Ford Fusion 2020 Suspension & Brake Fluids Replacement Service
A Ford Fusion 2020 owner in Nashville used Service Buddy to review an $1,950 suspension and brake fluid replacement quote. The tool highlighted the front struts and brake vacuum pump prices as higher than average and recommended seeking a second opinion. By comparing local shop rates, the driver identified potential savings of over $400, ensuring fair pricing for parts and labor on costly repairs.
Potential DIY Savings
Consider a second quote on struts and vacuum pump; others seem fair.
Detailed Analysis
Advice On Your Quote
Front Shock Absorber, Strut Assembly Replacement (Front, Both)
- Labor: $288.00
- Parts:
- LS34-8563-1R Duralast Loaded Strut Assembly (2 units): $705.98 ($353 each)
- SL85425 Suspension Stabilizer Bar Link (2 units): $23.98 ($12 each)
- Labor is reasonable, even a bit low for both sides—no red flags there.
- Struts: $353 each is over the usual range for Duralast loaded struts ($150–$250 each). Even including a shop markup, anything over $300 each is steep unless these are premium parts or there’s a major supplier markup. Ask for part details and see if they’ll price-match.
- Stabilizer bar links: $12 each is unusually cheap (normally $30–$60 each). This could mean low-quality parts unless they’re running a deal. Worth double-checking the brand and warranty, but it’s not an upsell.
- Installation of new stabilizer links is often recommended (but not always needed) when replacing struts—sometimes tossed in as an upsell, but for a 4-year-old car with some miles, it could be legitimate preventive maintenance. Ask them to show you play or wear in the old links if possible.
Rear Shock/Strut Assembly Replacement (Rear, Both)
- Labor: $309.00
- Parts:
- 3440022 Gas Shock (2 units): $180.78 ($90 each)
- Labor: A bit high (it’s in the range for both sides, but at the top of typical), but not shocking.
- Parts: $90 each is about average-to-low for OEM or good aftermarket. This is fair.
- No signs of upsell unless your rear shocks aren’t actually worn (a 2020 car shouldn’t need these unless you’ve got a lot of miles or visible leaks).
Diagnostic Service (Engine Analysis)
- Labor: $118.99
- This is standard for a full diagnostic and within Knoxville prices. No issue here. Just make sure the charge is waived/applied toward repairs if you proceed.
Coolant Fluid Exchange
- Labor: $75.99
- Parts:
- Motorcraft Orange Antifreeze/Coolant Prediluted (2 units): $43.98 (about $22 each)
- 7053182 50/50 Multi Vehicle Antifreeze QT (1 unit): $9.00
- Labor is fair for a coolant replacement, not marked up.
- Coolant: $22/gallon is maybe $5–$7 higher than DIY pricing—standard shop markup.
- Quart add-on: $9 is a typical markup.
- No real upsell, assuming your coolant is due (generally every 5 years or 60K-100K miles). If not overdue, you could defer, but this is no red flag.
Brake Fluid Exchange
- Labor: $73.99
- Parts: $19.99
- The brake fluid exchange here is way below the usual $173–$205 I see for full service in shops—so either this is unbundled/basic or a great price. Double-check what the service covers.
- Make sure it includes a full system bleed.
- Shops do use brake fluid exchanges as an upsell, but every few years/30K-50K miles is reasonable preventive care.
Brake Vacuum Pump Replacement
- Parts Only: $380.99
- No labor shown—should that be included?
- Parts price is high. Aftermarket pumps typically run $100–$250. If this is a Ford/Motorcraft part, $350–$400 is possible, but for a Fusion I’d still expect closer to $250–$300. Confirm if OEM and if it must be replaced; these rarely fail before 80K miles unless there’s a fault.
- Watch out for an unnecessary upsell here. Ask for the actual test results that show your pump is bad, unless you’re sure it’s leaking or failed.
Tire Package
- Labor: $50.00
- Parts and Fees:
- Superdrive Sport BL 235/45R18 Tires (2 units): $217.98 ($109 each)
- Tennessee State Tire Fee: $3.00 ($1.50 each)
- TPMS Valve Service Kit Labor: $2.00
- 332-6 TPMS Kit VS30: $8.99 ($4.50 each)
- Scrap Tire Recycling Fee: $5.58 ($2.79 each)
- Tire labor is reasonable ($25/tire).
- Tires are very well priced at $109 each—they’re budget tires, but that’s normal.
- TPMS kit parts and labor are unusually low—usually $20–$30 each for install, so they may be skipping the sensor replacement for just a service kit (seals/valves).
- State and recycling fees are what you expect in TN.
- No obvious upsells, though make sure you need the TPMS kits and that the new tires are a match for your driving needs (higher-end tires may last longer or ride better).
Quote Summary
Front Shock Absorber, Strut Assembly Replacement (Front, Both)
• Labor: $288.00
• Parts:
– LS34-8563-1R Duralast Loaded Strut Assembly (2 units): $705.98
– SL85425 Supsens Stabilizer Bar Link (2 units): $23.98
Rear Shock/Strut Assembly Replacement (Rear, Both)
• Labor: $309.00
• Parts:
– 3440022 Gas Shock (2 units): $180.78
Diagnostic Service (Engine Analysis)
• Labor: $118.99
Coolant Fluid Exchange
• Labor: $75.99
• Parts:
– Motorcraft Orange Antifreeze/Coolant Prediluted (2 units): $43.98
– 7053182 50/50 Multi Vehicle Antifreeze QT (1 unit): $9.00
Brake Fluid Exchange
• Labor: $73.99
• Parts:
– Brake Fluid Exchange (1 unit): $19.99
Brake Vacuum Pump Replacement
• Parts:
– Brake Vacuum Pump (1 unit): $380.99
Tire Package
• Labor: $50.00
• Parts and Fees:
– 013039 Superdrive Sport BL 235/45R18 XL98Y1 Tires (2 units): $217.98
– Tennessee State Tire Fee: $3.00
– TPMS Valve Service Kit Labor: $2.00
– 332-6 TPMS Kit VS30: $8.99
– Scrap Tire Recycling Fee: $5.58
📋 Services Quoted
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