I made an appointment at the Nissan dealership for my car to have new shocks and struts installed. They quoted me a price of $1,100 including an alignment. Is this the average price? Sounds a little high to me, but then again I found out everything for this car is expensive.

 

LOL $1100???? HAHAHAHA

Any other indy shop will prob do it for $150-300, and alignment prob another $80-120.

 

I did call around. Midas, Meineke, Sears, a few others and there prices were pretty much the same. Within $100-150.

 

So what's the dilemma?

 

didnt know if anyone knew of a cheaper place to have it done.

 

OK, either I am not understanding something or you are not making sense.

Your dealer told you it will cost $1100 to install your new shocks, which includes an alignment. BUT, you have already called around and gotten prices of $100-150. So you yourself already knew of a cheaper place than the dealer.

No one can suggest a local shop to you or even a fellow member because you didn't say where you are. If you were in the NYC for example, I can tell you a local guy who can do the install for $150.

 

I think he is saying the quotes he is getting is within 150 of the Nissan price, still 1000+. Maybe this install includes all the parts as well?

 

You got it. Yes it does include all the parts.

 

Dude you'd make out a WHOLE let better if you brought the struts and found a fellow orger to put them on for ya, and go to a local shop for an alignment... just my .02.

 

what kind of shocks and struts are you getting and are you getting springs. 1100 hundred is a lot do you have a Big O tires where i live they qouted me at 360 for install only and you just have to search online for your parts they are going to be cheaper if you supply them youself. just my thoughts

 

You should be able to ge all 4 struts for $400-500 and installation and alignment for another $300 or so. Dealers do one thing good. They sell cars. For mechanical work out of warranty, find a good independent shop that has experience with Maximas.

 

+1 to this, heck, for $500 you could even get springs...

To the OP, where are you located anyway?

 

Im in Lancaster PA. I have called a few different shops in the area, all of which were within about $100 of what the dealership wanted. Im just replacing them with stock parts. Im not interested in aftermarket shocks/struts or lowering my car.

 

your driveway

 

i dont have the tools or experience to do that myself.

 

then just get it taken care of by the dealer. thats what they're there for, to completely rip off (full MSRP) ppl who dont have a clue about cars. not trying 2 sound mean, i just believe that to be facts.

i wouldn't recommend you try and buy your own stuff and have an independent place install it either because if u really dont have a clue, u risk screwing something up and paying more anyway.

 

when i replaced my shocks with tokico blues it was about $470 installed at a local shop here and another 50 for alignment. the blues felt better than the stock...but maybe because mine were worn out lol

 

I think anyone with basic mechanical background, tools, that has worked on cars, and can follow instructions can do this. It's not rocket science.

Here are two of helpful links.
How to install struts and springs
How to decide which springs and struts are for you

 

Keep looking or hopefully find somone on here to offer...I paid 100 to get mine installed the first time.....once i saw how easy it is I now do it myself. It is time consuming but not difficult at all....airtools are your friend on this one though

 

send me a PM if you are interested in some used shocks and struts off of an 01 SE with about 57,000 miles.. they'll all be off my car in about 3 hours

 

I got 4 tokico blues for 300.00 shipped and had them installed at a shop for 100.00 and got an alignment from direct tire for 60.00. 460.00 total. 1100.00 is insane......

 

I dont have a clue about cars? You are talking about someone who has replaced the headgaskets in my Mustang this past summer. I also put a new camshaft im the Camaro I used to own. I have also replaced transmisions in my cars, as well as my dads cars. So, i do know a few things about cars. I just have never done anything with suspension.

 

Suspension work is definitely one of the easiest jobs to do. Especially if you've done the work you said you did you should have no problems at all. Get your search on here there is a ton of info on how to change the suspension out.

Not to mention I'm sure you've got some local orgers that could lend you some assistance. With that said man... if you just can't find the help you are looking for then pm me. I will put you on and help you out with this. I'd hate to see you get RAPPED at the dealership for something that is extremely easy to take care of yourself.

Lastly, just because you go aftermarket doesn't mean you have to go lower. There are set ups that will give you a lot more controlled ride with out sacraficing your ride height.

Please check out this link... It will help you tremendously
http://www.innerbean.com/housecor/how_to.html

 

get all the parts, send me a pm and drive to where i live and ill install it for $200.

get new struts and some lowering springs and do a complete suspension overhaul.

 

Well, i dont want to have a stiffer ride. this is my everyday car and want it to be as comfortable as possible.

 

adjustable shocks like illuminas and springs like eibach or h&r or tein h-tech and you wont regret it

 

I'm in Central Jersey. I charge $125 labor for installation. I'd say it's worth the 2 hour drive. I'll teach you every step as we go along.

Additionally, if you're willing to spend that much money, get some better struts, like Tokico's. They're cheaper than OEM parts anyway.

 

i have an SE and after changing to tokico blues the ride was smoother. but i also changed to softer/quieter tires so that might make the ride more smooth.

 

whatever i get, i just hope they last longer than 65,000 miles.

 

I've had Tokico Illuminas on my car since 35K miles. I'm currently at 95K, and I'm lowered on Progress, which are almost the lowest spring. No issues whatsoever. If my struts can last 60K miles while lowered, there is no reason yours won't when you're not lowered at all, or not lowered as much as me.

 

DO NOT go to the dealers. dont buy the illuminas. go buy yourself "TOKICO HP" shocks from ebay for $300 shipped. type in "tokico HP" when you search. they are factory replacement.

once you get them, take it to a shop and they will charge you around $300 to install. plus 60 for alignment. so far you've spent $660. once again, DO NOT GO TO THE DEALERS.

id recommend finding someone on the org to do them also, you cant trust some shops and a fellow orger usually has experience and they will take their time to do it. plus its cheapest. but please dont go to the dealers.

 

I vote for having an orger do it

 

yea I would do it for half their labor cost in my driveway one saturday.

 

Hey 6SPD02SE, where are you located? I'm sure a member here would be willing to do the work at 1/2 the cost of the dealer.

 

Agreed. I already offered, if he's willing to drive.

 

Wheres he located?

 

Im in Lancaster PA. About 1-1.5 hours west of Philly.

 

Seems like to me the advice is there and the problems has a resolution. Take the advice man...

/thread

 

$1100 for regular shocks and all.. this is outrageous.... i've got tein SS for less than that.

 

If you want to save a couple extra bucks on tokico hp blues, go here. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/TOKIC...QQcmdZViewItem

Make a best offer of $275.00. He accepted that price for me and he has 100% feedback. Free shipping too....