[NitroBilly]

Have my Bilsteins, and I want them installed today! Does any knowledgeable Nitro comrade, have an idea on what will labor cost me? Been getting too many different pricing angles from Meineke shops

 

[dk1677]

Have my Bilsteins, and I want them installed today! Does any knowledgeable Nitro comrade, have an idea on what will labor cost me? Been getting too many different pricing angles from Meineke shops

Shocks are usually an easy mod , you wouldn't attempt it yourself? maybe a small independent shop would be cheaper

 

[f4kev]

I would think that it should only take an hour to an hour and a half. So if there hourly rate for labor is $60, it should cost around $60 to $100 bucks.

 

[NitroBilly]

Shocks are usually an easy mod , you wouldn't attempt it yourself? maybe a small independent shop would be cheaper

Thanks dk for the quick reply, But I'm not one to do such a mod. Besides, I can do without all the grease!:SHOCKED: I was quoted $235.00 (plus tax). They want $160.00 for the front, and $75.00 for the rear. Oh, they have $15.00 off any service over $100.00 bucks.

 

[f4kev]

Thanks dk for the quick reply, But I'm not one to do such a mod. Besides, I can do without all the grease!:SHOCKED: I was quoted $235.00 (plus tax). They want $160.00 for the front, and $75.00 for the rear. Oh, they have $15.00 off any service over $100.00 bucks.

Wow thats expensive! Thats probably more than half of the cost of the shocks themselves. I would shop around some more and check out the smaller independent garages.

 

[NitroBilly]

Wow thats expensive! Thats probably more than half of the cost of the shocks themselves. I would shop around some more and check out the smaller independent garages.

That's NYC for ya Kev. You know, there's a saying... "You get what you paid for". I'm a firm believer in that, you pay more, but the quality and service is priceless. Oh well, thanks everyone. I have to go have the work done, have to be at the night job by 5:00.

 

[fhartell]

I've looked at the shock's for both the front & rear. The rears are the easiest but the fronts look like a bit_h! It looks like the whole front spring assembly needs to come off?

 

[Quiet Lunatic]

I've looked at the shock's for both the front & rear. The rears are the easiest but the fronts look like a bit_h! It looks like the whole front spring assembly needs to come off?

Rears are usually a quick unbolt and swap but the fronts are a different story. Most require removal of the strut and a spring compressor. Then you can swap out the shock. It can be done at home but you would need to rent a spring compressor. NT will be able to tell us the full lowdown.

 

[jeffrey750]

The front have struts, the coil springs have to be removed and installed once the struts are even out. $235 is a decent deal for labor as it will take a good 3 hours to do the job correctly. I believe whenever struts are removed the alignment needs to be checked as well. I say go for it! Second that thought, lift it while you have all the parts out

 

[NitroBilly]

The front have struts, the coil springs have to be removed and installed once the struts are even out. $235 is a decent deal for labor as it will take a good 3 hours to do the job correctly. I believe whenever struts are removed the alignment needs to be checked as well. I say go for it! Second that thought, lift it while you have all the parts out

Well, I'm back home finally! Had the Bilsteins installed, job took about 3hrs 20 minutes (I timed it). Actually, 3hrs because the mechanic slid off and grabbed a bite to eat, and that was like 20 minutes give or take! Jeffrey750 is 100% correct in everything that he said, "The front have struts, the coil springs have to be removed and installed once the struts are even out." But the kicker was the driver side strut! That was a whole other process in itself! Battery had to be completely taken out, a box that sits behind the battery with wires had to be removed, and a few other parts (don't know the names!), near the control arm had to be taken off as well. But the mechanic did what he was born to do! The results? Get some Bilsteins!!!!!!!!! The Nitro feels totally different, and has a very smoooooooooooth ride now! I asked the mechanic did I need an alignment, he said no. But I still will do so, because it will make me feel much better, and plus I've experienced a very minor shimmy of the steering wheel over 65-70 mph. But after that, I know it will be all good! I gave them $250.00 and the shop manager said he was doing me a favor, because he could have easily charged me $350.00-$400.00! :SHOCKED: I'll tell ANYONE reading this thread, go get them Bilsteins, because everybody in that shop (men over 45), said I made the right choice, and could never go wrong with them! (of course I knew that already):Racing:

EDIT- The rear shocks took less then 7-10minutes to change the two.

 

[dk1677]

Congrats Billy! Thanks for the info! :smileup:

 

[NitroBilly]

Congrats Billy! Thanks for the info! :smileup:

Yea thanks dk! You're totally welcome buddy.