How much should the labor be to change shocks?
05-03-2007, 11:53 AM
#2
Melting Slicks
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05-03-2007, 12:15 PM
#3
Mitchell says:
Fronts with ride control 2.0 Hours - without 1.4 Hours
Rears .9 Hours
Total cost for labor will depend on the labor rate per hour. So if the rate is $75.00 per hour and you have ride control it would be about $150.00 to change the fronts and about $68.00 to change the rears.
Fronts with ride control 2.0 Hours - without 1.4 Hours
Rears .9 Hours
Total cost for labor will depend on the labor rate per hour. So if the rate is $75.00 per hour and you have ride control it would be about $150.00 to change the fronts and about $68.00 to change the rears.
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El original (11-24-2018)
05-03-2007, 12:20 PM
#4
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Cruise-In 7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12
I was going to say it certainly should not be more than around $200.
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El original (11-24-2018)
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El original (11-24-2018)
05-03-2007, 10:58 PM
#8
- Wisdom
05-04-2007, 12:34 AM
#9
Le Mans Master
Could you explain this please? I've had shocks replaced on a few vehicles and when the McPherson struts are replaced the mechanics always said that a front end alignment was also required. What's different about the Vettes? Or did I probably buy a service I didn't need?
- Wisdom
- Wisdom
Often on cars with "Struts" they can need an alightment because they basically replace the upper control arm.. so when you replace them the caster/camber can be thrown off.. but on the CORVETTE.. they have shocks front and rear and the caster/Camber is set by the lower control arms... so since you are not disturbing them the alignment should not be affected by shock replacement..
Sorry if that doesn't make sense.. I'm off to bed..
-=Rick
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El original (11-24-2018)
05-04-2007, 09:50 AM
#10
Le Mans Master
I just had new Z51 shocks installed at 21st Century MC and was charged an hour and a half of labor. If you have done C5 shocks, you know that's a very reasonable time for the amount of work involved. 
05-04-2007, 10:31 PM
#12
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St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12'-'13-'14-'15
I just changed my base 99 shocks with 100k on them tonight. Put on a set of C6 Z51 shocks with 10k on them. All I can say is WOW and I am pretty damned proud of myself being able to do the work also. First time for shocks.
Cajun
Cajun
05-05-2007, 02:07 AM
#14
Le Mans Master
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Often on cars with "Struts" they can need an alightment because they basically replace the upper control arm.. so when you replace them the caster/camber can be thrown off.. but on the CORVETTE.. they have shocks front and rear and the caster/Camber is set by the lower control arms... so since you are not disturbing them the alignment should not be affected by shock replacement..
Sorry if that doesn't make sense.. I'm off to bed..
-=Rick
Sorry if that doesn't make sense.. I'm off to bed..
-=Rick
09-18-2017, 12:40 PM
#16
8th Gear
Mitchell says:
Fronts with ride control 2.0 Hours - without 1.4 Hours
Rears .9 Hours
Total cost for labor will depend on the labor rate per hour. So if the rate is $75.00 per hour and you have ride control it would be about $150.00 to change the fronts and about $68.00 to change the rears.
Fronts with ride control 2.0 Hours - without 1.4 Hours
Rears .9 Hours
Total cost for labor will depend on the labor rate per hour. So if the rate is $75.00 per hour and you have ride control it would be about $150.00 to change the fronts and about $68.00 to change the rears.
$130. per shock plus an alignment. Guess I need to shop around.
09-18-2017, 01:28 PM
#17
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CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
He has an expensive car so he gets the expensive labor rate! 
BC
Last edited by Bill Curlee; 09-18-2017 at 01:28 PM.
09-21-2017, 07:06 AM
#19
Agreed. We're talking about THREE BOLTS holding the shock.
Half an hour per shock for the first time, including lifting the car and removing the tire (and having a six pack).
Use C6Z06 shocks.
Compress the new shocks before installation and secure them with a zip tie.
Then just drop them in and remove the tie.
No need for an alignment as it is absolutely impossible to mess with
Half an hour per shock for the first time, including lifting the car and removing the tire (and having a six pack).
Use C6Z06 shocks.
Compress the new shocks before installation and secure them with a zip tie.
Then just drop them in and remove the tie.
No need for an alignment as it is absolutely impossible to mess with
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El original (11-24-2018)
09-22-2017, 06:30 PM
#20
Just my $0.02 - but I've done shocks on C4's, a C5 and a C6, and I don't think 1/2 hour per shock is reasonable!!! It takes a few minutes just to jack up the car, and remove the wheel, and get the car on a jack stand then you have to undo the shock mounting nuts, and remove the shock. If the old shock still has a gas charge in it - removal is NOT a 2 minute job !!! Once you get the old shock out - you need to compress the piston on the new shock, and tie it in place (I use this steel "mechanics wire"), then fit the new shock into the lower mount, and cut the wire while "guiding the shock rod into place on the upper mount. Then you tighten the mounting nuts, and replace the wheel, and lower the car. On the rears - sometimes you need to pull the rear tie rod end for decent access. On the C6 - I ended up pulling three of the four upper control arm mounting bolts, to make the shock removal easier.
For a Do It To-Yourselfer - figure at least 60 minutes per corner - ninety minutes is probably safer. Heck - it normally takes me at least 5 minutes just to get the piston rod compressed (I use a floor jack to push the shock up against a heavy work bench top) and tied into position with wire....
For a Do It To-Yourselfer - figure at least 60 minutes per corner - ninety minutes is probably safer. Heck - it normally takes me at least 5 minutes just to get the piston rod compressed (I use a floor jack to push the shock up against a heavy work bench top) and tied into position with wire....