crossmember, rack + control arm help

[holdenhero]

Hey guys,

I've done a few mods to my car myself however most of it has been done by mechanics etc but I recently had a little prang (two infact) and I'm at the stage where I'm about to repair the damage to the front of the car.

The right wheel is sitting a fair way back and the left side is sitting forward, at first I just thought it was a few minor arms and nothing major so a mechanic I know told me to bring it in, hoist it up and he will do it for a couple of hundred. When they got it up on the hoist there was more damage than expected and they told me the cross member needs to be replaced along with the steering rack and lower control arms on both sides.

My mechanic friends boss did the quote and quoted me $1650 for it all done with a wheel alignment. They said the parts were brand new from Pedders except with a 2nd hand cross member. I called Pedders today and asked how much the parts would be and it was around $900 for the steering rack($500) and lower control arms ($190 each) brand new. When I got home I called up wreckers around my area and recieved a quote for around $400 for the crossmember ($190), steering rack ($150) and the lower control arms ($65). So then I called a random mechanic and asked how much for labour and the price he said he shall charge to put it in if I give him the parts is around $400-$500.

Does this sound right (problem diagnosis + costs)? I know that mechanics rip people off especially when they think the owner can afford it.

I was also thinking about doing it myself except I'm not entirely sure exactly what is going to be required...

[ACEMonkey]

....and you want us to fix it for you for free, right?

[holdenhero]

No, not at all. Unless your offering haha.

Was just wondering what every one else thought was the best path, (eg: steer clear of 2nd hand parts) and if someone can help me with what would be required if I was to do it myself and if there were any special tools I would need, etc.