took truck in today and had the rear end looked at. the reason i took it in was because it was tracking sideways(dog tracking) and my drivers side leaf was cocked over about 2 inches. they said i needed new leaf springs and are gonna charge me about 750 dollars. does that sound fair price for something of that nature?
its a 1997 ram 1500 4x4

 

Thats not terrible, but not great either.

I've read great reviews about Stengel Bros, Inc. They supposedly make some really nice, decently priced springs (and sell about everything else suspension wise as well).

The ones for a 4x4 1994-2001 Dodge Ram 1500 if you want a stock-type replacement, part number 34-1339. Those are the 4+1 leaf (5 leafs total) style, and are rated at 2100 lbs a piece. $183.35 per unit. Add shipping, and you'll be around $440 shipped via UPS Ground. Replacing the springs is not that hard, as long as you have a jack or two, a couple jackstands, and a basic wrench set. Budget a whole weekend for your first time doing this and take it slow. After doing it once or twice, it'll be easier. I can now change my leaf springs in just a couple of hours, simply because I've moved them around a couple times and replaced one.

If you want a little extra capacity, the 34-1339HD springs are available. They added an extra leaf, so they're 5+1 (6 total). 2600 lbs capacity, rated, per spring. $226.88 per unit. Shipped, a grand total of $560 (ish).

 

another option, price about the same. i don't know why they're so darn expensive.
avoid re-arching. waste of money. they always re-sag.

http://www.huskyspring.com

 

my price includes installation

 

No better time to get new spring for a lift?

 

Install them yourself. It takes literally no more than one day, some basic socket wrenches, some PB Blaster (or other rust eating spray), and some elbow grease. They are extremely easy to do, just takes some time and muscle. I did both, by myself, several times when I was playing with my "leaning 1/2 inch to driver's side issue" many months ago.

If you are completely against your own labor for some reason, $750 is a fair price for labor and parts. It'd save you over 300 bones to do your own work though, shops usually don't include tax in their estimate, so I bet ya it'd be over $800 when all is said and done.

 

it was a total estimate with tax and alignment.
labor is 224 dollars.

 

Sorry, so you'd save 224 bones + tax by doing it yourself.

Unless your alignment is already mucked up, there is no reason for an alignment after replacing the leaf springs.

 

Look, do what you want to do. We are trying to save you money, and you won't listen. You can add on about $60.00 to have your truck aligned, and come to a grand total that is about half of what you are fixing to spend.
Do what you want to do. You are obviously either are too lazy to crawl under your truck and do the work, or you don't have the time/tool. The last thing I can understand, but being too lazy to do the work is just plain ignorant.

 

That is, if his truck needs an alignment. If that shop tells you that you need an alignment after a leaf spring swap, find another shop. That is a lie, they are just trying to get more money out of you.

If your alignment is already messed up, and you are just taking care of both problems at the same time, then thats different of course.

IMO, not having the tools in this case is ignorant as well. It is a pretty basic set of tools, perhaps with the sole exclusion of the hex bit needed to keep the bolts from spinning when loosening/tightening. But even that can be had for a couple dollars at any auto parts store.