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 3 of 17: 1; 2; 3; 4; 5; 6; 7; ...; 17; Prev; Next; Last

#17 of 158 Re: Shocking [kjdfl] by Mr_Shiftright HOST Jan 11, 2006 (11:06 am)
Replying to: kjdfl (Jan 11, 2006 6:55 am) If you have more than 80K miles on the original struts, you need them anyway, ....but no, front wheel shimmy would not normally be associated with bad struts...it's probably still a wheel balance issue although sometimes a bad CV joint can cause this very thing.
#18 of 158 Do I really need my struts replaced? by mmmcgal Jan 24, 2006 (12:17 pm)
Hi everyone - I'm hoping to get some honest advise regarding strut replacement...I recently bought a 95 Ford Escort wagon with about 80,000 miles on it - when I went in for an oil change, the mechanic suggested that I have the struts replaced. I asked him if it was absolutely necessary that I have this done (since it is an expensive job and I have the whole "single-mother-limited-budget" thing going on....), and he said that eventually I would want to have them replaced because it would cause excessive wear and tear on the vehicle, and the ride would be less comfortable - but that as long as the car was handling ok and not making loud noises when I went over bumps that it was not something I had to have done immediately. I recently had another oil change with a different mechanic, and during the "complimentary safety inspection" this guy also said my struts needed replacing, and continued on to give me this "life-or-death" scenerio in which there was a danger of some spring or coil associated with my strut coming undone and popping the wheel right off my car - and how that could cause a fatal accident if I happened to be on the highway when it happened....! My car has not been handling any differently since I talked with the 1st mechanic....so my question is this...I understand that I will eventually need to have my struts replaced, but is it really as serious as the 2nd guy is making it out to be, or is he just trying to get me to spend my money now, when in reality it could wait for a little while longer?? Thanks for the advice! Replies to this message: Mr_Shiftright (Jan 24, 2006 12:28 pm) shipo (Feb 07, 2006 9:01 am) smegmurf (Jan 22, 2007 9:58 am) Mr_Shiftright (Jan 22, 2007 10:51 am) and 2 more... annie_h (Feb 16, 2007 1:38 pm) flyinv57 (May 31, 2007 6:51 am) emsears (Apr 27, 2006 8:14 am) sbrewitt (Aug 18, 2006 3:47 pm) Mr_Shiftright (Aug 18, 2006 3:53 pm) zoomrx3 (Jun 06, 2009 9:30 pm)
#19 of 158 Re: Do I really need my struts replaced? [mmmcgal] by Mr_Shiftright HOST Jan 24, 2006 (12:28 pm)
Replying to: mmmcgal (Jan 24, 2006 12:17 pm) no noise + no unusual tire wear + no squirrely handling = no problem
#20 of 158 Re: Do I really need my struts replaced? [mmmcgal] by shipo Feb 07, 2006 (9:01 am)
Replying to: mmmcgal (Jan 24, 2006 12:17 pm) My normal litmus test regarding struts is "If the car don't bounce on down the road and if they ain't a leakin' oil, leave'm alone." Regarding the shop that gave you the life and death scenario, not only would I run from that shop as fast as I could, I'd even consider reporting them to the BBB or some other such consumer protection group. Best Regards, Shipo Replies to this message: smegmurf (Jan 22, 2007 9:58 am) Mr_Shiftright (Jan 22, 2007 10:51 am) smegmurf (Jan 22, 2007 11:33 am) and 1 more... annie_h (Feb 16, 2007 1:38 pm) flyinv57 (May 31, 2007 6:51 am)
#21 of 158 Re: Cost ideas? [roseb] by 431dan Mar 09, 2006 (2:04 pm)
Replying to: roseb (Dec 01, 2005 3:00 pm) Hey; first time, be gentle. I have a 2001 Avalon XLS and it gets loose on the highway. Tires are good and I run new X-Ice in the winter. Suggestions for shocks. I've been considering the Tokico. Thanks
#22 of 158 Re: Do I really need my struts replaced? [mmmcgal] by emsears Apr 27, 2006 (8:14 am)
Replying to: mmmcgal (Jan 24, 2006 12:17 pm) Two nights ago I got a flat tire when driving on the highway. When I went to get the tire replaced I found out the coil spring had broken, slipped down and sliced the tire open while driving. It certainly wasn't life or death, but I could see where there is potential to cause an accident. The broken coil could also slice the brake line. There was obviously a financial incentive for the mechanic to get your business, but I don't think he was that far off and certainly did not do anything worth reporting to the BBB. My car is a 1997 Nissan Altima with about 167K miles on it. I haven't had the struts checked/replaced since I bought it about 6 years ago, but now clearly need to do that before I drive it much further. Just thought I would pass that along. Eric Replies to this message: sbrewitt (Aug 18, 2006 3:47 pm) Mr_Shiftright (Aug 18, 2006 3:53 pm) zoomrx3 (Jun 06, 2009 9:30 pm)
#23 of 158 shocks for 2001 ranger supercab by stan6201 May 25, 2006 (5:47 pm)
I want to repace the shocks on my 2WD Ranger with something that will provide control and as soft as possible ride. Most of my driving is FWY and 80+ mph is not uncommon when possible. I plan on keeping the truck for 3 more years. The truck is stock.
#24 of 158 Re: Do I really need my struts replaced? [emsears] by sbrewitt Aug 18, 2006 (3:47 pm)
Replying to: emsears (Apr 27, 2006 8:14 am) Can someone help me 'justify' or better understand why I need to replace struts? I own a 1997 nissan max with 146,000. it runs and performs like new. I have never replaced the struts or brakes for that matter. The rubber around the stuts is ripped. I have been told that it is not hurting the car to drive with some tears but that I should have them replaced. The estimate is about $1,000 for all 4. Thank you Scott Replies to this message: Mr_Shiftright (Aug 18, 2006 3:53 pm) zoomrx3 (Jun 06, 2009 9:30 pm)
#25 of 158 Re: Do I really need my struts replaced? [sbrewitt] by Mr_Shiftright HOST Aug 18, 2006 (3:53 pm)
Replying to: sbrewitt (Aug 18, 2006 3:47 pm) Well it probably doesn't perform like new but it's hard for you to notice this difference because the struts tend to degrage slowly. Only when they totally collapse does the wear and tear become obvious. If you put new struts on, I'm sure you notice a difference---but if you don't drive hard and you aren't bouncing and thudding all over the place and your tires aren't wearing fast, well....maybe you can just milk 'em a bit longer.... Usually 80,000 miles is a good time to replace the struts or at least think about it...that's when they start losing their edge. If you ever had to put the car through some hard work, like hauling stuff or very rough roads, as those old struts heated up you'd notice it I'm sure. They work okay right now but they have no "reserve".
#26 of 158 I recently replaced my rear struts by sonix Oct 11, 2006 (8:21 am)
I recently replaced my rear struts and was given a crazy price. First when Meinke said they cost $168.00 each I drove a few miles and asked at Advanced auto...after they stopped laughing they showed me the price they gave Meinke it was $64.00. Secondly I was told 2 hours for each side so at another shop they did it for 1 hour each side. The job was done in 1.5 hours. So in this case my bill went from ~$750.00 to ~$275.00!