Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
Depending on the vehicle, there are two ways to do a strut replacement. Both of these descriptions start with the strut assembly removed from the car. One requires that the coils be compressed and removed, the strut insert removed and a new one installed, then the springs and the top plate (?) put back on.
The other way replaces the entire strut tower as an assembly, insert, springs, the whole thing as one unit.
The first is more labor intensive, but the parts are cheaper (since only the strut insert is replaced). The seconds is faster, but the complete strut assembly is obviously more expensive than just the insert.
Also call a couple different places, and ask them for a quote over the phone to replace 4 struts and align.
It would be a shame to do all that work and have the same problem.
Would they then take off all the old parts at their expense?
I went to an Indian auto repair shop where I usually go for repair and asked them if I absolutely need to replace all 4 struts. They did a quick check and tole me that there's a bad jaw bolt (is it the correct name?) around the left front tire that needs to be fixed and also need to replace the rear suspension (which I believe is the same thing of rear struts?). The quote I got from them is around $500 which I think is reasonable. What do you guys think?
Thanks,
Minji
I think 50K is a bit premature for serious degradation of the ride but of course this depends on what you carry, where you live and how you drive.
If Bilstein makes struts for your lacrosse, I'd recommend them if you plan to keep the car a long time and want the very best.
So...here are my questions. Never doing struts before I know nothing. What brands are best for quality but not super expensive? I want a good middle brand. I dont drive long drives & my car is at 81,000 on an '03 so that shows. I am aggressive as a driver though. Also if only one strut is leaking which doesnt get explained in Honda's assesment, can I change only one? Will I need to change strut mounts/boots if there is a leak? How many hours estimate should this take? what is an estimate on 1strut leak to fix? 2strut? just in case!
My appt is tomorrow afternoon so Im sorry this is so late, just found your blog today while searching info. Any answers soon would be great!
A strut is a really heavy duty shock, with a spring around it. You could replace the whole thing, but it is typical to have someone take the strut out of the car, take the spring off the old shock, mount it back on the new one, and put it back in the car. You must also get your vehicle aligned, as they are tearing the whole suspension apart. It is dangerous and hard to take the spring off the shock, and most shops will have a spring compressor that does that for them.
Prices will vary based on the part of the country you are in and labor costs. You can just call a couple places and they'll give you a quote over the phone. You may even find shops advertising sales on this work.
I haven't priced this in years, so my estimates might be way off. But I would expect to pay somewhere around 75-150 for each shock unit part, and another 100-150 in labor per shock. Add 50-100 for alignment. So I would estimate about 400-700 bucks. If you are replacing the whole strut (new shock and new spring), it would be substantially more. But again, my estimate may be way off to current prices.
You could also call an autoparts chain (Pep Boys, AutoZone, etc), and they'll give you the prices for the shocks. Some also have attached garages which can do the install as well.
As far as economy brands I'd consider Monroe and KYB and at 7 years and 81K miles I'd have both done along with the rear shocks and be done with it. Also, the strut doesn't have to leak to be worn. After changing the shocks and the struts along with an alignment I'm sure you would be impressed with the ride and handling of your car.
I have used KYB's on my '92 Sentra and my wife's '94 Caravan. I replaced them myself, so only had to pay for the parts. I think $75 is around the price for a KYB shock - a bit more if you want the adjustable ones (that you probably don't need). The entire strut assembly (shock, spring, assembly) can also be bought for some vehicles for about 2.5X the cost of the shock itself. If you want to do the job yourself and you've never done a shock replacement on struts before and don't have the patience and the tools (spring compressor), the complete assembly is probably the way to go.
For on-line prices of parts, try RockAuto.com (no, I don't work for them).
Kiawa's estimate for labor and alignment is probably close.
You might want to repost this over in the Repair and Maintenance forum where many of those who turn wrenches themselves hang out.
Prices are all over the place (usually for the exact same units). $1500 is insane. Even the ridiculous prices I got were more like $900.
KYB is good, and probably who made the OEM. Most common to find is Monroe, which should be fine for your needs.
Right now, Sears has easily the best prices. They are offering free install on shocks, and 1/2 price on struts (this is for Monroe sensortracks).
probably should be in the $500-$600 range, with alignment, for you car.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Just shop around, you can find many shops to do it at reasonable prices.
Q1- Does this condition sound right?
