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BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > E90 / E92 / E93 3-series Technical Forums > Wheels and Tires Forum Sponsored by The Tire Rack > Strut Replacement Labor Cost



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      11-09-2018, 03:11 PM   #1
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Strut Replacement Labor Cost

My OE strut leaks, so it needs replacement. I got labor quote from an indy, $250 per strut, and $100 per shock (without alignment). The shock seems easy, so I plan to DIY, but I don't want to deal with the struts. Is the labor seems reasonable or too high?
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      11-10-2018, 12:18 PM   #2
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Well, check out this video as well as the DIY section and you can see for yourself what it takes. Seems a little high for an Indy. If that's only labor that 2-3 hrs per strut...I figure this job is an hour per strut max for someone who knows what they are doing. Dunno if that works but might just be from his estimating software.

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      11-12-2018, 04:03 PM   #3
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Is there a reason you don't want to get an alignment afterwards? It will need it.
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      11-12-2018, 04:41 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Caffeine Powered View Post
Is there a reason you don't want to get an alignment afterwards? It will need it.
I will definitely get the alignment. I was just saying the Indy quote does not include the alignment.

Last edited by mckwong; 11-12-2018 at 04:50 PM..
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      11-12-2018, 05:13 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bluewater328 View Post
Well, check out this video as well as the DIY section and you can see for yourself what it takes. Seems a little high for an Indy. If that's only labor that 2-3 hrs per strut...I figure this job is an hour per strut max for someone who knows what they are doing. Dunno if that works but might just be from his estimating software.
That is how I feel too. I thought about DIY but not sure I want to invest in a safe spring compression tool like the one in the video. Don't want to use the cheap compression tool and risk injury. Maybe I just quote a couple more INDY and let them to do it.
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      11-12-2018, 05:42 PM   #6
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This is the spring compressor I bought. Same thing from what I can tell.
https://www.eastwood.com/fairmount-t...ompressor.html

I used it for front and rear on a E60 535xi.
$108.63 shipped to Wi.
Then you have a spring compressor and experience. Not hard to do at all.
Use a 3/8" to 1/4" socket adapter as you knuckle spreader.
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      11-12-2018, 06:13 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by spazzz View Post
This is the spring compressor I bought. Same thing from what I can tell.
https://www.eastwood.com/fairmount-t...ompressor.html

I used it for front and rear on a E60 535xi.
$108.63 shipped to Wi.
Then you have a spring compressor and experience. Not hard to do at all.
Use a 3/8" to 1/4" socket adapter as you knuckle spreader.
Thanks. How long did it take you to change the struts for the first time?
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      11-12-2018, 06:49 PM   #8
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I just had mine done. $330ea for parts and $335 labor. That's the shock and strut on both sides up front.
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      11-12-2018, 08:12 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by E7J3F3 View Post
I just had mine done. $330ea for parts and $335 labor. That's the shock and strut on both sides up front.
This seems a little more accurate and reasonable.
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      11-12-2018, 09:37 PM   #10
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change top hats and all rear shock mounts while you/indy is in there.

fronts can easily be done in under 3 hours, rear is a 1 hour job, for reference.
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      11-13-2018, 06:25 AM   #11
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I thought it was always better to always replace the strut and coil and be able to just buy a one piece and not fiddle with spring compressors?
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      11-13-2018, 07:02 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal View Post
I thought it was always better to always replace the strut and coil and be able to just buy a one piece and not fiddle with spring compressors?
You have a link to stocks that come like that? Lol
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      11-13-2018, 07:09 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Antetokounmpo View Post
You have a link to stocks that come like that? Lol
Oh I thought the replacement parts would of come like that. Just looked at replacement parts and yeah ok.

I guess spring compressors are a must..

Do people usually re-use the coil or also get new coils?
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      11-13-2018, 07:36 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal View Post
Oh I thought the replacement parts would of come like that. Just looked at replacement parts and yeah ok.

I guess spring compressors are a must..

Do people usually re-use the coil or also get new coils?
They always come separate, for some vehicles (usually economy cars) you can find full assemblies.

Spring compressors are easy to use if you just follow the directions.

