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New shocks/struts/brake pads shop cost vs diy?
Posted on 4/17/16 at 8:55 pm
Posted on 4/17/16 at 8:55 pm
I was wondering how much can be saved by diying some of the easier "repairs". I want to replace shocks and struts along with new brake pads (rotors appear to be fine) on my 2010 xterra. I have right at 125,000 miles on it and have never changed any of these things. Figured it was about time. Since I haven't done my of these, I don't really know how much I could save by doing it vs how much a shop would charge. Any info would be greatly appreciated!
5
Posted on 4/17/16 at 9:05 pm to DzNtz
Pretty simple to do. If you are at all handy you can do it. You will need to rent a strut compressor from your local auto store. Everything else is pretty easy and self explanatory. Plenty of YouTube videos out there to help you out.
Posted on 4/17/16 at 9:17 pm to GeauxTime9
Get quick struts that are fully assembled with spring. Cost is about $30 more a piece than just the strut but you don't have mess with compressing the springs.
Posted on 4/17/16 at 9:18 pm to DzNtz
You can save probably $1000 by doing it yourself. Markup on parts is usually 50-100%, and labor is $100/hr. It also gives you a chance to spend time looking everything over for potential problems, greasing zerks, etc.
If you can find a shop to compress the coils and swap the front shocks, I'd go that route. It is pretty damn dangerous. My 16 year old self shot a spring through the garage wall into my dad's mud room. If you can't get a shop to do the fronts, rent one and be careful.
If you can find a shop to compress the coils and swap the front shocks, I'd go that route. It is pretty damn dangerous. My 16 year old self shot a spring through the garage wall into my dad's mud room. If you can't get a shop to do the fronts, rent one and be careful.
Posted on 4/17/16 at 9:43 pm to DzNtz
Do your own brakes. Not many people know that if you buy pads with a lifetime warranty (I get Duralast Gold), you can just keep bringing them into the shop and swap them for new pads free of charge after they wear down. The wear must be normal though... i.e. no uneven wear or something on the vehicle itself causing damage to the pad. In my case, the guys at the store are really good about it especially if I didn't know there was a problem there before. They replace my pads anyway.
Posted on 4/17/16 at 9:57 pm to meeple
If you have uneven pad wear and want to return them, rub the pads on concrete until they are even. It will make your concrete dark though
Posted on 4/18/16 at 12:12 am to weadjust
It scares me imaging someone doing their own struts (or any repair) without being a professional. I'm just imagining all the phone calls to local dealers begging the writer on the phone to tell him how to get "this one bolt" off. Are your sockets metric or standard. Is your drunk uncle helping you etc lol. Always good stuff. Always breaking stuff and making things worse.
And it's gonna need a good alignment after those caster and camber changes from installing new parts.
Just save up and spend some money and get it done right at a dealer.
And it's gonna need a good alignment after those caster and camber changes from installing new parts.
Just save up and spend some money and get it done right at a dealer.
This post was edited on 4/18/16 at 12:15 am
Posted on 4/18/16 at 12:24 am to DzNtz
If you have the necessary tools, go for it.
If you do not have the tools and willing to invest in some for the current repairs and any other repairs in the future, go for it.
Or you can pay me and I'll take care of it for you. 60/hr. I will charge you book time. Cash only.
If you do not have the tools and willing to invest in some for the current repairs and any other repairs in the future, go for it.
Or you can pay me and I'll take care of it for you. 60/hr. I will charge you book time. Cash only.
Posted on 4/18/16 at 12:43 am to Calvin Candie
quote:
It scares me imaging someone doing their own struts (or any repair) without being a professional. I'm just imagining all the phone calls to local dealers begging the writer on the phone to tell him how to get "this one bolt" off. Are your sockets metric or standard. Is your drunk uncle helping you etc lol. Always good stuff. Always breaking stuff and making things worse.
And it's gonna need a good alignment after those caster and camber changes from installing new parts.
Just save up and spend some money and get it done right at a dealer.
You sound like a pussy.
Sometimes there are things people can do on their own without hiring someone else to do it. I think it's one of the easier or at least more straight forward repairs on a vehicle.
Posted on 4/18/16 at 12:59 am to akimoto
I'm in the business dude. I deal with idiots all day. You're obviously one of them. Go round off all the bolts on your car using incorrect sockets etc. Then call me on the phone asking me to bail you out with FREE advice which I'm not going to do because I run a business not a hotline. Have fun when your wheel falls off because you don't know the proper torque specs etc. Pussy? I'm an expert, dip shite.
Posted on 4/18/16 at 6:08 am to Calvin Candie
quote:
diots all day. You're obviously one of them. Go round off all the bolts on your car using incorrect sockets etc. Then call me on the phone asking me to bail you out with FREE advice which I'm not going to do because I run a business not a hotline. Have fun when your wheel falls off because you don't know
you do sound like a big twat. It's not hard to figure out correct socket size, you act like its some difficult task. If you can do the work yourself why not do it? Mechanics rip you a new one every time you step foot in there. Luckily I was taught growing up how to do a lot of stuff on my own and will continue to do that. OP, good luck trying to figure out the correct socket to use on your project. Posted on 4/18/16 at 6:30 am to Calvin Candie
It ain't rocket surgery. I'd bet the farm you are not a mechanic, maybe a service sales person? 
