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

158 messages, Last post on Nov 04, 2009 at 7:41 AM

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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 5 of 16: 1; 2; 3; 4; 5; 6; 7; 8; ...; 16; Prev; Next; Last

#41 of 158 Strut/Shock Sense by wrench1 May 29, 2007 (6:14 pm)
I've worked on autos/trucks for over 35 years and changed hundreds of Struts on Chrysler, VW, GM, Ford, Nissan etc. If the price sounds high, most times it is! I am NIASE certified and always got upset when customers would tell me of 'SO Called" mechanics ripping them off. I found that most vehicles with bad struts usually need the upper mount and bumper rubber changed also. I suggest that you ask around other friends to see who had honest/good service and maybe as i did, when younger, did a lot of side jobs at home for half of what the garage would charge. Replies to this message: guiermo (Dec 17, 2008 8:24 pm) srs_49 (Dec 18, 2008 7:23 am) guiermo (Dec 18, 2008 9:31 am)
#42 of 158 Re: Do I really need my struts replaced? [shipo] by flyinv57 May 31, 2007 (6:51 am)
Replying to: shipo (Feb 07, 2006 9:01 am) I have a '95 Jetta that is making a slight "clunking" sound from the left front strut area. The 'bounce' test reveals nothing but I am wondering, can I just replace the struts upper bearing plate or upper mount without having to replace an otherwise good working strut? The noise seems to come from that upper mount, Thanks
#43 of 158 help!! i'm a carpenter trying 2 replace one of my rear shocks by hodgini Jun 01, 2007 (8:21 am)

#44 of 158 carpentry is to mechanics as oil is to water by hodgini Jun 01, 2007 (8:26 am)
man am i out of my element. one of my shocks broke. the bottom ring type part came disconnected from the shock itself. i'm not dumb so it looks like it's something i could take care of but when i got the nut that was holding the ring type part on off and began2try getting the ring thing off it wouldn't come? should i just force it? it doesn't seem like it would screw off cause how would u do that if the thing hadn't broken. i found a cheap replacement part but if i can't get the old one of it won't do me anygood. if somebody could give me a little advice that would b great. thanx. Replies to this message: kiawah (Jun 01, 2007 8:40 am)
#45 of 158 Re: carpentry is to mechanics as oit is to water [hodgini] by kiawah Jun 01, 2007 (8:40 am)
Replying to: hodgini (Jun 01, 2007 8:26 am) Can you confirm your situation? You are talking about a shock, not a strut correct? A strut is an integrated unit, comprised of a longer shock with a spring wrapped arount it. Assuming this is a shock, what you are saying is that the shock itself has broken into two pieces. The bottom mounting piece of the shock has had the weld broken apart from the bottom of the shock. Correct? Assuming correct, then there are a couple different types of bottom shock mountings that are typically seen. One is a U-shaped frame, the shock mount with rubber bushing slips between the U, and a bolt goes thru both sides of the U and the shock mount. Another typical connection seen is a bolt that is mounted on one side only with the threaded end sticking out, and the rubber bushing shock mount is put over that, followed by a big flat washer and a nut. Is it the latter that you have? If so, then you should be able to remove the nut and washer, and slide the rubber bushing shock mount off. Normally you would have the shock attached which you can pry on to get it off, but in your case you may have to get a big screwdriver behind the bushing to get some leverage.
#46 of 158 thanx 4answering by hodgini Jun 01, 2007 (8:47 am)
there is a bolt that i only have access 2 one side of. i took of the nut and the washer. now the broken of piece doesn't seem 2want 2come off. i was affraid of screwing up the threading if i forced it off, but is what your saying is that's what has 2b done? just force the thing off by any means necessay? thanx again 4 responding. Replies to this message: kiawah (Jun 01, 2007 8:54 am)
#47 of 158 Re: thanx 4answering [hodgini] by kiawah Jun 01, 2007 (8:54 am)
Replying to: hodgini (Jun 01, 2007 8:47 am) Okay, yes, I think we understand your situation...and it needs to come off. Sometimes the shock mount is just a rubber bushing, sometimes it is a rubber bushing with a metal tube thru it, which slides over the bolt. If it is just the rubber, the rubber can get sticky and actually stick itself to the bolt....making it hard to get off. Usually what I try to do is put a pair of pliers or vise grips on the shock mount, and try to spin it on its' axis to break that sticky grip it may have. If you have the type with a metal tube thru it, sometimes the metal tube will deform and become hard to get off. Good luck
#48 of 158 thanx again by hodgini Jun 01, 2007 (8:59 am)
the piece that is still on the bolt can be tisted either way and has rubber pieces on either side that look like they might go all the way through the thing. it definately has a rubbery feeling and sound when i twist it. so u'd go w/the big screw driver hit w/a hammer type idea? Replies to this message: kiawah (Jun 01, 2007 9:24 am)
#49 of 158 Re: thanx again [hodgini] by kiawah Jun 01, 2007 (9:24 am)
Replying to: hodgini (Jun 01, 2007 8:59 am) Is the metal doughnut from the bottom of the shock still on the rubber, or is it off at this point? No I wouldn't hit with a hammer, you don't want to bend that mounting bolt, or break it off. I'd try prying it with a big screwdriver, using some frame or wheelpart as a leverage point. If that didn't work, I'd try using a small wheel puller, but not sure you would have one of those. For one car many years ago before I knew better, I actually burned the rubber off once with a propane torch, but that is particularly dangerous as the rubber catches on fire and burns, and then drops to the floor. Wouldn't recommend doing that. By the way, you're going to change out both shocks right?
#50 of 158 sweet! by hodgini Jun 01, 2007 (9:31 am)
i was only planning on changing the one cause the other one is still attached. this is probably the part when u tell me i need2do both?? and i got it!!!! vice grips and twist 2 loosen it and then small pry bar up against some other part!!! wouldn't have been able 2do it w/out u. if u ever need something redone in your house let me know. i owe u one.