Si98

i'll be needing a place to change my struts in the near future so i called around for some rates. this is what i've been quoted so far:

shop number 1 (performance shop): flat rate of $125 for all 4 corners. they said they don't quote by the hour but by piece rate only.

shop number 2 (affiliate): two hours labour @ $70/hr.

shop number 3 (honda dealership): 1.5 hours per strut for a total of 6 hours labour @ $81/hr.

question: how long does it take a licensed mechanic to change all 4 struts properly? i wouldn't mind paying a bit more for someone licensed working on my car rather than someone who only "knows" what they are doing.

SilverCRXSi

Its apparently not that hard to do struts.(never done it myself though)
IF you trust the performance shop, i'd take it their.
Honda wants 81x4? WTF!?
Scares me!

If you're really worried then take it it shop #2 then. overall best price I would think.

lordm

we charge $100 to lower cars so if u want your struts changed it will cost the same

imported_loudsubz

This sounds like the beginning of a Joke

on another note, liscensed mechanics can screw up as well, just cause they have a piece of paper doesn't mean there any better than non, but expect to pay over $100 to get it done.

kwikb16a2

6 hours to do struts!!?!?! thats retarded....myself and shlammed did his in about that time but ran into nothing but problems. That was in a driveway with the car on stands and our first time doin it.

imported_loudsubz

I got springs installs down to just under 2 hrs with no seized bolts etc, spring and shock combo, hmm depends what kinda shocks, like koni yellow take a bit more cause you gotta reuse some old parts..

imported_BoOsTd

I did cee_mons struts in under 4 hours, this included driving 15 mins away to use a spring compressor (transporting parts, loading/unloading.. ect), going to the beer store, eating at harvys, doing it in a garage on jack stands, with no air tools...

I figure if i had a hoist, airtools, on site spring compressor actual work time about 1.5 hours for all 4. And its almost impossable to screw up... if you saw the actuall process, its just labour no special skills required..its like changeing a wheel skill wise

imported_gatherer

I've seen it take 6 hours to change struts but only when all the rear bolts are siezed....

1.5 *4 = 6

6 * 81 = 486 (holy crap!)

imported_BoOsTd

i think the service rep was mistaken... 1.5 for all 4

imported_BoOsTd

theres no possible way a honda trained mechanic should take an hour and a half to change one strut! even if the bolts are seized, usually dealerships just change the part..ie make u buy a new LCA


think about it! 1.5hrs for one strut??? ROFL

imported_kane2k

When I did mine I had the benefit of air tools and a relatively new car with no seizure problems so it went pretty quick. With a friend we did shocks and springs on all 4 corners in about 2.5 hours and it was the first time either of us had tried it. I would hope that Honda would be hiring people who could do it faster than that. It's not like they haven't seen the underside of a Civic before.

punkindrublic

if you can do an axle in 30 mins your on the right track... 2 hours is about my time as well... mind you i dont have air tools

punkindrublic

but with honda's rates... i've been charged for 3-4 hours labour but my car in there for much less... apparently if they put two mechanics on the job then your paying for them both to work on your car... so its like your getting it done faster so theres not really stealing your money haven't been back to honda since (3+ years and counting)

imported_94EG6HB

Do you make "customers" sign a release when you do work?