2021 Shocks Install Labor Hours?

[Moe7]

It's not that complicated. I was quoted 4 hours from a local shop (w/o alignment), and I'd expect any competent shop to be able to commit to that on a newer truck like ours (i.e., nothing seized up).

I'll end up doing it myself when I find the time so I can dial in the height and let things settle before getting an alignment.

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[Etl330]

From my research I’ve seen some high quotes for powerboost front ends. Is yours a PB?

 

[SALEEN961]

From my research I’ve seen some high quotes for powerboost front ends. Is yours a PB?

In my experience the install on a PowerBoost really isn't much harder or time consuming. It's been a while since I've worked on one, but I doubt the front strut install took more than an extra 15 minutes compared to a non-PowerBoost F150.

 

[unstoppa8le]

You have to realize most shops use a program called all data which tells them the average time to do a specific repair. So although it might take them 3-4 hours they will charge 6 if it tell them they can. This is why you build a relationship with the mechanic so he’s more likely to give you just the hourly cost.

 

[RickBullotta]

It's a bit more if it's a Powerboost, and you also need to factor in whether they're doing an alignment or not (I would).

 

[Jmitchelltfo]

Add an extra hour or so since your shop was installing the struts into your coils.......but you got billed on the high end if that didn't include an alignment IMO.

The key for me was using a paint pen to mark my original alignment on the LCA's and UCA's.

The UCA only needs to be loosened and the LCA is dropped to replace the camber/caster bolts anyway, no need to touch the ball joints.

Total time for four corners was 2.5 hours on jackstands in my driveway, then I spent another hour to make sure I had my alignment dialed in so I didn't worry about driving for a couple weeks before getting it perfect on the rack at Big O.

 

[CND Supercrew]

 

[Jmitchelltfo]

It's a bit more if it's a Powerboost, and you also need to factor in whether they're doing an alignment or not (I would).

Powerboost only made the front passenger side slower by a max of 2 minutes for me. I had to walk to the toolbox and grab a pry bar to wedge the plastic plate up, to give me room to work with the ratchet wrench.

Did you have an issue getting under the high voltage cables to access the strut nuts?

 

[Redd4099]

Dropped my 2021 XLT off this morning to have Bilstein 4600 installed front/rear. Called the shop 8 hours later to find out if truck was ready, and the mechanic told me he was almost done and that it was a 6 hour job. He told me the fronts are a bear and you pretty much need to disassemble the front end to get them done. Can anyone relate to this? I had no idea and wondering if he’s being honest. This is an independent garage that was recommended. I purposely avoided the dealer for this job because of cost. Might have made a mistake.

I appreciate everyone that gave me feedback. I got ripped off by the Indy and we argued for 30 minutes. He charged me 7.5 hours and told me the job says 7.5 hours in the manual. This cost me $756.00 And I still need to get an alignment. I’ll bet Ford wouldn’t have charged much more.

 

[RickBullotta]

I appreciate everyone that gave me feedback. I got ripped off by the Indy and we argued for 30 minutes. He charged me 7.5 hours and told me the job says 7.5 hours in the manual. This cost me $756.00 And I still need to get an alignment. I’ll bet Ford wouldn’t have charged much more.

I had the Roush Fox 2.0's installed (front and rear) and an alignment, and labor total was just under $1000. In retrospect I probably would have done it myself (for sure the rears - easy job) and had them do the alignment. I also needed a speedo recalibration because I put Roush wheels and different tires on at the same time, but that was probably only 0.25 hour shop time (guessing)

 

[Jmitchelltfo]

I appreciate everyone that gave me feedback. I got ripped off by the Indy and we argued for 30 minutes. He charged me 7.5 hours and told me the job says 7.5 hours in the manual. This cost me $756.00 And I still need to get an alignment. I’ll bet Ford wouldn’t have charged much more.

You got hustled. Sorry you had to learn that lesson the hard way. I'd be a liar if I said I hadn't learned a lesson like that earlier in my life.

It stings right now, but hopefully you're happy with the end product, and you can make sure that every review you write for that establishment reflects your experience.

 

[Je1279]

If you don't unbolt the LCA's, the biggest pain in the ass is using a giant pry bar to get the lower strut studs out of the lower control arms. The rest is pretty straight forward.

 

[Moe7]

I appreciate everyone that gave me feedback. I got ripped off by the Indy and we argued for 30 minutes. He charged me 7.5 hours and told me the job says 7.5 hours in the manual. This cost me $756.00 And I still need to get an alignment. I’ll bet Ford wouldn’t have charged much more.

To be fair, my 4 hours was still quoted at $750 ($190/hr) at an indy performance shop, so you are not as bad off as you may think; they wanted another hour for the alignment. My dealer rate is also $190, for reference.

 

[Aonarch]

The fronts are pretty easy. Not the easiest IFS, but nowhere near the hardest.

Especially if you use an air hammer to punch out the bottom studs of the coilovers. That makes the install very fast.

I think it took me 2 hours to do the fronts in my driveway without an air hammer. I used a sawzal instead, which took the most amount of time out of all of the steps.

There is nothing tricky, or hidden. No removing fender liners, battery trays, moving wiring, etc. Very straight forward, lots of room to work.

 

[Aonarch]

If you don't unbolt the LCA's, the biggest pain in the ass is using a giant pry bar to get the lower strut studs out of the lower control arms. The rest is pretty straight forward.

Air hammer on the studs makes this an absolute breeze, as long as the new coilover uses bolts instead of studs.

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