Replacing leaf springs: average cost for shop to do it?

Found some reasonably priced used leaf springs (only like 15k on them) for $20. We've done a lot of maintenance on the truck ourselves, but not sure we want to mess with Ubolts on an axle, etc. We put Firestone Ride Rites on and it killed us lol.

One shop quoted $240 plus tax, etc. Another quoted $330, plus tax, etc. What's an average price? Both shops said about three labor hours...

Is this totally self do able for not super mechanically inclined individuals... or is $240 really not bad for the work. Just gathering thoughts... Thanks and cheers!!

 

$300 sounds reasonable. Not a job for the “not super mechanically inclined”. Do you have jack stands? Torque wrench?

 

If you aren’t comfortable under your truck, I’d think $250 is reasonable. While the shop is at it, have them do the u-bolt flip too - NEW PARTS ONLY! Don’t let them talk you into reusing the u bolt parts.

 

Definitely go with the shop if your maintenance skills hasn't involved any suspension work past simple shocks replacement. Although not a difficult job but can be labor intensive for a newbie especially if not equipped with the proper tools.(floor jack, impact, torque wrench, breaker bar etc..) Heck for $240, I would've avoid installing my ironman leaf pack myself a few years ago. Make sure the U-bolts are torqued to 73 ft/lbs.

 

Honestly, $240 seemed pretty reasonable (in my mind).

So I should already buy the Ubolts / hardware and supply them to the shop with the leaf springs? I've also read about leaf springs bushings.

Just want to be prepared. Thanks!


I'd rather buy online cheaper and have shop install, rather then buy separately from shop with a markup.

 

Suggest you buy a kit (springs, bushings, Ubolts, etc), from a single vendor. Higher probability all parts will work together.

 

Yeah, I found some stock springs with 15k miles on them for a reasonable price so I'd rather not buy a kit. I'll look for OEM u bolts and bushings and should be good to go then, I'd imagine!

 

Something to keep in mind. The markup on parts is part of the income the shop needs to keep the doors open, pay insurance, taxes, and feed their family. Any shop that will install customer supplied parts is either desperate for work or they have added a “markup” into the labor charge.

 

The shops I deal with won’t warranty the work if the customer carries in their own parts. It’s understandable.

 

$240 seems like a fair price to me...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKSFfFHNSe8

 

I watched a different video as well and was thinking more and more the $240 was a steal!

It's a very reputable shop.. They're very fair. I get shops need the markup on parts, I mean we all have mouths to feed at the end of the day, whether our own or our family... I think supplying my parts and them doing the quoted labor is reasonable, warranty or not. I'll see what Ubolts will run there. Just makes no sense to me to pay $50 per bolt there if you could get them online for $20...

Thanks guy, I'll let you knew how it goes when the time comes!