cost of springs installed?

[iinan]

I just got my hotchkis springs today ! One place I called told me that it would cost $400.00 for the install and alignment. does that sound right ?? thanks for any feedback

[BlueCrush]

The lowest quote I received was for $375.00 for everything.I decided to save $300 and did it myself. There is a how-to onhttp://www.matrixowners.com.

[iinan]

thanks alot for the link I will read through it.

[redlava]

I just recieved mine and I went to Tires Plus and they quoted me at $200. Try any tuner shops or tire centers like Belle Tire or Discount Tire, you can usually get it installed for much less than a regular fix-it-shop. There you will pay 70 or 80 dollars per hour. A lot of the tire places charge for the job itself.

[iinan]

Quote, originally posted by redlava »I just recieved mine and I went to Tires Plus and they quoted me at $200. Try any tuner shops or tire centers like Belle Tire or Discount Tirehmmm. I just called discount tire and they said they wouldnt install customer parts...

[Mavrik]

its a 4 hour book time s find a shop with a cheap labour rate.

[AKLGT]

it took me and my mechanic friend about 2 hrs to install all my springs. since i helped, he only charged me about $120. it may have been less since it was a long tme ago. know anyone that has the tools? maybe you can talk them into helping you out for a small fee or some beer.

[ArcsVibe]

honestly I don't understand why people keep saying 4 hours!?! I saw Ben (Sub Vibe R) do it in 2.5 hours and he is not a mechanic. I am sure that an experienced installer can do it in 2.5 hours or less.

[Mavrik]

using the mechanical Chilton MOTORS guide for mechanics that I had on my computer, the quoted time was around 4 hours and I'm not kidding. It may have changed since 04 but who knows. I looked it up because at one time I was tempted to have the shop install mine until I saw the labour time. My friend Jay and I changed them out in 2 hours, longest time was putting the coils on the struts and making sure they were on right.

[AKLGT]

mechanics go by the book so they can bill you for it. everyone knows it doesn't take 4 hrs unless you really don't have a clue or have the tools to do it. then perhaps it MIGHT actually take the 4 hrs it says in the book.

[iDahoVibe]

How important is the alignment, and does it need to be done immediately after the spring install?

[Mavrik]

give it a week or so of driving to settle everything in then definatly get it aligned.Book time means techs can make money. Thats how they do it and its only fair for them to get paid 4 hours on a job that takes 2 hours cause then they move on to the next job and so forth.Oh and hun since I will be getting paid commission only? that works for me as well. More hours on the work order means more earnings for me as a service advisor. Honestly? I like 4 hours on there instead of 2.

[ArcsVibe]

Quote, originally posted by Mavrik »Book time means techs can make money. Thats how they do it and its only fair for them to get paid 4 hours on a job that takes 2 hours cause then they move on to the next job and so forth.Phil don't take this the wrong way but I would never get away in my industry with OVER billing my clients to make money. We would be out of business pretty fast That is why I love my local mechanic for all of my "non-dealer" needed repairs Ok back on topic now lol

[Mavrik]

well the system is designed to not overcharge customers as well... for example a job the book says pays 1 hour and it takes the guy 1.5... he can still only charge for that 1 hour. This is another reason why lots of techs hate working on cars for intermit rattles... the repair pays .5 lets say but the tech spends all morning locating and fixing it... sucks to be him... But yes back on topic.

[redlava]

I just got back from having mine installed, and the total bill without an alignment was $196.16. Like I said in a prevoius post, try and find a tuner/aftermarket shop or a place that sells tires, wheels, shocks and that sort of thing. That would be your best bet for getting it done the cheapest way without doing it yourself.

[iinan]

thanks for the ino after about 6 or so phone calls, the cheapest I can find is $300.00 Most wouldnt even touch it, a few didnt know what a vibe was . I get the feeling more and more that i am the only one in western washington who owns a vibe.