Most labor guides give technicians 0.3 hours or 17 minutes of labor time to compress springs, disassemble old struts, and assemble new struts. If a store’s labor rate is $100 per hour, each pillar on the repair order is $33. Depending on the efficiency of a store in this 0.3 hour period, it may be a profitable job – or it may not.
The price of a loaded or complete pillar may be twice that of the pillar and upper bracket. Before you tell yourself that you can’t sell such expensive things or be competitive locally, put yourself in the customer’s perspective. If you are provided with an option to restore your vehicle to an almost brand new condition, would you accept it even if the price is higher?
In terms of business, people with an MBA degree do not need to realize that if you can sell more expensive parts, then under the normal parts pricing policy, the profit of this job will be higher. In addition, since there is no need to perform the pillar compressor waltz, you can drive the vehicle away from the cradle faster, so you can continue to the next profitable job.
The biggest disadvantage of pre-assembled springs and struts is their availability and coverage. Most reports have focused on problematic applications where there are spring breaks or ride height issues. In addition, ride control manufacturers tend to focus on high-volume applications such as Jetta, Camry and Accord. However, more and more suspension component manufacturers are launching new applications on a regular basis.
Some specialized parts suppliers have been reluctant to ship certain production lines because they may duplicate existing stocks of struts, springs and brackets. However, since the introduction of the load pillar about five years ago, availability has been increasing as technicians and consumers have realized the value of components.
The load strut was originally conceived as a DIY product that the shade tree mechanic can install at home without the risk of injury to the body caused by the flying spring. It aims to be a “fixed” product that does not require special tools. The original product was centered on old applications that were prone to spring failures.
However, many stores and technicians see the potential of this product as a way to increase productivity and profits.
Sometimes this is like rebuilding the engine with a new crankshaft and reusing the old bearings and valve springs. When a new strut is reassembled with old and tired springs and strut plates, the result may be less than ideal.
The upper strut support and bearing may be hammered to death. The upper strut bracket mainly supports the weight of the vehicle and offsets the braking and acceleration torque. Most mounts are sandwiches of rubber, metal, and bearings. Over time, the rubber loses its ability to isolate the suspension from the body. Bearings can also get stuck and jammed, causing steering problems in the vehicle.
Tire wear, steering and handling are also affected by ride height and spring health. If the chassis sags on one side, front or rear, the spring may be weak. Weak springs affect the camber and caster angles, which may cause changes in steering pull, steering force or return and/or uneven tire wear.
Check the ride height specifications and measure the ride height of the vehicle in front of and on both sides. If the ride height is below specification, the problem is most likely that one or more weak springs should be replaced. The spring can be shim, but the best way to repair it is to replace it with a new spring. Springs should usually be replaced in pairs to maintain the same ride height on the left and right.
Weak springs are also more prone to failure. Many new vehicles have thinner springs to reduce weight and have an external plastic coating to protect metals from corrosion. If this outer coating is cracked or damaged, corrosion will form a hot spot that will erode the spring, weaken it and eventually cause it to crack.
If you have a vehicle in your parking space that is suitable for loading pillars, you might think: “How can I sell a job that may be twice as expensive?”
You might even think that your customers will go out. When selling driving control components, an effective sales strategy is to start with high-quality products, not from economical or cheaper options. It can give you a little leeway and provide your customers with options that meet their budget and vehicle life expectancy.
Your customers will most likely want the best. Starting with the cheapest alternative may reduce your profits. In addition, the lowest quoted price may discourage some customers, which may also make them want more and leave with a vehicle that is not fully repaired.
Take the time to learn and experience the benefits of loading pillars. And, never shy away from writing estimates for customers. Even if the customer does not buy today, the sales method and publicity of the checklist may attract consumers longer than the general “recommendation of new shock absorbers and pillars” listed in the estimate. This means that he/she may come back and your efforts will not be wasted.
Post time: Aug-16-2021