Posted on 4/18/16 at 7:11 am to GeauxTime9
quote:
Mechanics rip you a new one every time you step foot in there
For what it's worth, they charge what they charge because most people are willing to pay it. Would I ever pay a bunch of money for something I could do myself? Definitely not. But there are plenty of people who will.
I agree with the comment earlier that buying a pre-assembled strut with a spring already installed is the best way to go.
I bet you could find a YouTube video with the exact vehicle you plan to work on. Doing brake pads is a breeze. Struts are a bit more involved but if you're mechanically-inclined at all, you can handle it.
Posted on 4/18/16 at 7:21 am to bapple
Not sure who gave the dealership advice above, but do not bring your vehicle to the dealer for service. Holy crap they have the worst 'mechanics'. Find an independent mechanic and develop a relationship with them. Talk about long term upkeep and develop a plan, I usually do it on oil change intervals.
I cringe when I have to take my vehicles to the dealership for warranty/recall issues. I had to replace 3 of the 4 trim fasteners in the trunk after my last visit, looked like a caveman did the work. Who works on someone's nice vehicle and just breaks everything they touch?
I cringe when I have to take my vehicles to the dealership for warranty/recall issues. I had to replace 3 of the 4 trim fasteners in the trunk after my last visit, looked like a caveman did the work. Who works on someone's nice vehicle and just breaks everything they touch?
This post was edited on 4/18/16 at 7:23 am
Posted on 4/18/16 at 7:43 am to Calvin Candie
quote:
Just save up and spend some money and get it done right at a dealer
quote:
I'm in the business dude.
quote:
I'm an expert, dip shite.
Sounds like just the kind of person I'd want to do business with.
Posted on 4/18/16 at 9:56 am to Gaston
quote:
Not sure who gave the dealership advice above, but do not bring your vehicle to the dealer for service. Holy crap they have the worst 'mechanics'. Find an independent mechanic and develop a relationship with them. Talk about long term upkeep and develop a plan, I usually do it on oil change intervals.
I cringe when I have to take my vehicles to the dealership for warranty/recall issues. I had to replace 3 of the 4 trim fasteners in the trunk after my last visit, looked like a caveman did the work. Who works on someone's nice vehicle and just breaks everything they touch?
What brand? Have you talked to the dealership to resolve your issue?
I happen to be a technician and pride myself of my work. I never get complaints, I do get thank you letters, treats, sometimes extra tip from customers. Maybe you happen to go to a shitty dealership. Not all are equal. I think the going rate is like 129/hr. They have to afford to us skilled professionals and the climate controlled shop. If you can't afford to pay for good work, do it yourself. I know for damn sure I would not pay it LOL.
Posted on 4/18/16 at 10:05 am to DzNtz
I recently did the shocks and struts on my truck ('08 Silverado). Very easy to do, especially the rears. Only extra tool I needed was a socket extender to get to the top of the front coil-overs. I did this so I wouldn't have to take the front fender well off. I also borrowed a floor jack and stands from a friend so I could lift both tires up at same time to save time. I only have basic mechanic knowledge and used youtube videos for directions.
Posted on 4/18/16 at 10:21 am to Ton
It was at Peake BMW. Maybe they just want me to buy a new one, but damn. My car is meticulously maintained by an independent, but this was a recall for the tail light harnesses.
I understand that s technician wouldn't want to ask for help with trim fasteners, but to destroy almost all of them is laughable. I ordered new ones, so it's no big deal, but I figured they have a bin and just replace fasteners as a rule. I'm not pissed or anything and it's not worth my time to bring it up, I just associate quality with attention to detail.
I understand that s technician wouldn't want to ask for help with trim fasteners, but to destroy almost all of them is laughable. I ordered new ones, so it's no big deal, but I figured they have a bin and just replace fasteners as a rule. I'm not pissed or anything and it's not worth my time to bring it up, I just associate quality with attention to detail.
Posted on 4/18/16 at 1:00 pm to Gaston
quote:
It was at Peake BMW. Maybe they just want me to buy a new one, but damn. My car is meticulously maintained by an independent, but this was a recall for the tail light harnesses.
Ohh yea, that place is horrible. I had to bring my sisters car there numerous times. Probably the worst car on the road. It was a 335i. Once the warranty ran out, she traded that POS in. It does't help that Peake hire all these numb nuts fresh out of high school or UTI since their rates are low.
I would recommend everyone to make the drive to Brain Harris. I have NO experience with them but they can't be any worst that Peake.
Posted on 4/18/16 at 1:49 pm to Gaston
They do have a bunch of packs/bins of clips sitting around in most shops because they always break. Lazy mf'ers just didn't want to put new ones on
Eta: Just to give you an idea about parts mark-up. I need a new fuel pump for my truck. Best Chevrolet was gonna be ~$580 total, and rockauto is $307 + shipping. It is gonna take the same amount of time to get here
Eta: Just to give you an idea about parts mark-up. I need a new fuel pump for my truck. Best Chevrolet was gonna be ~$580 total, and rockauto is $307 + shipping. It is gonna take the same amount of time to get here
This post was edited on 4/18/16 at 3:05 pm
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