What did yous guys pay to have springs installed, understanding that some of you...
10-22-2001, 01:35 PM
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What did yous guys pay to have springs installed, understanding that some of you...
..had your dampers installed at the same time. Presumably there is no difference in cost between springs and springs & dampers. I just got a quote from a local shop that sounds really high to me. They quotes 6 hours of work to do the springs plus an alignment. The price is close to $500. Damn, I wish I had done these when I did the Bilstein Sports. D'oh!! Anyway, I'm not paying any $500 to put springs on. I'll do them myself and get the alignment done at the dealer. Thoughts?
10-22-2001, 02:13 PM
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Dave, 2-3 hours labor TOPS.
A place should not even charge you beyond 2 hours. It is a relatively simple install if you have the right tools/equipment and know how to work on a car.
I have done many things on cars over the years using a floor jack and jack stands.
That shop wants to charge you $500 plus alignment? For springs? For 6 hours worth of work? Hmmm . . . $83.33/hour? that is more than a Porsche shop on Long Island charges! lol
The shop should be around $50-65/hour and 2 hours labor, figure $130 or so for the install plus the alignment.
Dave, to be honest, you can do the rears yourself literally in under 30 minutes. The rear do NOT require a spring compressor, only a little muscle on your part, with the back of the car in the air, the wheels off the car and disconnecting the rear shocks. The spring will be easily swapped out. That would save you half the cost of the install, plus you get a little dirty. lol
The fronts require two things you might not have:
1. Possibly an air gun to loosen the top nut that is holding the shock in place. If it was put on with an airgun when you had your Bilsteins installed, go to your friendly garage and ask to "borrow" their air gun for a minute. This is how I have done it in the past. You then drive home slowly with the top nut loose.
2. You will need to either borrow or purchase a spring compressor. I got mine from Harbor Freight about 14 yrs ago for something like $25! lol Still use it to this day.
The rest is just some nuts and bolts and elbow grease.
I have done many things on cars over the years using a floor jack and jack stands.
That shop wants to charge you $500 plus alignment? For springs? For 6 hours worth of work? Hmmm . . . $83.33/hour? that is more than a Porsche shop on Long Island charges! lol
The shop should be around $50-65/hour and 2 hours labor, figure $130 or so for the install plus the alignment.
Dave, to be honest, you can do the rears yourself literally in under 30 minutes. The rear do NOT require a spring compressor, only a little muscle on your part, with the back of the car in the air, the wheels off the car and disconnecting the rear shocks. The spring will be easily swapped out. That would save you half the cost of the install, plus you get a little dirty. lol
The fronts require two things you might not have:
1. Possibly an air gun to loosen the top nut that is holding the shock in place. If it was put on with an airgun when you had your Bilsteins installed, go to your friendly garage and ask to "borrow" their air gun for a minute. This is how I have done it in the past. You then drive home slowly with the top nut loose.
2. You will need to either borrow or purchase a spring compressor. I got mine from Harbor Freight about 14 yrs ago for something like $25! lol Still use it to this day.
The rest is just some nuts and bolts and elbow grease.
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10-22-2001, 02:15 PM
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Actually - more seriously - anyone thought of putting a self/installer registry together?
I would be happy to lend tools/time/hand to those in my area (NE CT) and I'm sure ther are others (Steve etc.) who are just as willing to help out forum members.