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

#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.
#137 of 158 Struts or Strut Kit for 96 Corolla by tschapira Jul 22, 2009 (9:32 am)
I realize I have to change my Struts on my 96 corolla; When the car hits a bump it hurts. But i don't know if I need springs and/or any other part. I want to save $ but i don't want to buy what is not needed or being sold by the mechanic. The car does not rattle, does not vibrate. The car does seem to sit lower and when I brake it will tilt a little forward. Any advice is greatly appreciated. If I need a kit, how much more would it be then just the struts? Replies to this message: kiawah (Jul 22, 2009 10:28 am) euphonium (Jul 28, 2009 8:33 am) kiawah (Jul 28, 2009 8:56 am) obyone (Jul 28, 2009 3:11 pm)
#138 of 158 Re: Struts or Strut Kit for 96 Corolla [tschapira] by kiawah Jul 22, 2009 (10:28 am)
Replying to: tschapira (Jul 22, 2009 9:32 am) Be sure to get the vehicle aligned, after the struts are replaced.
#139 of 158 Re: Struts or Strut Kit for 96 Corolla [tschapira] by euphonium Jul 28, 2009 (8:33 am)
Replying to: tschapira (Jul 22, 2009 9:32 am) To maximize profit, the manufacturer usually installed the most economical parts to get it out the door and on the ship. OEM was fine, but there are improved shocks and struts marketed by a few aftermarket parts makers and they are usually of better quality. KYB & Bilstein are just two brands I've invested in and they are worth the extra money in the long run. Replies to this message: kiawah (Jul 28, 2009 8:56 am) obyone (Jul 28, 2009 3:11 pm)
#140 of 158 Re: Struts or Strut Kit for 96 Corolla [euphonium] by kiawah Jul 28, 2009 (8:56 am)
Replying to: euphonium (Jul 28, 2009 8:33 am) Euphonium This is a 14 year old Corolla. If the OP cared about performance or quality, the original shocks would have been replaced long ago.......and how much more 'long run' could there be on this vehicle? They're being replaced because they have to be replaced. I'm sure anything that fits and works would be fine and 100% better than what they have now. Replies to this message: obyone (Jul 28, 2009 3:11 pm)
#141 of 158 Re: Struts or Strut Kit for 96 Corolla [kiawah] by obyone Jul 28, 2009 (3:11 pm)
Replying to: kiawah (Jul 28, 2009 8:56 am) KYB would be the choice then often offering superior performance at less cost than OEM.
#142 of 158 I miss shocks! by stickguy Sep 17, 2009 (8:00 pm)
reading these prices for strut inserts, I miss good old shock absorbers. I have had to replace both rear shocks on my 2005 Odyssey (poorley designed, wear out too soon) by 50K. At least Honda paid for the 1st one under warranty. For the 2nd, I bougt the part at Honda (a ridiculous price. Something over $100). Local tire shop replaced it for about $30. Would have gone aftermarket, but turns out, only Honda OEM is available now.
#143 of 158 Acura TL by stickguy Sep 17, 2009 (8:05 pm)
oh yeah, the reason I found this thread. I have a 2000 Acura 3.2TL. Just over 149K on it. At the last oil change (148K) the dealer reported that the RF sturt was leaking (I don't think much though, and it was fine 3K before that). These are original to the car (I only have had it since 146K though). Seems to ride and handle fine, no noises, and the tires are wearing perfectly (only the 2nd set, with 58K on them). actually, I need to look up what suspension I have. I am sure the real is multilink, so that means just plain old shocks. If the front is gold old 'bones too, won't that mean just shocks, so an easier time of it? Or do they still have strut cartridges to replace? Maybe I am out to lunch, but I also just though of a mcpherson strut as a fancy shock inside the coil spring, instead of mounted outside the spring! maybe I should crawl under the car tomorrow and look. Replies to this message: kiawah (Sep 18, 2009 3:06 am) Mr_Shiftright (Sep 18, 2009 7:46 am)