Reasonable Price for Spring Installation?

[stockysnail]

When DarrenDriven put them on my car it only took him 45mins, which includes everything from jacking the car and taking wheels off. He's done quite a few however so he knew exactly what to do and everything went smoothly.

Originally Posted by fistpoint

All those people posting sub $400 install rates live in areas that have "honest" mechanics apparently. I called literally dozens of shops around Houston a few years ago for my RSX strut replacement and they all quoted between 6-8 hours labor at $90 per hour.

The RSX forum also had dozens of claims of sub $400 rates, but never in my city. Gun stores around here also suck ass with pricing. Maybe it's just a Houston thing?

Anyway, the job actually takes as much as 2 hours to do all 4...yes, 2 hours versus the 6-8 they'll want you to pay. In the end I found a local shop to accept 4 hours labor with me specifically pointing out that I'm willingly paying double the hourly rate they are actually going to spend. 2 hours later my car was ready and those struts now have 85k miles on them(for those who will say they rushed the job).

It's a 2 hour job plain and simple, especially for an actual shop with a lift and all the proper tools.

[post_break]

Originally Posted by fistpoint

All those people posting sub $400 install rates live in areas that have "honest" mechanics apparently. I called literally dozens of shops around Houston a few years ago for my RSX strut replacement and they all quoted between 6-8 hours labor at $90 per hour.

I live in Houston and my $300 spring install was done around Katy.

[f0rge]

definitely don't pay more than $300.

[No Limit Motorsport]

Originally Posted by JoeBoxer

Evasive only charges like 120 according to one of their threads I couldn't believe it.

No way would a shop waste there time doing springs for $120. That had to be a mistype. Especially a good shop in an expensive area (So-cal)

We charge $250-$300. We charge $95 an hour for labor.

In all reality by the time you are done setting up the appointment, taking car in, setting car up, install, test drive, completing bill with customer you are into the car almost 4 hours total, 3 hours labor, 1 hour misc. If you run into issues such as cross threaded bolts, rust etc even longer.

[#87]

Originally Posted by No Limit Motorsport

No way would a shop waste there time doing springs for $120. That had to be a mistype. Especially a good shop in an expensive area (So-cal)

We charge $250-$300. We charge $95 an hour for labor.

In all reality by the time you are done setting up the appointment, taking car in, setting car up, install, test drive, completing bill with customer you are into the car almost 4 hours total, 3 hours labor, 1 hour misc. If you run into issues such as cross threaded bolts, rust etc even longer.

This. I installed my coilover on my last car. I tried to take them off but everything was rusted to shit. Ended up needing to cut some bolts and replace a bushing. Spent more time waiting for the replacement parts to arrive then they did working on the car. All this time it's stuck on their lift which = $.

Granted this is a new car and won't have that type of problem but be reasonable when looking for prices. If they are giving you a cut rate price chances are they are cutting corners.

[JoeBoxer]

Originally Posted by No Limit Motorsport

No way would a shop waste there time doing springs for $120. That had to be a mistype. Especially a good shop in an expensive area (So-cal)

We charge $250-$300. We charge $95 an hour for labor.

In all reality by the time you are done setting up the appointment, taking car in, setting car up, install, test drive, completing bill with customer you are into the car almost 4 hours total, 3 hours labor, 1 hour misc. If you run into issues such as cross threaded bolts, rust etc even longer.

I thought it was crazy too, i paid less but it was direct to a tech on the side not to a shop.
Post #11
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showt...ighlight=SWIFT

[Turn in Concepts]

On a new RUST FREE car you're looking at about 2 hours plus alignment. Here that would put you right at about $300.

This is springs ONLY. 9 times out of 10 while we're in there the customer creeps the scope of the project with things like "while you're in there can you change the brake pads." Ten minutes later "I could use an oil change too." Ten minutes after that "if you're doing pads can you put a good brake fluid in it as well?"

Then about half the time I'm a bad guy because his $300 quote has jumped to $1k.

So, what I'm trying to tell you is this - springs and springs ONLY with an alignment should be about $300 IF you stick to just that.

[swift996]

I'm installing coilovers (when I order them). Do you need an impact gun? I don't have one, just a socket set.

[Dave-ROR]

Originally Posted by swift996

I'm installing coilovers (when I order them). Do you need an impact gun? I don't have one, just a socket set.

No. It's easier to get the lower strut bolts off with one but you don't need one.

[Tylub]

ouch... those prices are outrageous! i paid $210 for my CG spring install with custom alignment.

[kickz]

i got mines done at igarage only charged 160

[JesseE]

Originally Posted by tbwoodlee

The Toyota dealership wanted damn near a grand to install my new springs so I laughed in their face and walked away. A local tire shop wanted about 750 to do it. What is reasonable for this type of installation?

I know I will need an alignment, but man, for that much I will just put the springs on myself and get an alignment after they sit for a day.

What is a reasonable asking price to install some lowering springs?

My Shop charges around 400+ 70 for alignment

[Dave-ROR]

Originally Posted by Tylub

ouch... those prices are outrageous! i paid $210 for my CG spring install with custom alignment.

Your install is actually easier than replacement springs. In your case you are swapping the entire unit, there is no disassembly of the OEM unit and then reassembly.

[wparsons]

The last car I lowered myself was a MKII GTI and it took me about 2 hours start to finish doing it in my driveway, and that was putting the new springs on the existing struts.

If you have a hoist and work FAST you can definitely get it done faster.