$560 to install e39 struts ???

[KevKaos]

Ok, I know what you all are likely to say; like "do it yourself and save". Well we were planning on doing that, but my Brother-In-Law only gets one day a week off (Sun) and he is sort beat down right now from working all week and then working on our cars every weekend.

I called a local shop that I have dealt with in the past, and they are supposed to be really good with euro cars. They want $560 for installing the 4 struts, and "may" need to do a 4 wheel alignment as well for another $89. We may just wait and do them ourselves (in a few weeks), or I have a shop that went out on a limb and said they would do it for $175 but also may need to do a 4 wheel align for another $90.

I would be willing to pay for the job if it is a reasonable price rather than waiting and doing them ourselves just to give BIL a break. What do you folks think of that $560 price? On par, or digging deep?

[Paintballistic]

it is a hard job, we diy'ed on my car, took a few hours, you will need an impact gun, spring compessor, various sockets, knowledge and patience. if you diy, take your time. not that bad at all though, two man job.

[Cyrix2k]

iirc, it's a pita. I don't think that sounds like a bad price, but I've been known to be wrong.

[cdb3113]

I would say its ok... maybe a little high if anything. 8 hours @ $70/hr., or 7hrs @ $80/hr = $560.

A shop should be able to do it in say 6-7hrs... if they have lots of experience it could be quicker. I would be inclined to go with that though. Of course, you could save yourself a little cash and at least do the fronts. That should take you an hour or two only, then your bill might be $400. Front end is way easy, I have done both front struts in an hour total, in my garage, working up a sweat on a cheesy spring compressor.

[bmwlovr]

it would be wise to get an allignment even if you diy it - be sure they use the proper weighted method as per BMW. As far as price, most euro shops charge $85-120/hr in my area. 4-5hrs for an install is not unreasonable, though with a lift, all the proper tools and experience I would imagine it could be done in less time.

[KevKaos]

Thanks for all the feedback. Luckily, we just did all the struts on BIL's 525. We have the spring compressor, but I may buy him a better one. We have a couple electric impact wrenches and pretty much all the tools needed. Just wanted to give him a break, but if I wave cash his way, he may be more eager.

Could you explain the "proper weighted method" in regards to alignment? I have seen references such as that in these forums, but I'm just not getting the full picture.

[cdb3113]

150lbs in each front seat, 150lbs in the middle of the back seat, 75lbs in the trunk, full tank of gas. This is the weight that should be in the car when you get it aligned. When aligned, they should loosen and retorque the suspension bushings and the rear lower strut bolts with the cars weight on its wheels. It must be at settled ride height.

[Jason5driver]

• Front Struts (E39)
• Rear Shocks (E39)

[teedub21]

The fronts are simple, took me and a buddy about 1hr. The rears on a saloon are a pain due to the stuff you have to remove to get at them. An alignment is necessary if you're lowering it. Just struts/shocks shouldn't change the alignment, but not a bad idea to get it checked. I'd say it shouldn't take an experienced shop more than 4 hours total.

[KevKaos]

OK, it looks like we are going to do it ourselves. I offered BIL some cash and told him I would pay him in advance so he can order all his front end parts for his 525. I was looking through those instructions that were posted, and the only part that worries me at all is the ball joints. I need to get the ball joint removal tool, and I followed some links to a discussion on the use of non official BMW ball joint tools. Seems that most peole felt that the universal ones ranging in price around $40 worked just fine, instead of the $260 official BMW tool. Those of you that have done this job, which did you use. Official BMW tool or universal?

[awise1961]

The fronts are simple, took me and a buddy about 1hr. The rears on a saloon are a pain due to the stuff you have to remove to get at them. An alignment is necessary if you're lowering it. Just struts/shocks shouldn't change the alignment, but not a bad idea to get it checked. I'd say it shouldn't take an experienced shop more than 4 hours total.

If the OP is changing out the original struts/shocks that have been on his car since 1997 there will most certainly be a change in suspension geometry worthy of a full four wheel aligment.
All his, or previous owners, alignements have been slowley compensating for the degradation of the suspension.

