Honda dealer cheaper, *much* cheaper than independent mechanic

My Civic 2001 needs new front struts. Only passenger's side, but they
recommend to replace both sides to make sure car stays straight. So I
go to an independent mechanic, well praised by my coworkers. I talk to
him, really nice guy, he takes a look at the car, says it's safe to
drive for now, if I don't mind the noise. He gives me an estimate:

Parts: 2 x 233.86
labor: 178.00
Alignment: 89.95
Tax: 44.14

TOTAL=779.81

Then I get home and check a few web sites, Majestic Honda lists the
struts assembly for 233.82 but sells it for a discounted price of
175.88. All right, there is some savings. If I were to order the struts
online and then only pay for labor and alignment I could save 100
bucks.

Then I call a Honda dealer, and they quote 478.82 with OEM parts, labor
and tax, and alignment (if needed) 79.95

Bottom line: honda dealer is 558 (with alignment) or 478.82 without
alignment, a saving of 200 or 300 over the independent mechanic.

HOW CAN THAT BE??? Usually the dealer rips you off, in this case it
seems the independent mechanic rips you off.

I check another independent mechanic, and they offered to replace only
the strut (not the entire assembly, i.e. the shock absorber WITHOT the
spring for 250 or so, only in one side.

I think I'll go to the dealer, what do yo think?

 

I think dealer service and parts are generally becoming more competitive. I
priced a new Interstate battery at Firestone and my local dealer not long
ago. Dealer was over $10 cheaper for the same battery.

OTOH, I priced new ignition wires at Majestic and my local dealer: The
dealer wanted about 50% more.

Sure, try the dealer for this one. If it does not go perfectly, chalk this
up to giving you more experience. Or it might go great.

 

None of the places are planning to replace the springs. It seems the
second place is about the same as the dealer. You could might money
on aftermarket shocks. I would do both at once at the dealer since it
doesn't cost any more.

 

This Civic has independent struts up front, not the usual double wishbone
setup with shocks and springs.

 

Did you tell them to replace the struts? Why aren't you just getting the
shocks replaced? For a shock replacement, the part's they need to replace
cost $84 ($104 MSRP) each from majestic. You might want to replace the
rubber bumpers too at a couple bucks each.

I suppose it might be more expensive in labor to replace the shocks than it
is to replace the whole cartridge. That's why Honda's labor is only an
hour. It's a straight swap. You're going to need the alignment too.

 

You may want to do a goggle search on the design defect in the struts
which causes the 2001's to fail prematurely. Armed with this info, I'd
inform your Honda shop that this problem is worthy of a TSB (Technical
Service Bulletin - Recall). They should replace it for you for free.
Everyone with a 2001 Civic has or will have the same problem as you.

As for $178 labour, it's ridiculous. When I had both front struts
replaced at a Honda dealership, I drove in at 8am and was on my way
home by 8:30am. That mechanic must bill out at $356/hr, or he has no
clue what he's doing.

Good Luck

 

not quite a recall, but wasn't there a service bulletin or something re 2001
struts? definitely a known defect

 

I don't know what auto shops/mechanics are doing these days, but
decades ago when I was a motorcycle mechanic for a Yamaha dealership,
all work was done at flat rate. Flat rate was the amount of time,
determined by Yamaha, it should take an experienced mechanic with all
the right tools to do a certain job. The shop could not charge more
if the mechanic was a klutz and took longer, but would charge the full
flat rate if the mechanic could do the job quicker. Since warranty
work is labor lost, beating the flat rate was the only way shops could
turn a profit.

I don't think places do flat rate anymore.

nb

 

Yes, they do. All of them.

 

Wow, I wasn't aware of this. If it turn out to be true, and I can get
the struts replaced, even if I pay labor, I will invite you all to a
party!

 

costco. $35ish, made by johnson controls.