What did you pay for your Spring install in your area ?

[Mobias]

In regards to the axle seal comment, I removed my axles when I did my springs. Now I was also doing a clutch at the same time, so I had to remove them, but honestly for how involved the shock removal is anyway, pulling the axles was no big deal.

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[NSXavier]

As an enthusiast I can feel everyone's pain on this thread in regards to the price of suspension install on FL5/DE5. I can also weigh in and give some thoughts as a shop owner.

Prices for labor are reflected on by many key factors, of which TIME is the most important. For those that don't know, Technicians are paid by a flat-rate scale; which means that a job can take x amount of hours to do, but will only pay out a set amount of time no matter what - whether you complete it in a faster amount of time, or take longer to complete it; it pays the same labor time. To calculate labor rates, I use the formula commonly used at dealerships for COD jobs which is:

warranty time x 0.8 = x; then x + book time

Labor Operation #: 4141C0 which is FRONT SHOCK ABSORBER REPLACEMENT on FL5/DE5 is 4.1 hours. 4.1 x 0.8 = 3.28. 3.28 + 4.1 =7.4 hours for front spring installation.

(there is no labor operation for JUST springs; but you're basically doing a shock absorber replacement when installing springs)

Labor Operation #: 417121 which is REAR SPRING REPLACEMENT on FL5/DE5 is 0.7 hours. 0.7x0.8 = 0.56. 0.56 + 0.70 = 1.30 hours.

8.70 hours of labor for the suspension install.

Then you just simply multiply the labor rate to get your total labor costs to carry out the job. in this case, to make things easier, we'll use a labor rate of $100/hr.
100 x 8.7 = $870.00.

Shop labor rates will vary from job to job / vehicle to vehicle. For example, a suspension install labor rate on a HONDA might differ when compared to an AUDI. Same mechanical principles, but some jobs are higher risk / require special tooling / might even require coding when complete. Same holds true for vehicle's of the same make. A suspension install on a FL5 / DE5 might differ greatly when compared to a S2000. Same mechanical principles, but the professionals who have done suspension installs on the FL5 knows how badly it can go if you don't know what you're doing and end up pulling an inner CV joint out.

Keep in mind that when you pay for this service to be done, you're also paying for peace of mind that nothing will be messed up, you can have your car back in a timely fashion, and that most importantly, you'll save time so that you can continue going about your business. You won't have to be in a driveway sweating and working under a time crunch to get your car back on the road by Monday. You won't have to get UBER rides to autozone to rent a tool. You won't have to worry about breaking something. And you won't have to worry about injury using a spring compressor.

I recently did lower camber ball joints installation on a clients FL5 (among other things) and the formula for calculating labor above was used and came out to be 4.8 hours. I'd like to think that he was happy to pay because he just wouldn't have to deal with it.

I get it, DIY is DIY and can be fun and rewarding. However, sometimes when things are out of your skill level, it's best to just have someone do it for you. The price.. is the price. Gotta pay to play.

 

[AspecR]

Paid $500 for my Spoon spring install including an alignment

 

[TheFactor]

As an enthusiast I can feel everyone's pain on this thread in regards to the price of suspension install on FL5/DE5. I can also weigh in and give some thoughts as a shop owner.

Prices for labor are reflected on by many key factors, of which TIME is the most important. For those that don't know, Technicians are paid by a flat-rate scale; which means that a job can take x amount of hours to do, but will only pay out a set amount of time no matter what - whether you complete it in a faster amount of time, or take longer to complete it; it pays the same labor time. To calculate labor rates, I use the formula commonly used at dealerships for COD jobs which is:

warranty time x 0.8 = x; then x + book time

Labor Operation #: 4141C0 which is FRONT SHOCK ABSORBER REPLACEMENT on FL5/DE5 is 4.1 hours. 4.1 x 0.8 = 3.28. 3.28 + 4.1 =7.4 hours for front spring installation.

(there is no labor operation for JUST springs; but you're basically doing a shock absorber replacement when installing springs)

Labor Operation #: 417121 which is REAR SPRING REPLACEMENT on FL5/DE5 is 0.7 hours. 0.7x0.8 = 0.56. 0.56 + 0.70 = 1.30 hours.

8.70 hours of labor for the suspension install.

Then you just simply multiply the labor rate to get your total labor costs to carry out the job. in this case, to make things easier, we'll use a labor rate of $100/hr.
100 x 8.7 = $870.00.

