Ok, I hate to start another A-SPEC suspension thread but I didn't want my question getting lost in one of the other ones. Can you guys give me an idea of what you paid for the install for those of you who didn't install it yourself?

My dealership just quoted me $800 for the parts and $540 for labor. I know I can get the kit for $650 shipped from Falconi (per plenty of posts on here) and $540 sounds ridiculous. I called up a Honda specialist shop and he quoted me an hour per strut which comes out to be $280. Does that sound right or is that still high? Thanks for any feedback!

-LOD

 

Holy ridiculous!!!

Any aftermarket install shop should be able to do the job for under $200.00 .. if it's any more than that... keep shopping!

However, if you can't find a place to do it for less than $200 ... the $280 is sorta reasonable... it may just be a lot higher in Mass....

 

My shop would charge 4 hours labor...280 dollars. Others will charge 400 dollars simply because the labor rate is much higher. If you find a shop that does a lot of suspension work, big-o or les schwab to name a few of the chains, you might be able to get a better deal on it. dont go to the dealer however, its money not well spent.

 

How hard would it be to install yourself? How long would it take?

 

i think that depends a lot on if you are car retarded or not. if you had instructions and were comfortable doing that kind of work plan on spending about half the day work on it, maybe more granted you would want to go slow to ensure that everything was set up properly. install would probably go faster if you had a twin post avaliable because it makes it a lot easier to get around the cars.

 

I was quoted $280 by a dealer. Approx. 3 hrs.

 

i would jump on that....gives you the piece of mind of not having to worry about the self install and its under 300 bucks.

 

Whatever it is it's all a waste of your $$$ !!

 

I just called a Honda/Acura performance shop and they quoted me $320 for the A-SPEC install and $99 parts plus $50-80 labor for the Comptech RSB. (They're an authorized Comptech shop). PeterUbers, I don't know where that $200 or less came from but if anyone in the Boston area knows of a reputable place to go to, I'd greatly appreciate the info! Thanks.

-LOD

 

Don't you get a 12month/12,000 miles warranty when you go to the dealer for work. May be worth the extra cash for the piece of mind. If one of your shocks was defective, that other shop would probably charge you again for the fix.

 

Damn, guys, that's expensive.... If any of you have suspension shops around you, you should give them a try. At least get some estimates first. Chances are, if they have done any TL, CL, or Accord, they should know what to do.

The shop where I bought my Tein c/o from quoted me $95 for installation. I know it's a lot cheaper here in Socal, but hey, installing A-spec suspension should be a breeze. The installed doesn't even have to compress the springs.

I know there's warranty issues, etc. But Acura dealer shouldn't decline warranty coverage if it's installed by a non-dealer. They have to proof it.

And, I have done several suspension installs and never heard or seen defective shocks. Blown shocks, yes because of installation mistakes, but not because it's defective.

 

Thanks for everyone suggesting calling around to suspension shops. I checked for authorized dealers in MA on the Tein site and called a few of them this morning. I found one quoting $150 and one quoting $200 for a shocks and springs install. Is there anything I need to be aware of or any pitfalls to look out for? Seems like a pretty straightforward install (especially since a lot of you guys are doing it yourselves)...?

-LOD

 

I'd remove the rear seat and parcel shelf so they don't have a chance to mess them up. But it's just me, I'm so anal about things like this. I don't even like if I see a wrong/mismatch bolt/screw.

But installing A-spec suspension is very easy. You don't really need to worry about a thing. I'd make sure the installer put the correct assy on the correct side (R on the right, L on the left) but that's all.

 

My a-spec suspension was installed today for $200 CAD by my Acura dealer. They charged me 2.2hrs in labor, which I think is a very good price.

Cheers

 

That's an excellent price. That's about the real amount of time that an experience tech should need from the time he puts it on the lift till when he take it off, takes a break, and has a cup of coffee. Was that what the service write quoted you?

dsc888

 

do it yourself. since you don't have to worry about a spring compressor, etc. the a-spec suspension is basically ready to drop in. save a few hundred dollars towards the comptech supercharger or better rotors / brake kit if you have the automatic.

 

Yes the quoted me $200 and charged me $200. They look at the service price sheet and it said 2.2hrs. Their hourly rate is $90. So the exact price was $198.00.

 

My local dealer told me $800 bucks to install. I'm not sure if he was including the price of the suspension itself in that (which I doubt, as that dealer won't part out the kit). I just gave him a funny look and said "Thanks" before I walked out.

 

My dealer quoted my $520 to install...that's why I'm doing it myself...even if I found a place that would do it for $200, throw in the $90 or so for a RSB install, and I've spent $300. Granted, I will waste most of this Saturday on it, but that's my time and I don't view it as work (just like washing the car isn't work). Can't say I've ever done anything like this before, but my friend who's helping and I are both mechanically inclined, so with the instructions and tip/tricks I've found here, I figure it won't be that bad.