Stemmer

I picked up my '99 RX from the dealer today after getting an alignment. They did a complimentary inspection and everything was fine other than the comment "rear struts and mounts are bad." I like this dealer but they do seem quick to recommend repair work. When I got an oil change recently, they told me I needed a new power steering pump but my fluid has remained at the full level and now it checked out fine. My questions:

1. What symptoms if any should I be getting if the rear struts and mounts are bad?;
2. Are there risks of damage if I ignore it and they do need replacement?;
3. If I do this job, it seems like a classic buy the parts and have the indy install job as opposed to the dealer. Can someone point me to the appropriate parts online and let me know a fair price range for installing rear struts and mounts?

Thanks as always.

Bobster999

The shop always seems to find something to recommend. You should always ask for an explanation as to what exactly led to them to concluding your rear struts are bad. Dont believe everything you hear and only half of what you see. lol... ps... i used to be a certified Honda tech. Many recommendations are only to make your car basically "ideal condition" but dont mean absolutely necessary in many situations. You need to be informed enough to know the difference.

JAB

How many miles? In any event, a 99 with average miles is likely due for struts and mounts if they are original. Use KYB struts but OE mounts.

Stemmer

214K with original struts and mounts. I can't find OE mounts on-line but would the first two links be correct for right and left rear KYB struts and the last link be correct for KYB strut mount rear left and rear right (Part Number: W0133-1935779)? Would I need to buy anything else? If these are correct, looks like my total for parts is $300. What should installation cost from an indy? Thanks for helping me out.

http://www.justsuspension.com/kyb-ex...ut-334263.html

http://www.justsuspension.com/kyb-ex...ut-334264.html

http://www.partsgeek.com/catalog/199...rut_mount.html

JAB

DO NOT BUY KYB MOUNTS! Spend the extra money and get OE, from the dealer if necessary.

hypervish

+1. Buy from Sewell.

Stemmer

OK, thanks everyone. If I decide to do it I will get the KYB struts and OEM mounts, either from Sewell or my dealer. I took my RX to the indy, he pushed down on the rear and he said it did bounce a bit more than it should. But he asked what type of noise I get over speed bumps and I told him if I hear anything it's a creaking sound. He said if the struts/mounts are bad it would be a clunking noise, which I definitely don't get. All in all he did not think it was critical but advised it could become both a handling and safety issue down the line. I think for now I will stand pat but I appreciate the advice and now I know what to do if I decide to go ahead.

gazi001

Good luck stemmer. You could compare oem parts at parts.com.

Bobster999

I tried using them to compare headlight assemblies from 99-00 to 01-03 but they dont show actual part numbers.