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Topic: Suspension replacement/costs.

in Forum: C3 Handling Components


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Suspension replacement/costs. (1/5)
 11/14/16 11:48pm
LakeSkiGoose
Former Member

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Grosse Pointe Woods, MI - USA

Vette(s):
1978 Corvette Coupe Base


Joined: 7/21/2016
Posts: 9

So Im supplying all the parts, Ive been accumulating over the past 6 months...   1978 Standard C3

Front Coil Springs
Rear Leaf Spring
4 Shocks all around.
Full front end suspension rebuild with all new poly and links.(rebuilt kit).


Im having hard time getting anyone to do the work but have gotten an estimate.

They are saying complete about, about 24 hours of labor...     seems a bit high but I wouldn't know.

What do you think and what do you think a decent price for this labor would be?

Thanks.

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Re: Suspension replacement/costs. (2/5)
 11/15/16 12:06am
73shark
Limited Member
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Overland Park, KS - USA

Vette(s):
1973 Orange Metallic Coupe (orig owner), L82, 4 spd (WR), PS, (A/C & PW (I installed from wrecked 73)), leather, AM/FM Stereo, ran with '65 FI unit earlier & will again some day.


Joined: 7/9/2003
Posts: 864

Having done a couple of these, 24 hours sounds low.  On one, '66, it took an afternoon just to get the four rear spring mount bolts out w/o breaking an ear off the diff housing.  If you have someone else do it, be sure to soak the bolts w/ Kroil or other product of your choice before you take it to them.  I used a 450 ft-lb impact wrench after I got scared that using a bigger breaker bar would probably break an ear off.

The upper rear shock bolts can be a bear too.  The front end isn't too bad once you get the springs out which can be dangerous.  Also removing the A-arm bushings is time consuming. But the poly bushings don't require any special tools or a press.  They just slip in.  Hope you got the lube impregnated ones cuz my buddy didn't and they squeaked like crazy.  But w/ a 427 and sidepipes, no one could hear it.  :)


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1973 L-82 4 spd

Re: Suspension replacement/costs. (3/5)
 11/15/16 9:07am
cinorLifetime Member
Lifetime Member
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, - Canada

Vette(s):
1975 L48 Stingray 1992 LT1


Joined: 12/24/2013
Posts: 414

I don't think that sounds two bad that breaks down into 3 days, My struggle was with the springs removal, but I had no weight on the chasis as the body had already been removed.  Tearing apart can be quite time consuming if the nuts and bolts are rusty.

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Re: Suspension replacement/costs. (4/5)
 11/15/16 1:40pm
gtr1999
Limited Member
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CHESHIRE, CT - USA

Vette(s):
1969 350 4 spd drop top 1972 350 auto coupe


Joined: 5/2/2016
Posts: 64

All comes down to the level of experience, condition of the old parts, and the integrity of the shop.
An experienced vette person with the car on a lift can get the old parts out in a day and the ones you list back in another day. I would guess about $1500 in labor.
 
Many won't take the job because you supplied the parts. A big part of that is they loose their mark up on the job, the other part is they don't want to warranty a part they didn't supply. For instance, if you bought a front end vendor kit you should look very closely at the part because most are imported and the ball joints are not the best. I have used those kits in the past but never again. I buy MOOG parts from a place like Rock Auto or a local supplier. Cost is double but so is the quality.


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Re: Suspension replacement/costs. (5/5)
 11/25/16 1:03pm
69CRUZR
Limited Member
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Davidson, NC - USA

Vette(s):
1969 CAN-AM White(972) / Blue (411) Base Coupe. 350 Cu In / 300HP, THM Automatic. PS, PB, PW, Posi, SS Calipers, AM-FM Stereo, '69 Style Side Pipes. Vin: 194379S733381


Joined: 7/11/2012
Posts: 9

I just had my '69's front end suspension components upgraded at a local Corvette Shop where I supplied the parts. The job included springs, control arm shafts/bushings, ball joints, idler arm, tie rods, and stabilizer link (I had already put new shocks on). The labor came to $1200 plus another $150 for a 4 wheel alignment. He cleaned & touched up (painted) the lower control arms as well. This shop charges about $95/hr. So, that was for just the front end. 

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‘69CRUZR


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