I've read about shops doing $50-$80 spring installs, not necessarily in the bay area, is it a myth? do these shops exist, if so, where are they? $150 is lowest I've found and the place didnt seem very reputable. Anyone know of a trustworthy cheap suby spring install?

please no DIY posts, it aint happening right now, too much of a hassle with my current schedule.

 

I am going to make couple assumptions and possibly state the obvious, but here are my $.02...

The only way you could get $50-80 install if the shop has a lower hourly rate (may be smaller operation and less overhead) OR they are running a promotion to get customers in. Spring install is not exactly a procedure where you can reinvent the wheel and say you are much more efficient that other professional shops.

Installations obviously take a certain amount of time complete; than put together with the shop's hourly rate you arrive at the final install amount. Some common/more routine ones such as spring should not differ much between places that know what they are doing. For example...springs are at least a several hour job since you have to pull all the struts and most reputable shops in Bay area charge around $85/hour. So, say 2 hours x $85 is where you can get ~$150. If someone is quoting you way lower than an accepted norm (not saying $150 is), you need to be cautious as to the reason behind such good deal.

 

Spring installs, while easy, are a pain in the ***. Especially on Subarus...remove the backseat, maneuver around in the back on the car...blah blah blah. $150 to avoid that hassle is a good deal.

$50-$80....not happening. Unless you find a masochistic shade tree mechanic whos weatlhy and bored.

 

 

so thats that I guess. its a myth. good to know.

I assumed that since most poeple who say they've done it themselves claim to be able to do the job in ~2hrs, that an experienced shop with all their equip could do it in under an hour, apparently not true. though I dont think you have to remove the back seat in a wgn at least.

 

my best buddy normally rents a spring compressor and does them himself
he'll be doing it on his new 05 audi in a couple weeks.

 

is that some kind of a cruel joke/taunt?

 

Like was said before, it is a pain in the rear job...if you have multiple people to do the job and streamline the process (one talking things off, one working the compressor, etc) than you can get it in under an hour, but at the end of the day you still got to charge for each individuals time. Only way it is so cheap is a promotion...

 

Should take at least 2 hours if they are being careful. Anything else and no tq specs are being checked and stuffs just being tossed around.

 

no

he's done several of his cars before. he got his springs last week but is going to buy new shocks first before he does it

there is a place in dublin that rents the compressors, over near office depot

 

Can borrow my spring compressors, I'll be out in Pleasanton 2morrow nite.

 

you can also rent them from any autozone or pepboys i think. i dont think it costs anything either, you just leave a DL or a CC i think.

 

free rental? o_O

 

yeah i believe that's how I got mine done with some friends several years ago. I always stop by and borrow their OBDII readers as well too whenever I used to throw a CEL.

maybe things have changed since then though.

 

dammit I knew it would turn into a DIY thread, it always does. Now I'm forced to contemplate my own glaring inadequacies for the remainer of the day. tnx i-club, you've ruined another weekend.