Replacing struts on my zx2

[DrDusty86]

I can get the OE Motorcraft struts from Rockauto for about $370 for all 4. I have been quoted $550-$1070 for labor by the indys. That seems CRAAAAAZY high. I was thinking more like $400+- for labor. What is a reasonable labor cost for strut replacement?
Car is 99 zx2 Escort.
Thanks,
Dusty

 

[oilboy123]

$550 with an alignment seems OK. Higher than that seems like a lot.

 

[pbm]

Dusty: I agree with your $400 estimate. Replacing 4 struts is about a 2 to 2.5 hour job plus the alignment.
It's not like they're rebuilding your motor.
Maybe they are jacking it up because you are bringing your own parts...I'd get estimates from a shop for the entire job (using their Monroe's or even quick struts)...I bet it's similar to their higher labor quote.

 

[mechtech2]

Try getting prices for the whole shebang -parts and labor . Ask if sales are occurring or imminent.
You may be pleasantly surprised.
I'd prefer to get the final alignment after 50 miles or so.
Let new parts seat first.

On the front strut mounts, there is a little nub on the rubber .
Where it points [fore/aft or side to side] changes the caster camber a bit for fine tuning. 30 second max - one side to the other.
The front springs need a spring compressor, but the rears do not.

Good luck.

 

[Spinall4]

Also look into Monroe Oe spectrum line. I wouldn't recommend them for some one looking to make a track monster car, but if your just trying to get back to a factry ride the monroe will do that and pretty much every year they have a buy 3 get one free deal.

You may be able to go thrrough a shop to buy them with the labor and come out cheaper with the rebate deal.

 

[pbm]

Monroe makes a 'quick strut' for both front and rear for the ZX-2. This simplifies the job immensely to the point where it could be a DIY job (except for the alignment).

 

[DrDusty86]

The struts are less then $450 shipped from Rockauto. I went to several indies and they all quoted me their "premium" strut, which I found out was the cheapest of the cheap $45 strut marked up to $125 each PLUS labor which brings the indies with their struts at $900-$1600 for a MAJORLY [censored] strut. For this reason I do not use indies. There are more dishonest ones that honest ones. I'm going to the dealer, whom I'm friends with to get a quote later today.

 

[zzyzzx]

I would just get the Monroe quick struts and DIY, then take it in for alignment. Check out the Ford Escort forums over at http://www.feoa.net

 

[mattd]

which is it? wagon or coupe?

Coupe calls for 3.0 hours for both front struts, 2.8 for rear.

wagon 2.0 for front, 2.8 for rear.

so 5.8 hours labor plus alignment is about 650$ at my shop.

550$ for the struts, plus 1 hour for alignment (90$). 1000$ is high but 550ish plus alignment is plenty reasonable.

How do you know if any of the mounts/springs do not need replacing?

 

[mechtech2]

Normally the book is light on hours.
But with a rack and air tools, I could change the front struts on a ZX2 in an hour or less standing on my head.
Same for the rears, which need no spring compressor.

Alignment is extra.