Unless you've got like 200k+ on the springs I would def re-use.
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      11-13-2018, 04:58 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by E7J3F3 View Post
I just had mine done. $330ea for parts and $335 labor. That's the shock and strut on both sides up front.
And $335 is for all 4 corner? If I can find that kind of labor here in the San Francisco Bay Area, I would definitely let the INDY to do it, but I doubt it is as cheap here.

If you think $250 for struts and $100 for shocks is high, I got two more quotes that are even higher:

1. $1400 includes Bilstein OE parts (cost only $300) and alignment (around $120), so his labor is $980 for 4 corners. Crazy!

2. $416 for struts, and $346 for shocks. More in line with first quote, but the shocks are super easy and I am not sure why he wants $346 for it. I will try to get a few more quotes.

Last edited by mckwong; 11-13-2018 at 05:08 PM..
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      11-13-2018, 07:55 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mckwong View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by E7J3F3 View Post
I just had mine done. $330ea for parts and $335 labor. That's the shock and strut on both sides up front.
And $335 is for all 4 corner? If I can find that kind of labor here in the San Francisco Bay Area, I would definitely let the INDY to do it, but I doubt it is as cheap here.

If you think $250 for struts and $100 for shocks is high, I got two more quotes that are even higher:

1. $1400 includes Bilstein OE parts (cost only $300) and alignment (around $120), so his labor is $980 for 4 corners. Crazy!

2. $416 for struts, and $346 for shocks. More in line with first quote, but the shocks are super easy and I am not sure why he wants $346 for it. I will try to get a few more quotes.
the $330 was for the shock and strut per corner. so $660. $335 for labor total for both corners. I also had just shocks replaced in back. $188ea so ~$375 total for parts and $295 labor. grand total $1665.
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      11-13-2018, 08:06 PM   #17
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If you're getting quoted $1400 all in and it includes an alignment to boot that sounds like a screaming good deal to me. I have to get an alignment done at the dealer and that'll be another 200 probably. FWIW I only have one or two options besides the dealer within a day's drive, they all know it, and their prices reflect that. I would imagine that living in coastal CA you have a wealth of options for indy service and that's why you are getting such good rates.
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      11-13-2018, 09:38 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mckwong View Post
My OE strut leaks, so it needs replacement. I got labor quote from an indy, $250 per strut, and $100 per shock (without alignment). The shock seems easy, so I plan to DIY, but I don't want to deal with the struts. Is the labor seems reasonable or too high?
If you have a place to do it, do it.

$500 just for the front, buys you a Harbor Freight jack, the spring compressor I linked, all the wrenches, beer if you drink, ganja if you smoke and a useable torque wrench.
Jack stands would also come in handy.

If you don't have a spot to wrench keep making calls.

Last edited by spazzz; 11-13-2018 at 10:25 PM..
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      11-14-2018, 10:31 AM   #19
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OP, I learned to change struts and shocks from a friend. It is not difficult- just need to have the right tools.
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      11-14-2018, 12:27 PM   #20
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Have you looked into Strutmonkey (strutmonkey.com)? A good solution if you don't want to mess with spring compressors.

I assume they are still around but haven't seen a recent posting on here.
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      11-14-2018, 01:20 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gjm120 View Post
Have you looked into Strutmonkey (strutmonkey.com)? A good solution if you don't want to mess with spring compressors.

I assume they are still around but haven't seen a recent posting on here.
I just got a setup from them a few months ago. If you want to just pull and replace full systems, they will make it easy. He's a good guy and will customize to your situation.

Personally, I wanted to just make the install go faster and I was replacing all the associated parts anyway since the car was past 80K.
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      11-14-2018, 02:00 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by E7J3F3 View Post
If you're getting quoted $1400 all in and it includes an alignment to boot that sounds like a screaming good deal to me. I have to get an alignment done at the dealer and that'll be another 200 probably. FWIW I only have one or two options besides the dealer within a day's drive, they all know it, and their prices reflect that. I would imagine that living in coastal CA you have a wealth of options for indy service and that's why you are getting such good rates.
I am not sure $1400 is a good rate considered the alignment only costs $120 here and the full set of Bilstein B4 OE replacement struts and shocks only cost $300. Your part cost seems very high. What are they? Koni, Bilstein B6 or B8, OEM?
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