Shock replacement cost (mainly labor)

[ZetaEpyon]

After a lovely trip to Michigan, the rear shock on the passenger side of my 2007 Mazdaspeed 3 seems to be shot (nice puddle of oil under it on my garage floor).

What sort of labor cost should I be expecting to replace the shock? I'm at 36.5k miles, and well over 3 years, so I'm sure it's not covered under warranty at this point.

I've heard that the stock shocks are overworked by the Speed3 springs, and it doesn't seem to be uncommon that one or more goes out around 30-35k miles. With that in mind, I've also considered upgrading to some aftermarket struts (Koni yellow and FSD seem to be popular choices), or even a coilover setup. Any thoughts along those lines?

Alternatively, how difficult would doing the work myself be? I'm not averse to spending a day working on the car, but I haven't really done anything more major than changing oil, air intakes, swapping wheels, etc.

 

[StageLeft]

On my MPV an OEM shock was about $150. I bet they charge about 1.5 hours labor, 1 if you're lucky, two very possible, three if seriously unlucky. So I'm going to guess about $300. They may recommend an alignment after. I frankly wouldn't bother with one. I don't even know if you can align a rear mcpherson strut, which I assume these have. Caster and camber are locked and toe-in only on the front.

 

[Gibson486]

Labor for rear is about $100. Labor for front is about $185. This is the quote I got for my Mazda 3 at a mechanic in Boston.

Stock parts are about $90 each for rear and $230 each for front. This is for the non speed version and the parts are priced from the dealer, not the mechanic.

As you can see, it cost about the same to get Koni (if you find it on sale).

Rear is easy, front is more difficult and can be dagerous if you have no idea what you are doing. They are lots of "how to" on the many mazda forums. I plan on doing it myself next month.

 

[StageLeft]

I did the fronts on my van. I thought the job was not too bad, less of a pain to deal with than axles. As long as you read how-tos and use the spring compressor properly you're good to go.

 

[Gibson486]

I did the fronts on my van. I thought the job was not too bad, less of a pain to deal with than axles. As long as you read how-tos and use the spring compressor properly you're good to go.

yup, springs are the dangerous part. And you never done it, it's a whole day job.

 

[Vette73]

Rear shocks are usually very easy. 1 bolt on the bottom and a nut on top and it pops out. Just remember to replace BOTH rear shocks, not just 1.


Yea just looked it up at rockauto.com The rear shocks cost $31 each are are the standard easy type (nut on top bolt on bottom).

 

[BassBomb]

labor should be cheap for this, my local mechanic charged me 50 per corner for labor (my shocks and springs were already assembled) His rate was like 75 per corner if you needed assembly (spring compressor)

Another local shop, which i will go to next time for any suspension work would charge 185 inclusive to replace springs (which is basically the same thing)

 

[ZetaEpyon]

Thanks for all the input.
I was quoted $490 for parts and labor to replace both rear shocks, so I kindly declined.

I've ordered a pair from rockauto and will just do the installation myself. Since I shouldn't have to deal with springs at all to just replace the shocks, I don't think it should be too bad.

Cheap for now, and if I decide to upgrade sometime down the line, I can worry about that then.

 

[Gibson486]

Thanks for all the input.
I was quoted $490 for parts and labor to replace both rear shocks, so I kindly declined.

I've ordered a pair from rockauto and will just do the installation myself. Since I shouldn't have to deal with springs at all to just replace the shocks, I don't think it should be too bad.

Cheap for now, and if I decide to upgrade sometime down the line, I can worry about that then.

F.....where did you get that quote? That is more than $300 on labor...and that is with the markup on the sohcks too. Never go to that guy again....

 

[Gibson486]

labor should be cheap for this, my local mechanic charged me 50 per corner for labor (my shocks and springs were already assembled) His rate was like 75 per corner if you needed assembly (spring compressor)

Another local shop, which i will go to next time for any suspension work would charge 185 inclusive to replace springs (which is basically the same thing)

If they are already assembled....you already did the hard part....

 

[BassBomb]

If they are already assembled....you already did the hard part....

I bought them assembled , I would have installed them myself if it weren't for all the siezed bolts + bushings

 

[StageLeft]

F.....where did you get that quote? That is more than $300 on labor...and that is with the markup on the sohcks too. Never go to that guy again....

Sweet, that is $150/side like I guessed

 

[Vette73]

Yea WOW $490!!!

Was this a indie shop or a national one?

 

[ZetaEpyon]

The $490 was at the local Mazda dealership, where I've gone for warranty repairs and minor stuff like winter oil changes and whatnot. Stealership indeed.

I've gotten a few recommendations on local mechanics from some coworkers for future reference, but this job seems like it should be easy enough, so I'm not going to worry about it further right now.

 

[Gibson486]

The $490 was at the local Mazda dealership, where I've gone for warranty repairs and minor stuff like winter oil changes and whatnot. Stealership indeed.

I've gotten a few recommendations on local mechanics from some coworkers for future reference, but this job seems like it should be easy enough, so I'm not going to worry about it further right now.

now it makes sense....dealership.....