Swapping out ring and pinion gears, pricing questions

[Fourth Horseman]

I stopped by a Ford dealership that I found that is mod friendly to get a pricing estimate on swapping out my ring and pinion gears for a new set in the 4.10:1 ratio. They quoted me 8 hours of labor for the swap and PCM reprogram. 8 hours !? I've never done rear end gears myself, but I bet I could do it in half that time. They're gouging me, right? Or is a full work day of labor realistic?

Time to look for another dealership?

[bugsys03]

3 hours labor seems to be right from what I hear. I paid $155 for the gear including shipping

[03SILVERSTREAK]

I stopped by a Ford dealership that I found that is mod friendly to get a pricing estimate on swapping out my ring and pinion gears for a new set in the 4.10:1 ratio. They quoted me 8 hours of labor for the swap and PCM reprogram. 8 hours !? I've never done rear end gears myself, but I bet I could do it in half that time. They're gouging me, right? Or is a full work day of labor realistic?

Time to look for another dealership?what did they quote you pricewise?

[CRUZTAKER]

3-4 HOURS MAX START TO FINISH.

$180 for gears, $280 labor. Any more than that is a gouge man. But then again, I understand you are having a dealer do it and honor the warranty....it's your call man. The gears do not void any warranties besides... well, um, the gears. I'd let a pro shop do it for half what these guys are gonna charge.

[Petrograde]

The gears do not void any warranties

really? hmmmm....

[BillyGman]

$300 for labor would be fine. It can take that long and even longer IF they seldom do the job, but they should be more familiar w/the job than that. I think that they shouls count on 5 hours cuz it is a lot of work. It can be done in three hours, but you're talking about guys that would be doing the work every month for years and so they get so familiar w/that rear end that it's like second nature to them.

Just make sure they install only Ford Racing gears and not another brand such as Richmond gears since they will make a lot of whining noises and the Ford gears will not. If it's a Ford dealer, then they will be Ford gears, but if you go to a garage, then you have to specify what you want, or get the gears yourself.

[jgc61sr2002]

The time estimate sounds a bit high. IMO.

[Fourth Horseman]

They quoted me 8 hours @ $75/hour = $600. I about fell over. I didn't argue it at the time, because I wanted to check back with you folks. So I just told them I'd be in touch.

Think I'll look around a bit and see what I can find elsewhere. Thanks for the help, fellas.

[BillyGman]

I think that it's quite possible that you will find a lot of places who will charge you $500 for that. It is a big job. But $600 definately is high.

[martyo]

Use a Mustang shop. They will quote you a package price for parts and labor and they can do this in their sleep.

[BillyGman]

yeah, but it's to his advantage if he can have it done by a Dealer since it's good to have their cooperation if and when it comes time for a warantee issue. And the more work that you have them do to your car(especially hi-perf work) then the more of a case you have, since it would then be more of a challenge for them to refuse you warantee work.

[halucin8]

$160 for gears, $230 install.

[SergntMac]

I stopped by a Ford dealership that I found that is mod friendly to get a pricing estimate on swapping out my ring and pinion gears for a new set in the 4.10:1 ratio. They quoted me 8 hours of labor for the swap and PCM reprogram. 8 hours !? I've never done rear end gears myself, but I bet I could do it in half that time. They're gouging me, right? Or is a full work day of labor realistic?
It does sound a tad high, and no matter what you come to pay, someone here will think you're stupid for spending that much.

I was in your shoes when I started modding my 1st MM, and I decided to give the business to my local L/M dealer. I don't remember the exact dollars, it was some time ago. However it was in that neighborhood.

Labor dollars per hour is different in every part of the country, even among the unionized. Around me, it's 90. per, and they use the usual flat rate manuals to determing time. 6 hr. on the rear end and 1 on chip, with all the accessories (bearings, spacers, gear oil and such) my bill was just under 900
bucks. Since I was under budget, I split the left over between the SM and the wrench.

1K is too much $ to drop on this mod, yes. However, the good will it established has paid me back two fold. I get a free loaner when I need it. I've been taken home and picked up when that worked better. I can call and order parts over the phone without a deposit, and they won't take payment until I've looked the parts over, 20% discount too. A free car wash when I get an oil change (24.95) and the list can go on, but I think I've made my point. I'm not a headache customer, they like to see me stop by.

I've never had any question about my warranty, and they even transferred my extended warranty to the Kenny Brown car when I bought it. You have to decide what works for you, but remember this. A 200 buck gear install is a 200 buck gear install. I think it's best to work with the dealer if and when you can.

Just my .02C.

[HwyCruiser]

SergntMac,

I agree with your line of thought on this. The real question one needs to ask themself is do they "feel good" about the shop and the people they are dealing with. Trust your instincts, they are usually right.


I'm in the construction service market, and we carry a comparably high labor rate. Customers love us not for the bill, but for showing up prepared, fixing things right the first time, and treating them like we need them more than they need us. Guess what? We pride ourselves on our customer satisfaction numbers and long-term relationships. We also enjoy being profitable for more than 110 years now.


The above probably applies to a relatively low percentage of dealers. I have a very good relationship with one of them.

The service manager coordinated the purchases with DR and sourced the girdle & studs himself. He kept me informed of what he got what in, what he was still waiting on, and how he was following up. On install day, I tossed him the keys and headed off to work and I didn't worry about it until that night when I said a little prayer.

They did my DR gears, sway bar, plugs, stat, girdle & stud kit, and even loaded in the SCT for $585 in labor not incl tax. Did I get taken, or did I get what I paid for?

Good luck Fourth.

EDIT: Oh yeah, I also got new axle shafts, bearings & seals on warrenty. Can't beat that with a stick...

-JD

[SergntMac]

They did my DR gears, sway bar, plugs, stat, girdle & stud kit, and even loaded in the SCT for $585 in labor not incl tax. Did I get taken, or did I get what I paid for? Good luck Fourth. EDIT: Oh yeah, I also got new axle shafts, bearings & seals on warrenty. Can't beat that with a stick...-JD
I'd say you got a good deal. 585. in labor out of your pocket, the balance out of Ford's under that TSB ticket on the axles. My dealer did the same for me when the KB car's rear end blew out.

My 1K budget included DR parts.

[BillyGman]

MAC, you've got mail. :D