How many hours of labor to install an H&R cup kit?
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 230
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From: WA
2000 CLK430 & 2000 Expedition on 22's
How many hours of labor to install an H&R cup kit?
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
Does anyone have an idea of how many hours of labor the install would take.
They charge $80/hour.
--Tom
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 230
Likes: 0
From: WA
2000 CLK430 & 2000 Expedition on 22's
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
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
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 5,289
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From: So Cal
W213 '17 E43 ///AMG - W211, W208 no more
Originally posted by 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
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
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...
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Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 230
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From: WA
2000 CLK430 & 2000 Expedition on 22's
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
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
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 3,559
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From: Las Vegas, NV USA / London, UK
GL320CDI / C63 Edition 507 Coupe (EDP) / E63 S (on order) / G500 / Smart Brabus
Originally posted by 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
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
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-
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 5,289
Likes: 9
From: So Cal
W213 '17 E43 ///AMG - W211, W208 no more
Originally posted by cl_kruisin
Just out of curiousity what does an MB compressor cost? And what makes it different from other compressors?
--Tom
Just out of curiousity what does an MB compressor cost? And what makes it different from other compressors?
--Tom
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 5,289
Likes: 9
From: So Cal
W213 '17 E43 ///AMG - W211, W208 no more
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...
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...
Last edited by mmgrad; Jun 20, 2003 at 07:55 PM.
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Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 3,559
Likes: 4
From: Las Vegas, NV USA / London, UK
GL320CDI / C63 Edition 507 Coupe (EDP) / E63 S (on order) / G500 / Smart Brabus
Originally posted by mmgrad
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...
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...
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-
