I just took my 98 XK8 into the indie shop b/c I was hearing a rattle on the back passenger side and they said I need shocks. They quoted:

$2300 for the front shocks, mounts, and springs and $1500 for the rear shocks and isolators. The car has roughly 15k miles on it, so this seems unusual to me. Thoughts? I really appreciate your help. This car was a gift from my dad, so I am attached to it, but this is a lot of money.

 

I really doubt you need shocks and front springs, and those prices are not realistic. The upper shock mounts and isolaters are likely shot both front and back.

 

Yep, get a second opinion. How many miles on the car? You will need new upper shock mounts and you may need new shocks, but those price quotes are extremely high....

 

That what I was thinking. I usually trust this place, but this seems ridiculous. I will get a 2nd opinion. It only has 15,000 miles and has been stored in the garage.

 

At just 15,000 miles, your shocks and springs are likely fine. But your front upper shock mounts have fallen apart simply due to age if they have never been replaced before....

 

Great work for your indy, absolute robbery of you. Find a new shop.

 

I'm amazed...,I can't get my breath! I can't believe there is a 98 XK8 out there with only 15,000 Miles! I've not heard of Springs, Shocks not lasting 15,000 miles...maybe the shocks but I doubt it. Upper Bushings, probably just because of age.....that's probably what's wrong, the rubber has probably deteriorated over all those years....You might look at all the Rubber bushes everywhere on the Car....After all these years they are all rotted-out by now! Better check the Rear-end assembly also!

Ask around, you need a Guy that's not a crook!

Billy Clyde in Houston

 

MLM, fyi. Shocks cost about $120 each. Pair of upper shock mounts $140. Springs cost me about $125 each a few yrs ago.

None of this is too hard for you to do one weekend.
John

 

Agree here. I'm handy but not amazing and I was able to do mine. Hardest parts (if I recall correctly) were getting the control arm fulcrum bolts out and getting the springs to compress enough to disassemble the coil-strut assemblies. Very few nuts and bolts to undo, and reasonably easy to keep track of everything. Having an impact wrench makes parts of the job much much easier.

 

Took my springs to a local alignment shop and they compressed them for me for $20 each. The fulcrum bolts were a bitch, but have come to belive (no evidence) that i should have had a jack under the assemby to help ensure holes were aligned.

 

MLM22, Where in the mid Atlantic do you live?
You might want to come this way and I'm sure I could convince Jon89 to head this way and we could get the front mounts done in a short period of time, the rear take a little longer. We are working on new ideas to get that done, a few members show a better way than we used.
Just a thought.