[Hippie]

Can anybody interpret car talk? Mechanic said my car needed a right side bushing and it would cost about $900. That's $900 more then I have. I just paid him $500 for back brakes so was in a daze when he said I needed more stuff done.
It's a 2004 Camry. Is a bushing like a shrub? Does my car need a little spruce, yew?
Seriously, can I drive it without a bushing?
I don't like to ask mechanics questions because I am, as you all know by now, a wuss. Just want to know what to expect if the bushing gets worse. Feel the cost is like getting am-bushed.
Any car people out there?

Will have a word with hubby when he gets back for you....

[lynn P.]

Funny post Hippie. I'm not an expert lol, I just looked it up. Bushing have to do with the suspension system which gives you a smooth ride. Bushings can wear out. I think it's wise to get 2 estimates to make sure you're not being over charged. If you don't replace the bushing you'll have a bumpier ride. Do all the bushings need replacing?

Did he put a name to the bush ? Because there are a number of bushes, it could be a track rod end bush or a anti-roll bar bush or a steering bush etc....

Very funny--(((Tishie)))) how about an azalea bush?

Sorry, Hippie--just being silly--funny-- ugh- now i'm worried about my bushings-
I have a 1999 Camry....yours is 2004.
Amazing how my thoughts can go off to the "what ifs" so quickly!

Sounds like too much for bushing--JMO-I'd get another mechanic's name from a friend and ask him what He'd charge.....and why only one bushing?--hugs--theo

[lynn P.]

Originally Posted by Tishie

Did he put a name to the bush ? Because there are a number of bushes, it could be a track rod end bush or a anti-roll bar bush or a steering bush etc....

Good point Tishie - there are different bushings depending on the problem.

Hippie - next time don't worry about asking them to explain, if you don;t understand something. I ask many questions with people who are doing service for me - it's their job. I don't trust mechanics though, which is why I get more than one opinion. I think they take advantage, when they sense the person doesn't know about cars.

I was being serious lol .... There are lots of bushes in a car and depending on which one depends on the cost. Some are easy to get to some are hard so cost more in labour.

[Hippie]

All the mechanic said was it was a right front bushing. he said the left bushing was fine.
I did Google bushing before posting here and just got confused. There were pictures of all different thingies, none look like they were worth $900.
Think the idea of a second opinion is good. Now, just to find someone. I'll ask my neighbor, though she's like ,me, dyscar-ia.lol My old mechanic who was so good (and cheap!) has moved away. pooh

[lynn P.]

True the cost of the bushing/s probably are cheap, it's the labor that raises the price. Hopefully some people who've had experience with this will post. It seems a little pricey to me IDK. A person who's handy could do this themselves

[Scolaiocht]

The price estimate seems way up there.

From what my Dad told me, depending on why type of bushing, it shouldn't take too much time or money and can usually be done by someone whose into cars enough.

I would definitely get more than one estimate, if at all possible. My fiance has had a few car shops charge him up and over for something just because they knew his car wouldn't run without it. Labor costs aren't cheap, but I also don't think it should run that high.

[FooZe]

I was a mechanic for awhile, but not recently and never on Toyotas so I don't know any suspension details about your Camry.

A bushing is basically a metal (or rubber or plastic, in some cases) sleeve so that a moving part can fit neatly inside something else that's holding it in position. It acts like a bearing and/or cushion. If it wears out or disintegrates, the smaller part will be rattling around inside the larger and you'll get noise, rapid wear to both parts, a rough ride, or worse.

As others have said, there are many different bushings on any car, some of them on the suspension. In order to pursue this question farther, it's important to know which bushing -- what it does, what it's made of, what it takes to get to it, remove and replace it.

Once you know more, there are two things you can do:

-- Look the repair up in the "flat rate manual". In my day anyway, mechanics would quote (based on the book) for the amount of time that a "typical" repair like that would take. If they knew their stuff and everything went well, they might finish in less than the book time and net more per actual hour of their time. If they were having an off day or the car fought back harder than usual, it might take them longer than usual and they'd "eat" the difference.

-- Get hold of a shop manual for your particular car (Toyota or Haynes, for example), look up the repair, see what steps are involved, and decide for yourself if the price sounds reasonable. That might also give you an idea of how urgent the repair is and what the likely consequences would be if you didn't get it done right away. For some bushings you could expect just some unpleasant clunking noises when you went over a bump for the next few years. For others you might be risking the suspension coming apart or expensive parts wearing out and needing to be replaced at even higher cost.

If it were my car I'd go the shop manual route first, then ask to see the flat rate figures. Unless the first mechanic's quote made really good sense by then, I'd get a second or third opinion. The lowest price isn't necessarily the best; one mechanic may plan on cutting corners or else doing some extra things you'd prefer to do without, while another may be offering you a more thorough job on what you do want done. In evaluating a mechanic, I do take friends' recommendations (or not) into account.

Good luck, Hippie!

