How much for labor?

[Aaron4TAMU]

I need to put in a solid spacer, and get my gears in the rear end realigned. I was guessing this would cost around 200-300 bucks, but when I went to a shop to get an estimate they said it would be about 600, just for labor!!! I just got rear work done, and I don't remember it being that much. Is that really a decent going rate for rear work? Also if anyone knows of a good shop in/around Chicago I would love to test their business.

[95TransAm]

That sounds a little high to me. A buddy of mine got some gears installed in his 84 firebird a couple months back, if i remember correctly, like $150 for labor costs. I know many places to go to near chicago, some are good, bad, and ugly. The ugly being very good shops, but they charge an arm and a leg. The bad being low prices, but poor quality service. The good being low charges + good service. Young technicians that maybe just got out of school that have to work in a cheap small shop but actually can turn a wrench good.

The small shops like that here in the chicagoland area are a dime a dozen, through trial and error i know which ones are good. I wont have computer access until next work week, and im leaving work soon, but if you are still interested, i can give you a couple places. The ones of the top of my head are...

Denny's automotive in franklin park (not 100% sure if they do gears)
Delta auto center in berwyn

If you want to wait though, ill ask my friend where he had his done. Superb job might i add as well. He got richmond 3.73's...no whine...very quiet in sound...quick...good prices.

[raroZ28]

I only found one shop to go to (A speed shop I don't like to begin with, but they're the only one I found to do it).

350. I said what does that include? "Uhh, labor." Like a smart ace. So I have to pay around 200+ for the gear, 350 for labor, and then another 100+ (Guess) to have my speedo calibrated. I don't think so.... Way too much just for a gear. I would shop around, 600 sounds way too high.

[Joe 1320]

I had a ring and pinion, install kit, new bearings, seals, etc. for $300 not including the price of the parts that is.

[Aaron4TAMU]

Thanks for the input guys...I knew that sounded a bit steep...plus the look on his face when he told me. I bet he thought I was a college student that gets money from mom and dad and doesn't care how it gets spent. That's why I hate going into shops by myself...I just look way too young and dumb I guess.

If you want to wait though, ill ask my friend where he had his done. Superb job might i add as well. He got richmond 3.73's...no whine...very quiet in sound...quick...good prices.

I have pleanty of time. I won't be getting the work done until I get my tax refunds back so it's no real big rush. I'd love to get referred to a place where someone has actually had first hand experience with them. Thanks for all the help.