I got a price today from two different shops about a gear install. They both told me that the stock master bearing will be destroyed upon removal and that i needed to buy the master bearing kit.
Shop A. quoted me at 300 for a 4 hour install.
Shop B. quoted me at 500 for a 4 hour install.
The thing is shop B. specializes in mustangs, and its a very busy shop. I just think they are charging more because they can. What do you guys think.

 

What's the word of mouth in your area? There's probably a reason shop B is busy. I've had gears swapped out twice by two different shops and word of mouth was the best indicator of what the result would be.

BTW I paid about $375 for labor both times.

 

I'm getting my gears installed for $200...But price does differ from where you live at. What kind of shop is shop A? Authorized dealership? Mustang shop? Joe Blow auto? Be careful, because a bad gear install will lead to a lot of headaches. $500 is steep IMHO, but if it's gunna be done right, it will be worth it. Not sure about the master bearing part, though. Someone provide facts?

 

I know shop B is a mustang custom dyno tuning shop and supposed to be the best in eastern florida, so i hear.
Shop A. is just a regular shop with a dyno. I always do see alot of mustangs and some vettes.
I know you get what you paid for but 500 is a little too much. I dont mind buying the master bearing kit.

 

FYI my friends dad owns an auto dealership that specializes in selling f-body's/termis/mustangs etc and they also do installs. He's calling bs on the master bearing part. This is what he told me:

"your rear diff is designed to be taken out. the only thing that you're replacing is your ring gear and pinion. the only bearing that we sometimes replace is the pinion bearing."

Again, i'm speaking on behalf of him. I don't know jack **** when it comes to rear ends and gears

 

i to live by the you get what you pay for rule, but a couple of times the small little hole in the wall shops, although may not look great, sometimes have the best and most experienced workers...

 

i paid 550 for parts and labor.
i think word of mouth and customer approval means everything.

 

Thanks for the advice guys. I still have a week to decide. If anybody else wants to chime in with what they think thats cool.