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 16: 1; 2; 3; 4; 5; 6; 7; ...; 16; Prev; Next; Last

#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?
#37 of 158 Re: Do I really need my struts replaced? [smegmurf] by annie_h Feb 16, 2007 (1:38 pm)
Replying to: smegmurf (Jan 22, 2007 9:58 am) I'm in Denver too (incredibly awful roads this winter) and my 1995 Saturn with 116,000 miles needs two new struts and strut caps. The dealer quoted me: $117.22 each for struts, $79.34 each for strut caps, 2.5 hours of labor at $98.50 and told me my car will need to be aligned ($85). So the total before tax is $724. Ouch. If I knew a really good mechanic I'd take my car there, but I don't!
#38 of 158 Honda Accord V6 Shock Replacement Bay Area by toslat Feb 17, 2007 (1:59 am)
Need to replace front shocks on my 03 4dr Accod EX V6 (left one leaked out). Can someone recommend a replacement part (someone suggested KYB gr-2) and a cheap mechanic in the bay area for a student like me to have their shocks replaced. Thanx
#39 of 158 lumina by codered Apr 13, 2007 (1:08 pm)
i have a 90 lumina...it has a noise that hits at 40mph....when i trun to the right its gone....maybe a strut???? 1st fwd car not sure what to look for when thy go bad...any info would be good ...thanks
#40 of 158 Lexus SC 400 shock therapy by jimrayoden May 22, 2007 (9:18 am)
We took my wife's 1999 Lexus SC400 to the dealer to investigate a leaking shock on the right rear. The dealer recommended replaceing it and the other rear (they said it was starting to leak as well). The total for the job: $953! Wow, to say the least, this is sticker shock (pun intended). I know the dealers are expensive, but is this highway robbery, or the going rate?