need help with my van

[Fay Kelley]

Hi

this isn't an Audi question but have
been on the list for years so hoping
I can get some slack  :-)

'88 Dodge van

had it in a shop for
harmonic balancer
(never heard of that part
but it runs much better)
and he said I needed idler
arm

hubby replaced that then
took it to shop to have it
aligned

they said I needed upper and lower
balls joints and strut arms, etc.
estimate of $900 or so.

Are ball joints something that my
hubby can do safely ?

Are special tools needed ?

How long does it take to do
upper and lower balls joints ?

the front end work they
estimated looked from their
paperwork to take all day .... are
they giving me mechanic rate book
to charge the max ?

they would not do the alignment
claiming this work needed to be
done first .... also they would not let
me back in the shop area to see that
car parts up on the hoist ... weird.


I know that someone on our list might
not know an alternative mechanic in
Sedona or Flagstaff, but am wondering
if anyone might recommend a
trust worthy shop in Pheonix ?

Any other recommendations for the
front end work ?

thanks ~
-- 
Cheers,  Fay

"Life is Good !"