So all my shocks are completely done and the time has come to replace them on my 99 SE. For the relative low cost of maintining this car, I'm blown away by how much flippin' money it costs to replace the shocks. I have 3 quotes, starting at $1500, $1352, and $1270 for the job. What's a fair price range that I should be expecting for this? Input definitely appreciated

 

Damn!!!! And people cry when all together with parts comes to be be like $600 at my shop!!!!!

 

Thats crazy, 150 bucks for ebay shocks and about 3 hours if time.

 

wow thats honestly ridiculous, just do them yourself and save yourself a grand

 

Those prices are just crazy. Those are dealership prices? All 4 shocks from the dealer are ~$700. Get it done yourself...

 

Did you ask them if they use lube for when they bend you over? I would definitely not go back to any of those places that quoted you that. You could get coilovers for cheaper an spend 3-4 hours of your time an have a way better suspension set up

 

I had access to a lift, so it was pretty easy. I got the Monroe Quick Struts on amazon for $119 each no tax no shipping. I got the KYB GR2 (I think?) from amazon as well, and then the boots. On the rears we had to compress the springs, which took more time, but not the end of the world. You can do Quick Struts in the rear as well, and then you are replacing the entire unit. I think after all that it probably cost in the high $300's.

 

Monroe Quick struts are really convenient, but the ride is just too floaty IMO.

Here's my standard approach:
KYB GR2's ~ $300 for all 4
Moog front strut mounts ~ $90 for both (rears don't need to be replaced)
OEM dustboots ~ $90 for all 4.

That's all the parts you need (and I'll BET it's more than gets replaced at the shops).

And about 3-4 hours (if you're a novice) to do the job yourself with basic hand tools and a free spring compressor rental from Autozone.

 

Wowww thats just too much cash or the guy saw u comeing highest quote is $1500 u can get a good set of shocks/struts for 400 bucks and pay a local mechanic 200 bucks for insatll and there u go u just saved half of the 1500 u was going to pay

 

umm wtf?!? i paid $650 with work to get my axles replaced (new ones) and thats more labour intensive than putting in suspension. buy monroe quick struts (comes with everything you need already mounted), jack up one side at a time and bolt them in. its actually THAT easy when you get the quick struts, they have everything you need to replace 1 shock in about 20 mins.

 

im going to have a set for sale soon kyb agx's with about 12xx miles on them and a set of sprint springs with 20k on them pm if your interested

 

Did Monroe Quickstruts all around about 3 years/40K miles ago. Just over $640 materials; about 3 hours to do job w lift and air tools (I am old and slow!). Still doing fine.

 

Totally agree with the floatyness of the quickstruts......but idk what's going on with my car. When it hits bigger bumps I feel like the dash is shaking, even with the new struts all around. I think the KYBs are quite stiff and I see the spoiler vibrating when the road is bumpy...like there's a resonation somewhere on the rear deck.

 

I just did the struts/shocks on my dads A34 and my g/f L31. I installed Monroe OESpectrum. The ride is not floaty. Its actually pretty stiff (not GR2 harsh) but coming from the stock blown dampers there is a big difference. I would recommend them to anyone who does not want to lower their car. I bought everything through Advance Auto with coupon codes and ebates, I saved quite a bit. Also reusing the stock bump stosp and getting universal boots like Rancho or Strutmate saves big time over the recommended bump/boot.

Tokico HP's are also a good stock replacement. Screw KYB, they are harsh. Screw Ebay brands, they are junk.

Budget about:

$300 in struts
$100 in boots, mounts, bearings, bushings, etc. if needed
3-4 hours in time
$70 for an alignment recommended

$1000 in your pocket!

 

Yeah, I would avoid the KYB GR2's, I installed them and was surprised at how rough the ride was compared to stock SE struts. I recall paying around $450 for all the stuff, and that included the boots and new mounts... DIY was not too difficult, just get a decent spring compressor tool. Also be mindful of placing the springs correctly in the perches, otherwise odd clunking sounds might result..

 

** and be mindful of aligning the upper spring perch with the strut bracket.

 

Just did all 4 struts on mine for alittle over $300. Just some everyday monroe gasmatics or whatever. Took about 2hrs tops to do all of them. The ride isnt bad either. Bumps still suck but thats only because of my 18's with 215/45's