Quote for front shock replacement, wow!

[routlaw]

Ordered a set of Bilstein 5100 shocks front and rear from Shock Surplus for my F150. Installed the rears myself, no issues. Finally got around to calling locally for the front installs since it requires special equipment that I don't have or want to have. Most shops wouldn't entertain the notion of customer supplied parts and the ones that did provided quotes of almost $1K with front end alignment included. The other shop was 1.5 months out. For those of you who might have gone through the same, does this price seem a bit steep? 

Granted I do live in an area with very high cost of living, still the price was a surprise. Made the appointment anyway for a couple of weeks from now. Suffice it to say getting anything done in this area requires a lot of patience due to the growth.

In the meantime wishing the best for all the folks back east dealing with hurricanes and the aftermath. The destruction and devastation is terrible. Good luck getting through these rough times.

Thanks

[jd1923]

34 minutes ago, routlaw said:

Made the appointment anyway for a couple of weeks from now. Suffice it to say getting anything done in this area requires a lot of patience due to the growth.

Rob, special tools make it easier but not always necessary. Fronts are in general more difficult.

Any Mobile Mechanics in your area? They would not have issue with customer parts. Shops speel crap re warranty which is BS. In reality they want profit on parts in addition to their exorbitant shop rates!

Another point, shocks have absolutely no bearing on wheel alignment. If your truck drives straight down the highway and tire wear has been even, do not align it. Only get alignments done at alignment shops, not general repair shops as they can certainly make the alignment worse.

Good alignment techs work alignments daily an it takes more knowledge than reading numbers on the machine. Any alignment shops in your area? They usually install shocks. Muffler shops too. Also local tire shops but not the National chains  

i advise, find an alternative so you can cancel that appointment! $200 labor with your parts is reasonable, or 1 1/2 hours at the hourly shop rate. Hopefully, I gave you some ideas to research. Best wishes, JD

Edited October 7 by jd1923

[routlaw]

Thanks for all the helpful information @jd1923 . Interesting it was my understanding one has to have a spring compressor in order to remove and install front shocks into their respective coils/struts. Have not checked into mobile mechanics, will do this evening. Understood on all else. We do have an awesome alignment shop or two here but they are weeks if not months out, seriously. 

Thanks again.

Rob

[jd1923]

2 hours ago, routlaw said:

Interesting it was my understanding one has to have a spring compressor in order to remove and install front shocks into their respective coils/struts.

If you have front struts yes, just shocks then no. BTW, you can visit an Oreilly's, AutoZone or other national auto parts stores and borrow a spring compressor for the day (they charge your credit card for the tool and refund upon return).

Hope you find another alternative. Shops here usually get you in the next week (service shops not RV shops). I should head north and open an auto service shop if there is that much demand! just kiddin'!

[katanapilot]

Be really careful with these inexpensive, rental spring compressors. Changing coil-overs can be dangerous.  If you aren't comfortable with this type of repair - pay someone to do it. 

You may also be able to buy fully assembled coil-overs (strut and spring already assembled).  It's quite often less expensive than buying all of the individual components and then assembling them plus you get all new parts.  Replacement is much easier as well in most cases.

Edited October 8 by katanapilot
changed text

[routlaw]

8 hours ago, katanapilot said:

Be really careful with these inexpensive, rental spring compressors. Changing coil-overs can be dangerous.  If you aren't comfortable with this type of repair - pay someone to do it. 

You may also be able to buy fully assembled coil-overs (strut and spring already assembled).  It's quite often less expensive than buying all of the individual components and then assembling them plus you get all new parts.  Replacement is much easier as well in most cases.

Have read this many times regarding the danger of dealing with spring compressors and why I didn't want to go down this route. Too late at this point for complete assemblies since I already have the shocks on hand. The complete assembly set was quite expensive though. Thanks

Have a note into one of the mobile repairs outfits locally but no call back yet, still waiting on that. 

[routlaw]

16 hours ago, jd1923 said:

Hope you find another alternative. Shops here usually get you in the next week (service shops not RV shops). I should head north and open an auto service shop if there is that much demand! just kiddin'!

Everything is like this in this neck of the woods. The growth in the area has been explosive over the past several years, got worse during covid with apparently no end in sight. Existing labor and services can't keep up with the demand. Still looking for an alternate shop nothing so far. Thanks

[jd1923]

52 minutes ago, routlaw said:

Existing labor and services can't keep up with the demand. Still looking for an alternate shop nothing so far. Thanks

If we were neighbors, we could do this together one afternoon! Just remembered when I did the struts on our GX470. The spring compressors from Oreilly's would not work as they are designed for full size coil springs, like on old cars, not coils on struts.

