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 14 of 17: 1; ...; 11; 12; 13; 14; 15; 16; 17; Prev; Next; Last

#127 of 158 Re: OEM VS AFTERMARKET SHOCKS & STRUTS [Mr_Shiftright] by dexmon May 26, 2009 (7:02 pm)
Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (May 26, 2009 1:44 pm) Also I use my car as a LIMO in NYC so I am very concerned about getting the same ride
#128 of 158 Re: OEM VS AFTERMARKET SHOCKS & STRUTS [obyone] by dexmon May 26, 2009 (7:08 pm)
Replying to: obyone (May 26, 2009 12:34 pm) What i need to understand is if KYB makes shocks for Lexus under the Toyota brand name then why should the shocks that they are making for Lexus under the KYB brand name any different? Thank you for your advice Replies to this message: Mr_Shiftright (May 27, 2009 7:18 am) obyone (Jun 01, 2009 2:26 am)
#129 of 158 Re: OEM VS AFTERMARKET SHOCKS & STRUTS [dexmon] by Mr_Shiftright HOST May 27, 2009 (7:18 am)
Replying to: dexmon (May 26, 2009 7:08 pm) I guess the best thing I can say is that Toyota engineers have worked out the characteristics for the OEM shocks. I have no idea how the KYBs will react to your Lexus and how you'll feel about that, because I don't know what you're used to or what you expect. My personal experience with KYB is only a database of one person so isn't valid as a judgment. Maybe you need to cruise our Lexus forums and see if you can find someone who's made this switch? That might help you a lot to make a decision. Lexus 400/430 Topic I'll join this discussion myself and maybe I can learn more about how successful this application is.
#130 of 158 Re: OEM VS AFTERMARKET SHOCKS & STRUTS [dexmon] by obyone Jun 01, 2009 (2:26 am)
Replying to: dexmon (May 26, 2009 7:08 pm) KYB as an oem manufacturer makes the shocks to Lexus specifications. Not sure what specification they use to make the replacement shocks. As Shifty says you may want to check the Lexus forums to see if they offer any advice or if any have actually replaced the oems with KYB. My point was that from a consumer standpoint I wouldn't worry about the reliability of the KYB shocks.
#131 of 158 New Front Struts Nissan Maxima 2005 by greengarage Jun 03, 2009 (7:19 am)
Need the above job doing. Local garage quoted $500 parts and labor, Wheel alignment not included. live North N.J. Is this a fair price ? Replies to this message: Mr_Shiftright (Jun 03, 2009 8:47 am) greengarage (Jun 03, 2009 5:21 pm) johno1826 (Jun 06, 2009 11:56 am) and 1 more...
#132 of 158 Re: New Front Struts Nissan Maxima 2005 [greengarage] by Mr_Shiftright HOST Jun 03, 2009 (8:47 am)
Replying to: greengarage (Jun 03, 2009 7:19 am) Depends a lot on what they put in there for parts, so it's hard to estimate. But the labor is about 2.6 hours, so where I live that alone is $300 bucks. I don't know the varying levels of quality available for your car. You may be limited in choices. You can get something inexpensive like a KYB G2 for as little as $65-$70 per strut assembly, or Monroe even cheaper, or you can get fancier with Koni Sports or Tokico. so you'd have to know what they are putting in there. Replies to this message: greengarage (Jun 03, 2009 5:21 pm) johno1826 (Jun 06, 2009 11:56 am) Mr_Shiftright (Jun 06, 2009 2:19 pm)
#133 of 158 Re: New Front Struts Nissan Maxima 2005 [Mr_Shiftright] by greengarage Jun 03, 2009 (5:21 pm)
Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Jun 03, 2009 8:47 am) Thanks for that. Replies to this message: johno1826 (Jun 06, 2009 11:56 am) Mr_Shiftright (Jun 06, 2009 2:19 pm)
#134 of 158 Re: New Front Struts Nissan Maxima 2005 [greengarage] by johno1826 Jun 06, 2009 (11:56 am)
Replying to: greengarage (Jun 03, 2009 5:21 pm) New to the forum. I have a 91 Acura Integra with 201K on it. It just started bottoming out recently, took it to my mechanic, he said it needs struts all around, costing around $600, plus $59 for alignment. I asked if the Struts were original, he said they looked like it. I bought the car in 95 with 77K on it and I've never replaced them. Just wondering if it is possible to get 200,000+ out of original struts and is $600 reasonable? Replies to this message: Mr_Shiftright (Jun 06, 2009 2:19 pm)
#135 of 158 Re: New Front Struts Nissan Maxima 2005 [johno1826] by Mr_Shiftright HOST Jun 06, 2009 (2:19 pm)
Replying to: johno1826 (Jun 06, 2009 11:56 am) Well sure you can drive the car until the struts break in half if you want. It doesn't seem likely that the would be original but sure it's possible. It rather depends not on the strut but how much sloppiness you can tolerate. I believe my struts are original at 140,000 but I am certainly aware that they are pretty worn out. But passengers have never commented. $600 bucks sounds fine if they are a decent shock. Prices for labor can vary considerably in different parts of the country. Total labor is listed at 5.4 hours. So it sounds like a pretty good deal.
#136 of 158 Re: Do I really need my struts replaced? [sbrewitt] by zoomrx3 Jun 06, 2009 (9:30 pm)
Replying to: sbrewitt (Aug 18, 2006 3:47 pm) You dont have to. I have 280,000 on my stuts in my Mazda. Still original but now it is time to replace. My ride is getting too soft.