Suspension labor question

OK, so i'm getting some new shocks and springs for my car next week (Eibach Pro-Kit & KYB AGX ADJ)... I'm thinkin about renting the spring compressor and doing it with my dad. Is it that big of a job? I think it'd be better to get the expericence workin on my car. How much would a place charge for labor if we bought the parts? (im able to get the springs + shocks for under $500 new -- their's no way im gonna let them take it to me, i can just imagine hwo much they'd cost if a place ordered them and put them on for me)... Thanks for any input

Rent the compressore & do it yourself, it's not really that hard. Most shops will charge anywhere from $200-$400, not including an alignment. If you do install them yourself, make sure to get in for an alignment ASAP.

Another suggestion, leave the struts on the softest setting(1) for the first 500-750 miles. Do NOT leave them on the stiffest setting for long periods of time.

My dad and I just put my springs on yesterday. We put on the H&Rs, which lowered it about 1.75. Overall it was actually kinda fun. It is very easy to do yourself. We went and bought a spring compressor (Great deal, only $42.00 vs. $30.00 to rent one at autozone) I highly recomend doing it yourself, as you learn more about the car and suspension and you actually start to understand alot about why the car drives the way it does. Just my :2cents:

Thanks guys, i think we'll be doing it ourselves. I got one more question though... would it be better to get the car professionally aligned or get something like the eibach aligmnent kit? Thanks!

go to firestone and get a lifetime unlimited alignment for $150.

civic182, where did you buy your compressor at?

my friend lowered my car for $40 and he did it ghetto style to get the springs off the shocks :cool:

oh anyways..how did you guys lower you car??i want to learn h ow to do it..can you guys help me out?

Rent the compressore & do it yourself, it's not really that hard. Most shops will charge anywhere from $200-$400, not including an alignment. If you do install them yourself, make sure to get in for an alignment ASAP.

Holy crap man. Where ever you got quoted that is ripping you TWO new ones! :eek:

The shop that installed my Teins eons ago only charged $80 for the job, but he ripped me and charged $100 when I had him install my stiffer springs several months ago. :( Most tuner shops in CA though usually charge between $70 and $100 for a suspension upgrade install.

Andrea, definitely go with a professional shop to do the alignment. If it's not perfect doing it yourself, you'll end up going through tires much faster than you'd like to. The Firestone lifetime alignment sounds like a good plan to go with if you think you'll use the service at least twice if not more.

Thanks guys, i think we'll be doing it ourselves. I got one more question though... would it be better to get the car professionally aligned or get something like the eibach aligmnent kit? Thanks!
The alignment kits(camber kits) are for adjusting camber. If your lowering more than 2", camber becomes an issue because there is no factory camber adjustment or minimal. When you install a camber kit or lower your car an alignment should be done ASAP. The human eye is not good enough, .10" can make all the difference. Camber is not the only thing affected by lowering, toe is also but there is a factory adjustment for that.

Lowering results in negative camber -- looking from behind or front of tire / \ - major uneven tire wear. When the toe is off, that will eat tires faster than negative camber. looking at the tires from above -- / \ - toe in ---- \ / toe out.

oh anyways..how did you guys lower you car??i want to learn h ow to do it..can you guys help me out?

There are many ways of going about it. Only a few will result in a nice ride. Lowering springs & aftermarket struts is the most common way. Always use performance type struts/shocks when lowering, even it's only .75".

1. True coilovers- $800+
2. Lowering springs
3. Adjustable coilover sleeves
4. Heat stock springs(not recommended)
5. Cut stock springs(not recommended)

Holy crap man. Where ever you got quoted that is ripping you TWO new ones! :eek:

We charge 4-5hrs of labor(book time +/-6.0) @ 65.00 per hour + alignment. That's for springs/shocks - real coilover cut 1.0hr.

gnu - i went to a locally owned auto parts store. It retailed for like $60 but i personally know them so they gave it to me for 42