Community Forums

bluefin · 03-08-2022, 07:04 AM

I purchased a couple of Koni shocks for our 3407 Ventana. I will be getting the service done at the Freightliner dealer soon and want them to install the shocks while it is there. Does $200 for each shock ($400 total) seem like a fair price for the labor to install them? Please do not tell me I should do them myself. Im 75 and I do not do any major mechanical maintenance. Thank you.

Old Scout · 03-08-2022, 07:07 AM

At $150 or more per hour for labor most places--$200 doesnt go very far any more!

bluefin · 03-08-2022, 07:13 AM

I should have stated that in the first title.

Podivin · 03-08-2022, 07:24 AM

It might be just a trifle high, or at least higher than I'd expect, but it's not outrageous. Given you live in Ca it might not even be a little high, could be labor rates are higher there. I changed the front shocks on mine and it took me a little over an hour, and I don't have the tools that the pros do. I wouldn't think it would take them any longer than it did me, and likely less time.
That said, if you can save $100 by going somewhere else, but have to take time and burn fuel to get there, some of that $100 is not really saved. So getting them done while you're getting other service done seems like the right answer.

Mr_D · 03-08-2022, 07:26 AM

Seems high, but so are labor rates now. I paid $300 more this year than a friend did 2 yrs ago for the same work, at the same shop in our Country Coach's.

Dutch Star Don · 03-08-2022, 06:54 PM

The front shocks on a Freightliner are very simple to install. The rears require pulling the duals off. With an air gun, I had mine off and the new ones installed in about 20 minutes. It took longer to get the tools out and put them away.

My point, I think many of the shops are outrageous. In the old days there was a shop manual that told you exactly how much time an average mechanic should be able to R&R a part. I doubt there using a guide, unless their guide expects a one arm man to do the work.

So.....I would find a local tire store that does light truck work and let them change the shocks. $200.00 - $250.00 sounds more reasonable.

Sorry for the rant....so tired of being overcharged, lousy work and made to wait forever.

chuckftboy · 03-08-2022, 07:04 PM

I think they are guesstamating 1 hour labor each and probably have a labor rete of $200 per hour. Probably a fair rate for California.

cquinn · 03-08-2022, 07:20 PM

labor guides are written with the average mechanic using hand tools to do the job. mechanics make the investment in power tools to speed the job up to increase the pay they will receive. also,you are paying for the experience of the mechanic doing the job. And, you are bringing your parts to the shop to install. Labor rates are set up assuming there will be profit from parts sold also. There are a lot more expenses involved in an operation than most people are willing to think about,including healthcare and insurances.....those prices don't sound too out of hand.

GWBGE · 03-08-2022, 08:47 PM

Sounds pretty cheap to me.

Berryfarmer · 03-08-2022, 08:59 PM

I was able to install new Koni shocks on the front of my coach with the help of a friend in less than an hour. I had never done it before and the friend offered his expertise. We did use a cordless impact that helped speed up the process. I would say two hours by a professional shop is a bit much.

bluefin · 03-08-2022, 09:06 PM

your right chuckftboy- one hour for each shock at $200 per hour = $400.
Sounds a little high to me, but in the ball park. Just thought I would run it by the forum. What the heck, the way things are going, that's only going to be about 40 gallons of diesel.

wog099 · 03-08-2022, 09:38 PM

In March 2020 I had a truck service shop install four Koni shocks on my MH for a total of $225 (I had purchased the shocks myself). Of course that was two years ago and my Tiffin gas 24K MH is probably easier to work on than yours. I had also talked with a tire shop in town and their price was the same at $50 each.
The price you are quoted would not shock me now, but would make me wince a little. You could always ask them to reconsider that quote since you are having other work performed. Probably would not matter to them, but it doesn't hurt to ask.
Thanks,

arcaguy · 03-08-2022, 09:56 PM

Have you tried a mobile mechanic? They don't have quite the overhead and I don't think they rely on parts mark-up so much. It might be worth a shot. Good luck.

Dav L · 03-09-2022, 05:26 AM

I haven't read a quote on this forum from Freightliner that didn't sound high to a DIY'r like myself. Especially in California where everything is higher.
And CA definitely has the highest labor rate for mechanical work in the country (I administered all global warranty labor rates for Chrysler years ago).

So, you need shocks. What are your choices? I would say Freightliner will be your premium choice for odds of getting work done right but you pay for those odds. No different than going to a dealer for automotive work.

I would put more credence to going to a dealer for diagnostic work that is specialized than for nuts and bolts work like shocks. But look at your options. Shocks won't be the last thing you need to get done. Research a good facility that does trucks. Doesn't need to be an RV shop which gets boutique pricing.