machining costs

[richard s]

I am wanting to fit some polybushes to my volvo s60 but to do this I need to have the pins that run through the bush reduced in the centre. from memory the pin is 28mm wide and needs reducing down to 22mm and the section that needs reducing is about 37mm long. I have been quoted £45 to have this done by an engineering firm near work. I was expecting it to be about £10 - £15 and about 30 mins work, is he quoting on the high side or is that the going rate.
cheers

 

[octo0072000]

mates rates i would have thought £20 if a paying job i would say about right might be plus vat as well
dont the poly bush supply the bolts sounds a bit iffy cutting down bolts on suspension parts

 

[richard s]

the poly bushes require the removal of the pin from the original volvo bush. The problem is that some are shaped (probably the early models) and some are a constant diameter, they were probably changed due to manufacturing costs. the poly bush requires the shaped pin.

 

[Paul G]

I went to the dentist last week. A poke about, a temp filling, £52, 15 mins. I've still got to go back next month for the proper job.

If you genuinely think you can do it cheaper then buy a lathe, set it up in a workshop and save yourself the £45.

Paul G

 

[steviec_lj]

Haha, save yourself £45, but in the process spend the best part of £750 purchasing kit and getting the job right.

There's a reason for the charge.

Initial machinery costs, upkeep of the machinery, rates, rent, materials, and wages..

 

[Wedg1e]

... and polyurethane isn't always the suspension wonder drug some people think...

 

[AndyStobbs]

Get them to set it up eccentric and you've added built in camber adjustment

 

[Hitch]

£45 is probably a minimum charge. To cover 30 mins of setting and machining, the the office to do the paperwork at the start and finish of the job.

Some firms will let the lads do odd little jobs like that at dinnertime, but not many nowadays.
Then you may get it done for £20.

 

[awemawson]

If the pin is a reduced diameter in the centre, where the reduction meets the full diameter needs to be radiused, or you are setting yourself up for a stress fatigue crack in the future.

 

[Paul G]

If the pin is a reduced diameter in the centre how do you get the bush on?

 

[steviec_lj]

Polyurethane bushes transmit a lot of road noise.

Passed, current and future experience with my E34..

Most are supplied with the centre pin as such, usually made from stainless.

 

[AndyStobbs]

If the pin is a reduced diameter in the centre how do you get the bush on?

Went through my mind too

 

[awemawson]

Doesn't matter where or how it is reduced, the transition needs a radius to reduce stresses

 

[Bill Edwards]

I don't think the price you have been quotes is high. It may seem a lot of money for a little job, but the equipment and running costs are not insignificant.

 

[richard s]

I went to the dentist last week. A poke about, a temp filling, £52, 15 mins. I've still got to go back next month for the proper job.

If you genuinely think you can do it cheaper then buy a lathe, set it up in a workshop and save yourself the £45.

Paul G

I did not state that I could possibly do it cheaper, it was a question to see if he was trying to overcharge, is your dentist comment a comparison to engineers being robbing ******** too. I understand they have costs but a few years ago someone supplied the steel and cut me something out on a waterjet machine and charged me £10 which was the reason for me expecting £10 - £15. to me the waterjet piece was more involve then removing about 3mm of steel from a rod on a lathe.

 

[richard s]

Doesn't matter where or how it is reduced, the transition needs a radius to reduce stresses

Thanks for the advice, I was going to get it machined to match the bush

 

[richard s]

Polyurethane bushes transmit a lot of road noise.

Passed, current and future experience with my E34..

Most are supplied with the centre pin as such, usually made from stainless.

i know they increase noise and vibration but i am not fully polybushing the car i am replacing the wishbone front bush as these are prone to wearing fast and seem a pig of a job to fit correctly, due to the pin i need machining. the pin runs through the bush and then bolts to the subframe, so unless fitted correctly the bush will be under more strain than it should with the car just parked up. its more for ease of fitment and not wanting to replace wishbones every couple of years rather than for handling

 

[richard s]

... and polyurethane isn't always the suspension wonder drug some people think...

I am not expecting a mega handling car due to the 1 bush per wishbone i am fitting, what i am expecting is not to have to replace the wishbone every couple of year or so due to a knackered bush

 

[richard s]

If the pin is a reduced diameter in the centre how do you get the bush on?

vice copper grease and a socket or two

 

[richard s]

thanks for all the replys about the price being about right,