Shock/Strut installation, how many hrs?

[britishbikes]

I can't see doing both ends with- one mechanic- and realigning the wheels in one hour. If your friend CHARGED you an hour, then he did you a favor.

Think about it, it takes about 1/2 hour to align the wheels, so that leaves him 1/2 hour to change two struts and two shocks, and replace the rear interior panels over the top of the rear shocks. That means that it took him, according to you, 7.5 minutes per corner of the car, including clearing the shop space for the next job. If you can change a strut and spring in 7.5 minutes, then perhaps you have your pick as to which shop you work.

Also there is nothing more difficult about the TRD suspension than there is changing the stock parts, so there should not be any premium for that. That day it was done, I saw the car go on the rack at about 7:00 am, they had the parts installed and aligned, plus a test drive by about 9:00 am.

Some guys I have seen etch out the spot where the camber plate went when they change the strut, in lieu of aligning the wheels, but that is never very accurate, with variations from the old part to new and also how the parts are positioned at the moment when the bolts are tightened. Were your wheels actually aligned in the deal?

There is almost always more to a job than you can see from here (online).

PS I remember the car was on the rack by 7:00 am; according to the sales ticket I paid at 8:47 am.

[RacerFreakXXX]

Originally Posted by britishbikes

I can't see doing both ends with- one mechanic- and realigning the wheels in one hour. If your friend CHARGED you an hour, then he did you a favor.

He actually did both ends for free in an hour, just no alignment. I can see it taking 2hrs with an alignment, however I didn't need one and I don't see why you would unless you were changing camber or toe.

[Astroman]

I got an alignment done after I did springs. It was off a little.