How much money would I save replacing 4 shocks myself rather than paying a shop to do it?

The car is a 99 Altima GXE 5 sp Manual. The rear shocks seem to be difficult to get to because of the locations. What is the easiest way to access them. How much time should it take to get all four done doing it myself.

Public Comments

1. On your car... our shop would charge about $150 labor, being the front will be struts not shocks. So I guess you'd save about that much... give or take with your local area's labor rates. - Good Luck!
2. If you know how to replace shocks, you should know how much it would cost.
3. You can't replace McPherson strut shocks yourself without a spring compressor tool which can be dangerous to use without other tools like a heavy duty bench vise and good socket sets and wrenches. Also, you essentially have to disassemble the wheel suspension in the front in order to remove the McPherson spring and shock assembly. That means you need good safety jack stands and a floor jack would be desirable. You'll also have to get a wheel alignment after you finish the job, so price that in too. Make sure to replace the upper strut bearing isolator mounts no matter who does the job.
4. If I was you, I would take it to the shop. If you get it wrong, and its easy to make a mistake, it is your life and that of others at stake. However, if you are mechanically minded, I expect you would save $150.00 to $200.00 doing it yourself. Get yourself a comprehensive workshop manual first dude, it could save you money and your life. Good luck.
5. well,hmmmm ; you should have struts on all 4 corners. pretty intensive even if you have the right tools.(my opinion only) it takes 3.6 hours to do the rears and 1.4 hours for the front. hope this helps some.
6. You could save alot of money, it's easily book timed at over 5 hours labor, no way I would do it at my shop for 150, the technicians couldn't survive on flat rate.
7. @ 200