$500+ to replace shackles?

[swarm87]

when i went to get an oil change(far too cold to do it myself) at the shop ive been going to for a while, i was told my shackles were starting to flake and to replace them it would be over $500 because they need to cut the brackets out of the frame with a blowtorch, upon closer inspection i saw only the painted surfaces were peeling of, the shackle i rusty and when i flicked it pretty hard nothing flaked off. im just wondering would another shop charge around the same fo replace them (assuming they need to be replaced, will post pics when i get it back from getting an engine diognosis) or is it something easy enough that i can do myself(i have almost no automotive knowlege or tools other than my trusty monkeywrench and screwdriver)

 

[96eb96]

when i went to get an oil change(far too cold to do it myself) at the shop ive been going to for a while, i was told my shackles were starting to flake and to replace them it would be over $500 because they need to cut the brackets out of the frame with a blowtorch, upon closer inspection i saw only the painted surfaces were peeling of, the shackle i rusty and when i flicked it pretty hard nothing flaked off. im just wondering would another shop charge around the same fo replace them (assuming they need to be replaced, will post pics when i get it back from getting an engine diognosis) or is it something easy enough that i can do myself(i have almost no automotive knowlege or tools other than my trusty monkeywrench and screwdriver)

No, its not an easy job and not really a task for someone who never did repairs in the past. You will need air tools and/or sawzalls to get it out. I do a lot of my own repairs and ended up bringing it in. What happens is road salt welds the bolts to the sleeves in the shackle.

Go around to different shops and get estimates. I had a place do it for $70 and I brought them the shackles. There are special shops that specialize in springs who may give you a better price.

 

[explorer1995]

I did mine myself in a parking lot, you will need a sawzall or a angle grinder ( the grinder worked better for me), a propane torch, a ball joint press or c clamp and a pry bar with sockets. Its not a long job but def a pain in the ass. If you can find a shop that would do it for cheap id go that route. The shop i went to wanted to charge me 100 bucks just go get one bolt that was stuck in the frame out, so I did it myself.

 

[my pos mounty]

upon closer inspection i saw only the painted surfaces were peeling of, the shackle i rusty and when i flicked it pretty hard nothing flaked off.

I wouldn't be too concerned about running out and fixing something because it has a little surface rust on it. Run it.

 

[gmanpaint]

$500? Walk away and never return to that place. The paint flakes off the shackles all the time. They wouldn't know if the bushings are seized unless they have tried to remove them.

The bushings have to be showing that they are bad/broke in an obvious manner for them to make such an accusation. Replacing a busted, rusted shackle does not automatically mean the bushings need replaced.

Even if they were frozen, an experienced shop would be set up to remove them in a hurry. The rear frame bushings are the easy set, it's the front bushings on the leaf pack that is the hard set to remove. A new set of bushings and a new set of shackles is under $100, so they are charging $400 for something I can do in my driveway in less than 2 hours. Shackles alone, I can change in less than 30 mins.

Get a few estimates from different shops, and yes a spring shop is a great place to get an estimate from.

 

[eazyasone23]

yeah thats totally over priced. i just had mine installed with a TT wheel alignment and new tires mounted and balanced with some oils changed for $250. Ive also installed them myself in the past buts too cold to be outside in the NE PA right now.

 

[corkey]

why keep rehashing, and adding to this thread, if they are just rusty don't change them,

get to a self car wash, , clean them up real nice nice with soap and water, than let them dry real good, , put on a coat of primer, and let it dry,

once the primer is dry , paint them black again, and drive away happy,,

oh,and unless you really have to get something fixed in a bad way , don't go to that shop again, they are looking for a way to rip you off,
shackles at the dealers will take 45 minutes, and total cost would be about 150 $ , at most,,

 

[swarm87]

they get all oem replacement parts from a dealer & charge $100 per hour in labor, when i take my truck to the local dealership to find out what is wrong with the onboard computer(they hooked it up to their computer because i was getting lean codes on an hand tool and no light but thier diognostic computer said " no communication") ill ask what the dealer thinks and see how much oem replacements parts really are ( only going to a dealer because i have to get the speed control recall done)

ill take not going ot them under advisement

 

[boominXplorer]

If you go to Ford for your next oil change get the free 99 point inspection. They will try to sell you anything you could possibly need. Then you can go from there with their recommendations.

 

[my pos mounty]

Last place I would ever go to by choice would be the stealership.
Also, to the OP, do not do business with the shop that wanted to replace your shackles because they had a little surface rust. I believe that I speak for every Explorer owner that is not in the southern states when I tell you that surface rust is to be expected. Just because a little paint fell off means absolutely nothing but they tried to scare the money out of your pocket. RUN, do not walk away and never return.

Do what Corkey said if the rust REALLY bothers you.
If you want something to blow money on, bring the girlfriend/wife out to dinner for valentines day. At least that way when you get screwed, you will enjoy it.