Springs/Sways install cost

[Dynabyte]

I purchased a set if Eibach springs and swaybars thinking that installation would only be a few hours. I went to 2 independent shops and my dealer today for an installation quote. The shops were $800-$900 (both at $125 per hour) and my dealership stated they wouldn't do it as it's their standard policy not to do 3rd party upgrades. They said though that if they were to, it would be $1400! Is $800 for the installation of springs and sways (including alignment) reasonable? Thanks for any and all input -

[jeffny09]

thats way to much there ripping u off dude-try to find some one on the side- i know someone that offered to do it for 200 for everything-then u gotta go get it aligned-so 325ish 400 at most i would do thas crazy

[Bruce@raymondsperformance]

If $125.00 an hour is the normal in CA.That is not to far off Based on 5.5 to 6.5 book hours to do the install plus the alignment.I would have a proffesional shop do the install since they will be there if there is any problems plus they will have insurance should something unexpected happen.Unlike someone in their garage at home.

[Dynabyte]

Originally Posted by raymo1

If $125.00 an hour is the normal in CA.That is not to far off Based on 5.5 to 6.5 book hours to do the install plus the alignment.I would have a proffesional shop do the install since they will be there if there is any problems plus they will have insurance should something unexpected happen.Unlike someone in their garage at home.

That's the thing - not sure if $125 is normal here in the Bay area but I'll be sure to check it out. Thx for the advice

[jeffny09]

theres plenty of do it your self guides on here have you considered that?

[axis]

Do it yourself. It's not that bad at all if you have a decent set of tools around. All you need extra is a spring compressor that i'm sure the local autozone should have for rent.

[jeffny09]

which i plan on going to autozone friend and i gonna try it out

[Dynabyte]

I thought about doing it myself but this is the car that gets me to work every day. If it was my Cougar, I would do it myself for sure. I have jacks, stands, and the tools for the job so perhaps I may end up going that route in the end It just seemed weird that folks here on Camaro5 were talking about $300-$500 installs and around here it's double that.

[Info@PeddersUSA.com]

Originally Posted by Dynabyte

I thought about doing it myself but this is the car that gets me to work every day. If it was my Cougar, I would do it myself for sure. I have jacks, stands, and the tools for the job so perhaps I may end up going that route in the end It just seemed weird that folks here on Camaro5 were talking about $300-$500 installs and around here it's double that.

You are talking to guys who are paying $65-$85 per hour. In the SF Bay area, the standard labor rates will be from $105 minimum to the $150 per hour.

Synergy is in the $105 to $115 per hour. Rick is in Fremont and is a Pedders trained guy.

mike
dms

[the rich dude]

Hey Mike, do you have any idea when I should be getting my Pedders Coilovers and sway bars? I ordered them about 6 weeks ago and was told then about 4-6 weeks. No big rush just wondering when I should be getting them. Thanks..

I know I didn't get them from you but was wondering if you had a rough idea?

[Info@PeddersUSA.com]

Originally Posted by the rich dude

Hey Mike, do you have any idea when I should be getting my Pedders Coilovers and sway bars? I ordered them about 6 weeks ago and was told then about 4-6 weeks. No big rush just wondering when I should be getting them. Thanks..

I know I didn't get them from you but was wondering if you had a rough idea?

I would gestimate the price to be $575 or so plus alignment. Alignment would be just to get it into GM specs, and not a custom alignment. To maximize on handling, you will need to get the Pedders align kit.

mike
dms

[the rich dude]

Originally Posted by dms

I would gestimate the price to be $575 or so plus alignment. Alignment would be just to get it into GM specs, and not a custom alignment. To maximize on handling, you will need to get the Pedders align kit.

mike
dms

I think you might have answered some one elses question

But I did have a question for you above^^^^^

[viper1cobra]

Originally Posted by Dynabyte

I purchased a set if Eibach springs and swaybars thinking that installation would only be a few hours. I went to 2 independent shops and my dealer today for an installation quote. The shops were $800-$900 (both at $125 per hour) and my dealership stated they wouldn't do it as it's their standard policy not to do 3rd party upgrades. They said though that if they were to, it would be $1400! Is $800 for the installation of springs and sways (including alignment) reasonable? Thanks for any and all input -

I had a similar experience with my Dealer. I have the Eibach Springs and Sways and wanted to get them installed. It is against GM Policy to perform aftermarket work with Non-GM Parts.

