Re: New struts

["G. Erickson" <erickson@teleport.com>]

I _just_ did this job on my '85 GT so I have the appropriate prices still 
in my head.  I've inserted them after your figures below.

On Wed, 21 Feb 1996, Brooks Ellis wrote:

>         
>         I am putting on new front struts on my '90 100 Q.. The local dealer
> ( whom I usially get my work done by ) says that I need :
> 
> Bearings ( strut I assume ) $ 50

Available aftermarket for about $7.50

> Inserts  ( KYB )            $120

Myself and others on the list prefer the Boge ProGas series.  Best price 
I found on those was $50 per corner

> Stops + Covers ( ? )        $ 50

I got two bump stops and two dust covers for about $12.50 at the local VW 
dealer.  Getting all new swaybar bushings brought the total to $24

> Clips    ( ? )              $ 15 to 20

I not sure what kind of clips we're referring to.

> Labor ( 4 - hrs. )          $228

I paid $40 labor for the fronts (as a pair) and $70 labor for the rears.  
But bear in mind that I had this done at my local Dunlop tire dealer and 
_not_ and Audi specialized mech!

> 
> Alignment ( Front Only )    $ 34

About average from what I've seen.

> 
> --------------------------
>                            ~ 500   For Front ONLY

What I found to work the best, was to get quotes from the local shops 
(that you feel are competent) and make sure that the quote is broken down 
into parts seperate from labor and find out if there is any charge if you 
bring in your own parts.  Then shop the third party suppliers (including 
mail-order) for the best prices on parts.

FWIW, I have now spent a total of ~$425 and I have new Boge all around 
the car, new swaybar bushings, bump stops, dust caps & covers, strut 
bearings, and control arm bushings with labor included.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Gary G. Erickson
Business Solution Integrators, Inc.
503-702-5789       e-mail: erickson@teleport.com