V90 bushings replacement cost
 

Hi, I wanted to ask the community's opinion on a price I've been given for replacement of the two front bushings. They've apparently split (72k miles, I drive on some relatively poor roads - so the mileage is consistent with them needing replacement).

"N and O/S/F lower arm bushes worn and split"

However, I've been quoted £530.58 EACH. This seems astronomically high(?) It is a main dealer (southern Lincolnshire - AFAIK there aren't any independents nearby?)

Are they trying to take me for a ride with those prices?

That's not the price for the bushes... That'll be the price for brand new control arms on the nearside and offside. Volvo won't press the old worn bushes out and fit new ones... they just sell you the complete unit that has the bushes already in place. Then they just take the old control arms off and fit the new ones.

You may be able to save on labour by going to an independent, but genuine arms are very expensive.

Thanks for clarifying. Is it worth approaching an independent to just replace bushes? Or is that a false economy of sorts, and I'll end up needing ball joints at some point in the future?

That would depend on if the bushes including the ball joint are available to buy individually and the cost of them. I'm not sure about your particular vehicle, but most modern stuff nowadays don't do separate parts for the control arms... check with Volvo though.

By the time a garage takes off the old control arm and presses the old bushings out to replace with new, when you add labour time to it, it doesn't work out that cheap. That's why most places just say replace the whole arm, and you're getting new bushes including a new ball joint.

A dealership is easily £100 per hour labour nowadays, maybe more. You can get independents (depending on location) for around £60 per hour. Control arms replacement would be approximately 3 hours labour... that's circa £300+just in labour in a dealership. An Independent would be circa £180+ approx for the same.

Any garage can replace control arms, its not rocket science. If you go to the dealership, they'll charge you more for the same thing because of their higher labour rates.

I suggest going to a Volvo Specialist if possible. They'll use genuine parts like Volvo, but you'll save on the labour.