skyline26

Just so that I have an idea, hoping you guys can shoot some numbers at me for labour costs of doing all shocks/struts/springs , sway bark links, tie rods, and maybe either front control arm (complete) or just bushings...but if i go complete arm then i get new ball joints...this will all be done in the spring (april/may) so my warranty will be up, ill be hitting about 80 or 90,000kms
(~60,000miles)
would the rear control arms or bushings usually need to be changed also?

thanks everyone

silverstreet

My 2.4 is at 82k. I just did struts, shocks, front/rear sways, bushings, springs and everything else underneath looks fine. Unless the rods, arms and joints are visibly worn or damaged no need to touch them.

I get labor for a little less then half the hourly rate, about 35-40 in the states being average is 100 an hour. All my work cost me 250 so I imagine minus the rod, arm and joints about 500-600, with 800-1000. I imagine a dealer would cost over 1k. And bear in mind, I'm totally guessing.

No control arms in rear if I remember correctly. And the arms come with ball joints and bushings. And rods come in front outer and inner.

SS fan

Just changed my suspension on my panel. Used YYZ springs and fe5 struts and shocks.......wow they should have done it this way from the factory.

skyline26

did you do it yourself?

SS fan

Yea, I watch my buddy Chuck do it at his shop........priceless....

donbrew

All of those things are easy to do in your own mediocre equipped garage. Air tools helpful, but not required.

If you are changing the struts only (keeping the old springs) you will need to borrow/rent/buy a spring compressor, quik struts are simpler. I would get new control arms, because pressing the old bushings in/out can be a pain plus you get ball joints in the deal... but, replacement bushings may be beefier that the OEM.

The rear bushings only need to be dealt with if bad, and they are easy to inspect. I would not worry about the tie rod ends.

All of that being said, at 60,000 miles/90,000kms you are probably in good shape. Just inspect the parts, if you don't know what to look for that's basically what a front end alignment is on these cars (inspect for worn/broken parts) since only the toe is adjustable.

I'd figure 3.5 hours for struts and control arms. US is around $79/hour.

dr_fosg8

This must vary widely. Where I am in Illinois the chevy dealers are $105-$120/hour. I might find $79 at a mom and pop shop.

07azhhr

Sky - this is what I do when someone wants me to work on their car for non basic stuff. I call the dealer and ask them how much it would be to do that job. Then I ask how much of that is labor but I stop there so I limit how much of their time I waste. From there you can figure at minimum of $75 an hour from the dealer. But you might get lucky on here with someone that can look up the book time directly for you.

Hint hint Chevymgr.......:)

skyline26

most likely be an on the side job...and im guessing this would take a few hours to do, just trying to get some ideas on what seems fair as a "cash" job :)

dr_fosg8

To replace all that, I would estimate someone that has experience doing it on the side for you should run 200-250 for just labor. I am also presuming that the person doing this for you will be using their own facility and tools also.