Quoted $920 for Lowering Spring Install and Alignment!!

[TundraOnKings]

Is that a spring compressor that Autozone rents ? I've done three different sets of struts with cheap compressors and one thing that would make this job easier, quicker and less sketchy would be a nice, shop level spring compressor.

To add to this thread - Magride Handling Pack - springs, both sway bars and tune - I was being quoted similar numbers two years ago. Did it myself (rear bar takes about 15 mins, front little more but not that much, especially with struts out).

Yes, it’s the Clamshell Autozone rents. It’s a $200.00 deposit, then you get it back on return. I’ve never used something that’s so quick and easy for what can normally be a sketchy/unsafe job. Literally will take you less than 10 minutes to swap out 2 front coil over springs - safely, without any worry at all. The thing is built like a tank. Just use an air impact or electric impact to make the job go quicker.

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[hlfbkd420]

I asked a local dealer how much it would be to install my BMR Cradle Lockouts. They wanted $600... Fast forward to a year later when I decided to buy and have them install the Ford Magnaride Handling pack (springs, tune, front/rear sway bars).. They quoted me $850 for labor and alignment. They threw the Cradle Lockouts on for free when I asked them to do it after the original $850 quote

 

[Ebm]

I have 2 sets of those - 1 modified to adjust Kings while on my 4x without removal. I’m very familiar with them - been lowering cars are raising trucks for over 20 years. Sucks trying to find the exact spot on the spring to place each clamp, then come to find out once you spent all the time going back and forth tightening evenly, you have to undo it and do it all over again because the spring didn’t compress enough. And the center bolt sure bends like hell on King springs.
I’m telling ya, the AutoZone clamshell, worth every minute to drive there and back just for peace of mind. I’m contemplating purchasing one, they’re $200.00.

I've never used the clamshell, but I'll check it out the next time a vehicle needs springs.

I'm guessing this is it? PowerBuilt Strut Coil Compressor (autozone.com)

If so, the Powerbuilt tools I've bought before are pretty darn tough. I originally bought a ball joint service set from Harbor Freight and the soft metal they used in that kit bent with little effort. I then bought the Powerbuilt ball joint master service set and it has been going strong ever since. The quality of the metal used in the Powerbuilt kit is very good.

 

[TundraOnKings]

I've never used the clamshell, but I'll check it out the next time a vehicle needs springs.

I'm guessing this is it? PowerBuilt Strut Coil Compressor (autozone.com)

If so, the Powerbuilt tools I've bought before are pretty darn tough. I originally bought a ball joint service set from Harbor Freight and the soft metal they used in that kit bent with little effort. I then bought the Powerbuilt ball joint master service set and it has been going strong ever since. The quality of the metal used in the Powerbuilt kit is very good.

Yep, that’s the link to them - Powerbuilt.
I honestly wanted to just keep the set I rented from Autozone, but felt bad in case somebody else needed to rent them in the future. My Autozone only had the one available.
It was seriously laughable how easy it made the job lol.
A few times the rubber seating pad wasn’t just perfect, so I’d decompress/recompress in a matter of seconds.

 

[kz]

Yes, it’s the Clamshell Autozone rents. It’s a $200.00 deposit, then you get it back on return. I’ve never used something that’s so quick and easy for what can normally be a sketchy/unsafe job. Literally will take you less than 10 minutes to swap out 2 front coil over springs - safely, without any worry at all. The thing is built like a tank. Just use an air impact or electric impact to make the job go quicker.

Thanks - for $200 I might actually buy it, especially if it works well.

 

[NightmareMoon]

There's a difference between making some money off of me and straight up trying to rip me off. You as a forum member should be able to find and read that people pay around $300-$500. Not double that and surely not triple that

I've never seen anything less than 500 to take apart all four corners of the car and put them back together. I would absolutely expect to pay that much if it includes an alignment. $300 is shut-the-front-door unreasonable.

This is also why I do most of my own suspension work.

 

[ICU812]

They can charge whatever they like. Just found it strange and surprising based on the amount when compared to other shops in the area. Decided to gather some general opinion

Other shops, might think it is just a case of drop the struts and swap springs, then get in there and hand you a much higher bill.
I take it the shop with the high price is a specialty shop that will do it correctly and stand by their work.
The cheaper places when you come back will blame your parts. One shop will torque the bolts to spec, the others will let the air gun hammer pound ten times and call it good.
If book time is 7-8 hours, no shop is working for a shop rate of 50 bucks an hour.
I think the low ball quotes are to get you in the door, or they never bothered to look up the time it take and don't knowit isn't just swapp'n springs on struts and bolting them back in.
Customer supplied parts are taboo 9 times out of ten that = p.i.t.a. customer so the specialty shop priced it high to get you out of his hair. Knowing all too well what a can of worms these jobs end up being.

 

[PHX ATC]

Almost a year ago, October 15th, 2020, I paid $750 for the labor ($125/hr x 6 hours), $337 for the FP lowering springs (Magneride) and $125 for a 4 wheel alignment in Northern VA for a performance shop to do that. Probably could have saved $100 here and there getting it done, however, that was a great shop and I liked the vibe there. They did amazing work.

 

[1958cyclist]

This might be a bit on the high side, but when I contemplate a swap like springs, I also consider other suspension upgrades that will only cost marginally more based on the disassembly of a certain area of the car. I had stiffer/lower springs installed, as well as camber plates, they have to drop the struts anyway, why not have them install these while they're at it, also had them open up the strut tower openings a bit more and had them throw on larger brake deflector plates and do an four wheel alignment for about what you paid.

 

[ClayDee]

Considering all the factors here, sounds about right.

 

[wangfuco]

Sounds right considering OP is in NorCal... Wait time is even more annoying than the high labor rates.

 

[Andy13186]

I paid about 1200 for coilovers, and stop the hop ultimate package install + alignment. Its a lot of work like 10 hours.

 

[RSXCBRLTR]

That seems a bit steep. Steeda quoted me 4 hrs at 125 for the install. I ending up going to MAK performance in miami. They charged 250 to install my sportline spring and added camber bolts for 30 dollars. Then I drove to the alignment shop who charged me 80 dollars for a 4 wheel alignment.

 

[Marco_C]

Odd, maybe their labor rates are higher than others, or probably don't want to do the job.

I just got a quote yesterday for installing BMR Handling Springs, Cradle Lockout Kit, 4 Wheel Alignment, Installing 4 new rims all for $790. You just have to get as many quotes as you can and place your trust on a shop to do the work.

 

[FruityJudy]

There is something that all shops have and all shops are different on and that is overhead. Direct overhead to be exact.

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