Rognasty

So just wanted to vent a little.

I’ve been the proud owner of a 2014 scion TC for almost a year now. This isthe first car I have brought and I really want to take ownership in it. So Ibegin buying little mods and doing the install myself. TRD exhaust, TRD intakeand some interior mods. This is the first time I ever modded a car and I amloving every bits of it.

So I just bought a set of TRD lowering springs from the dealer but I justdon't have the equipment nor space to do the install myself (downtown location,street parking only). My local Toyota dealer told me the install will run me$900 dollars (I already paid $260 for the springs). Some local shops say its$700 since the job will take 7hrs. I mean I'm down to pay a bit since Im havinga shop to do it but $700-$900 dollars? Lowest I found was $450 but that placelooks shady. Is this normal or am I just being cheap? FYI, I live in San Jose,California.

So if anyone knows a good place that can do a nice job on an install foraround the $300 - $350 range, please let me know.

FlintMica17

Sounds right on. Flat rate time to do the set of springs is 7.6 hours. Assuming most shops in your area are around $100/hr (ish) $700 sounds about right. Is that including an alignment as well?? If you are looking to spend only $300 I would invest in a spring compressor and a weekend to do it yourself.

Rognasty

Oh I Had no idea. Yea places did charge around $100ish /hr and they did say around 7ish hours. Guess this is one thing I can't save $$$ on. Would you happen to know the big diff between dealership install vs like a car shop. If the $900 job is the same as the $700 i would really rather spend the $700.

FlintMica17

Ive worked as a master tech for both dealer and independent shops. Find an independent shop that will warranty their labor (usually 12 month/12k miles). Really the only advantage of going to Toyota would be that you would have your 3yr/36k mile warranty applied to the springs themselves, as well as labor.

disaster06

Where Are you located? I know a guy in L.A. that did it for $100.00 and showed me how so I do my own now

Red2014tC

It only took me about 4 hours to do it in my driveway, including new sway bars. With smoke and beer breaks. Keep in mind Toyota is supposed to do an allignment included in that price, so that is another hour.

TCnavyman

Its not that hard you just have to have the time to do the job. Ask a friend if you can use his driveway for a Saturday. I would let you use mine if I where close. This you tube video should give you an out line of the job at hand.


and the tools you need are simple; a nice socket set, jack and jack stands (you can use one if needed you are just stuck doing one side at a time). and the only special tool you need is a spring compressor 55 bucks from auto zone. The cool thing about auto zone is you can return it and get all for your money back.
Be sure to have an alignment done after!!!

The tool:
OEM/Strut spring compressor (27036) | Strut Spring Compressor | AutoZone.com

Nothing like free 99
Happy modding
Jon

KidJustin

^to add

if ur lifting the car and working on it...you NEED jack stands...last thing u want it the jack failing or just getting lose and your car drops (hopefully not on a person).

you also need a torque wrench OR an impact gun (with impact sockets)

gloves and/or industrial soap for clean up would also be a good idea...with towels or shop rags

took my a morning and most of the afternoon to do a full coilover install with a friend and myself

also after install...give it about a week to settle then get an alignment...DONT WAIT LONGER THAN A WEEK...or else your tires will get eaten up

KILLER

Man I would never pay a shop for this kind of job. I just ask around work or my brother to see if they know a person who does this. I found a guy who installed my Eibach springs for $80 and not only did I gain some knowledge out of it but a good friend as well.

wrelkin123

ill change them for 125$ in the reseda area

Rognasty

Hey everyone, thanks for the reply. I ended up having the guys at Tech3 do the install down in San Jose, CA. $380 for install and alignment.

Misterlu

Took my little cousin who was like 15 and I around 4-5 hours for a full coilover install front and rear. It was a pain to break the bolts, but I spent $200 at harbor freight for all the right tools like a hydralic jack, jackstands, impact gun and all the goodies. Totally worth the investment of tools. You should do it yourself. Just watch a few youtube videos and you'll be ok. BTW you can rent spring compressors from auto zone for a $60 deposit

G5_TC

yea i agree with what everyone has said.. ive done all my own stuff for my car.. and ive done spring installs for others in my club. which if i moved fast had it done in like 3hrs and got to teach them how to do the stuff so they know good to see you got them in though

dkoske

ive got a 2013 tc, and i installed eibach springs in like 3 hours but had to buy a spring compressor. its not super difficult but if u wanna save yourself a ton of money print off some directions and go off of that.

if you have some friends that are mechanics that would also help alot

FlintMica17

Good to hear someone was willing to work with you. That seems more of a fair price.

CONCRETETC

Dealership charged me $349 total for the trd springs and labor!

papahawk

Hey I'm in hollywood and need this done, can you pm me some info on this guy? How you know him, his car background etc. Thanks

gyrotech

3 hours, another tc done.