I bought a set for not too much money. Not easy and yes dangerous. As I was torquing them down, I had a HD shield protecting my face and upper body, strut held on vise, empty workbench and bare wall behind it.

These are the GX struts. I actually had to do the same job 3 times, OMG! The ride height wasn't right with the Eibach product, so eventually they sent me free springs to compensate (the silver ones). Also used the tool when I upgraded the rear strut on my Honda dirt bike. All went well each time, though you must be patient and extremely careful!

[routlaw]

Just watched a YouTube video where a guy was changing the front shocks on an older rusted out F150. The compressor he used was no light weight affair, really large massive floor standing affair. He took a lot of stuff apart that seemed a bit unnecessary, easy for me to say not having done it. Regardless quite the job. Also called a couple local mobile mechanics and their estimate really wasn't much different than what I had already been quoted. At this point will probably just stick with what I already have scheduled and bite the bullet. The one thing I was warned about for those contemplating these types of repairs, make sure the top plate bearing is also replaced at the same time of the shock. 

 

[jd1923]

4 hours ago, routlaw said:

The compressor he used was no light weight affair, really large massive floor standing affair. He took a lot of stuff apart that seemed a bit unnecessary, easy for me to say not having done it. Regardless quite the job.

That’s an expensive shop tool. This is enough for occasional home use: https://a.co/d/7wrhUwT

Earlier when I wrote 1 1/2 hours $200, I was thinking front shocks like we have in the Dodge 2500 trucks, coil springs separate and are not removed to do shocks. Even the Ford E450 Class C chassis has simple shocks (been there, done that.

if you purchased full preloaded strut assemblies, you could do the job. I cannot believe that if you went to the Ford dealership that flat rate would be more than 3 hours. At $1000 that’s a $330 shop hour, keep looking!

[Rivernerd]

On 10/7/2024 at 6:41 PM, routlaw said:

Interesting it was my understanding one has to have a spring compressor in order to remove and install front shocks into their respective coils/struts.

Hydraulic spring compressors are easy to operate, and are pretty safe.  See link below for $129, with free shipping:

https://www.vevor.com/strut-spring-compressor-c_10324/vevor-strut-spring-compressor-4-5-ton-9920-lbs-hydraulic-jack-capacity-1-ton-rated-compression-force-auto-strut-coil-spring-compressor-tool-hydraulic-spring-compressor-for-strut-spring-removing-p_010965229806?adp=gmc&srsltid=AfmBOopoeYWWikeQmCcGKl47slQH4-rLCtrA7WJZn_-l09Cs4PORifLmAoo

That is what I would do in your shoes.

[Tideline77]

On 10/7/2024 at 5:18 PM, routlaw said:

Ordered a set of Bilstein 5100 shocks front and rear from Shock Surplus for my F150. Installed the rears myself, no issues. Finally got around to calling locally for the front installs since it requires special equipment that I don't have or want to have. Most shops wouldn't entertain the notion of customer supplied parts and the ones that did provided quotes of almost $1K with front end alignment included. The other shop was 1.5 months out. For those of you who might have gone through the same, does this price seem a bit steep? 

Granted I do live in an area with very high cost of living, still the price was a surprise. Made the appointment anyway for a couple of weeks from now. Suffice it to say getting anything done in this area requires a lot of patience due to the growth.

In the meantime wishing the best for all the folks back east dealing with hurricanes and the aftermath. The destruction and devastation is terrible. Good luck getting through these rough times.

Thanks

were the shocks expensive ?

did you set the rear shocks to raise your truck any ?

 

Edited October 9 by Tideline77

[routlaw]

On 10/9/2024 at 11:23 AM, Tideline77 said:

were the shocks expensive ?

did you set the rear shocks to raise your truck any ?

 

The 5100 Bilstein rear shocks do not create a lift, only the fronts will do that. I paid around $500 for the set of fronts and rears at Shock Surplus. However when install the Road Active Suspension this device does raise the rear about an inch and half or so.

[jd1923]

On 10/9/2024 at 10:23 AM, Tideline77 said:

rear shocks to raise your truck any ?

Shocks alone do not change height. Adjustable struts will up front or air shocks rear but never shocks alone. 

[Tideline77]

Thanks, I didn’t know that !

I thought the Bilstien  shocks had  3 levels of adjustment settings for leveling the truck

[routlaw]

25 minutes ago, Tideline77 said:

Thanks, I didn’t know that !

