10 hours for springs and spacers??

nurseryboy · 11-14-2010, 10:11 PM

It's the H&R DRS, which replace the studs. I know they would take more time than the ones with the bolts integrated (the DRM), but you can't use them on the fronts. And like you said, it's definitely not 10 hours worth of work, no matter which way. It's good to know you wouldn't try to charge me a ridiculous amount

Sharif@Forged · 11-15-2010, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nurseryboy

It's the H&R DRS, which replace the studs. I know they would take more time than the ones with the bolts integrated (the DRM), but you can't use them on the fronts. And like you said, it's definitely not 10 hours worth of work, no matter which way. It's good to know you wouldn't try to charge me a ridiculous amount

I think oftentimes, when a shop hasn't done a job before or doesnt specialize in a particular type of car, they tend to quote a ridiculously high amount to protect themselves. That's just wrong.

WhiskeyHotel · 11-15-2010, 11:30 AM

Yea, I do find this to be true. Even the dealers will do that. My dealer quoted $700 to install a NISMO suspension kit not including an alignment (another $100 or so).

A local performance shop mechanic familiar with Z's asked all the right questions and quoted me about $350 including a four wheel alignment - they finished the complete install in about four hours.

nurseryboy · 11-20-2010, 07:43 PM

Soooo... I got the springs and spacers installed! Not at a shop, but with the huge help of a fellow the370z.com member - ClemsonWill. I really can't thank him enough. He was very knowledgeable, and also very patient with me since I don't (now didn't) have experience doing that stuff. The only thing we weren't able to do ourselves was the front springs (we had to take them to a shop with a heavy-duty compressor). I'm not sure how long the actual work took, but we worked at a pretty leisurely pace, and it didn't take anywhere near 10 hours. It wasn't very difficult either, and I'm sure if we had to do it again it would take much less time.

To me, the ride feels pretty much like stock, but it definitely looks much better. It does have some negative camber now, and I'm going to get an alignment in a week or two that will hopefully take care of it enough that I don't need a camber kit. Once everything has settled, been aligned, and cleaned, I'll take some pics. ClemsonWill took some pics right after the install at his place - ClemsonWill's Journal

Anyhow, thanks to everyone for their input (and a BIG thanks to ClemsonWill). I'm very glad I didn't go to a shop. Not only did I save some money, but I made a new friend!

Mike · 11-21-2010, 06:32 PM

congrats! And, you also got the satisfaction of doing it yourself!

Z2nv · 12-01-2010, 02:26 PM

to install a strut its 0.6 book time x4.. 2.4 hours would be total. if u want to change out your springs and keep your stock struts its 1.0 per side so 4.0 hours plus alignment which will range from 100-200$.. our shop charged 129.95, we also charge 109.95 an hour. studs should be 0.5 a side maybe less my system doesnt give me a book time on them. But all you have to do if remove the caliper and rotor. around 650 -700 sounds about right, 1000 is way over priced.

Stealth_Z · 12-01-2010, 03:54 PM

about an hour or less depends if you know what you're doing... Even my mechanic takes about an hour to install the springs. If the spacers are bolt on like the one I got it shouldn't even take any time at all. Put them on while you're installing the springs. Bolt on like these ones...
15mm Spacer - More Japan :: Since 2003

Z2nv · 12-01-2010, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stealth_Z

about an hour or less depends if you know what you're doing... Even my mechanic takes about an hour to install the springs. If the spacers are bolt on like the one I got it shouldn't even take any time at all. Put them on while you're installing the springs. Bolt on like these ones...
15mm Spacer - More Japan :: Since 2003

very true, if there bolt on it takes minutes to install. But the other style you have to pound them through, put the new ones on and suck them through with an inpacked gun. Very easy to do aswell, but takes time.

nurseryboy · 12-09-2010, 10:46 AM

So it's been about three weeks since the springs and spacers were installed, and I finally got an alignment (I don't drive the car very much, so only put probably 300 miles on it or so), and they were able to get everything to back within spec except for the camber (which I expected). They were able to get it to:

Front: -1.2 (L), -1.5 (R)
Rear: -2.4 (L), -2.5 (R)

How good/bad are these numbers? I know they're a few tenths off, but how big of an issue will that difference be? I'm ok with a slightly increased tire wear, but if it's going to be quite a big amount, or if it is bad in some other way, I'd definitely like to know.

ChrisSlicks · 12-09-2010, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nurseryboy

So it's been about three weeks since the springs and spacers were installed, and I finally got an alignment (I don't drive the car very much, so only put probably 300 miles on it or so), and they were able to get everything to back within spec except for the camber (which I expected). They were able to get it to:

Front: -1.2 (L), -1.5 (R)
Rear: -2.4 (L), -2.5 (R)

How good/bad are these numbers? I know they're a few tenths off, but how big of an issue will that difference be? I'm ok with a slightly increased tire wear, but if it's going to be quite a big amount, or if it is bad in some other way, I'd definitely like to know.

The front is okay but the rear is going to be a problem, especially depending on what they set the rear toe to. Once the rear camber is beyond about -2.0 you will start to have reduced traction which is going to negatively affect your handling performance. It will be worth investing in the rear camber/toe kit for both tire wear and performance.

nurseryboy · 12-24-2010, 03:35 PM

Thanks for the info Chris. Considering I only drive the car ~ 200 miles a month, I think I'm going to "chance" it for now and see how things go.