[ECHOES]

I just had mine replaced in my '07 PT Cruiser.
They don't normally wear out this fast, so they did it as part of the warranty which is still in effect. They replaced both side arms (of the suspension) because of the on side bushing wearing out. I noticed a squeaking in the front when I went over bumps (we have tons of speedbumps here).

ETA: It was estimated to be a 3-hour job, but it took only 1.5 hours.

I hope you can get this done and that you find a better price.

[Hippie]

It's a front arm suspension bushing. I spoke wity the mechanic again and he said it will be $993 plus tax to fix the bushing and do an alignment.
Did get up courage & asked neighbor and got a recommendation for a different guy.
Fool zero, thanks. I don't know what a "rate manual" is but I'l google it and go to library---is there another place I should look into?

[Shangrala]

A bushing is a huge chunk of rubber that wraps around a solid metal shaft which is in direct relation to your suspension/tension rod...some dealiebobber that prevents shimmying of suspension. When it begins to wear out, you will notice a rougher ride..or, something like that...lmao.

Definitely get a second opinion.
And if you can, (I know this may sound cliche...but it's true), take a man with you for your estimate, as many, if not most garage shops usually take advantage of the woman's ignorance to automotive repair.

This repair shouldn't cost so much, despite it's a Toyota, which repairs usually run higher...but not that much more.

Shangrala

[lynn P.]

Ohhh snap Shangrala - when I saw you posted, I figured you would say "oh yeah I replaced my bushings today on my own car lol" After you fixing your computer, I have the utmost confidence, you can do anything NOW Shangrala - Miss Fix It.

Seriously though, you made an excellent point about taking a man with her. You're so right about them taking advantage of womens lack of knowledge. So Hippie - grab yourself a dude and get a second estimate. Good luck.

[FooZe]

Originally Posted by Hippie

I don't know what a "rate manual" is but I'l google it and go to library---is there another place I should look into?

I did some Googling. I guess "flat rate manual" is the generic or colloquial term. One well-known official name seems to be "Mitchell Mechanical Labor Estimating Guide."

Mechanics typically keep them around the shop for giving quotes like yours and I don't see why they wouldn't be happy to show you the information if their quote is in line with it. You could ask at a library. I doubt that it would be worth buying; I found some used ones (all for older cars than yours) selling online in the $20 to $50 range and two (or maybe the same one listed twice) for $140.

The cost sounds a lot by UK standards.

The bush does need to be replaced as it can affect handling.

Try and find someone else that is not a large concern who wont have the over heads so maybe they can do it cheaply.

It is not something you can do yourself if you are not used to mechanical things. Also you may need a press (something to force the bush out and to insert the new one).

[possum220]

For myself.......... I personally like rose bushes - lols.

I would ask your friends who they take their car to. Who they think is a good mechanic and one that doesn't rip them off and take it to that mechanic for a second quote.

There really are some good mechanics around and don't think ca'ching when they see a female.......

[Hippie]

From all these great suggestions I am going to do this:
First: Go to library and look up FZ's "Mitchell Guide"
Second: Wait till Significant Other is available (Monday) and take him with me to a mechanic who was recommended to me just yesterday
Three: Hope it costs a LOT less or I will be without wheels. Keep your fingers crossed for me,please.

(((Hippie)))-my fingers are crossed. theo

[lynn P.]

Sounds like a good plan Hippie - good luck.

[Shangrala]

Originally Posted by lynn P.

Ohhh snap Shangrala - when I saw you posted, I figured you would say "oh yeah I replaced my bushings today on my own car lol" After you fixing your computer, I have the utmost confidence, you can do anything NOW Shangrala - Miss Fix It.

Seriously though, you made an excellent point about taking a man with her. You're so right about them taking advantage of womens lack of knowledge. So Hippie - grab yourself a dude and get a second estimate. Good luck.

LOL, Lynn~

There was a time, (in my mid-twenties) when I did rebuild an engine, (slanted V-6) for my 1970 Dodge Challenger..but that is nothing in relation to suspension in a vehicle.
I do have a basic understanding of mechanics, but I'll never go through with a rebuild of an engine again...too much work..lol. (Did the body work and paint job on it too, but that proved WAY too much work).

Interesting to learn all that sorta stuff, though. It really does help to understand the basics so that way you don't find yourself taken advantage of somewhere down the line.

(I always find myself doing the "swivel-head" when I see a sweet classic rolling down the street)...

Good luck, Hippie. *Keeping fingers x'd for you*....

Shangrala

[Scolaiocht]

Best of luck Hippie!

Here's to hoping your SO can get some price negotiating done via intimidation.

Sounds like a good plan, Hippie.

[modelcarguy]

Never be afraid to ask questions. I have been working around cars since the 50's and still have had mechanics try to get one by me. I taught a class about 25 years ago called auto repair for women. We taught the basics and explained how things worked. One lady came to me a few months later to tell me about catching a mechanic trying to cheat her. He claimed she needed new ball joints and she asked to see the gauge readout on her ball joint and wanted to see the specs. She said he just put her car back together and lowered the lift.
Good luck!