Q2- Should I stay away from the Monroe's sold at Sears because of a cheaper price?
Q3 - Should I go with a "lifetime" replacement guarantee by a very reputable firm .... I forgot the brand.
Thanks Larry760
Deal kept getting better. SInce I got the quote (took a while to get the parts in), Monroe has a rebate too.
So, 1/2 price (1 day sale) rate at Sears, and they have cheap install.
ends up being $517 inc. tax and alignment. Then $80 back.
cheap.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
I did go to Sears to get a price on Struts for the CAMRY and even after rebates and discounts, it will still cost $918 for the "Monroe". I guess that car just seems to cost a little more than others .... another place was talking over $1,000. Thanks again ..... really appreciated.
Until recently, that is. Noticed some weirdness after I hit something nasty with the right front tire - whatever it was punched a really good-sized round hole through the sidewall. Apparently the right front strut is leaking badly. The left front is on its way to join the party. Not surprising at all given the age.
I have two quotes, one from a shop that has a solid technical reputation for suspension and tire work, from Geos to racing vehicles, and one from a dealer I trust. For all 4 struts both quotes come in around $1350, including alignment. The specialty shop has suggested Gabriel struts. They are familiar with KYB but their experience is that their customers who get KYB and aren't into full-on sport driving come back complaining about a harsh ride. The dealer, of course, is offering OEM, with most of the cost stuffed into the parts rather than the labor.
What would you do? OEM, Gabriel, or KYB? (GR2's in my case - no AGX available for my car). I like my ride, but I need my handling, and am not interested in turning my Subaru into a rolling waterbed, if you get my meaning.
http://www.monroe.com/support/warranty.asp
However, Sears WILL NOT warrent them unless they are leaking or broken.
In talking with Monroe, they now acknowledge that Sears will not warrant their shocks for wearout, and they are done trying to work with them. Monroe says to try and see if any other local shop will honor the warranty, and if not, then have them replaced, and Monroe would pick up the cost of the shocks after I return the shocks to Monroe. Monroe will pay for shipping them back.
So, if you go to Sears to buy Monroe shocks, expect a problem if you think they are worn out, but are not broken or leaking. According to Monroe, this is the ONLY retailer that they have had this problem with.
Better to buy complete struct assembly from monoroe. Its $20 more than this, but should not take more than 15 min for honest mechanic. It some one take more then he is also like my oxygen sensor replacement mechanic.
Even all the description does not take more than 20 min. If it is 1 or 4 there is not much paper work. It will not take an hour.
http://www.shockwarehouse.com/index.cfm?mode=results&selected_model=223652&selec- - ted_year=2006
If you have the rear air shocks, that would increase your cost by $70 to $310. Where did you buy those replacements anyway?
And why would you need to replace the rear sway bar? Barring a catastrophic collision, the sway bar should last the life of the vehicle. Now the bushings may be another story.
If the struts don't do it for you, you can install softer springs and even a smaller sway bar.
Aftermarket options can be much less expensive -- here is my experience with a few popular models:
KYB GR2 - well made struts and shocks, but valved to be firmer than OEM. Makes the ride bumpier/less plush. Good longevity. Satisfaction is high for a sportier ride, but low for those who like a more serene ride.
Monroe Sensatracs -- firm (less so than KYB GR2) and fine for most applications. However in my experience and from other forums, durability seems to be a problem. Even though it comes with a lifetime warranty, the labor to replace the struts is costly, unless DIY.
Gabriel Ultra -- very good dampening, plush ride. Great fit for those who like a softer strut/shock -- these work well in my Camry. Good handling is maintained, though softer than OEM in many cases. Excellent value.
1st Question relates to the wisdom of just doing the fronts? What are the pro's/Con's of replacing all 4 - other than the cost of doing the work.
2nd Question is that if the OEM parts lasted that long - is there any reasons not to stick with OEM parts? Can I expect similar or longer life with other parts (I've been reading some horror stories about cheap shocks... You never get what you don't pay for).
Thanks in advance,
That's why I'd likely stick to the OEM shock instead of a "one size fits all" shock from a chain store. That quote is from this "classic" post from @idahodoug, a one-time suspension developer.
But are the rear shocks causing any ride or handling issues? Does the rear of the car bounce up and down more than it should? Many shock leak a little oil while still working fine.