Oh, and I finally was able to take some pics! Again, this is the Eibach Pro-Kit and 15mm front, 20mm rear spacers.

ClemsonWill · 12-24-2010, 04:52 PM

Looks great!

11-21-2010, 06:32 PM	#35 (permalink)
Mike The370Z.com Sponsor Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Loganville, GA Posts: 5,944 Drives: 370z Rep Power: 2186	congrats! And, you also got the satisfaction of doing it yourself! __________________ NISSAN: 75 280Z / 86 300ZX GLL /87 Sentra SE / 03 350Z / 23 Z Porsche: 93 968 / 23 Macan GTS / 93 968

12-01-2010, 03:54 PM	#37 (permalink)
Stealth_Z Base Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Sunny Socal Posts: 196 Drives: 09 Nissan 370z Rep Power: 15	about an hour or less depends if you know what you're doing... Even my mechanic takes about an hour to install the springs. If the spacers are bolt on like the one I got it shouldn't even take any time at all. Put them on while you're installing the springs. Bolt on like these ones... 15mm Spacer - More Japan :: Since 2003 __________________ Currently dropped on: Springs!!!

12-24-2010, 04:52 PM	#42 (permalink)
ClemsonWill A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Charleston, SC Posts: 12,045 Drives: a Civic VP! Rep Power: 444	Looks great! __________________ Slightly modded

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11-14-2010, 10:11 PM	#31 (permalink)
nurseryboy Base Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: OBX NC Posts: 123 Drives: 09 BMW 135i Rep Power: 15	It's the H&R DRS, which replace the studs. I know they would take more time than the ones with the bolts integrated (the DRM), but you can't use them on the fronts. And like you said, it's definitely not 10 hours worth of work, no matter which way. It's good to know you wouldn't try to charge me a ridiculous amount

11-15-2010, 11:30 AM	#33 (permalink)
WhiskeyHotel Track Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 530 Drives: 2015 GT-R PW Premium Rep Power: 16	Yea, I do find this to be true. Even the dealers will do that. My dealer quoted $700 to install a NISMO suspension kit not including an alignment (another $100 or so). A local performance shop mechanic familiar with Z's asked all the right questions and quoted me about $350 including a four wheel alignment - they finished the complete install in about four hours.

11-20-2010, 07:43 PM	#34 (permalink)
nurseryboy Base Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: OBX NC Posts: 123 Drives: 09 BMW 135i Rep Power: 15	Soooo... I got the springs and spacers installed! Not at a shop, but with the huge help of a fellow the370z.com member - ClemsonWill. I really can't thank him enough. He was very knowledgeable, and also very patient with me since I don't (now didn't) have experience doing that stuff. The only thing we weren't able to do ourselves was the front springs (we had to take them to a shop with a heavy-duty compressor). I'm not sure how long the actual work took, but we worked at a pretty leisurely pace, and it didn't take anywhere near 10 hours. It wasn't very difficult either, and I'm sure if we had to do it again it would take much less time. To me, the ride feels pretty much like stock, but it definitely looks much better. It does have some negative camber now, and I'm going to get an alignment in a week or two that will hopefully take care of it enough that I don't need a camber kit. Once everything has settled, been aligned, and cleaned, I'll take some pics. ClemsonWill took some pics right after the install at his place - ClemsonWill's Journal Anyhow, thanks to everyone for their input (and a BIG thanks to ClemsonWill). I'm very glad I didn't go to a shop. Not only did I save some money, but I made a new friend!

12-01-2010, 02:26 PM	#36 (permalink)
Z2nv Base Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Edmonton, Canada Posts: 65 Drives: 2010 370z Rep Power: 14	to install a strut its 0.6 book time x4.. 2.4 hours would be total. if u want to change out your springs and keep your stock struts its 1.0 per side so 4.0 hours plus alignment which will range from 100-200$.. our shop charged 129.95, we also charge 109.95 an hour. studs should be 0.5 a side maybe less my system doesnt give me a book time on them. But all you have to do if remove the caliper and rotor. around 650 -700 sounds about right, 1000 is way over priced.

12-09-2010, 10:46 AM	#39 (permalink)
nurseryboy Base Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: OBX NC Posts: 123 Drives: 09 BMW 135i Rep Power: 15	So it's been about three weeks since the springs and spacers were installed, and I finally got an alignment (I don't drive the car very much, so only put probably 300 miles on it or so), and they were able to get everything to back within spec except for the camber (which I expected). They were able to get it to: Front: -1.2 (L), -1.5 (R) Rear: -2.4 (L), -2.5 (R) How good/bad are these numbers? I know they're a few tenths off, but how big of an issue will that difference be? I'm ok with a slightly increased tire wear, but if it's going to be quite a big amount, or if it is bad in some other way, I'd definitely like to know.

12-24-2010, 03:35 PM	#41 (permalink)
nurseryboy Base Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: OBX NC Posts: 123 Drives: 09 BMW 135i Rep Power: 15	Thanks for the info Chris. Considering I only drive the car ~ 200 miles a month, I think I'm going to "chance" it for now and see how things go. Oh, and I finally was able to take some pics! Again, this is the Eibach Pro-Kit and 15mm front, 20mm rear spacers.