Bushing kits
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 86
Likes: 3
From: Riverside County
Bushing kits
How much labor time/cost should I expect to pay to have a suspension entire bushing kit installed on a 1978 Silver Anniversary Edition? The kit seems to be about $300 for front and rear. I don't want to do it myself and don't want to get ripped off with some crazy number, if it's only a few hours. Any guesses? Also might do all 4 shocks.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,151
Likes: 7,765
From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
Absolutely no one loves YOUR CAR as much as you do. I would advise you to do it yourself! If you want it done right..... do it yourself!
otherwise, 300 dollar kit sounds like a lot of Chinese parts. Scary! As per Labor. I'd guess for a professional shop thats worked with C3 Corvettes, approximately 8 hours. That is of course without rebuilding the rear spindles. (Half a job).
otherwise, 300 dollar kit sounds like a lot of Chinese parts. Scary! As per Labor. I'd guess for a professional shop thats worked with C3 Corvettes, approximately 8 hours. That is of course without rebuilding the rear spindles. (Half a job).
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,151
Likes: 7,765
From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
Just gotta ask, Ball joints? Tie rod ends? Idler arm? Wheel bearings? Front and rear. 4 wheel alignment when it's all back together?
WOW. This old car thing is a hobby. Paying someone else to do a so so job on your car?
WOW. This old car thing is a hobby. Paying someone else to do a so so job on your car?
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 7,645
Likes: 2,464
From: Indiana
i think to get a better answer maybe to include whats in kit?
a LOT has to come off to do bushings so it would make sense to look at suspension parts..idler arms, tie rods, ball joints (especially lower), while there..that will gauge cost as well..honestly springs in fron coming out.. and for like 80 (for both) bucks you can choose a nice new one..USA made and have new spings to your liking..also shocks?
and as mentioned.. take a good look at the trailing arm bushing.. mine is not in good shape but still there..pictures may help you with forum? they continue to teach me..and never abandon...
if you are DIY you could enhance your tool lift arsenal and USA parts for same price?
so hard to answer but assuming labor only front and back NO PARTS... maybe 500-1500 depending on who what where when.. of course i look at it as new lift and or tools/ experience journey..
a LOT has to come off to do bushings so it would make sense to look at suspension parts..idler arms, tie rods, ball joints (especially lower), while there..that will gauge cost as well..honestly springs in fron coming out.. and for like 80 (for both) bucks you can choose a nice new one..USA made and have new spings to your liking..also shocks?
and as mentioned.. take a good look at the trailing arm bushing.. mine is not in good shape but still there..pictures may help you with forum? they continue to teach me..and never abandon...
if you are DIY you could enhance your tool lift arsenal and USA parts for same price?
so hard to answer but assuming labor only front and back NO PARTS... maybe 500-1500 depending on who what where when.. of course i look at it as new lift and or tools/ experience journey..
Last edited by interpon; Aug 27, 2020 at 08:50 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,062
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Some people arent wrenchces, cant or simply dont wanna?
To do front and rear I bet you spend a grand or two on labor, plus alignment easy.
It will be worth it when its done though it will ride like a new car for many yrs.....gotta do that on my C4.
Dread it but know how it will ride. Nothing worse than a sloppy, banging popping ride
To do front and rear I bet you spend a grand or two on labor, plus alignment easy.
It will be worth it when its done though it will ride like a new car for many yrs.....gotta do that on my C4.
Dread it but know how it will ride. Nothing worse than a sloppy, banging popping ride
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 86
Likes: 3
From: Riverside County
Thanks for the "ball park" of 800. These kits are sold by widely used vendors it seems, didn't think about them being Chinese parts, but isn't everything these days? I'll do some pondering.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8,837
Likes: 1,028
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 934
Likes: 427
From: Dutchess county New York
How much labor time/cost should I expect to pay to have a suspension entire bushing kit installed on a 1978 Silver Anniversary Edition? The kit seems to be about $300 for front and rear. I don't want to do it myself and don't want to get ripped off with some crazy number, if it's only a few hours. Any guesses? Also might do all 4 shocks.
If you can do the work yourself over the winter go for it. Wasn’t that hard. Used Moog Problem Solvers and didn’t buy the kit, parted it individually