replace shocks/struts?

How much were you quoted for the entire job? Are you doing the front struts too?

 

If you list your location, maybe some members can recommend a shop that can do this for you.

 

When I replaced my rear shocks, the parts from online Toyota dealers was right around $100 for the 2006 model. There's a guy that did a lot of lowering for Prius and Lexus cars, he did labor for the rear shocks for $80. Total cost was $180.

 

Why can we not DIY this job???? You can rent a tool that compresses the spring. I did this a long time ago on a Mazda and the reason for all the labor is getting to the parts; in that case I had to remove the rear seat. I have almost 190K on my Prius, gets better mileage and runs better than ever but why dump $850 bucks on $200 bucks worth of parts and a Saturday? Someone tell me I'm crazy!

 

No reason, and I have posted on how to replace the front struts and rear shocks. That certainly beats paying dealer service dept prices for that job.

 

You are not crazy!

 

Absolutely, stay away from the dealership.

I have read in the forum that one way to avoid the danger of releasing the spring is to disassemble the component from the car and take it to a shop. For about $20 per wheel, the shop will put the spring on the new strut. Seems like a fair compromise between safety and DIY to me.

 

I'm normally a DIY guy when it comes to car stuff, but if the labor rate is cheap enough, I don't bother messing with the repairs.

Ex. my mechanic charges me $10 to do an oil change, I just bring him my oil and filter. Yes I can do this myself, but hell $10 is like skipping McDonalds for lunch for 1 day. Not worth DIY

 

It is very worthwhile to skip a trip to McDonalds. So DIY has double the benefit for you.

And call me skeptical, but I doubt people who go to a dealership end up paying only $10 total OTD.

 

Everyone has their ceiling, there's factors to weigh. A competent, experienced shop that stands behind their work is worth something. Personally, compressing springs would freak me out.

 

Can you link me to the post? Thanks!

 

This forum has a search forum. DIY

 

I have a mechanic not dealership that will only charge me 10 bucks if I bring my own oil and filter. But then I have to drive quite a distance to him and I am quite confident in my oil changing skills.

 

Sure, but the question is will you agree to other services then or later ?

 

Actually the mechanic never up sells any service. unless it's actively broken I have to initiate other services ie preventative maintenance. An example would be a differential fluid service, spark plug change. for timing belts jobs, he'll quote the price for parts and labor and labor only. He'll tell me what exact part including manufacturer for the Toyota or Lexus oem part and tell me that I may be able to get a better price. I just bring the parts to him and he'll install and warranty the work.

It's rare to find a mechanic that is that honest and forthcoming. He charged me 60 per strut for labor my Lexus.

 

The downside I find in bringing a mechanic parts and paying only labor is there are no guarantees on the work. If the part is defective, you would then have to pay him twice to do the work again. Whereas if he provided the parts and labor, he would have to just suck it up and do it again on his own time.

 

Is it the Toyota OEM or high quality synthetic oil that has you worried ?