Didn't want to hijack the other recent thread about replacing the air ride shocks...

I'm closing in on 100K solid miles on my 2003 Expy. It is my daily driver on what has recently become a 75 mile roundtrip commute, and I've got a few maintenance items that are coming due. Before I put on a new set of tires, I want to replace the worn OEM shocks with a set of Bilsteins for added control and a stiffer ride. The dealership which has done most of the work on this vehicle at what I feel have been very fair prices (I'm a computer guy, not a mechanic) quoted me a ridiculous $650 to replace the OEM shocks and almost $900 for the Bilsteins.

However, I found a set of Bilstein 4600s on 4wheelparts.com for $275. They will ship them to the local 4wheelparts store here in town for free, and will install all 4 for $75 ($25 each with a 25% discount for buying the shocks from them). So I'm out the door for under $400 after tax.

So that little part of my brain that reminds me that things that sound too good to be true usually are makes me wonder if I'm missing something in this process. Is there another part, bushing, spacer, spring, or something that also needs to be replaced? For those of you who have done this job, is there something else that needs to be considered?

Thanks in advance for your input...

 

That sounds like a real good deal to me as long as they assure you that all the bushings and other misc. is included in the price. It is a pretty straight forward job and not too complicated. The shop is a 4WD shop and should have all the experience needed to do the job properly.
Now I'm going to check them out for shocks for my truck. Thanks.

 

Here's a direct link to the Bilstends at 4wheelparts.com:

http://www.4wheelparts.com/Lift-Kits-Suspensions-and-Shocks/4-Bilstein-4600-series-yellow-shocks-with-4-blue-shock-boots.aspx?t_c=1&t_s=90&t_pt=101006&t_pl=101369&t_ pn=ShockingBIL4600

Free shipping and 25% off installation when you buy online and pickup in-store!

 

I replaced my shocks and used the same place on line to purchase them. I was a little nervous when one shock was not in original packaging. After close inspection I found that all pieces were there. Price and service were great. I would use that site again. I would only think that their installs would be as trouble free.
Lets us know what you do and how it goes?

 

Finally got the Bilstein HDs installed on my 2003 Expy today. I really noticed the difference driving home as I crossed over the railroad tracks, then down the curvy country road to my house. Not exactly a sports car feel, but much more controlled and less bouncy than the worn-out (almost 100K miles) OEMs. Ran into a small problem with the parts supplier in that the warehouse sells this kit for the Expedition as 4 shocks. However, apparently what my truck needed was 2 rear shocks and 2 front 'coil over shocks', referred to as struts by the guys at the shop. Since the ordering error was theirs, they did not charge me the extra that the 2 front “struts” would have cost over the shocks that were delivered (about $100). This was part of the delay in getting the installation complete.

I just had them do the installation: $25 each for the rears, and a couple hours labor for the fronts. 4WheelParts.com provides a "25% off installation" coupon with the purchase: total installation cost was $200, and the total price out the door was right at $500 - not cheap, but $100 less than my local dealership was going to charge me for the springy OEM replacements, and WAY less than any other shop quoted me for Bilsteins.

 

Sounds like a win-win situation for you.
Enjoy the improved ride/handling.