I thought the Bilstien  shocks had  3 levels of adjustment settings for leveling the truck

They do, but actually it’s 4 settings. As I understand it this is unique for Bilsteins and no other shock by itself has this capability.

[jd1923]

I believe these are Firmness settings not Height adjustments. 

[Ronbrink]

14 hours ago, jd1923 said:

I believe these are Firmness settings not Height adjustments. 

You are exactly right! 

On 10/11/2024 at 8:11 PM, routlaw said:

As I understand it this is unique for Bilsteins and no other shock by itself has this capability.

I’ve had Rancho RS9000 shocks on my 4x4s for many years and they have nine settings to dial in optimum performance; lower setting for everyday use and commuting, higher setting for off-road. 

 

On 10/11/2024 at 7:14 PM, jd1923 said:

Shocks alone do not change height. Adjustable struts will up front or air shocks rear but never shocks alone. 

Pickup trucks are generally 2” lower in the front by design; load the bed and/or hitch a trailer and it will ‘squat’ to a more level stance. I installed front Rancho quickLIFT Strut and Coil Springs on my TV when new for looks, and on the rear an Air Lift LoadLifter 5000 for added stability, cargo equalization, comfort, and trailer leveling and adjustment. 

[jd1923]

I had Ranchos on the ‘03 Ram we owned for years, were adjustable. A basic set of Bilsteins on our ‘01 Ram, not adjustable, 4600 series if I remember correctly. Could not get the higher end Bilsteins for this 2WD truck (2WD too small a market). F150 larger sales and huge aftermarket.

Edited October 13 by jd1923

[routlaw]

Hopefully I don't come off as being too argumentative on this discussion but attached is the instruction sheet for adjusting the lift on the 5100 series Bilstein shocks. Also including a link from Shock Surplus with videos discussing this attribute. IOW's these shocks are indeed ride height adjustable. Bilstein makes these shocks now for just about every truck on the market including Tacomas so I have no doubt they also have them for RAM trucks as well. The 4600 series and 5100 Series are different in this regard too. In order to jump up to a completely assembled coil/shock combo one has to move up to the 6112 shock-strut assembly to the tune of just under a grand for parts alone. However that shock is designed and built for serious off-roading with a much larger diameter tube compared to the 5100 series.

In the meantime regarding my initial post on this thread, still haven't found a local who can do this install any less expensive so far but understand too the cost of living in my area is and has become very expensive. Minimum wage locally is $20-$22 per hour and thats just for flipping burgers and stuffing tacos. Average home prices are hovering just under a million now. We didn't pay anywhere near that but have been living here for almost 50 years too. In the meantime still exploring the options. 

Hoping anyone else seeking to do this finds this info helpful.

https://www.shocksurplus.com/products/bilstein-5100-monotube-gas-shocks-24-239394

[gbergh]

I have used Love's Truck Center for replacing the Struts on my Sprinter 3500 with Koni Struts.  As I recall the work was completed within two (2) hours for about $200.  They did an excellent job.  I failed to mention I purchased the Struts from Agile, who specialized in Sprinter suspension for approximately $400 for the pair.  I made an appointment at Love's and waited about one week.

Edited October 13 by gbergh
addition information

[routlaw]

@gbergh unfortunately we don't have a Love's anywhere near us. Have seen them on road trips in the past and filled up more than once. Don't think they are even in Montana. I suspect based upon the YouTube videos I've seen to replace struts on the F150 there might be quite a bit more work to the install.  It requires (apparently) a significant amount of disassembly. Thanks for the info though

Edited October 13 by routlaw

[gbergh]

There is a Love's Truck stop at Hardin on I-95 and also one in Great Falls.  Not all of the Love's Truck Centers have Truck service.  Hardin and Great Falls are a bit of a hike from the Bozeman area where I believe you are located. 

[routlaw]

5 hours ago, gbergh said:

There is a Love's Truck stop at Hardin on I-95 and also one in Great Falls.  Not all of the Love's Truck Centers have Truck service.  Hardin and Great Falls are a bit of a hike from the Bozeman area where I believe you are located. 

Yes indeed about half days drive from Bozeman. Hardly worth the effort but thanks for the heads up.

[jd1923]

12 hours ago, routlaw said:

attached is the instruction sheet for adjusting the lift on the 5100 series Bilstein shocks.

Rob, you are correct. I guess it’s just a difference in language. Technically these are called struts, when height adjustable not mere shocks. You have purchased a high-end shock component to a adjustable coil-over strut.

See: http://www.monroe.com/technical-resources/shocks-101/shocks-vs-struts.html

 

Edited October 14 by jd1923