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Suspension suspension install in sf bay area cost?
SuspensionSprings, struts, coilovers, sway-bars, camber plates, and all other modifications to suspension components for Clubman (R55), Cooper and Cooper S (R56), and Cabrio (R57) MINIs.
I just ordered some Koni fsds, a rear sway and front control arm brackets. Any idea how many hours of labor I should be looking at, approximate cost for shops in SF Bay area?
I just ordered some Koni fsds, a rear sway and front control arm brackets. Any idea how many hours of labor I should be looking at, approximate cost for shops in SF Bay area?
-nels
5 hrs is a safe bet. Not sure the labor cost in your area. I just had KW's installed and it was a little over an hour a corner.
Thanks goin2rt. How many hours would you estimate for just the strut install? I may do the rest myself to save a few bucks. Oh nevermind, you mentioned about an hour each corner, so you're estimating about 4 hours. thanks.
Correct. My coilovers were about 1:15 per corner. I beleive to do the sway bar it could be more as the sub frame needs to be dropped to access that I beleive.
For the rear sway bar, our article states it should take the average DIY'er 1.5 hours. We have a pretty good guide to help you do it if you want to tackle that job by yourself. Also, I'd call around and get a few quotes. Each shop will be a little different. This is a good site to help you find a few in your area if needed: http://www.minirepairshops.com/
Not sure about their rates, but some MINI shops in the Bay Area are Bay Bridge Motors in Oakland, MINI Werks in San Carlos, and Edge Motorworks in Mountain View or Dublin.
There are plenty of MINI out in SF, labor rates in SF are higher then most , so shop around. I know the dealership out there has some of the highest rates in the country for MINI.
The front control arm bushings can be done both ways depending on if you are doing bushings only, or if you want/need to remove the entire bracket. I think you can do the rear sway bar by partially lowering the rear subframe. There are Youtube videos for both installs.
Might want to check the power steering hoses while the subframe is dropped, too. They're know to leak on 1st gens so it would be pretty much the cost of the parts at that point. Not sure if this was still the case on 2nd gens... maybe ECS or Pelican can answer.
Gen2s have electric power steering so no PS hoses.
I think 1hr/corner should be generous for an experienced shop. RSB should be less than 1/2 hr incremental time since the car is already in the air with the wheels off and shocks out. Yes you have to lower the rear subframe but it is only a few bolts.
I DIY'd my RSB in about 1.5 hours, and separately DIY'd coilovers all around plus rear control arms in about 8 hours, in the garage with just jackstands, no lift and no air tools. I could do it again in much less time.
Is it correct that you have to drop the subframe for installing both the rear swaybar and front control arm brackets?
For the rear sway bar, you just have to lower the subframe about three inches. Here's what it looks like from our DIY. Check it out as it has some great detail and images that can give you an idea of what the job looks like.
Might want to check the power steering hoses while the subframe is dropped, too. They're know to leak on 1st gens so it would be pretty much the cost of the parts at that point. Not sure if this was still the case on 2nd gens... maybe ECS can answer.
