Cost for Coil Spring Compression?

[Dave]

Most of us probably don’t have access to a decent coil spring compressor to change out struts. Assuming you supply the new struts, what do you typically pay at shops that are willing to swap them out?

I have a hard time paying $200-225 labor for the shop to do everything. That doesn’t include alignment. That’s why I’d prefer to do as much of the work myself as possible.

Thanks!

Topic

[college man]

You can get a spring compressor at you local auto part store. When they loan
you the tool you pay what the tool is worth say 50. bucks then you get that
money back when the tool is returned. If you bring your struts to the shop off the
car 25.00 per strut give or take. If you bring the car in with struts still on the car
then labor kicks in.

[Frank Gonzalez]

If you have the ability to remove the strut assembly, you have the ability to change strut springs by yourself, no need to take them to a shop. Just rent the strut spring compressor tool AutoZone part # 27036. Just remember, your car might need to be aligned after you replace your struts.

[wafrederick]

If you want to save time,buy the loaded struts if available for the make and model.All you do is take out the old strut assembly and install the new complete strut assembly.Cheaper to do this also than buying the strut plates,springs if in bad shape and struts separately.

[Garth]

I bought a coil spring compressor from Princess Auto years ago but haven’t built up the courage to use it. I’ve been checking Eric’s videos regarding strut replacement as I’ve got to deal with the struts on my 2001 Windstar. Eric suggests the Monroe Quickstruts which come completely packaged with the coil. The cost would be a little more than just replacing the strut but would be safer. Here’s the link if you want to check it out. http://www.ericthecarguy.com/promotional-videos/1216-the-monroe-quickstrut-advantage

[Frank Gonzalez]

Buying a loaded strut may not be as cheap as buying the strut and the mount, at least not for my car. For my car (07 Cobalt) a loaded strut costs $279. A new strut alone costs $134. And a strut mount costs $40. $174 for a new strut and mount vs $279 for a loaded strut? Then multiply that a second time for the other strut, that’s $200. $200 for a little bit of extra work, I’ll take that!!!

Those loaded struts are for cars with factory springs. If you have lowered springs, loaded springs are no good because you will end up putting your car back to stock height. You will have to take apart both new and old struts, remove the spring from each strut, put the lowered spring from the old strut on to the new strut and reassemble that strut. That’s the same thing you would have done had you purchased the strut alone. Also, if you were to buy loaded strut and change the spring for a smaller one, you void the warranty.

If the spring is worn or you do have a lowered car and want to get it back to stock height, then a loaded strut would be the way to go.

[Brandon Driskill]

I bought a spring compressor set a few years back because I had rented them many times. I’ve used MY set 3 times already. Well worth the money, money is made back before first use is complete.

[EricTheCarGuy]

Depends on the struts but I wouldn’t’ think they would charge more than .5 to change out a set of struts that were off the vehicle. That is IF they go as planned. That doesn’t always happen.

As may have suggested, loaded struts are also an option. More expensive, but EVERYTHING is new, not just the strut.

[Author]

Replies