They will however do the labor, but there will be no warranty on the Parts. The Labor will be covered by GM only if I have it is serviced again at that Dealership for any install problems. The Install Labor with the Alignment was $800.00.

The upside is that you know that the work is being done by a GM Certified Mechanic, and not some Shop that you know nothing about. The vehicle will be put back to GM Specs. It will be after the 1st of the year before I will be able to get mine installed. Good Luck with whatever you decide to do.

[deljaso]

Call a few more shops. I priced one place at 3 hours, approx $300 for spring install only. I don't think sways would add that much.


I just did mine myself this weekend, then took it to a tire shop (along with the specs that were posted here) and got an alignment afterward for about $75. They scared me, saying that there was severe negative camber on all wheels and they couldn't figure it out, but then they found that all 4 struts were "slotted" and they were able to get it back w/in specs (???).
As long as you have a couple of breaker bars and the right sockets, you can do it. I'm not very mechanically inclined, but I was able to do it over Saturday/Sunday. The worst part was the torx bit-ed sway bar end links and the bolt holding the top of the front strut, the rest isn't so bad. I wasn't about to pay 300 for it, and I would never pay 800 for installation.

[orange10s.c.]

Man too bad your not here $450 + alingnment here. The labor rate here in this area is $65 hr. I wish our labor rate was that high.

[Ltdodge]

I paid $300 install and $69.00 alignment...in Florida

[Dynabyte]

Originally Posted by deljaso

Call a few more shops. I priced one place at 3 hours, approx $300 for spring install only. I don't think sways would add that much.

I'm definitely going to look around. It was interesting - I've learned about the challenge with removing the front swaybar here on the forum, as well as options to address it. The $900 shop stated that raising the front passenger assembly wouldn't work (they said the lower arm would need to be undone to get it out!). I said just cut the stock swaybar in half - they didn't go for it. The cost quoted was $250 (2 hrs) for the swaybars themselves.

Based on the other responses, wish I lived in Florida lol!

[Info@PeddersUSA.com]

Originally Posted by the rich dude

Hey Mike, do you have any idea when I should be getting my Pedders Coilovers and sway bars? I ordered them about 6 weeks ago and was told then about 4-6 weeks. No big rush just wondering when I should be getting them. Thanks..

I know I didn't get them from you but was wondering if you had a rough idea?

We have some shipments in port right now. But the warehouse is closed so Dan could go home and spend time with his family.

You can contact your dealer or if you bought it online, email deb thru the site to get a more specific date. Sway bars are coming in every couple of days. Customs is being rather strick right now, so some delays there. But a bunch of the Camaro bars will be in by the 2nd week of Jan.

thanks
mike
dms

[the rich dude]

Originally Posted by dms

We have some shipments in port right now. But the warehouse is closed so Dan could go home and spend time with his family.

You can contact your dealer or if you bought it online, email deb thru the site to get a more specific date. Sway bars are coming in every couple of days. Customs is being rather strick right now, so some delays there. But a bunch of the Camaro bars will be in by the 2nd week of Jan.

thanks
mike
dms

cool, thanks Mike! I'll call my dealer I ordered from and see if he can find out anything new.

Like I said don't need them right now but would be nice to drool over them anywase

[FEN]

I had my Eibach springs (No sways) installed at my dealership here in Florida and paid aprox $475 including the alignment. After the install i purchased wider wheels and drove the car for aprox 500 miles.Went back today to have the alignment re-checked and it had changed slightly....still within spec but not as good as it could be so i had it aligned again @ $75. Not sure if it settled in or the new wheels which are much wider had an effect on the alignment but i should be good to go now.

[Danny Thomas]

Has anyone checked out the step by step instructions in the latest issue of Camaro Performers? This is a simple install.

[Info@PeddersUSA.com]

Originally Posted by Danny Thomas

Has anyone checked out the step by step instructions in the latest issue of Camaro Performers? This is a simple install.

I went to their web site. They have not posted any of the build info on their site. I do not subscribe to them. So do not have access. Can you scan the copies and will evaluate what they did for you.

thanks
mike
dms