Ask the Car People.SM


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

188 messages,  Last post on Mar 19, 2013 at 7:51 AM

You are in the Maintenance & Repair Forum.

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.

Messages Page 17 of 20

#153 of 188 Re: price for all 4 struts replacement? [minji] by kiawah

Oct 29, 2009 (4:49 am)

Replying to: minji (Oct 28, 2009 2:49 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 188 Re: price for all 4 struts replacement? [minji] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Oct 29, 2009 (8:31 am)

Replying to: minji (Oct 28, 2009 2:49 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?

#155 of 188 Re: price for all 4 struts replacement? [Mr_Shiftright] by minji

Oct 29, 2009 (1:00 pm)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Oct 29, 2009 8:31 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

#156 of 188 Re: price for all 4 struts replacement? [minji] by obyone

Oct 29, 2009 (9:42 pm)

Replying to: minji (Oct 29, 2009 1:00 pm)
I still think that the vibration is being caused by warped rotors.

#157 of 188 Replacing struts by bekins2

Nov 04, 2009 (12:33 am)

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.

#158 of 188 Re: Replacing struts [bekins2] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Nov 04, 2009 (8:41 am)

Replying to: bekins2 (Nov 04, 2009 12:33 am)
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.

#159 of 188 Strut repair-Girls eye view by sexistdealers

Jan 07, 2010 (6:01 pm)

Hey out there. So, I have a 2003 civic & recently gave it to the dealership for an oil change. Less than 2hrs later, they tell me that my struts are leaking & the repair is $1500 & ask me if I want it done! Obviously not, that's insane pricing! So I'm taking it to a muffler/brake type shop tomorrow to further investigate. I was hoping to get some info b4 hand since most mechanics change all info & jack up prices as soon as a GIRL walks in! So annoying!
 
So...here are my questions. Never doing struts before I know nothing. What brands are best for quality but not super expensive? I want a good middle brand. I dont drive long drives & my car is at 81,000 on an '03 so that shows. I am aggressive as a driver though. Also if only one strut is leaking which doesnt get explained in Honda's assesment, can I change only one? Will I need to change strut mounts/boots if there is a leak? How many hours estimate should this take? what is an estimate on 1strut leak to fix? 2strut? just in case!
 
My appt is tomorrow afternoon so Im sorry this is so late, just found your blog today while searching info. Any answers soon would be great!

#160 of 188 Re: Strut repair-Girls eye view [sexistdealers] by kiawah

Jan 07, 2010 (7:39 pm)

Replying to: sexistdealers (Jan 07, 2010 6:01 pm)
If one is bad, undoubtedly the other one is either already bad or not far behind the first. You replace them in pairs, front or back. Fronts usually get the most wear.
 
A strut is a really heavy duty shock, with a spring around it. You could replace the whole thing, but it is typical to have someone take the strut out of the car, take the spring off the old shock, mount it back on the new one, and put it back in the car. You must also get your vehicle aligned, as they are tearing the whole suspension apart. It is dangerous and hard to take the spring off the shock, and most shops will have a spring compressor that does that for them.
 
Prices will vary based on the part of the country you are in and labor costs. You can just call a couple places and they'll give you a quote over the phone. You may even find shops advertising sales on this work.
 
I haven't priced this in years, so my estimates might be way off. But I would expect to pay somewhere around 75-150 for each shock unit part, and another 100-150 in labor per shock. Add 50-100 for alignment. So I would estimate about 400-700 bucks. If you are replacing the whole strut (new shock and new spring), it would be substantially more. But again, my estimate may be way off to current prices.
 
You could also call an autoparts chain (Pep Boys, AutoZone, etc), and they'll give you the prices for the shocks. Some also have attached garages which can do the install as well.

#161 of 188 Re: Strut repair-Girls eye view [sexistdealers] by obyone

Jan 07, 2010 (7:39 pm)

Replying to: sexistdealers (Jan 07, 2010 6:01 pm)
I'd be wary of those muffler/brake type shops as they are known for overpricing. One name comes to mind if you don't have a local mechanic I'd consider taking it to Sears simply because they have an assortment of struts ranging from performance to economy and usually priced fair.
 
As far as economy brands I'd consider Monroe and KYB and at 7 years and 81K miles I'd have both done along with the rear shocks and be done with it. Also, the strut doesn't have to leak to be worn. After changing the shocks and the struts along with an alignment I'm sure you would be impressed with the ride and handling of your car.

#162 of 188 Re: Strut repair-Girls eye view [sexistdealers] by srs_49

Jan 08, 2010 (4:12 am)

Replying to: sexistdealers (Jan 07, 2010 6:01 pm)
I agree with Kiawah and obyone. I would stay away from the muffler/brake shops. Look around/ask for a good independent shop if you can't do it yourself.
 
I have used KYB's on my '92 Sentra and my wife's '94 Caravan. I replaced them myself, so only had to pay for the parts. I think $75 is around the price for a KYB shock - a bit more if you want the adjustable ones (that you probably don't need). The entire strut assembly (shock, spring, assembly) can also be bought for some vehicles for about 2.5X the cost of the shock itself. If you want to do the job yourself and you've never done a shock replacement on struts before and don't have the patience and the tools (spring compressor), the complete assembly is probably the way to go.
 
For on-line prices of parts, try RockAuto.com (no, I don't work for them).
 
Kiawa's estimate for labor and alignment is probably close.
 
You might want to repost this over in the Repair and Maintenance forum where many of those who turn wrenches themselves hang out.

Messages Page 17 of 20

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement