How much should I pay to have shocks installed? - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

evanl85 · 01-26-2005, 07:55 AM

My rear shocks are going/gone, so I'm ordering a set of KYB GR2's for my car. Nissan dealership wanted around $130 per shock, which is insane (I'm replacing all 4). Anyone know any good places in the Richmond (va) area to have these installed? Thanks

WONTONnPHO · 01-26-2005, 08:58 AM

130 per shock is WAAAAAAAY too much for GR2's. They ripping you off

minhbestunnin · 01-26-2005, 09:22 AM

here in dallas , we charge 100 for labor , on any car , shocks or springs

nissan_drifter · 01-26-2005, 09:33 AM

why not just do it yourself, I did mine in an hour and a half with no experience, the standard emergency jack, 4 sockets, a socket wrench, and a pipe, you will laugh at how easy it is once you do it

Ritz S14 · 01-26-2005, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nissan_drifter

why not just do it yourself, I did mine in an hour and a half with no experience, the standard emergency jack, 4 sockets, a socket wrench, and a pipe, you will laugh at how easy it is once you do it

I would not trust my life with an emergency jack without jackstands when changing suspension parts.

DudeYourSoOOJDM · 01-26-2005, 11:41 AM

I agree....try it, its very easy.

If you cant figure it out, then you should take it to someone.

Most good shops charge $100 for all 4.

RedlineRacer · 01-26-2005, 12:52 PM

do i yourself, very easy. All you need is a jack, some sockets, and spring compressor. Air tools help but you don't need them.

Agent_S13 · 01-26-2005, 12:59 PM

I used this link... very easy, especially since I had some friends and spring compressors. First time doing it --- no problems so far (1+ with AGX and Tokico springs)

Shock/Spring Install

Just scroll down to the rear shock installation -- very straight forward.

-Aaron
'91 240sx coupe

North240 · 01-26-2005, 01:02 PM

dealership is trying to screw you $130 for a $50 strut is outragous!! I bought agx's for $80 apiece, thats what i would recomend and install them yourself. You must have a friend that works on cars that would lend a hand for a 6pack.

DocTaDrifT · 01-26-2005, 12:58 PM

you dont even need a spring compressor

RedlineRacer · 01-27-2005, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DocTaDrifT

you dont even need a spring compressor

How are you going to get the spring off your old strut? Just unskrew the bolts and point the strut away from you?!? Or how are you going to put the springs on your new struts?

projectRDM · 01-27-2005, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedlineRacer

How are you going to get the spring off your old strut? Just unskrew the bolts and point the strut away from you?!? Or how are you going to put the springs on your new struts?

I've never used one either. The rear springs are not tensioned at all. You can easily take the top perch off without any compression, then reinstall it the same way. If you're installing a lowering spring it's even easier because there's more clearance.
For the fronts, an air impact works nice because it's quick, but you can ratchet it off quickly enough, just be out of the way when it releases. Yes, it's dangerous, but common sense should dictate if you try it or not (unfortunately that quality is lacking with most 240 owners). Note that this is with OE springs, any aftermarket spring is significantly shorter and there's less load as well, so it's completely easy and safe to do by hand. You can also cut the OE spring in half if you're replacing it, thereby releasing all tension.

Sil Beer S13 · 01-26-2005, 01:43 PM

Just do it yourself sheesh.

Wei240 · 01-26-2005, 01:59 PM

you seriously need only a few tools, and go buy fsm because it's the coolest,
it's truly easy as everyone is trying to tell you

the head · 01-26-2005, 02:04 PM

seven bolts (if you remove the top plate with it) per side for the front
three on the top two at the spindle

three per side for the rear
two at the top one at the spindle

a total of twenty bolts to remove your shocks and struts

JaeTea · 01-26-2005, 03:30 PM

If I can do it myself...anyone can. Trust me.

evanl85 · 01-26-2005, 10:42 PM

Thanks for the replies. I have another question, do I need strut boots for the new shocks, or is it not really needed? Thanks

Doriftomodachi · 01-27-2005, 08:47 AM

Like everyone else said, do it yourself and save the cash. You will need a spring compressor to remove the upper spring perches which you will still use. Be sure to get jack stands also. safety is key. I had tokico blues for 3 years and I didn't use the strut boot. The tokicos have been on my friend's car now for over a year and they still run fine with no boot. And remember to get an alignment because you will need one after the installation (which is more reason why you should do it yourself)

evanl85 · 01-27-2005, 08:52 AM

Do I need to get an alignment for just the rears? I had the car looked at by a mechanic at work and he said I really only need to replace the rear shocks, the fronts are fine.

the head · 01-27-2005, 10:51 AM

you shouldn't have to as you would be changing no settings by removing and replacing those

evanl85 · 01-29-2005, 09:18 PM

Okay my shocks are installed..my freinds helped (or did most of it) for me. The only thing that I am worried about, is that when we were doing this, my freinds put the new shock on a vice (sp?) grip, and crushed it a bit. Will this affect anything? It's just "dented" in, not much though...but it still worries me. Anyway, at least they are on.

evilimport · 01-29-2005, 11:48 PM

how much more complicated would installing camber plates be? In addition to the springs and shocks.....

projectRDM · 01-30-2005, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by evilimport

how much more complicated would installing camber plates be? In addition to the springs and shocks.....

None. You're replacing an OE part.