Shop labor rates will vary from job to job / vehicle to vehicle. For example, a suspension install labor rate on a HONDA might differ when compared to an AUDI. Same mechanical principles, but some jobs are higher risk / require special tooling / might even require coding when complete. Same holds true for vehicle's of the same make. A suspension install on a FL5 / DE5 might differ greatly when compared to a S2000. Same mechanical principles, but the professionals who have done suspension installs on the FL5 knows how badly it can go if you don't know what you're doing and end up pulling an inner CV joint out.

Keep in mind that when you pay for this service to be done, you're also paying for peace of mind that nothing will be messed up, you can have your car back in a timely fashion, and that most importantly, you'll save time so that you can continue going about your business. You won't have to be in a driveway sweating and working under a time crunch to get your car back on the road by Monday. You won't have to get UBER rides to autozone to rent a tool. You won't have to worry about breaking something. And you won't have to worry about injury using a spring compressor.

I recently did lower camber ball joints installation on a clients FL5 (among other things) and the formula for calculating labor above was used and came out to be 4.8 hours. I'd like to think that he was happy to pay because he just wouldn't have to deal with it.

I get it, DIY is DIY and can be fun and rewarding. However, sometimes when things are out of your skill level, it's best to just have someone do it for you. The price.. is the price. Gotta pay to play.

Thank you for taking the time to reply with your knowledgeable break down .

 

[TheFactor]

Paid $500 for my Spoon spring install including an alignment

Sounds like you got the best deal going ??

 

[Geneman]

mike. thats the drop? only 15 and 10mm? sounds more like the spacer dimensions. are you running spacers also. btw the car looks beautiful. even for scotland,...?

 

[chopsuey34]

Can't comment on the spring install cost, but my alignment after was almost $300 and aside from trash talking me and the car, they didn't even do it correctly. Hope you have a better experience than I did.

Wow, I just got an alignment at my dealer and it was $120 out the door. Maybe someone fat fingered a cost center or something.

 

[Mobias]

My local dealer won't even touch my car. LoL. Their alignment rack couldn't get the car on it without scraping when at stock ride height.

 

[egxflash]

I don't know what springs yet. Just doing research on what shops are decent for getting work done on the car. I'd like to get exhaust and suspension work done. Can you DM me the shop name?

I don get why the big secret? If there's a waitlist, might as well get in now vs a month from now.

 

[TheFactor]

I don't know what springs yet. Just doing research on what shops are decent for getting work done on the car. I'd like to get exhaust and suspension work done. Can you DM me the shop name?

What area are you in ?

 

[TheFactor]

I don get why the big secret? If there's a waitlist, might as well get in now vs a month from now.

I don’t think he knows what springs or exhaust he wants . Probably needs to narrow it down before he starts making appointments. I personally won’t refer a shop I’ve never been to until I have experience with them. I know my Spoon springs were on back order out of Japan and I waited almost a month to get them. But I did get a pretty good deal so it was worth the wait ??

 

[egxflash]

I don’t think he knows what springs or exhaust he wants . Probably needs to narrow it down before he starts making appointments. I personally won’t refer a shop I’ve never been to until I have experience with them. I know my Spoon springs were on back order out of Japan and I waited almost a month to get them. But I did get a pretty good deal so it was worth the wait ??

He's not really asking for a referral though. I'm in SoCal too and knowing a shop that charges around that much allows me to at least possibly consider them should I need work.

We're not exactly expecting an endorsement here, just info.

 

[TheFactor]

He's not really asking for a referral though. I'm in SoCal too and knowing a shop that charges around that much allows me to at least possibly consider them should I need work.

We're not exactly expecting an endorsement here, just info.

I’m sure many will chime in . This thread has been very informative. I did my research like most do and googled shops in my surrounding area ?? it’s pretty simple actually with no endorsement just info
Also I did not start this thread for referrals but if folks want to that’s great . Or maybe you can start your own thread asking for recommendations. Just a thought Sir .
If you like feel free to DM me so to not derail my thread.
Thanks

 

[TheFactor]

My local dealer won't even touch my car. LoL. Their alignment rack couldn't get the car on it without scraping when at stock ride height.

I’ve heard of that problem before and I’ll have to make note for sure when getting mine done also.

 

[iforgettopee]

My local dealer won't even touch my car. LoL. Their alignment rack couldn't get the car on it without scraping when at stock ride height.

call around and ask if their alignment rack is flush mounted - AKA level with the ground - all you do is roll onto the rack, no ramps.

there are a handful of shops in southern california that have flush mounted racks... I'm sure there's one near you too

https://www.hunter.com/alignment-racks/scissor-lifts/?#overview

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