I was recently quoted at 1200 bucks to replace all 4 struts on my 98 3.0, a little steep for me. I'm no longer into performance parts and just wish to restore my origional ride. Whats everyones though on monroe sensa-track, or kyb GR-2 ? What would you chose and why?

second question - is the actual labor all that difficult? looking at klepto's write up on spring installation it doesn't look at that bad, not woth the 600 dollars of quoted labor. Do i need any installation kits or bushings? anyone else have a write up or advice, no way i'm paying 1200 bucks for them to be replaced. Thanks in advance

 

it shouldnt be that hard, I sure as hell wouldnt pay $600, thats like a set of used teins. Get a friend and install it yourself, all you need are some jacks, tools, and a spring compressor that you can rent

check out this link too, its for TL, but it should help you out

http://www.abunchofcars.com/diy_page...ng_install.htm

 

You can do this without a spring compressor, you just need a friend that weighs a lot, or is pretty damn strong. Just push down on the actual spring/shock combo, as you (or the other guy), uses the alan wrench and the wrench to take the nut off the top....

Easy job.....do it yourself.....hell, for 600 bucks, you could fly me out there and I could do em and still prob have like 400 bucks left after the plane ticket and a meal, lol.....

 

Like everyone says, $1200 is a rip and a half. If you want the OG ride then go with the GR-2s or just buy the OEM copies from autozone or whatever. I paid $150 for my Koni + spring install a couple years ago. $300 max for the install I say.

Oh yeah and if you want to DIY then it shouldn't be too hard. I found a picture guide someone posted here a few years ago, just follow that and you'll be cool. A good jack and a torque wrench would be helpful. You can just rent some spring compressors from Auto Zone for free.

 

300 for the install is still a rip....where the hell do peeps go these days?

I paid 60 bucks for my first spring install ever, and it was the last time I paid for someone to do my work.....

I've done like 15 springs/shock installs already for the price of a 12 pack of coronas, lol......maybe the car scene isnt that big else where making competition limited, therefore jacking up the prices like a mofo for the shops....damn rip off places....1200, lol....i woulda laughed and walked out pointing...

One day, I'm going to stand outside the dealership and be like, "I'll get the job done for half the price", lol.....see how they like getting it in the ass a few times.....

 

For those who have actually done this, what bushings did you replace if any, and did you get any of the kits that are posted up online at the shops that sell the shocks.

I'll prolly stick with the GR-2's thanks for the input, do it my self and then have someone align them.

 

you don't need to replace any bushings...you'll slap yourself silly once you do this for the first time and see how easy it is....cars are nothing but legos......

 

FYI: I was quoted $240 CDN in a local performance shop in Toronto. that's about $190 US. Which is about 1 hour per shock/strut at about $50/hr rate. And that's for all 4 corners.

$600??? I can imagine that some fucko mechanic would give a quote like that to a woman

 

FUk yea!!!! Cocoa is the man!! its not too bad. ive watched him do it, and i swear i can do that shit myself. Just dedicate like 4-5 hours. and dont rush anything u will be ok. Oh and dont start at night if your neighbors are gay. it can be loud.

oh btw cocoa, u know that oil drain plug u torqued on.. its leaking big time now. i remember why i dint muscle it on. i gatta fix it now, and i dont know how.. lol.

 

I barely torqued it, lol....it was loose so I tightened it....gayness.....at pepboys they should sell something that rethreads bolts/the inside of where the bolt goes. Forgot what it's called, but just ask for some sort of re=thread kit, and tell them the situation. I've bought one before, but never used it and returned it. Otherwise I woulda gave it to you...

 

the bolt itself is like $1.78 so dont rethread that, it'd be a waste of time, lol...

 

lol. i need some of that lock-tite stuff. i dont want to drain my oil, i just put some new mobil 1 in.. shitz not cheap. i think my oil pan needs work.. ghey. ill ask autozone. this nice vietnamese guy always helps me, fuker is knowedgeable.