Install New Shocks, Struts and H&R Springs

damn, I'm surprised you didn't take any when you were finished. I could not wait to take pics when I lowered mine.
 
I ordered my H&R springs last night and a local tire shop just quoted me $460 for install. That's $460 for installation of the springs alone... It was all I could do to keep from laughing at him.
:tdown:
If I value my weekend time at a lofty $46/hr (I wish), then I could take 10hrs to do this job myself at even money. Considering this write-up was done in less than 3hrs and it includes the shocks/struts, I'll take my chances...

Great write up!
:tup:
 
One shop up here quoted me 800 for just the install thats why I did it myself. It was allot easier than they made it out to be whole job took 2.5 hrs.Having the spring compressor is the most important thing.
 
More quotes today...

Local shop - $500
Les Schwab - won't install springs unless they order them
Goodyear - Same as Les Schwab
American Tire - $570
Local shop - $620

When the last guy told me $620, I replied "Would it change anything if I told you that I know of a guy who did this by himself with modest tools and a spring compressor AND took pictures of the whole thing in under 3 hours?"
He said "no, but you can buy a portable spring compressor at NAPA."
I said "Touche'. Good day sir." :laugh:
 
Maybe you could find a local mechanic in the pennysaver or some local newspaper looking for some jobs without the overhed of a shop.

tchuck said:
More quotes today...

Local shop - $500
Les Schwab - won't install springs unless they order them
Goodyear - Same as Les Schwab
American Tire - $570
Local shop - $620

When the last guy told me $620, I replied "Would it change anything if I told you that I know of a guy who did this by himself with modest tools and a spring compressor AND took pictures of the whole thing in under 3 hours?"
He said "no, but you can buy a portable spring compressor at NAPA."
I said "Touche'. Good day sir." :laugh:
Click to expand...
 
it's amazing how many shops can just be so ridiculous in there pricing, I could see like $325 being the highest anyone should charge who isn't trying to even do you any favors, that's $125 each front & $75 for the rears... more than that is just too much. so charge $375 maybe, go nuts & charge $400 if you think you can get away with it, but where can anyone get prices like there telling you from, $500 & better?
 
I just finished installing my H&R springs on the front. It's worth noting that it is not actually necessary to remove the caliper from the hub assembly if you tie it back per MTNFX's write-up. Give it about an inch of slack before you disconnect anything and you can maneuver the strut out pretty easily.
Its also worth noting that if you use hand tools (like I did) this job is a lot more time consuming. It took me over 10min just to compress a #$%&ing spring.
Lastly, the spring compressors that are two pieces (as opposed to the version seen in the pictures above) are garbage and I strongly advise anyone in the market to seek out a scissor style compressor. It would have saved me a lot of time and shoulder pain.

The rears go on tomorrow, rain or...well, rain.

EDIT:
12/15/09
Rears are done. It took me about an hour.
 
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The rears are way quicker and easier to install!!:tup:
FYI--We used the two seperate spring compressors to install the springs.
tchuck said:
I just finished installing my H&R springs on the front. It's worth noting that it is not actually necessary to remove the caliper from the hub assembly if you tie it back per MTNFX's write-up. Give it about an inch of slack before you disconnect anything and you can maneuver the strut out pretty easily.
Its also worth noting that if you use hand tools (like I did) this job is a lot more time consuming. It took me over 10min just to compress a #$%&ing spring.
Lastly, the spring compressors that are two pieces (as opposed to the version seen in the pictures above) are garbage and I strongly advise anyone in the market to seek out a scissor style compressor. It would have saved me a lot of time and shoulder pain.

The rears go on tomorrow, rain or...well, rain.

EDIT:
12/15/09
Rears are done. It took me about an hour.
Click to expand...
 
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Last year when I looked at my suspension...I gave up within 5sec and called a local shop. When they told me, $150 to install, I said can you have it done today? Midas actually did it and it turned out excellent. I can remember my huge grin when I picked up the car.
Great write up though MTN FX!
 
MTN FX said:
The rears are way quicker and easier to install!!:tup:
FYI--We used the two seperate spring compressors to install the springs.
Click to expand...

This is similar to what I used. They work but it's a pretty sketchy process. If I ever have to do it again I'll get a better version.

spring_compressor.jpg
 

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The ones we used had a single hook and seem like maybe they were easier to use because of the spring angle on the coils.
 
FYI - if you plan on doing this job over an extended time period - do NOT use a jack alone to hold your hub assembly. I used metal wire to hold the assembly up, along with a 3 ton jack. Well, 2 days later - the jack dropped - the metal wire broke, and now I have a hole in my CV boot.
I just checked the price of an entire front axle assembly - and almost fell over. $475.00. (My Toyota Tacomas are $70.00)
So much for saving money on doing my own strut replacement...
Throw jack stands underneath those hub assemblies when you pull the struts out.

---------- Post added at 02:43 AM ---------- Previous post was at 02:42 AM ----------

and I can't find a DIY axle replacement, or DIY CV boot repair - any links?
 
^I'd suggest doing the fronts and rears separately, and only when you have the time/parts/tools to complete the job. If your really that pressed for time, do each wheel individually and reconnect everything at the end of each of your work "days". (If you opt for the individual wheel method you probably shouldn't drive it until both fronts and/or both rears are done. End to end differences are road worthy but not side to side) I did mine over the course of two days. Fronts first, then rears. It didn't take too long and I easily finished it in a weekend. Also, the rigidity of the axle will support the weight of the hub just fine if you let it down easily. I'd guess your boot hole was caused by the stress of the hub falling/breaking the wire/possibly hitting the jack, rather than by simply hanging unsupported.
Why is it taking so long?

Posted from my BlackBerry using BerryBlab

---------- Post added at 01:06 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:05 PM ----------

I just realized you said "two days later". That's not bad...

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