Shock and Strut Replacement -- Cheap, OEM, or Upgrade?

158 messages, Last post on Nov 04, 2009 at 7:41 AM

You are in the Maintenance & Repair Forum. Your Host is mr_shiftright

What is this discussion about? Performance Mods, Suspension

This forum is to discuss shock/strut problems and how to best deal with what is becoming a rather expensive replacement item on cars approaching 60K-80K miles. Are products sold by chain stores just too cheesy to give decent performance? Is it worth upgrading shocks and struts if you are a more or less docile driver? Is OEM a rip-off for what you get?

Let's hear your ideas and experiences.

Outline

Messages Page 16 of 16: 1; ...; 10; 11; 12; 13; 14; 15; 16; Prev; Next; Last

#149 of 158 prices by stickguy Oct 12, 2009 (10:25 am)
I found the same thing when pricing strut replacement on my TL (although the rears look like shocks, they still are considered "struts") even various indy places (I never asked the dealer) were all over the map, from around $850 to over 1,200. The best price, by far? Sears. They are having a special on Monroe struts/shocks (common aftermarket units). For the TL, it was ~620 all together, then there was a mail in rebate on top of that. Their standard replacement price is not too bad, and right now, they have a 1/2 price on struts (and free on shocks) replacement special (for the labor).
#150 of 158 price for all 4 struts replacement? by minji Oct 28, 2009 (1:49 pm)
Hi I dropped by a STS yesterday for oil change for my 1997 Taurus with 108k on it. I was told that all 4 struts need to be replaced and that's reason why I sense vibration on highway and when I brake. The price quote I got was ... as follows: 2 Q Struts $398 * 2 (I guess it's for front, don't know what Q struts are) Labor 2.4 hr $216 2 Q Struts $389 * 2 (rear?) Labor 3.5 hr $315 Alignment $75 Is it a fair quote? I hope not... From all past discussions here, I can understand it takes quite some time to replace struts so I'm ok with 6 hr labor cost. But why are those struts so expensive? Is it just for 1997 taurus? I searched online and I saw a lot of them were tagged $50-60 and 150 tops, am I looking at the same thing? What are my options now? Thanks, Minji Replies to this message: obyone (Oct 28, 2009 6:10 pm) srs_49 (Oct 29, 2009 2:56 am) kiawah (Oct 29, 2009 3:49 am) Mr_Shiftright (Oct 29, 2009 7:31 am) minji (Oct 29, 2009 12:00 pm) obyone (Oct 29, 2009 8:42 pm)
#151 of 158 Re: price for all 4 struts replacement? [minji] by obyone Oct 28, 2009 (6:10 pm)
Replying to: minji (Oct 28, 2009 1:49 pm) Vibration when braking at highway speeds would more likely be related to warped rotors.
#152 of 158 Re: price for all 4 struts replacement? [minji] by srs_49 Oct 29, 2009 (2:56 am)
Replying to: minji (Oct 28, 2009 1:49 pm) I'm guessing here, but sounds like they may be putting on complete strut assemblies and not replacing just the strut insert (the shock absorber part). Depending on the vehicle, there are two ways to do a strut replacement. Both of these descriptions start with the strut assembly removed from the car. One requires that the coils be compressed and removed, the strut insert removed and a new one installed, then the springs and the top plate (?) put back on. The other way replaces the entire strut tower as an assembly, insert, springs, the whole thing as one unit. The first is more labor intensive, but the parts are cheaper (since only the strut insert is replaced). The seconds is faster, but the complete strut assembly is obviously more expensive than just the insert.
#153 of 158 Re: price for all 4 struts replacement? [minji] by kiawah Oct 29, 2009 (3:49 am)
Replying to: minji (Oct 28, 2009 1:49 pm) Start watching the paper for ad's in your area, this is a very common service repair, and many places can do it. Also call a couple different places, and ask them for a quote over the phone to replace 4 struts and align.
#154 of 158 Re: price for all 4 struts replacement? [minji] by Mr_Shiftright HOST Oct 29, 2009 (7:31 am)
Replying to: minji (Oct 28, 2009 1:49 pm) If they didn't put a run-out gauge on your rotors they are just GUESSING. It would be a shame to do all that work and have the same problem. Would they then take off all the old parts at their expense? Replies to this message: minji (Oct 29, 2009 12:00 pm) obyone (Oct 29, 2009 8:42 pm)
#155 of 158 Re: price for all 4 struts replacement? [Mr_Shiftright] by minji Oct 29, 2009 (12:00 pm)
Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Oct 29, 2009 7:31 am) Thanks everyone for your input, I really appreciate it! I went to an Indian auto repair shop where I usually go for repair and asked them if I absolutely need to replace all 4 struts. They did a quick check and tole me that there's a bad jaw bolt (is it the correct name?) around the left front tire that needs to be fixed and also need to replace the rear suspension (which I believe is the same thing of rear struts?). The quote I got from them is around $500 which I think is reasonable. What do you guys think? Thanks, Minji Replies to this message: obyone (Oct 29, 2009 8:42 pm)
#156 of 158 Re: price for all 4 struts replacement? [minji] by obyone Oct 29, 2009 (8:42 pm)
Replying to: minji (Oct 29, 2009 12:00 pm) I still think that the vibration is being caused by warped rotors.
#157 of 158 Replacing struts by bekins2 Nov 03, 2009 (11:33 pm)
I have a 2005 lacrosse cxs when new it drove like a caddy.It now has 42000 on it tho the rid is decent not the same.Is it time to change the struts,i was told factory are not the best and usally last 50,000 it that true?thanks for any help. Replies to this message: Mr_Shiftright (Nov 04, 2009 7:41 am)
#158 of 158 Re: Replacing struts [bekins2] by Mr_Shiftright HOST Nov 04, 2009 (7:41 am)
Replying to: bekins2 (Nov 03, 2009 11:33 pm) Most struts in any car are degraded by 80,000 miles. This is usually rather gradual, and the owner may claim that the car still rides fine, which is true because he/she has noting to compare it to. I think 50K is a bit premature for serious degradation of the ride but of course this depends on what you carry, where you live and how you drive. If Bilstein makes struts for your lacrosse, I'd recommend them if you plan to keep the car a long time and want the very best.