VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1937-1945 Cost

Was wondering if any of you would have approx. cost to install both rear leave springs on my 39 Chevy. Also the cost to install a Tie rod end left side to the steering arm.

Twigs,

You have not provided us much info. The costs could include parts and labor. I assume you just want a labor estimate? Our smaller auto shops charge around $75 dollars an hour for labor. I would plan on around $500 for the labor. Finding a shop with this kind of experience is another challenge. I would be looking for a shop familiar with updating suspension systems, (maybe Hot Rodding cars), handling alignment problems, or doing restoration work.

Because of the weight of a leaf spring and rear axle this takes a little brains and brawn. I just rebuilt a frame on my 41 and it was quite easy but I didn't have to deal with a body so had plenty of room to do the job, and all the work was done within two feet of the ground. On a scale of 1 to 10 I put this job at about a 4 because of the weight involved.

You should expect to pay more for work that a shop does not perform on a regular basis. You want someone to do the work that will take their time and engage their brain along the way.
You might even want a specific appointment so the car doesn't sit around for a week or two while they "work it into" their schedule. You want them to store the car inside at night. Some shops have special insurance coverage for working on old cars.

Also contact local VCCA members or old car guys for recommendations. Ask questions of people with similar cars that you might see at a car cruise. Most communities have a night, each week, where the guys/girls meet to show off their cars. They will tell you what shops to avoid. You can also ask for recommendations at the auto part stores you use. Ask at NAPA, AutoZone, CarQuest, Sears, etc..

You might also want to visit several auto shops and interview them, and get an estimate. Look the shop over and checkout it's condition and equipment. If the place looks a mess then that might not appeal to you or your car. Look at the age of their staff, how they dress, and the type of cars they seem to be working on.

Good luck, Mike

Thanks Mike..yes I do have the parts. My shop will do the job in one day..Thanks for the approx. price for labor..

Twigs,

You can do this simple job yourself.

Jack up the rear end, take the shackles loose. Use a block of wood between the rear of the springs and the frame. Jack to release the tension. Slip the shackles out. Get new eyes for the front of the springs, knock (or press) the old ones out. Knock/press the new ones in. Pieces of two by four (support the spring over it length except the eye area) and a socket you can spare that fits the diameter of the eye and a big hammer.New shackles for the rear, Jack with the block in place to hook up the rear shackles. When hammering, wear goggles. Cost a buck or two. Piece-o-cake.

The front end work, just take the old one out and put the new one in. Nothing to it. Check alignment, afterwards.

This is the kind of work that gives one satisfaction and joy in mechanics to do. You can't go wrong. Get some suds and ask a buddy to help you. No buddy? Ask the girlfriend or missus to help. Promise diamonds. If afterwards they remind you of the diamond promise, just merely say you were kidding. They will then forget about the promise and never mention it again. For sure.

Good luck with it. Don't pay anyone no stinkin 500 for labor on this project.

Best,
Charlie

I like to spend the money I save on tools.. for the next job .. you gain experience and a workshop ..win win.