Subaru Forester 2017 Repair Quote Check | Bayonne, New Jersey Prices

1. Air Conditioning: Expansion Valve with Recharge – $860.00

What’s Involved

• Replacing the expansion valve is a standard AC job, usually necessary if you have poor cooling or weird AC cycling.
• The system must be evacuated and recharged with refrigerant, as part of this job.

Cost Analysis

• Labor: 2.0–3.0 hours
  • Even at a dealership rate ($210/hr × 3 = $630 max), you’re at $630 for max labor.
  • Independent/chain rates: $220–$510.
• Parts: Expansion valve typically $29–$55.
• Refrigerant and Supplies: Realistically, shops charge $80–$150 for the refrigerant service.

Typical Total (Dealership/Independent):
High side: $630 (labor) + $55 (part) + $120 (refrigerant/labor) = ~$800 MAX at a top dealership
At a chain or independent the total is more like $350–$600.

Is the Price Fair?

• $860 is definitely on the high side, even for a dealership.
• At an independent or a chain, this feels very overpriced. Unless there’s major additional work (like needing to remove the dash, which isn’t usually required for this repair on a Forester), you can likely get this done for hundreds less elsewhere.

Is This an Upsell?

• Changing the expansion valve isn’t a “typical” upsell (unlike cabin air filters or wipers). But the price is padded heavily. Ask for a breakdown and get another quote.

2. Suspension: Hub/Bearing Concern – Both Rear: $1,971.96

What’s Involved

• The rear hubs/bearings are a fairly straightforward job if you have the right tools—sometimes they can seize, which makes labor a little higher, but for both rears you’re typically talking 2–3.5 hours total.

Cost Analysis

• Labor: 2.0–3.5 hours total. So, at dealer labor ($210/hr × 3.5) you’re at most $735 labor.
• Parts: Two rear hubs/bearings at $55–$110 each = $110–$220 total.
• Miscellaneous shop supplies: Usually no more than $40–$60.

Typical Total (Dealership/Independent):
Dealer: $735 (labor) + $220 (parts) + $60 (misc) = roughly $1,015
Independent: $385 (labor at $110/hr × 3.5) + $220 (parts) + $60 = ~$665

Is the Price Fair?

• $1,972 is drastically high—even for a dealership.
• You could nearly replace all four bearings or a whole set of struts for that price.
• Even if both rear bearings were seized, making the job take double, it would still be hard to justify nearly $2,000.
• At most reputable shops, you’d pay about $600–$1,000, tops.

Is This an Upsell?

• Replacing rear hubs/bearings is a legit repair if you’re hearing noise, but some shops try to “sell” replacements prematurely.
• The price is so high that ask for an explanation and get multiple opinions. This is either a huge markup or includes unnecessary stuff.