model

May need new hangers for the leafs, these get rusted out and shop can't legally install new leafs if hangers are marginal, not safe
So have a look at ALL 4 of these

There are mobile mechanics that do spare time work, moonlighting, lol.
Check local craigslist

You could provide the parts and they do the install at your location
They have the jacks, tools and air compressor to get the job done
Usually no warranty, well "back of the truck warranty", when you see the back of their truck warranty is over, lol.

Fair price is what YOU think is fair

I am getting older now and one thing I have observed, people are different, lol, yes I know what a great observation
What I mean is that one person could pay $500 for a repair and think he got "ripped off", and another person could pay $800 for exactly the same repair and think he got a "steal" would have gladly paid more.
So it comes down to what it costs and what it is worth to YOU
First person in the above thinks EVERYTHING is a ripoff, lol, I have a few friends like that, EVERYONE charges too much, except what they get paid at their job, which is not enough of course, they are not ripping off their employers by charging them, the employers are ripping them off.
Point of view

If you are happy with the work and the price is reasonable to you then it is a FAIR price

 

Try to find a shop that caters to doing spring work. I broke a leaf in my last truck and took it to a spring shop. I was amazed at how quick they replaced both springs. They do it in their sleep. Seemed like they were done before I finished the complimentary coffee and 4 donuts.

 

Thank you Ron Thank you Butchss

I live in a small town in Illinois. Marseilles. There is a shop near me. I had them install 2 parts for me. They are good priced. I just wanted opinions of others here. Cost of living average I remember finding online is an average 85. With a cost of living in more dense areas and cities is 99 to 104. So we are low.

Since on each side there is only 1 broken... Could the broken 1 be removed and replaced instead of a entire tear down and all new parts? Looking at it as a puzzle with pieces. Not a unit part.

 

I had one broken spring on the driver's side. They explained that both springs needed replacing so the truck sits right and all the U Bolts needed replacing as well as they are a one trick pony. It was on my Splash and I explained to them I did not want the rear of the truck raised at all. I also explained the only thing the truck lugged around was my fat ***. They understood and the truck actually sat a bit lower then before which made me happy. Moral of the story, specialized shops tend to get it and will come through. Good luck.