Is this a rip off? Replacing Struts/Shocks/Links 01 Pathfinder

[GuyWhoLikesNissan]

Hi,

I just took my pathfinder to a local repair shop "Christian Brother" - sounds honest enough. Anyways they said they struts were weak and the links were loose and said I should replace them plus the shocks.. It's an 01 pathfinder with 137k.

So here's the quote for KYB parts:

Strut assembly - 154.20Strut assembly - 154.27 - 7 cents more for the 2nd one? lolStrut bellows - 54.00Strut mount INCL. BE 195.46Labor - 307.20Total 865.13

Rear ShocksGR-2 77.80GR-2 77.80Labor 96.00Total 251.60

Stabilizer LinksQty 2 Sway bar link OEM 100.08Labor 76.80Total 176.88

Alignment 79.95

Supplies 39.93Tax 64.00Grand Total 1477.49!!!

Is this even close to reasonable price? Should I get a quote from another shop?

Thanks for any advise.BK

[carnal_c30]

labor on the front struts seems a bit pricy. I would say its about a 3 hour job. However, if they are using AllData or the book to see how many hours a job takes, then thats probably where they are getting their prices from

the price on parts is reasonable. I would say shop around, but in reality a shops reputation is more important than their prices. If you shop around find someone cheaper who will do a garbage job, you'll be wishing you paid more to have it done right.

How did you find this place, did they come recommended?

[GuyWhoLikesNissan]

They advertise on the radio a lot. They are locally owned and have 4 or 5 shops in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. This particular one in Frisco is newer and has about 8 bays if that matters.

I'm trying to read some reviews on them.

Some says they are great, others say they are scam artists? So I don't know who to believe...

BK

[JonathanPrem]

Way to pricey.. . I just did mine two months ago and spent about 700-800.KYB-GR2 struts and shocks x2-300-shipping+feeOEM Strut mountx2,bearingx2,stab linksx2-350Labor-120 for two shocks and two struts.

about 700-800 CAN for the total swap.
Modified by JonathanPrem at 2:28 PM 8/20/2009

[Buzzman]

I don't think you're necessarily getting ripped off, but the labour seems a little high. If these guys are reputable and do a good job, then that's always worth a few extra pennies.I just had mine done last month as well. The parts prices seem right.I was charged one hour labour for each strut, plus an hour for both shocks.The alignment price looks right. It's pretty standard across the board.The links are a good thing to change out if they haven't been done.It should only take about 30 minutes per side, or less. The OEM price is about right as well..

JohnathanPrem: If you only paid $120.00 labour for both struts and shocks, then you got a helluva deal. Your shop didn't make much money from you, that's for sure.

[carnal_c30]

if you wanted to save a bit of money you could go on ebay and buy the kyb gr2s and save a decent amount.

personally, i dislike most chain repair places because they usually hire the youngest most inexperienced techs to save themselves money but there are some decent ones out there. In general auto repair is a thankless job that people will always think someone is trying to cheat them so its difficult to make a decision based on online feedback.

$120 labor for all four corners is an amazing deal even twice that amount is reasonable.

[JonathanPrem]

Yea i got a crazy deal. If any GTA members want to replace there struts anytime soon just yelllow page 360 auto. This place is well known by the JDM guys.

[Jarroy2]

You'd save a ton if you did it yourself. This would not be hard. You could probably buy everything pre assembled and then everything is just bolt on. Don't forget to get it aligned.

[GuyWhoLikesNissan]

I checked Ebay and they had the struts/shocks for 200 bucks!

But doesn't it take special tools to replace the struts? Don't you have to compress the springs or something? I guess I would need a DIY guide for a novice to even attempt to do it myself...

I wish I could do it cause it looks like it would save me a ton of money.

ThanksBK

[miamiheat3332]

I just got all my parts today from 4x4parts.com,

i got 2" lowering coils, kyb gas-a-just shocks for rear, and kyb gr-2 struts.

Im still waiting on parts for the struts and shocks from courtesy parts , thought i was going to install it today and tommorow but no.

Anyways if you feel like waiting half a week or so until the parts from courtesy get here, i will be writing up a guide,

and yes you do need a coil compressor, they can be bought at an auto parts store for like 50$ or harbour freight for 13$ where i got mine, LOL.

EDIT: heres the link to the coil compressor i bought

http://www.harborfreight.com/c...=3980

[hospitalbuilder]

How handy are you working on a vehicle? The DIY job for all four corners is not too terribly difficult, although the fronts do take some effort. I did all four myself and would suggest that they are doable, with a little skill and thought about what you are doing. The rears are extremely easy, jack it up, remove the wheel, two bolts and you are done (my only problem was finding the right shock, since I have a 99, but many stores pointed me to a 99.5 shock which had different mounting bolts). The fronts are a little more of a wrestling match, but doable. You can get the compressor as a free loaner from your local auto parts store (I got mine from AutoZone). Why buy it unless you anticipate changing out many struts? The struts with the springs on them are heavy and difficult to maneuver, so I suggest a second set of hands to take them out and put them in. I used the Chilton's guide for my work. Seemed to be a pretty straight forward bolt on job, just a pain to compress the springs and put the thing back on. As a pseudo DIY, I suppose you could take both struts out and haul them to a shop with your new ones and have the shop change out the springs. That eliminates the most difficult part. Either way, it is not all that difficult a project. Good luck.

[GuyWhoLikesNissan]

Do you guys recommend the KYB Gas-A-Just Shocks in the Rear or the GR-2's?

I'm worried the ride will be too rough with the Gas-A-Just version?

Anyone have any experience with both?

Thanks