smokeywren

I haven't replaced shocks on a pickup in about the last 12 years. Last time 4 new Bilsteins cost about $260 and The Midas Man in Midland TX charged me about $100 to install them on a '99.5 F-250. But my 2012 F-150 EcoBoost is now 4 years old with 55,000 miles, and it was beginning to feel squirmy sometimes. So I decided to replace the shocks.

Normal Bilstein 4600 series shocks for my 4x2 cost $364.54 from ShockWarehouse.com. $148.48 for the two rear shocks, plus $198.06 for the two front strut inserts. The Midas Man at the same Midland TX shop charged me $219.98 labor to rebuild and R&R the front struts using the Bilstein inserts, plus another $109.99 labor to R&R the rear shocks, plus $15.00 for shop supplies and $1.24 Governor's share (tax) on the shop supplies. Total $346.21 to the Midas Man and another $364.54 to ShockWarehouse. Total out the door of $710.75 to replace the OEM shocks on a 2012 F-150 with Bilsteins?

I have replaced shocks and struts by DIY, but I'm now too old and lazy to DIY. So Midas gets the job.

No complaints about the OEM Ford shocks. Four years and 55,000 miles is about the max I can expect from OEM shocks. And the Bilstein replacements are guaranteed to outlast the truck. But they seem a tad expensive to me.

Are good shocks really that expensive in today's economy where you live in the USA?

130428

there aint nothing left that's good and cheap...

just for fun, you should compare %-wise what your old shocks (on the '99) and new ones (on your '12) cost you to replace relative to the price of each truck, new...

TNSean

This is why I just keep driving my 2001 f150. I can't believe how expensive new trucks are to buy and/or maintain.

joe mcmillan

Those rear ones are a 10 minute job to replace both.
But yes, the shops are there to make a profit.