Replacing Shocks/Struts?

[aphex]

After getting my tires changed and an alignment this morning (for a pretty good deal), the shop (Tire Kingdom) said I'm way overdue replacing my shocks & struts. I'm at 155k miles and they've never been replaced. I know they normally say 40-50k miles on shocks, but what do I know, they don't seem to be an issue right now afaik.

He quoted me at $975 installed, at which I actually laughed in his face and politely said no thanks

Besides their price gouging, is this something I should look into? When i push on each corner of my car, it doesn't keep rocking, just back up.

 

[Vette73]

FIRST RULE: Year, Make, and model.


But I would at least do the shocks. Shocks will not require an alignment. Struts on most cars will require a alignment.
Check out rockauto.com for shocks. I run monroe sensatrac. Good price and have lasted.

 

[aphex]

2005 Mazda 3

 

[ghost recon88]

155k miles in 5 years?

 

[PhoKingGuy]

155k miles in 5 years?

Someone on TDIclub has 109k miles on his 09 Jetta tdi. I don't know how, but he posted a pic of it.

 

[Vette73]

2005 Mazda 3

Yea rear Monroe shocks are only $31 each from RA

Front struts are a little over $80


Rear shocks are easy and if you have a good jack and some handtools can do both in 1 day even if you have never done before.

 

[HarryLui]

Push the car down. Does the car stop bouncing in less than 1.5 bounce? If so, your strut/shocks are fine.

 

[StageLeft]

I had 134k on my maxima suspension when I got rid of it. It did clatter a little over bumps but it was by no means swaying in the wind.

 

[Bartman39]

I had 134k on my maxima suspension when I got rid of it. It did clatter a little over bumps but it was by no means swaying in the wind.

The clatter you hear is the bearing/mount at the top of the strut which gets loose and is like most rubber mount componets it should also be changed...

aphex... Have no doubt you need new struts and shocks but thats is a way out of line price also a shame you will have to have another alignment after replacing the struts...

 

[aphex]

155k miles in 5 years?

Commuted to law school for 2.5 years at 50 miles each way, now I commute 45 miles to work. Its slowed down considerably since I started working from home three days a week around March, but yes, 155k miles in a bit under 5 years.

 

[aphex]

Push the car down. Does the car stop bouncing in less than 1.5 bounce? If so, your strut/shocks are fine.

Yep, it acts just as expected.

 

[aphex]

The clatter you hear is the bearing/mount at the top of the strut which gets loose and is like most rubber mount componets it should also be changed...

aphex... Have no doubt you need new struts and shocks but thats is a way out of line price also a shame you will have to have another alignment after replacing the struts...

My alignment is good for 6-months/6,000 miles, so i assume as long as i get them done with 6 months i'm ok for another free one.

Do i really need new shocks though? Yes I have a lot of miles, but its almost ALL highway (85-90%), very straight roads, no hills or twisty turns (its Florida).

 

[HarryLui]

Do i really need new shocks though? Yes I have a lot of miles, but its almost ALL highway (85-90%), very straight roads, no hills or twisty turns (its Florida).

Did it pass my test? If so, no.

 

[dug777]

Yea rear Monroe shocks are only $31 each from RA

Front struts are a little over $80


Rear shocks are easy and if you have a good jack and some handtools can do both in 1 day even if you have never done before.

The parts may not be expensive, but a good mate replaced his front and back not long ago and said it was a royal pain in the ass (mainly the front ones). Granted it was on a 4WD but still, his thoughts coming out of it were that he'd only do it again with some help and better tools, plus the promise of lots of beer afterwards

@OP: usually the bounce test gives you a good idea if it's "safe" (rooted shocks play hell with emergency braking as I understand it), but you've gone to the moon and back on the same set, forgive me if I say I don't believe that your shocks are still ok after that distance

Even just highway work, the tiddly little OEM shocks and struts on most cars should be pretty weary at that distance...

EDIT: it's very easy to talk yourself into thinking they are fine as well, perhaps the easiest way to convince you otherwise would ideally be to drive another one with new shocks, or to just 'bounce' one.

 

[HarryLui]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80C2N9ecSj4&feature=related

 

[exdeath]

155k I'd agree, esp if you live in an area with crappy roads. That's a lot of miles on stock struts/shocks.

Also that price is reasonable if it includes labor and is a *complete job*, meaning it gets all the stuff nobody else here is considering at all four corners: new springs, strut mounts, spring seats and isolators, dust boots, etc.

Sure they are $20 and $25 parts but when you add it all up x 4 it's not cheap. A complete strut cartridge that has everything new in between the 3 top bolts and two bottom bolts runs about $150, so that's $600 in parts alone.

All that stuff is rubber and wears out around 30-60k miles and none of it is included with the $90 struts people are linking you to.

Does the car bounce and float a lot? Does it bottom out easily? Does it make any clunking or creaking noises when turning or on uneven pavement?

 

[Bartman39]

Ok found your car may not use the bearings on top but the rubber mounts might possibly need replacing they would have to be checked (might be a dealer item only)... Front struts are only about $100 ea and rear shock as it does not have struts in the rear are about $55-60 ea...

Note this is for reg retail pricing as opposed to what a shop would charge at min would be 1.5X their cost most hit you for 2X and up their cost to cover warranty and labor incase of defective parts and of course profit... Labor is also figured in to the deal with the installation...

Myself I would turn key the strut/shock installation for $500-600 including parts and labor, then send you to a reliable shop for the alignment (doubt they will align it for free with new parts installed...?) I do this kind of stuff for a living so its quite simple to me having all the proper tools and strut compressor at hand... :thumbsup:

 

[IcePickFreak]

At 155k miles yeah they need to be replaced. A smaller car with a shot suspension is much less a problem than a big and heavy car with a shot suspension though.

How many miles were on the car when you bought it? If you've personally put 100k on it and never replaced shocks/struts, you would definitely notice a difference on new ones. I would definitely shop around though because $975 is way high.

 

[Gibson486]

From one mazda 3 owner to another.....

Do not get the OEM replacement. Why? because there is none. When they replace them, they use these struts from KYB. From the opinions on the Mazda board, they are not favorable at all. then again, for a price of about $50 a strut (front) and $30 a strut (rear), I can see why.

 

[CraigRT]

From one mazda 3 owner to another.....

Do not get the OEM replacement. Why? because there is none. When they replace them, they use these struts from KYB. From the opinions on the Mazda board, they are not favorable at all. then again, for a price of about $50 a strut (front) and $30 a strut (rear), I can see why.

Don't like your KYB's?
I've put KYB's on every car I've owned that I changed the struts on.. They're fine in the applications I've used them on..

 

[Zenmervolt]

Don't like your KYB's?
I've put KYB's on every car I've owned that I changed the struts on.. They're fine in the applications I've used them on..

I've never had an issue with KYB either. I mean, they're not Bilsteins or Konis so the boy racers don't get off on them, but KYB produces great shocks for someone who just wants a reasonably comfortable street ride.

Also, KYB is the OEM for Mazda shocks. Mazda just buys a bunch of KYB shocks and sticks their own name on them. KYB also provides OE shocks to Lexus, Infiniti, Mitsubushi, Nissan and Subaru among others. KYB is a huge company; Japan's largest manufacturer of shock absorbers. It's not like they're some cheapo fly-by-night option.

In my experience, KYB shocks are generally on par with Sachs/Boge shocks for European cars. Excellent choices for people who aren't aspiring to track their cars but just want capable handling and reliable parts for street use.

ZV

 

[exdeath]

Almost every car on the road uses KYB, they are VERY big in the OEM sector. Add Toyota to the list ^