I thinking I'm going to finally take the plunge and lower my car. I plan on going with the NF210's, I hope this will drop my car enough since I'm AWD. My question is, what should I be looking at for install costs? From what I understand the procedure isn't super hard. I plan on going to a friend at a local shop back home, but I'm 3 hours from there- so if I decide to have it done locally I'd like to know what is reasonable.

 

sometimes it depends on who you know.. i went to a local shop, paid 300 for springs alone. i could get this done easily for 50 to 100 from a guy i know, but got scared after reading vibration issues and afs malfunctions.... currently dealing with this vibration issue which seems to have no cure..

 

A shop will charge you 150$ or more for our car. You can get it done for less as a side job or DIY I am installing them on a 2gen GS and a 3gen GS in my garage today. See if you have a local member that can help you out.

The AFS is not an issue if you dont mess with it. The problems others have had on this site they shop or the install moved it when doing the install and there is no reason to touch it. I have done several local 2IS and not one of them has had a issue nor my GS.

 

Lexus just quoted me $1,000. I literally started laughing when the guy said that. I'm gonna check with a friend of my Dad.

 

Wow, I have a member coming from IN today to install his springs in my garage today. I wouldn't pay more then 200$ to install springs on any car. We are doing another car later today with coils so less work then the springs. My garage has become the local place for everyone to work on their cars

 

Hey Mike

How many hours do you reckon for a home spring install? Most cars take me 4hrs or so, is there any snag with the 3GS which makes it more of a PITA?

 

^ It took me about 3.5 hours I want to say. No harder then any other car I have done. Of Course once you do it once it only gets easier as you know what to do and where its at. GS and IS require the same stuff to be done but I think the GS was easier to install then the IS was. Worth the DIY if you have the tools and enjoy doing it.

 

Do you need to remove balljoints or split the wishbones in order to get the shocks in and out? In some cars they're trapped between the wishbones and there's no way of wiggling out the shock without dropping the lower wishbone or something

 

^ yes on the fronts you have to. Maybe we can get some pics today of the install and post a DIY for everyone.

 

It's actually proving fairly difficult to find a shop that will even do it. Most places I call have no idea what I'm talking about, and when I explain it most of them say they won't install customer supplied parts. I'm hoping the guy my Dad knows will be able to do it, but won't talk to him until Monday.

Edit: Just found a shop that will do it for 150-200. It's about 40 min away, well worth the drive.

When reading the suspension data thread, it seems like almost every person who has made an actual post in that thread has issues with lowering their car. I'm going to be moving to Miami, so the cold weather won't be a problem, but I'm hoping this doesn't turn out to be a big mistake.

 

That would be great

 

I am in Chicago and not one trouble or noise I have RWD so maybe thats the difference and I am lowered ~2" on springs.

 

Is there any tip I should give the mechanic? He said he uses hand compressors for the springs instead of a machine...I will supply him with the DIY pics if they are posted, I don't think this guy has worked on many cars like mine.

 

IMHO the big variable between cars is how hard the shocks are to remove. On some cars, you just undo a few bolts and they fall out. In some other cars, you have to disassemble a lot of stuff to even get access to the shocks.

By the sounds of what Passnu2 described I'd say the job is a "medium" difficulty. The main thing you should mention is that the front wishbones need to be separated to allow the shock to come out.

 

I found a place that does this on a regular basis near my hometown, 160 bucks. Much better than the mechanic down here who does not do this a lot. Looks like I will be having it done Saturday the 11th as long as the springs get here quick enough from Cali, I paid for 1-6 day shipping.