Update: DIY or spend $315?

[iGas]

The struts are in. It took me 3.5 hours and that include taking my tools out of my shed as well as clean up. I ran into a small hiccup...the Allen slot rusted out on the bolt and it took me a while to get the nuts off them (I lost an hour, but the torch and WD-40 did the trick).

Perhaps next time it will take me less than 1.5 hour to work my 2007 Camry struts since I now can anticipate what I need a head of time.

 

[iGas]

i work entirely too much i know the pain of working 2-3weeks on end only to have to spend one of your days off doing something to your own car or around the house and when you go back to work your still burnt out cause you didnt actully fell like you took the time you needed. in this case 4ish hours of work for 315 really isnt a bad price not to mention just dont have to deal with the BS.

let us know how the strut change works out for you and keep track of time i wanna see what you paid yourself (labor hour wise). thats how i look at jobs i do on my own cars when i could pay someone. makes me feel better or teaches me for future that i need to just throw money at someones face to deal with the hastle

$315 + 12% tax = $352.80

I'm glad that I did my own struts, because I do not make $352.80 after income tax and deductions in a regular 8 hours day.

 

[Gibson486]

It really takes you that long to change rear struts on your car? It took me a half hour to do it on my mazda 3. All together, it was 6 bolts and some liquid wrench.

 

[iGas]

It really takes you that long to change rear struts on your car? It took me a half hour to do it on my mazda 3. All together, it was 6 bolts and some liquid wrench.

2 bolts for the seats side arms, 10 lug nuts, 6 mounting bolts, 2 strut nuts, 4 struts sided bolts, 6 nuts and bolts for hoses/wires/control arms.

The hex counter sink on the end of the mounting posts on the control arms rusted, and took about an hour to take apart so that I don't damage them, hence I do not have to replace the control arms. The rest was easy.

 

[redgtxdi]

Good job! And when it comes time to do your fronts you'll be that much more ahead of the game. Go get yourself some good beer and smile knowing you did something cool today!

:thumbsup:

And out of curiosity, what did you buy to put in?

 

[Doppel]

4 hours or less, unless I run into problems.

And you probably will because that's life.

If you're low on time recently I'd pay to get it done. As I get older I value my time more and value fvcking around on cars much, much less.

Perhaps next time it will take me less than 1.5 hour to work my 2007 Camry struts since I now can anticipate what I need a head of time.

That's the problem with doing stuff yourself: there often isn't a second time. There is for stuff like brakes but less often items like this gets done once so all the crap you deal with learning how to do it better and the weirdness involved typically can never be leveraged again, unless you keep the car for a long time.

 

[Shawn]

Just replaced the rear shocks on my car and it was super easy. Don't know how much harder struts would be.

 

[iGas]

Good job! And when it comes time to do your fronts you'll be that much more ahead of the game. Go get yourself some good beer and smile knowing you did something cool today!

:thumbsup:

And out of curiosity, what did you buy to put in?

KYB Excel-G and it feels a bit stiffer than the OEM struts.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

And you probably will because that's life.

If you're low on time recently I'd pay to get it done. As I get older I value my time more and value fvcking around on cars much, much less.

That's the problem with doing stuff yourself: there often isn't a second time. There is for stuff like brakes but less often items like this gets done once so all the crap you deal with learning how to do it better and the weirdness involved typically can never be leveraged again, unless you keep the car for a long time.

For a weekend warrior mechanic type (im speaking for myself and using the word mechanic very loosely) every job like this makes me that much better a mechanic. The experience gained either translates to an easier job on the next car or at the very least knowing what's going on with the car and having the knowledge to not get absolutely screwed by a mechanic.