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

#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)
#144 of 158 Re: Acura TL [stickguy] by kiawah Sep 18, 2009 (3:06 am)
Replying to: stickguy (Sep 17, 2009 8:05 pm) With a plain old fashion shock, if the shock goes bad, the wheel still stays where it is supposed to be even if you take it off or break it in half. It will bounce around terribly, but still basically safe. With a strut, it does look like a shock inside of a spring. The critical difference however, is it is actually a major structural part of the suspension......one of the three attachment points. It is the attachment point, that holds the wheel in vertical position. If the strut breaks, the car collapses onto the tire in the wheel well, and you have a wreck. You need to align the wheels after replacing the struts. At your mileage, they're way overdue.
#145 of 158 Re: Acura TL [stickguy] by Mr_Shiftright HOST Sep 18, 2009 (7:46 am)
Replying to: stickguy (Sep 17, 2009 8:05 pm) At 149K your struts are on life support. You don't notice it because the deterioration has been so gradual. Once you get new ones, it'll be an eye-opener for you.
#146 of 158 TL by stickguy Sep 18, 2009 (11:06 am)
Well, going by the Shipo evaluatin method (if the car isn't bouncing, and the tires are wearing well, no problem!) I should be OK. But yes, new ones might improve the ride and handling, but the car is doing fine with the old ones one. Must be a testament to good suspension design. I did see that the KYB GR-2s are available (only about $58/each at tire rack) for the TL. The fronts are shown as struts, but the rears are shocks. Just have to get some install quotes for the labor, since not a chance I try it myself.
#147 of 158 STRUT REPAIR COSTS by rothvin Oct 12, 2009 (9:26 am)
I have been informed that my struts migh have to be replaced. I have 90,000 on my 1987, Tercel. Prices have been unbelievable to me at between $850 for independent mechanic to over 1,700 from a dealer. Could this be true? I have never paid over 50 or 75 dollars for each shock on my truck or any vehicles. Is there any cheaper way to go?? A car this old is hardly worth more than 2 or 3 grand!! Thanks Replies to this message: kiawah (Oct 12, 2009 9:41 am)
#148 of 158 Re: STRUT REPAIR COSTS [rothvin] by kiawah Oct 12, 2009 (9:41 am)
Replying to: rothvin (Oct 12, 2009 9:26 am) Older 'shocks', can be easily replaced just by unbolting the old, and replacing with new. Struts are heavy duty shocks with suspension springs around them, and are an integral part of the suspension. They have to take the suspension apart to take them out of the vehicle, then take the spring off the strut (dangerous) to replace the shock, then put it all back together again and align the vehicle. Shop around, it's a very common repair, many many vehicles have struts now a days. Oh and by the way, if the old strut fails/breaks, the vehicle can fall on the tire causing you to loose control of vehicle.