Struts/Shocks
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 31
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From: va
Struts/Shocks
Plz bear with me. Have a 95 ES with 192K miles with original struts/shocks (I don't know which I have). Some people tell me I should replace them at a cost of about a thousand. They say it will dramatically improve the ride. Don't have any bouncing or floating, but the ride might be a bit harsh. So I don't know what to do. Opinions??
190k... heh... honestly, there is no way they actually lasted that long - most shocks / struts have lost a good portion, if not all of their damping ability somewhere between 50 and 100k miles....
here's an example... if I were to quote you book time on a shock/strut replacement for your car, I would quote you this:
Fronts - 3.4 hours
Rears - 2.9 hours
6.3 hours @ $79 = 497.70
Plus Alignment - $69.95
Labor: $567.65
KYB GR-S shocks/struts (list price)
Front Struts: $151.89 ea
Rear Shocks: $126.48 ea
or about $556.74 list pricing....
A total of $1124.00
Now, we don't charge complete list or labor on packages like this, this is what we would charge:
Shocks/Struts: $425.00 (they can probably be found cheaper other places, but this is what we would do, giving a warranty on parts/labor)
Labor: $350.00 (including alignment)
So, a total of $775 + taxes...
Fronts - 3.4 hours
Rears - 2.9 hours
6.3 hours @ $79 = 497.70
Plus Alignment - $69.95
Labor: $567.65
KYB GR-S shocks/struts (list price)
Front Struts: $151.89 ea
Rear Shocks: $126.48 ea
or about $556.74 list pricing....
A total of $1124.00
Now, we don't charge complete list or labor on packages like this, this is what we would charge:
Shocks/Struts: $425.00 (they can probably be found cheaper other places, but this is what we would do, giving a warranty on parts/labor)
Labor: $350.00 (including alignment)
So, a total of $775 + taxes...
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: va
Shocks/Struts
Now THAT'S great info. Gives me something to work with when I go to the mechanic who works on my car -- a good guy and very fair.
Looks like I'll make the investment.
Thanks again!
Looks like I'll make the investment.
Thanks again!
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: va
Shocks/Struts
One other point. I've owned the car since 18K miles (was a customer loaner). I keep all records and I've been through them twice and can't find an invoice for shock/strut replacement. Guess I must not know a terrible ride when I feel one!
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if you don't realize it, it's because it did it gradually over time... it's not like one day you walked out and they all of a sudden had a ****ty ride.... it has gotten progressively worse over time... also, good chance you don't ride in other cars like yours to compare to...
now, if/when you replace them, it will be like night and day difference...
now, if/when you replace them, it will be like night and day difference...
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as for everything I have EVER been taught, and by what is supported on any major suspension manufacturers site, a strut must have steering control built into its design... the rears are truly nothing more than a coil-over shock... however, it's been debated many times here and elsewhere... many people refer to a shock with a coil spring mounted on it a strut...
I always agreed with the latter up until a couple years ago when I actually argued against what I now believe and found plenty of info proving myself wrong... So, strut = has steering control and many times alignment adjustment built into it, shock = holds the car up, but has no affect on alignment (can be replaced and reinstalled without ever touching alignment settings or bolts)
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