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How often do I need suspension work?

B

beer

Lifer
I drive a Ford Contour, mostly an economy car with no real performance aspects. It's basically a commuter car, but it was free, so I am not goign to complain. Anyways, my suspension feels a bit loose lately. My dad says I don't need any routine suspension work but eventually stuff needs to get done. At what point do I need new shocks? What other suspension work should I consider?

Thanks

 
struts - when they REALLY start to make noise
shocks - when your wheels start to scrape the wheel wells; you're gonna need new srpings anyway...


I've never replaced the shocks on my 1991 Sunbird that I bought with 59K and it now has 140K - it does ride low in the back 😱
 
Originally posted by: geno
What about it feels "loose"? The steering? The way it reacts to bumps and corners?
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The steering on the contour was always tight. It still feels relatively tight. It seems to have more body roll on turns and doesn't absorb bumps on the road as well. It feels looser but at the same time I feel bumps in the road more. That shouldn't be happening. Steering feels fine though.

 
What is the difference between struts and shocks? I always thought cars had one or the other, but daclayman's post makes it sound like they have both.

I have a 1995 Geo Prizm that's starting to exhibit the stuff Elemental is talking about, plus the rear sits lower than it used to. I think that's because I routinely hauled hundreds of pounds of computer equipment in my trunk for a job, though. 😛
 
I was told that the rule of thumb for shocks is to give the back bumper/trunk a good sharp push downward. If the rear end does more than go down and come back up one time you need new shocks.
 
Originally posted by: PipBoy
I was told that the rule of thumb for shocks is to give the back bumper/trunk a good sharp push downward. If the rear end does more than go down and come back up one time you need new shocks.
Click to expand...

If that's the test, my car doesn't need new shocks.

What is the average milage for suspension work? And the relative cost?
 
most of the commuter car crap we drive have struts on the front and the spring/shock combo on the back. A few cars have struts all around. When you see those: Shocks for $19.99 installed, you've probably waited too long for the sale anyway and the springs will need to be replaced also which is about $150. The springs are what do the work in the back; the shocks just keep them from being 'springy'.
 
I just did a quick search on prices for shocks/struts, you can get some decent Monroe struts for around 65 a pop and shocks should run about 45. So about 220 in parts I guess + labor (not even sure what the rates are like, sorry)
 
the maintenance schedule for supension parts should be in your car's user manual. i'm not sure, but i think 50,000 miles is the recommended interval for struts/shocks. I had the struts done on my 1991 sunbird for $240 which is a good price but my car is one the lower cost vehicles to fix. i remember a quote of $150 on springs from a couple years back. try a national chain with lifetime guanartee (if you're gonna keep the car awhile) and look for a % off coupon. Shocks can be done by an amateur but springs need to be done at a shop.

edit: I may be wrong on that strut installed price of $240 - I can't remember off hand. I know the same shop did both halfshafts on a 1992 cavalier for $249 + tax so I'm probably off on that $240

edit2: i couldn't stand not knowing for sure - 11/28/2000 for struts receipt says

parts: 801809/801810 $129.95
labor: $100.00
tax: $ 8.80
-----------------------------------------
total: $238.75
 
Originally posted by: daclayman
the maintenance schedule for supension parts should be in your car's user manual. i'm not sure, but i think 50,000 miles is the recommended interval for struts/shocks. I had the struts done on my 1991 sunbird for $240 which is a good price but my car is one the lower cost vehicles to fix. i remember a quote of $150 on springs from a couple years back. try a national chain with lifetime guanartee (if you're gonna keep the car awhile) and look for a % off coupon. Shocks can be done by an amateur but springs need to be done at a shop.

edit: I may be wrong on that strut installed price of $240 - I can't remember off hand. I know the same shop did both halfshafts on a 1992 cavalier for $249 + tax so I'm probably off on that $240
Click to expand...

It just so happens my car has 51K miles on it. Go figure. I knew somethin was up.

 
For most cars and trucks in my area factory shocks last maybe up to 25,000, and factory struts last maybe 45,000 miles.

Factory struts and shock are softer than aftermarket ones, as you don't want to test a new car and have it be to stiff, so they put softer S/S on them.

Monroe has some of the best aftermarket S/S. Gaberial has some goods one also, but they don't seem to last as long. Advance has Monroe and Autozone has gaberials. They both should have a lifetime warrenty as long as YOU own the car.
 
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