01-26-2005, 07:55 AM	#1
evanl85 Zilvia Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Va Posts: 182 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	How much should I pay to have shocks installed? My rear shocks are going/gone, so I'm ordering a set of KYB GR2's for my car. Nissan dealership wanted around $130 per shock, which is insane (I'm replacing all 4). Anyone know any good places in the Richmond (va) area to have these installed? Thanks

01-26-2005, 11:41 AM	#6
DudeYourSoOOJDM Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Palmdale CA Age: 42 Posts: 479 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I agree....try it, its very easy. If you cant figure it out, then you should take it to someone. Most good shops charge $100 for all 4. __________________ Since 2001.

01-26-2005, 01:02 PM	#9
North240 Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Portland, MAINE Age: 42 Posts: 350 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	dealership is trying to screw you $130 for a $50 strut is outragous!! I bought agx's for $80 apiece, thats what i would recomend and install them yourself. You must have a friend that works on cars that would lend a hand for a 6pack. __________________ ROUND 2

01-26-2005, 02:04 PM	#15
the head Nissanaholic! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: in a dark room mastering the art of typing with one hand Posts: 2,164 Trader Rating: (3) Feedback Score: 3 reviews	seven bolts (if you remove the top plate with it) per side for the front three on the top two at the spindle three per side for the rear two at the top one at the spindle a total of twenty bolts to remove your shocks and struts __________________ I never knew you could do that with an eggplant

01-26-2005, 03:30 PM	#16
JaeTea Zilvia Addict Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: EC Posts: 967 Trader Rating: (3) Rides Gallery: JaeTea Feedback Score: 3 reviews	If I can do it myself...anyone can. Trust me. __________________ KILL!KILL!KILL!KILL!KILL!KILL!KILL!KILL!

01-26-2005, 08:58 AM	#2
WONTONnPHO Leaky Injector Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 140 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	130 per shock is WAAAAAAAY too much for GR2's. They ripping you off

01-26-2005, 09:22 AM	#3
minhbestunnin Leaky Injector Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: dallas Posts: 127 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	here in dallas , we charge 100 for labor , on any car , shocks or springs

01-26-2005, 09:33 AM	#4
nissan_drifter BANNED Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Oak Park, CA Posts: 47 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	why not just do it yourself, I did mine in an hour and a half with no experience, the standard emergency jack, 4 sockets, a socket wrench, and a pipe, you will laugh at how easy it is once you do it

01-26-2005, 12:52 PM	#7
RedlineRacer Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Clemson, South Carolina Age: 40 Posts: 1,054 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	do i yourself, very easy. All you need is a jack, some sockets, and spring compressor. Air tools help but you don't need them.

01-26-2005, 12:59 PM	#8
Agent_S13 Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 492 Trader Rating: (6) Feedback Score: 6 reviews	I used this link... very easy, especially since I had some friends and spring compressors. First time doing it --- no problems so far (1+ with AGX and Tokico springs) Shock/Spring Install Just scroll down to the rear shock installation -- very straight forward. -Aaron '91 240sx coupe

01-26-2005, 12:58 PM	#10
DocTaDrifT Zilvia Addict Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Montebello Age: 38 Posts: 966 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	you dont even need a spring compressor

01-26-2005, 01:43 PM	#13
Sil Beer S13 Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Chino!...NOT CHINO HILLS! Age: 43 Posts: 1,117 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Just do it yourself sheesh.

01-26-2005, 01:59 PM	#14
Wei240 Nissanaholic! Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: socal Posts: 1,778 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	you seriously need only a few tools, and go buy fsm because it's the coolest, it's truly easy as everyone is trying to tell you

01-26-2005, 10:42 PM	#17
evanl85 Zilvia Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Va Posts: 182 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Thanks for the replies. I have another question, do I need strut boots for the new shocks, or is it not really needed? Thanks

01-27-2005, 08:47 AM	#18
Doriftomodachi BANNED Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: All over So Cal Posts: 410 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Like everyone else said, do it yourself and save the cash. You will need a spring compressor to remove the upper spring perches which you will still use. Be sure to get jack stands also. safety is key. I had tokico blues for 3 years and I didn't use the strut boot. The tokicos have been on my friend's car now for over a year and they still run fine with no boot. And remember to get an alignment because you will need one after the installation (which is more reason why you should do it yourself)

01-27-2005, 08:52 AM	#19
evanl85 Zilvia Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Va Posts: 182 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Do I need to get an alignment for just the rears? I had the car looked at by a mechanic at work and he said I really only need to replace the rear shocks, the fronts are fine.

01-27-2005, 10:51 AM	#20
the head Nissanaholic! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: in a dark room mastering the art of typing with one hand Posts: 2,164 Trader Rating: (3) Feedback Score: 3 reviews	you shouldn't have to as you would be changing no settings by removing and replacing those __________________ I never knew you could do that with an eggplant

01-29-2005, 09:18 PM	#21
evanl85 Zilvia Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Va Posts: 182 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Okay my shocks are installed..my freinds helped (or did most of it) for me. The only thing that I am worried about, is that when we were doing this, my freinds put the new shock on a vice (sp?) grip, and crushed it a bit. Will this affect anything? It's just "dented" in, not much though...but it still worries me. Anyway, at least they are on.

01-29-2005, 11:48 PM	#22
evilimport Zilvia Addict Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Daytona Beach Psycho Ward Posts: 778 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	how much more complicated would installing camber plates be? In addition to the springs and shocks..... __________________ You douche bags bring your A-game? S14 Zenki face owns all.