Does this sound correct? 600.00 front bearings
Thread Starter
Audiworld Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: Simi Valley
Does this sound correct? 600.00 front bearings
So, i goto my audi mechcanic,becuse i have growling a noise comming from my front of my 2002 2.7 ,and im thinkng its the bearings,i already replaced the control arms and other front end stuff..So...he calls me back,with a price of 399.00 labor and about 100.00 a peaice on the bearings..i told him about getting front wheel bearings for 50 bucks apeice on the internet..he checks online and says,those bearings are no good,and i'll get what i pay for..im i getting robbed? also, hes saying its saying on his time book,its takes 2 and a half hours a side to install the bearings..wtf..over 600.00 for two front end wheel ball bearings installed?
AudiWorld Super User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,697
Likes: 8
From: NE Ohio
A couple of points here...
I have found out the hard way after replacing both bearings that it was bad tires on my daughter's Jetta, not to proud to admit.
Look for a good indy for a second opinion before you roll-over for that repair.
Look for a good indy for a second opinion before you roll-over for that repair.
Tech Guru
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 8,011
Likes: 194
From: Olney, MD
Put your car up on four jackstands and run the drivetrain....if you have a bad wheel bearing you will definitely HEAR it.
As for installing front wheel bearings...it's extremely unlikely that BOTH from wheel bearings need replacement; they're life of the car items and fail randomly or from collision damage...you haven't been yumping the car, have you?
If you have aluminum uprights changing a front bearing is trivial....it's bolted to the carrier with four bolts. If you have a steel carrier it's a little messier...a bearing shark is generally used unless the technician removes the entire carrier and goes to a press.
Figure an hour or two to disconnect the (Left, none on the right) headlight vertical adjustment sensor on the front lower control arm, loosen and pull the axle bolt, take off the wheel, pull the pinch bolt/release the UCAs and TRE, swing the carrier out from the axle and unbolt and bolt in a new bearing, reinstall the carrier to the axle, reinstall the UCAs and TRE, hook up the sensor linkage, install wheel and torque axle bolt. If the carrier is steel then it's maybe another 1/2 hour to do the wheel shark trick.
$400 labor is probably about right for two wheel bearings--it's high for one. And I don't think it's both bearings.
As for installing front wheel bearings...it's extremely unlikely that BOTH from wheel bearings need replacement; they're life of the car items and fail randomly or from collision damage...you haven't been yumping the car, have you?
If you have aluminum uprights changing a front bearing is trivial....it's bolted to the carrier with four bolts. If you have a steel carrier it's a little messier...a bearing shark is generally used unless the technician removes the entire carrier and goes to a press.
Figure an hour or two to disconnect the (Left, none on the right) headlight vertical adjustment sensor on the front lower control arm, loosen and pull the axle bolt, take off the wheel, pull the pinch bolt/release the UCAs and TRE, swing the carrier out from the axle and unbolt and bolt in a new bearing, reinstall the carrier to the axle, reinstall the UCAs and TRE, hook up the sensor linkage, install wheel and torque axle bolt. If the carrier is steel then it's maybe another 1/2 hour to do the wheel shark trick.
$400 labor is probably about right for two wheel bearings--it's high for one. And I don't think it's both bearings.
AudiWorld Super User
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 2,251
Likes: 91
From: Moronville, Tennessee (Middle TN)
Hee hee...I don't think any speed above idle in gear with the car on jackstands (suspension fully extended) is wise, if that... I have often wondered, though; I hope someone more experienced will respond.
If the bearings are integral with the carrier they could well cost that much - at least. Check AudiUSAparts.com for the diagrams. Good news is, if they are integral, you can easily do it yourself! If not, quitcherbitchin. And no, there is really no reason (beyond the potential cost of wheel alignment) to do these at the same time.
-Tom
Last edited by aTOMic; Apr 16, 2012 at 06:42 PM. Reason: to fix the friggin link, OK?
AudiWorld Super User
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,369
Likes: 7
From: Washington
sounds pretty reasonable to me. Its around 2.2 hours a side at 90$ an hour is typical. I look up the bearings. just my shop cost on them is 67$ for each of them, so 100 a piece isnt very much markup.
Thread Starter
Audiworld Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: Simi Valley
Alrighty..Well i got both front wheel bearings replaced,and got the front rotors replaced and some performance break pads installed..$960.00 later..
Didnt fix my problem..the mechcanic told me he thinks its the tires..But, i just bought 4 brand new tires..So i go get the A6 Alignment for the 3rd time in 1 month,and i found out my right front wheel is about a inch to far back! from the right front wheel,and that could be my problem,well they Align the best they could with the computer,and it does drive better,but the mech said my fram is a little off and he cant completly get it perfect..so..now what..i guess im going to burn through my right front tire every 10k miles..
Didnt fix my problem..the mechcanic told me he thinks its the tires..But, i just bought 4 brand new tires..So i go get the A6 Alignment for the 3rd time in 1 month,and i found out my right front wheel is about a inch to far back! from the right front wheel,and that could be my problem,well they Align the best they could with the computer,and it does drive better,but the mech said my fram is a little off and he cant completly get it perfect..so..now what..i guess im going to burn through my right front tire every 10k miles..
Trending Topics
AudiWorld Stories
Bringing Audi to Life for Audi Fans
10 Strangest Audi Designs That Actually Made Production
Joe Kucinski
2027 Audi Q7 and SQ7: Audi Upgraded EVERYTHING!
Michael S. Palmer
Audi Unveils Absurdly Cool New Supercar: 10 Things You Need to Know!
Verdad Gallardo
The Highs & Lows of Every Audi C-Class Generation
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Audis Ever Sold on Bring-A-Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Audi Features & Options We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
Audi Recreates Crazy-Looking Speed Record Breaker From 1935
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilder Recreates the 1995 Audi TTS Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Every Audi V10 Car Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
Tech Guru
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 8,011
Likes: 194
From: Olney, MD
Perhaps someone put the wrong control arms on the car after a collision. If the body is bent get it straightened at a reputable shop. If you bent it get the shop who did the repair under insurance to fix it.
BTW, an inch off should be noticeable in the wheel well. Whoever didn't get it fixed after it was bent was simply incompetent, fraudulent, or both. In some states this car could not be stickered,certified for the road.
BTW, an inch off should be noticeable in the wheel well. Whoever didn't get it fixed after it was bent was simply incompetent, fraudulent, or both. In some states this car could not be stickered,certified for the road.
Tech Guru
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 8,011
Likes: 194
From: Olney, MD
I would get some relief $$ from the shop on this. Bad diagnosis should not have u paying. At least get labor refunded. Try small claims court.
BTW...you were told it was unlikely to be both wheel bearings at same time but did it anyway so arguably you have only yourself to blame. Harsh, but that's life. Now get the car fixed right.
BTW...you were told it was unlikely to be both wheel bearings at same time but did it anyway so arguably you have only yourself to blame. Harsh, but that's life. Now get the car fixed right.