The car is going in for some work. Springs struts/shocks all four(im not too sure which i have) both front axles, wheel alignment, oil change, state inspection and a weird whining noise that i hear when i accelerate. Any one have a ball park on what this will cost me to get done time and $$$. OR at least what i should . I am not sure myself and i dont want to get robbed when i go to the shop. I have a 97 SE with 160k miles.

 

This is all stuff you should be able to do. Just search a little. Its pretty simple stuff. If not you should find a local member that would be willing to help you out. It will be cheaper than taking it to a shop. Price wise is going to vary depending on what a shop charges per hour.....

 

Please do the oil change yourself, and for the whining noise, check your ground connections. Do you have a sub/amp?

 

I know it would be alot cheaper to do the repairs my self but there are two things that prevent me from being able to do it. Time and tools. My car is rusted to hell the simple things are always ten times harder because i don't have the proper tools to do it. I lack in experience also so i rather pay to do certain things done.

99grnmaxgxe: I have to check my grounds and see if that is the reason for the whining but i also hear that and some other " foreign" noise from the engine when i accelerate of even at times when the engine is idle.

 

You're talking about serious money here. I was quoted (2 years ago, upstate NY prices) about $1,300 for the four struts (did it myself for about 1/3 of the $$). The front axles were done by a shop at $260 each. Wheel alignment is another $90. Oil change ~$25-$30. Not sure about NY Metro inspection ~$60??

 

Wow...1300 for 4 struts is ridiculous. I found a shop that would do 4 struts + springs for $300 in the DC area. Dont know about axles, but I just did alignment at Midas for $75 incl tax and oil change should never be more than $30 unless youre getting synthetic oil for some reason. I suggest you do the front struts yourself. SLC i30t just showed me how to do fronts last weekend and its not extremely complicated and doesn't require a ton of tools.

 

The suspension stuff (springs/shocks) are gonna cost ya in labor because they are time consuming. Its a pretty easy job though. Oil change is wicked easy and saves you ~$35. The axles can be a royal pain in the a$$, so if youre not sure of doing your own shocks then dont do axles yourself.
NY inspection is $60?!?!??! In mass its $29...

If money isnt a big problem, go to a shop. If the budget is tight and youve got a friend or two willing to help, then diy.

 

thanks for the replies. I found someone to help me do the work. ill throw some money his way for his experience and tools.