problems found on my gq....is he trying to rip me off?

mechanic doing pre-tour check gave me at least 4-5k quote for making my 96 gq 2.8 safe to go on touring (not that i wont pay 5k for my own safety but there r questions...)

background story is that the mechanic said he would change my cooling system (radiator + all hoses) for 1600 bucks and this set my alarm off made me wonder what he said about other problem of my 96 gq was a bit over too. (a bit more info on that: i asked how much is the radiator alone are u giving me the heavy duty one (something like 1200 bucks?) he said yes we only use the best part its around 600 and the cost is with all the hoses (my quote from veale is about 300) and like 5 hours labour (bullshit?). after the service i took my car to a radiator specialist they said all my hoses seem good only the bottom one seems a bit soft they can supply and fit the radiator plus top and bottom hoses for me for around 800..

so i reli cant help questioning what the mechanic said about my suspension..
first he said all my shocks need replacing (which i am doing it anyway so no problem) and my front control arm bushes, front, rear panhard rods bushes all worn need replacing, steering damper leaking (heard people can go without the damper at all ) need replacing, 2" body lift need removing........price for these? 'u are looking at a few thousands buddy'

and add on top of that engine mount broken need replacing and a bit oil leak here and there.....

u see, i would hav believed my car is reli that bad and need to pay this much if there isnt the radiator thing. but now i just want to make sure he is telling the truth. so is there any way i can tell how bad my bushes are by visual inspection? i have taken some photos of them. sorry if i identified the wrong part.

(and mayb i should state the purpose for my car is to tour the west coast plus national parks only thing that is close to offroading is probably going to steep point and gibb river road. not towing)

panhard rear left (shock leaking)
Attachment 45770
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panhard rear right
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panhard front right
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panhard front left
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control arm right (not sure is this the control arm)
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control arm left
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draglink (looks bad)
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engine mount left (i dont c any crack or spongy or rust?)
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engine mount right
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radiator top hose (im changing this with a mate anyway)
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i use this mechanic for the first time as they say they are 4wd specialist on their website. i never questioned any mechanics before but only this time dont want to spend any wrong money this amount imagine how many carton of beers i can buy with this....

thanks for any opinion cheers guys

Find another mechanic if you have any doubt about his honesty.

Take your car to any place for a safety check not mentionaing your trip. Just ask them to check all your bushes and give you a list of any that need replacing, you really need to put it on a hoist to check properly.

Do take it for granted that all your Nissan rubber bushes are Knackered mate.

Your tie rod end is wet but that could easily just be too
Much grease last time and needs a new grease boot for $10 not a new end for $120.

What Daz said..... I cannot see for the life of me to supply and fit a radiator for $800 let alone $1600..... a set of pry bars for $25 from supercheap and go around your car putting tension and all your bushes looking for play but if you are not mechanically inclined then get another quote and do not mention the holiday.

You have not mentioned what area you are in as there maybe someone who can recommend a good place in you area... good luck.

I'd take it to a few places and compare results. Just looking at bushes won't provide an answer, they mostly look ok until tested. As BA says, get some pry bars in and check for movement. I wouldn't be giving my money to this mechanic. Good luck with the trips mate. Cheers.

when he told me 16 hundred i said '600?' but he confirmed its 1600 thats when all my questions suddenly rush in...
thanks i will try the pry bar first want to learn doing things myself
im located in the eastern suburbs of perth

The left hand engine mount does look broken not to hard to replace you should be able to get new boots for the tie rod ends panhard bushes are the easiest to replace of the lot and the rest of the bushes use a lever bar as the guys said, the radiator if its not leaking maybe get it flushed and fit new hoses all round for piece of mind.

If the shocks are original, be prepared for some strong arm nut removal.....

Broken engine mount will be in the rubber that joins the mounting plates together, and can be hard to pick from just looking at them.
They are a common wear item, especially on the 4.2 Diesel.....havent heard as much on the 2.8 though.....

Make things cheaper by doing a few things yourself, and farming jobs out to specialists as time and money permits.

Nothing looks particularly bad, but pictures can distort the way we see things.


if you are changing rubbers, insist on Nissan Genuine Rubbers, as they generally flex and last better than the rest

This is why this forum is worth way more than the manuals..Kudos to you guys for the info and the indepth knowledge we all share..
cheers