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

#27 of 158 What's the difference between "all-in-one" strut and other type by sdk999 Oct 12, 2006 (7:37 am)
My Ford ZX2 (166k miles) needs struts all around. It's all original, which means they should have been changed about 80,000 miles ago, so I'm not questioning the need. The mechanic is afraid everything will fall apart when they're removed, and is recommending an "all-in-one type of strut. Before I spend the $850-$950 he's telling me this is going to cost, I have some questions. 1) What is the difference between the all-in-one and the regular type strut? 2) This is a sport model; will this type strut provide equivalent handling and support? 3) Is the price quoted reasonable, or should I call around to more garages?
#28 of 158 Re: Shocks: Now I Know How They Got Their Name! [Mr_Shiftright] by annamma Dec 17, 2006 (6:37 am)
Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Nov 20, 2005 7:39 pm) Mr Shiftright, I am shopping for front struts and mounts for my T & C 2001 LTD minivan. I am confused as to what brand I should go with.I am not shopping for price, I am shopping for simply the best in quality and if the best is worth all the price. My shop suggests that they replace with only MONROE replacement parts as their experience is best with them. I can understand the commercial interest to certain extent, but I would like an honest opinion and a kind of comparison for all the replacement brands. I hope to hear from you soon as I intend getting the job done in the next couple of weeks. Thanks in advance for your tips. Happy Holidays. Prakash
#29 of 158 Struts by oldharry Dec 30, 2006 (3:59 pm)
There are as many opinions on the best struts as there are brands of struts. First, however, I will comment on labor. Many cars, especially Japanese labels, require removal of the rear seat to access the upper rear strut mounts. This is why rears are more time than front. Age of the car, if you live in a "salt" state will add time on both ends. I sell Monroe, KYB, and other brands that are special orderes to customer specifications. Monroe Sensa Tracs, IMO, give a good combination of ride and handling. KYB's have firmer ride in their peformance lines, and do well for the more aggressive driver. Bilsteins are high price high performace preferred by many drivers of Europian cars. If your car is older, and high miles, the mechanic may recommend strut mounts and bearings, rubber isolators, and boot and bumper kits with the strut job. If all these are needed, the repair cost can be scary. Depending on the car, a four strut job could runs from around $450 to several thousand dollars. When they first came out, the electrically controlled air struts on the Lincoln Continental were more than the price of a whole new Huyndai. Harry
#30 of 158 shocks or struts on an Audi CS 100 by wpatters Jan 04, 2007 (10:42 am)
I have an Audi 1992 CS 100 two wheel ft wh drive. The shocks are shot. Can the shock cartridges be replaced on these struts or does the whole thing have to be replaced? Is this something a home mech. can do? I have a spring compressor that I used on a Toyota Camary a few years ago and it worked fine. I hear Audi's are a pain. If I was to take it to a shop how much would be fair to install all four? California San Francisco area. Replies to this message: Mr_Shiftright (Jan 07, 2007 10:34 am)
#31 of 158 99 Bonneville SLE Front Struts by gmhellman Jan 07, 2007 (10:25 am)
My Bonnie has a leaking left front strut that needs replacement. I went to the local Pomps shop and got a quote for two front Monroe Sensa-Trac II struts, and 2 new Kelly Explorter 225 60 R16 Tires for my rear tires.......460 bucks out the door plus tax. This is an unbeleivable price. The local shops that I went to said that they couldn't even do the struts for that price. (I already had the front tires replaced with Kelly Explorers 2 years ago when my Michilens had separated their treads prematurely). I am just afraid that they are going to try to jack the price up by saying that I need new mounts and boots. The car only has 71000 miles on it. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks Greg
#32 of 158 Re: shocks or struts on an Audi CS 100 [wpatters] by Mr_Shiftright HOST Jan 07, 2007 (10:34 am)
Replying to: wpatters (Jan 04, 2007 10:42 am) A qualified Audi repair shop charges about 4.5 hours labor + parts here in the SF Bay area (labor rates may be cheaper where you live). The fronts require strut inserts but the backs are just shocks. Probably the whole job, done well and professionally by people who know Audis, would be around $800. Given that it takes a pro 4.5 hours, you'd have to figure it would take you 8.0 hours or so, if you had the right tools. Probably doing the rear shocks would be easier for you.
#33 of 158 Re: Do I really need my struts replaced? [shipo] by smegmurf Jan 22, 2007 (9:58 am)
Replying to: shipo (Feb 07, 2006 9:01 am) Hi, I have a 2003 Toyota Prius with 80,000 miles and it recently started driving a little bumpy. I live in Denver and it's been unseasonably freezing and snowy. I took it to a mechanic and he drove around with me, said I should spray hot high-powered water in it to unfreeze it and then see what happens. I went to a car wash, and the water was cold... are there really hot water sprayers at some self washes? Is there really such a thing as a frozen strut? AND he said it would be $425 to replace ONE! From what I'm reading on this forum about $1000 being high for four... I think I should see someone else!!! What do you think? meghan Replies to this message: Mr_Shiftright (Jan 22, 2007 10:51 am) smegmurf (Jan 22, 2007 11:33 am) Mr_Shiftright (Jan 22, 2007 11:39 am) annie_h (Feb 16, 2007 1:38 pm)
#34 of 158 Re: Do I really need my struts replaced? [smegmurf] by Mr_Shiftright HOST Jan 22, 2007 (10:51 am)
Replying to: smegmurf (Jan 22, 2007 9:58 am) Well 80K would not be unusual for weakening of the struts. That's about when it starts to happen on just about any car. As for "unfreezing" them, they should regain their normal function after driving them for a while---you don't have to defrost them, no. They should warm up on their own from road action. You could inspect your struts on a lift for leakage, that would be the first thing to do. Replies to this message: smegmurf (Jan 22, 2007 11:33 am) Mr_Shiftright (Jan 22, 2007 11:39 am)
#35 of 158 Re: Do I really need my struts replaced? [Mr_Shiftright] by smegmurf Jan 22, 2007 (11:33 am)
Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Jan 22, 2007 10:51 am) How about the quote price... $425? Replies to this message: Mr_Shiftright (Jan 22, 2007 11:39 am)
#36 of 158 Re: Do I really need my struts replaced? [smegmurf] by Mr_Shiftright HOST Jan 22, 2007 (11:39 am)
Replying to: smegmurf (Jan 22, 2007 11:33 am) That's parts and labor for two front struts?