Can i replace the front strut assembly and rear shocks myself?

[97T4RL]

Im not the best mechanic I dont do major jobs on my car ever like this.
But i cant afford to pay a shop 90 dollars an hr for 6 hrs of work, Every shop said the same thing pretty much so its gonna be around 900 to a grand to replace that, seems like a damn rip off and id rather do it myself.

So my question is to anyone who maybe has done this before... how hard is it and can i do it?

and are these all the parts i would need :

Bilstein W0133-1911370 4600 Series Shock Absorber and Strut Assembly | Auto Parts Warehouse

Bilstein W0133-1910827 B6 Heavy Duty Shock Absorber and Strut Assembly | Auto Parts Warehouse


If anyone knows any better prices let me know, thanks

 

[SCRunner12]

It's not the most difficult thing to do, but make sure you have the right equipment and lots of time. It usually takes people 4-8 hours their first time.

You will need to either rent spring compressors from a auto parts store or pay a shop to compress your front springs though.

Where are you located? I'm sure someone on the board can help out.

 

[freshley]

AJUSA has the best prices on the HDs. The fronts are actually pretty easy to do and I could do them in about an hour a side. I just did all my suspension a couple of days ago. The rear is worth paying someone to do unless you have a sawzall. It is the worst design ever. Unless you have it on jack stands or a lift you will never be able to get at the top nut. Even if you can get at it, it will be rusted solid so just cut the shaft near the top and everything will come out. Installing the new one is much easier. It took me a whole day of screwing around with the rears until I gave up and cut it. Now that I've done it, I could do that again in about an hour and a half per side tops. I would think a mechanic with a lift could cut a lot off that time so 4 hours or so worth of work.

 

[97T4RL]

im im south-east houston TX, I think im going to do it all myself very soon probably going to order the parts tonight, I'm leaving for college on the 11th and i want this done

 

[97T4RL]

Alright well i ordered them, i have a mechanic that may want to do it he's very good but hates working on trucks, i may talk him into doing the rear ad i do the fronts and maybe i would only have to pay him like 110 bucks or so instead of giving the shop 200!