I am hearing of $700-800 parts and labor locally and think it is insane. Thunder sells gears, master install kit and TA cover with studs for $400. I can't see labor being $400, especially after being a service writer for 3 years. I don't mind paying a little extra for good work, but this seems ridiculous.

 

that is high usually $100-$150 here in Maine for labor and parts vary depending on your distribuor. I'd check to see what the labor rate is and if thier parts are too high buy my own and get them or someone else to install if you can't. If your semi motivated to do it yourself and save (lord knows we are all trying to) here a link on how to go about doing it

http://www.keliente.com/gears.htm


with a lift a mechanic about an hour to an hour and a half depending on the extent on how many bearing ect are going to be gone through
without a lift on the ground about twice as long

 

I can't see how it would be more than ~2 hours labor for a pro, and the worst labor rate I've ever seen was $120/hour at a dealership. Anybody have access to the book that mechanics use that tells them how many hours for a job?

 

I didn't pay anything for labor, just some blood and sweat.