Getting my Compression rods done. Good Price?

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Jun 10, 2011 | 04:56 PM
  #1  
So I'm getting my compression rods done on both sides, i was quoted 658.00 installed, and another 130(or something close, I don't remember exactly what he said) for an alignment. It's 170 for each rod, and it comes with a 1 year warranty. If i get it installed by them its a 2 year warranty. Good price or not so good?
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Jun 10, 2011 | 05:05 PM
  #2  
Bad price horrible price. I would just buy the bushing off the interwebz and have a local shop install them for you. The only thing that is bad is the $50-$100 bushing and some labor to swap them out. I would not waste money getting new compression rod if only the bushing is worn out.

EDIT: If you did not realize you are getting screwed on alignment as well. Most places charge $60-80 for alignment and NTB has a 5yr alignment plan for like $150 and 3yr for like $120. Even the speciality NTB lowered car alignment is $250 for 5 yrs
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Jun 10, 2011 | 05:06 PM
  #3  
I would say no.
You can just buy new bushings and have them pressed into the rods you have now and save about $450. A few companies even make upgraded bushings that you can use.
$155 (pair) shipped from a vendor on here. Removing the rods is pretty easy and straight forward. I would never pay someone $318 to do the work.
Alignment should be under $100. I paid $140 a few months back, but that was for a lifetime alignment.
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Jun 10, 2011 | 05:15 PM
  #4  
Quote: I would say no.
You can just buy new bushings and have them pressed into the rods you have now and save about $450. A few companies even make upgraded bushings that you can use.
$155 (pair) shipped from a vendor on here. Removing the rods is pretty easy and straight forward. I would never pay someone $318 to do the work.
Alignment should be under $100. I paid $140 a few months back, but that was for a lifetime alignment.
I bought a bushing for 55, installed it for 70, noise reduced for about one week. then its back. Dont really feel like doing that again
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Jun 10, 2011 | 05:18 PM
  #5  
my mechanic charges the same for rod replacement. Considering the parts are half of that price, it is normal. Bushings did not solve the issue for me. However, alignment is pretty high, 60-80 is an average.
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Jun 10, 2011 | 05:22 PM
  #6  
Would you be interested in doing it yourself? It isn't that bad of a job. If you have no tools it may seems pricey, but they will pay for themselves with the first few repairs you do. There's a few DIYs here and on the Z33 forums.

It's a very easy job. The hardest part was finding a shop (and a shop I trusted) to press out the old bushing and get the new ones in.

If you DIY an impact (elec or air) is a MUST. I spent about 250 for a gun and impact sockets. Worth every penny.
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Jun 10, 2011 | 06:03 PM
  #7  
Quote: I bought a bushing for 55, installed it for 70, noise reduced for about one week. then its back. Dont really feel like doing that again
The $155 was for upgraded aftermarket bushings.
Paying someone to replace the arm and bushing (with the same bushing) will not solve the issue. Since the bushing you replaced it with is new I doubt it's torn or worn out after a weeks worth of use. Maybe the noise is coming from something else. Or maybe the new bushing wasnt pressed in properly.
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Jun 10, 2011 | 06:19 PM
  #8  
The price is a joke you dont have to replace the arm you just need to buy the OEM bushing they are like $23 each. I'm getting energy poly bushings soon as i think they will outlast the OEM's anyways.
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Jun 10, 2011 | 09:19 PM
  #9  
I don't think alignment is necessary. Good practice I agree, but when dealer changed both my rods out, they did not align the car. Afaik, the tab does not specify to get alignment.

However, as practice, inptefer to align anytime a suspension component is replaced
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Jun 11, 2011 | 12:39 AM
  #10  
It may not be the bushings that are bad. Maybe the ball joint is bad.
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Jun 11, 2011 | 07:58 AM
  #11  
I 'm getting bushings instead...60$ both sides and amy be another 100$ to press in at the local shop.... they are replacing the whole rod which is not needed,,,, if youj go for it atlease save the old one and sell on ebay or something
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Jun 11, 2011 | 09:45 AM
  #12  
I replaced mines with whiteline bushings for $65 a pair and pressed them in at work. The installation instructions they give you state no alignment needed. It took me about 2hrs to do the whole job. No problems since and, its been about a year know.
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Jun 11, 2011 | 10:35 AM
  #13  
I bought 2 used arms off ebay for $110 and Energy Suspension bushings from Z1 for I believe $70. One of the first arms had a small cut in the boot around the ball joint, but the ebay seller replaced it after I returned the arm. I did this to avoid my car sitting on jack stands. An alignment shop pushed out the old for $10 and the new go in easy (the Energy ones); self install. You might consider the same and save alot of money. $190 vs $658 = almost $500 saved.
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