Al. Wise

[teedub21]

You don't need to remove any ball joints to replace your struts and shocks.

[xisco44]

150lbs in each front seat, 150lbs in the middle of the back seat, 75lbs in the trunk, full tank of gas. This is the weight that should be in the car when you get it aligned. When aligned, they should loosen and retorque the suspension bushings and the rear lower strut bolts with the cars weight on its wheels. It must be at settled ride height.

where do i get this weight??

[RJLupin]

150lbs in each front seat, 150lbs in the middle of the back seat, 75lbs in the trunk, full tank of gas. This is the weight that should be in the car when you get it aligned. When aligned, they should loosen and retorque the suspension bushings and the rear lower strut bolts with the cars weight on its wheels. It must be at settled ride height.

C - how important is to have this weight setup? I did mine around a month back and nothing was in the car.

[Constructo003]

My mechanic told me it would be $400-600 so that doesnt sound that bad

[KevKaos]

You don't need to remove any ball joints to replace your struts and shocks.

I got that from the links that Jason put up a few posts ago. I've never done it before so I was just going by what was shown in that thread. Anyone know if there is another thread showing the DIY job?

As for the 4 wheel alignment, the worst part is that I just had one done a few weeks ago. Before I got the great Bilstein deal.

[herothezero]

Getting mine done tomorrow...will post the cost and time here.

[Jason5driver]

I got that from the links that Jason put up a few posts ago. I've never done it before so I was just going by what was shown in that thread. Anyone know if there is another thread showing the DIY job?

As for the 4 wheel alignment, the worst part is that I just had one done a few weeks ago. Before I got the great Bilstein deal.

Taking off the the tie rods at the ball joints and the wheel carrier will make it easier to replace the front struts IMO.
However, you do not have to remove the tie rod.

However, if you have not replaced your tie rods yet, then I would recommend on replacing them when you replace the front struts.
That is what I am doing.


Look here:
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...oint+separator


Thanks!
Jason

[540cosmo]

150lbs in each front seat, 150lbs in the middle of the back seat, 75lbs in the trunk, full tank of gas. This is the weight that should be in the car when you get it aligned. When aligned, they should loosen and retorque the suspension bushings and the rear lower strut bolts with the cars weight on its wheels. It must be at settled ride height.

this weight acording to tis service guide is only to achieve a ride height, varing between models of from floor to upper center part of wheel well, you either add or remove weight to get the right tollerences for your specifec model. my 540i sport was withen specs with no additional weight

[champaign777]

first my BMW alignments I also tried to do with this 150 lb weight everywhere ...
all were looking on me like I am an idiot when I bring my car full of water ...
even my local BMW dealer don't use any weight for alignment and only full tank of gas .
As I did alignment 4 or 5 times already on my car I stopped to use weight and use only full tank of gas .
So far I don't feel any difference ... maybe a little better ride when car is fully loaded .

[JackEatsEmoKids]

sounds very fair to me.

This job is about an 8 hr charge anywhere.

It only took me about 3-4 hrs myself to do this.

[noahtheviking]

its a good price because the rear setup is more involved

[e39528iM]

This might seem ridiculous but what about just buying new springs and just install them with the new shocks and struts. You wouldn't have to compress the old springs to remove them because you will be putting in new ones. Makes the install go a lot easier and it'll be your chance to lower your car even more. Price of new springs is half the cost of your shop charging you $560 to install just the shocks and springs. Just a thought.

[champaign777]

This might seem ridiculous but what about just buying new springs and just install them with the new shocks and struts. You wouldn't have to compress the old springs to remove them because you will be putting in new ones. Makes the install go a lot easier and it'll be your chance to lower your car even more. Price of new springs is half the cost of your shop charging you $560 to install just the shocks and springs. Just a thought.

with good setup this will go to 1000$ for all

[Gumbi4u]

The price is about right for most shops. Its not an easy install considering the rears. It all depends on the labor rate.