Coilover install time

[JesseS]

Just a question, how many hours should a Fox or Eibach coilover install take without issues, local suspension shop quoted me a price but I think its high unless their hourly rate is very high.

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[Msfitoy]

Just a question, how many hours should a Fox or Eibach coilover install take without issues, local suspension shop quoted me a price but I think its high unless their hourly rate is very high.

I got a quote for $850 for four corners...probably normal for a 4x4 shop...decided to DIY for that amount...

 

[JesseS]

I got a quote for $850 for four corners...probably normal for a 4x4 shop...decided to DIY for that amount...

OK, my quote was $735 all four with Alignment.

 

[Dahveed]

To install preassembled struts? Shouldn't take more than an hour or two (if you're taking your time) to replace both fronts. In a shop with a lift and air tools it wouldn't take long at all. Add on some money for an alignment afterward, of course. I think it took me three hours to replace my front struts with Eibachs, and that included swapping the mount, spring, and seat over.

 

[JesseS]

To install preassembled struts? Shouldn't take more than an hour or two (if you're taking your time) to replace both fronts. In a shop with a lift an air tools it wouldn't take long at all. Add on some money for an alignment afterward, of course.

What I was thinking, maybe between 2-3 hours with alignment, labor out here is $160/Hr.

 

[Msfitoy]

The scariest part are the front driveshaft spline re-alignment...that and screwing up the CV big time...if I were to do this again, I have a shop install the coils...compressing springs is another nightmare...

 

[Dahveed]

The scariest part are the front driveshaft spline re-alignment...that and screwing up the CV big time...if I were to do this again, I have a shop install the coils...compressing springs is another nightmare...

I removed the axle nuts and pushed the CV shafts out of the hub so there was no risk of separating the inner joint.

 

[JesseS]

The scariest part are the front driveshaft spline re-alignment...that and screwing up the CV big time...if I were to do this again, I have a shop install the coils...compressing springs is another nightmare...

I am a decent mechanic, but this is what I was worried about, plus I am 73 and don't heal as fast as I used to.

 

[Msfitoy]

I am a decent mechanic, but this is what I was worried about, plus I am 73 and don't heal as fast as I used to.

I'm 63 and get a little freaked out with all the mysterious cuts and bruises after a big job... ? ?

 

[JesseS]

I'm 63 and get a little freaked out with all the mysterious cuts and bruises after a big job... ? ?

OMG!! MY wife is amazed at how I seem to mangle my hands after a project! And I wear gloves.

 

[Pinepig]

I did mine in the garage with nothing but hand tools and a floor jack, Ford fox 2.0 all 4 corners in under 3 hours with a string alignment. I could beat that by and hour on a lift with power tools.

I'm pretty skilled when it comes to wrenching though.

 

[jflogerzi]

I would do the rears yourself and have a shop do the fronts

 

[JesseS]

I did mine in the garage with nothing but hand tools and a floor jack, Ford fox 2.0 all 4 corners in under 3 hours with a string alignment. I could beat that by and hour on a lift with power tools.

I'm pretty skilled when it comes to wrenching though.

Want to make some money? you are next door to me? I have a floor jack, stands, and some air tools, plus the normal hand tools. I will supply the beer.

 

[YaBoiNewton]

Just a question, how many hours should a Fox or Eibach coilover install take without issues, local suspension shop quoted me a price but I think its high unless their hourly rate is very high.

This is an easy job if you have the tools and the time - just don't follow the Stage3motorsports video.
If you have ever done work on any independent suspension, this will be very familiar. Driver's side took way too long as I had never done this before and had to learn a few lessons. Passenger-side was ~1-1.5 hours once I figured out the following:

- Remove brake caliper and hang to the side, remove brake rotor. This makes the wheel hub/knuckle assembly 4000000 lb lighter and much easier to handle once it is free from the UCA and tie-rod.
- Remove sway bar mounting bolts, four I think, from the truck frame so you don't have to fight with it the whole time. This will also keep you from separating the ball joints in the sway bar linkage.
- Videos will say to use a hammer on the steering knuckle, but I'm telling you this will not work if your truck is anything but brand new. A pitman arm puller had the tie-rod disconnected almost instantly. My ears are still ringing 4 months later. Use the puller.
- Remove axle nut with a 35mm impact, knock CV axle loose from wheel hub with a mallet. This will allow you to make room for the longer coil-over without pulling the axle out of position and spending too much time trying to push the spline back in.

There are quite a few steps, but nothing complicated. Just write the steps out on paper so you can follow along, get the right tools, keep track of all your screws and you'll be fine.

 

[Pinepig]

Want to make some money? you are next door to me? I have a floor jack, stands, and some air tools, plus the normal hand tools. I will supply the beer.

Answered in the PM, sadly I don't drink either.

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