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

#8 of 158 What's it gonna take.... by bottgers Nov 25, 2005 (5:11 pm)
...to generate some interest in this topic?
#9 of 158 one idea by Mr_Shiftright HOST Nov 25, 2005 (6:14 pm)
I think most people like forums that are marque-specific when it comes to discussing repairs unless they are really big ticket/complex components like transmissions. We might try changing the title of the forum, like the one on Brakes...if you'd like.... Shifty the Host
#10 of 158 Sure.... by bottgers Nov 25, 2005 (8:11 pm)
....I'm open to suggestions. Any ideas for a new title? Replies to this message: Mr_Shiftright (Nov 26, 2005 8:37 am)
#11 of 158 Re: Sure.... [bottgers] by Mr_Shiftright HOST Nov 26, 2005 (8:37 am)
Replying to: bottgers (Nov 25, 2005 8:11 pm) Um....what about this? Shock and Strut Replacement: Cheap, OEM, or Upgrade?
#12 of 158 Sounds good to me.... by bottgers Nov 27, 2005 (8:58 am)
....make it happen. Thanks.
#13 of 158 Cost ideas? by roseb Dec 01, 2005 (3:00 pm)
Hello, I recently took my 1993 Volvo 850, into my regular (and to my knowledge trustworthy) shop for an oil change and inspection. I was told that I need strut mount, struts, and rear shocks replaced. Their extimated cost for this was $1,500. Does anyone know if this is within the normal cost range? I'm planning on calling another mechanic and asking for a second estimate, just to make sure. Replies to this message: Mr_Shiftright (Dec 02, 2005 9:34 am) 431dan (Mar 09, 2006 2:04 pm)
#14 of 158 Re: Cost ideas? [roseb] by Mr_Shiftright HOST Dec 02, 2005 (9:34 am)
Replying to: roseb (Dec 01, 2005 3:00 pm) How many miles on this car?
#15 of 158 Strut Info - 93 Grand Am by mike120 Jan 04, 2006 (7:38 am)
I have a 93 Grand Am with 120k, Looking to get a couple of more months of daily highway driving ( apx 4k) before I purchase something newer. Local shop told me front struts need to be replaced but "SHOULD" get me the next few months without breaking. Any advice, I obviously want to be safe, feel a bit of a scare tactic from the shop, but don't want to spend $600 for a car that is worth $1,500. THANKS
#16 of 158 Re: Shocking [bottgers] by kjdfl Jan 11, 2006 (6:55 am)
Replying to: bottgers (Nov 21, 2005 5:29 am) I see that you had to replace the struts on your Corolla. I think I am about to have to go through this process also. A few months back I started hearing a noise, like something is in my trunk. While having my brakes worked on the guy said it was probably a bad strut. I have also had a problem with my car shaking. The steering wheel vibrates and it is worse at high speeds. I have all new tires, balanced, alignment, new rims- so I am pretty sure that it is not the wheels or tires. Can anyone verify if this could be from the shocks/struts? How do I know if I need the front or back replaced? Any feedback is appreciated. Replies to this message: Mr_Shiftright (Jan 11, 2006 11:06 am)
#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.