I sent my car for changing oil, the machanic told me I need to replace both front upper control arms for my 1999 Accord LX. He said this is a "safety issue", and he showed me he could move the tire a bit up and down. The cost is $510 (part &labor) + $90 (for alignment). My questions are,

1) How do I know/measure it is time to replace the upper control arms?
2) Is the cost too high?

Thanks,

Ming

 

This is in the wrong forum, so I moved to this one..

Cost is Ridiculous!

WheelBrokerAng

 

Are you taking this to a car dealer? or to a place like Monroe or Midas..Sounds like the place of business is used to overcharging...

WheelBrokerAng

 

Thanks for all fro replies, yes I took it to the dealer.

My 1999 Accord ~135,000 km, it seems driving fine, no noise from the suspension on bumps. It seemed to me the machanic picked up this 'issue' randomly. so I had the question is: how do you know the arms are loosen and could cause safety issue? any other signs I could pick up while driving?

Ming

 

Klunking noise can be a warning to you. But the proper way is to remove the wheel & check the actual ball joint itself.

 

Get a second opinion because the costs you have outlined are way too much. Have a look online for the parts so you see how much of the quote is labor and mark-up. This cannot be a hard job for any mechanic as its all easy to get at. As Jim says the warning would be a clunking noise especially when cornering on a rough surface. Most places would do the alignment for free after conducting this kind of repair especially at such a high cost.
Ask him if he intends to use gold plated parts if so the price is fair!

 

Thank you all, see below FYI.

Inspection Procedures – NON-Wear Indicator Ball Joints

In order not to confuse wheel bearing end play with ball joint looseness it is recommended that the amount of bearing play be established first. With the vehicle's wheels off the ground, grasp the wheel at 6 and 12 o’clock and gently rock the wheel. Sometimes, the brake pedal can be applied to lock out wheel bearing play. To check ball joints (other than wear indicator) they must be unloaded. Unloading ball joints is removing vehicle weight and spring force from acting on the ball joint.

To unload ball joints on an unequal length control arm suspension (spring mounted on lower arm), jack under the lower arm, as close to the ball joint as possible, until the upper strike out bumper is no longer in contact with the control arm or frame. A quick check for axial looseness can be made with a pry bar between the tire and ground. Radial looseness is tested by placing your hands at 12 & 6 o'clock and moving the tire. If looseness exists, it should be measured and compared to the manufacturer’s specification.

Source:
http://images.google.ca/imgres?imgur...CA330%26um%3D1

 

Another useful info. perhaps...
http://images.google.ca/imgres?imgur...%3D90%26um%3D1