Just get new control arms... Should be less than half that with parts and labor

 

that's what I was looking for. that's the quote the dealer gave me today to do the them - arms and all.

 

Given your username, I'm assuming you owned a BMW before and now expect a Volvo to be cheaper.
Those who've owned both will admit that it's very common for the majority of Volvo replacement parts to equal that of BMW and other Euro brands (VW/Audi etc).

Just another part of the Volvo experience

 

No Bolbo: I just don't like getting ripped off by the local dealer who also wants $275 to install a battery, PLUS the cost of the battery. They are telling me that the bushing can't be replaced and the whole assembly only comes as one piece. I'm just trying to get an idea of if that's normal pricing. I only have 34,000 miles on the car so to need new bushings already seems excessive.

 

I went to the dealer for one thing in the past and never again since.

Local euro shop is $125/hr for labor. They can order the parts or you can bring your own. Maybe there's a place similar near you

 

List is about $375 each (assuming you are talking front). 2 hours labor. Sounds like their labor rate is like $275. So that's about $1300 plus tax on parts. And they are likely adding an alignment, which shouldn't be $500.

Ask for a parts and labor breakdown and what their labor rate is.

 

My quote from a local independent Volvo-only shop for XC90 control arms, ball joints, and sway bar end links plus alignment was ~$1700.

That was for all blue box Volvo parts, which FCP Euro sells as a kit for $1006.32. I would guess the independent shop's margin on parts is a little higher than FCP (and maybe their wholesale cost, too), meaning maybe ~$400 labor and ~$100 for an alignment.

~$1800 at a dealer doesn't seem insane if they're using all blue box parts and they're doing the whole kit with ball joints and sway bar ends.

You can, of course, DIY it for a fraction of that cost using a kit from IPD. But that's not an apples to apples comparison.

 

Thank you, Tech. Is it true that you can't just replace the bushings?

 

The rear bushings are available (or were when I was with Volvo anyway). But I usually recommend the arm since it comes with both bushings and the ball joint.

 

+1
Was similar on the e30's I owned in the past.
I mean sure, the individual bushings were available, but replacing the whole control arm was the easiest and simplest way of addressing the problem.

 

I just did this work on my XC60. I used TRW control arms which are OE supplier. The TRW arms are $120-$170 each depending on source. Its took me about 2 hours per side. Not a terrible job, would be easier on a lift.

 

If I had the time and tools...

 

Got a second opinion. Only one bushing has a small small bit of grease on it. No reason the replace them at this time.

 

The control arms on my 2013 with 150k miles were in surprisingly good condition. The car drove straight, but there was a bit of a shimmy with heavy acceleration and I was getting some undesirable tire wear. The new arms have tightened up everything.

 

Be forewarned I did this job yesterday, had ordered a Dorman arm and did not come with the bushings. It is only the arm. So a person needs a bushing that goes by the rear nut and the long bolt.