cl_kruisin

I've just about talked my dealer into installing my H&R cupkit, and one question they asked me was approx. how many hours the install should take. I told them people on this forum have said $100-$200 for an install.

Does anyone have an idea of how many hours of labor the install would take.

They charge $80/hour.

--Tom

mmgrad

They should be able to do the install in about 2 hours... no more than 3 tops

cl_kruisin

The guys at Evosport said they bill for 5 to 6 hours, which at a dealer would be $400 to $480 just for the damn install.

hinhin7

Just a suggestion... get to know some MB technicians, sometimes they can give you a pretty good deal on installation. :-)


Solihin

cl_kruisin

Maybe they'll give me a discount since I bought my 430 from them 2 months ago. Hopefully it won't take them 5-6 hours to do it anyways.

BTW, I contacted an independant shop that was started by an ex-benz tech and he said he couldn't remove the stock springs, because it requires a special spring compressor that only dealers have. Is that true? But Evosport said you can remove them, if you don't have that compressor, by removing the lower control arms. Any tips?


--Tom

cl_kruisin

Hey Solihin, where in Washington are you?

mmgrad

the layout and positioning of the MB springs are different from most other cars... therefore, unless a shop specializes in or works on MBs a lot, they won't have this tool....

But, any shop can purchase & have these tools on hand. I can name at least 10 shops near me that are not MB dealerships that have these machines...

cl_kruisin

How are the benz spring compressors different from regular sping compressors? I though a spring compressor is a spring compressor. Is there any way that a shop can make the install without this "machine"?

There is only one place in my town, that I am aware of that has this machine, and that is the dealership which I bought the car. They quoted me at 6.1 hours of labor and $500. That is pretty damn absurd. With an alignment & tax it's $627.

Unfortunately I live in WA, so custom shops are few and far in between.

Can someone with experience tell me if this install REQUIRES a MB spring compressor or if any regular spring compressor would work and why specifically it needs a special MB compressor?

--Tom

scorchie

Yes, it requires a special MB spring compressor, that anyone can own (we have one at the enthusiast's shop).

Why does it need this special spring compressor? Because the other ones don't fit easily.

You can find a lot about this subject by searching on "spring compressor".

You can remove the rear springs by removing the lower control arm bolt; just note that this bolt is listed as "replace each time" in the service guide. Reinstalling the old bolt is not recommended. This is why we keep stock of these bolts.

The front springs can be removed in the same manner, but it really is a lot more work than just using the right tool. It takes about 2-3 minutes to remove the spring using the Mercedes-specified spring compressor, or faster using other specialized compressors.

The whole job is spec'd at 6 hours, but should be done in 3, depending on how much junk is in the car, how worn the bolts are, etc... I know your car is new and this won't apply, but the estimates take this into account.

-s-

cl_kruisin

Just out of curiousity what does an MB compressor cost? And what makes it different from other compressors?

--Tom

mmgrad

someone on the board mentioned about buying one... not sure about the price... but i'm quite sure that it is not worth buying just to use for 1 car...

cgmike10

i think you're crazy for installing a cup kit in washington if the roads are anything like NY

mmgrad

got it... here is a standard spring compressor most mod/tuner shops have, but won't work for MBs. cause many cars have their springs going around the struts, therefore, this machine compresses, locks it in place with the strut, then can install onto the car.


as for the CLK, the spring sits NEXT TO the shocks, so after compressing, there is nothing to keep it compressed. therefore, they require a more portable tool like this: (which costs about $600, but other tools are needed)

or this:


a member of this forum "KWiK" does installs for people who are local for about $150. He is in San Diego, CA i believe. He can also go to WA if you pay his airfare... i think...

scorchie

The spring compressor in that first picture is primarily for strut suspensions... however, there are other spring compressors that one can use for other cars, and if you try to use them on a Mercedes (non-strut), you can get in a tight situation.

Tp liquid (on this board) also does spring replacements... he gets good reviews in the W202 forum area, there was a recent post from a member whose car he did the work. I think his prices are similar but the money goes into buying tools for everyone to use. He'll also travel if expenses are covered.

-s-

LowRydeR

I got my springs and shocks installed about an hour . . .

-Bruce

hinhin7

Seattle