Shocks and Struts question.

[Mayfriday0529]

Got a 2002 Nissan Sentra with 120,000 or so miles.
I been told now multiple times that I need shocks and struts both in the front and back.
I can feel the car being a lot more bumpy etc. etc.

My question is, how much should front and back work cost? If I could only do one section first because of $$ which one should I do?
I been looking to get it done at Meineke, Mavis Tire, or Dealer.

p.s. I can?t do it myself, no experience, no tools, no place to do it.

Update: 5/13/2008
I'm finally going to get the work done as soon as I get my goverment stimulus check. Because I don't think I will pass NY state vehicle inspection without it.
Anyways I got a quote from Mavis Discount Tire, maybe some of you can comment on it.
Its for front and rear struts.
Front $214.99
Rear $ 259.99
Alighment $69.99
Total $544.97

 

[Demon-Xanth]

My wild ass guess would be something along the lines of $800 for all four installed if they're struts. Considerably less if they're shocks. The last time I had to have struts replaced was about 10 years ago. (current car has shocks that I swapped out myself)

 

[JulesMaximus]

Get the front done first. Of course, that's going to be the more expensive option because those are struts. Shocks are quite a bit cheaper than struts.

You could probably do the rears yourself to save some money. It's not difficult.

 

[Mayfriday0529]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Get the front done first. Of course, that's going to be the more expensive option because those are struts. Shocks are quite a bit cheaper than struts.

You could probably do the rears yourself to save some money. It's not difficult.

I'm sorry for being car dumb, but I though both the front and back had both shocks and struts.

edit:

looked online, seems like my car has struts in front and shocks in back.

 

[JDMnAR1]

If you are the least bit mechanically inclined, shocks and struts are generally a pretty straight forward swap. If you don't have all of the necessary tools, I know Autozone has a 'loan a tool' program where you pay a deposit to use the tools and get refunded when you return them. They don't have everything, but I was able to get spring compressors to use from them when I changed out struts on my wife's car.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: JDMnAR1
If you are the least bit mechanically inclined, shocks and struts are generally a pretty straight forward swap. If you don't have all of the necessary tools, I know Autozone has a 'loan a tool' program where you pay a deposit to use the tools and get refunded when you return them. They don't have everything, but I was able to get spring compressors to use from them when I changed out struts on my wife's car.

You'll want to do a wheel alignment once you're finished installing the struts too.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: Jnetty99

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Get the front done first. Of course, that's going to be the more expensive option because those are struts. Shocks are quite a bit cheaper than struts.

You could probably do the rears yourself to save some money. It's not difficult.

I'm sorry for being car dumb, but I though both the front and back had both shocks and struts.

edit:

looked online, seems like my car has struts in front and shocks in back.

The difference between struts and shocks is that the strut has the spring mounted to the strut and the strut itself is part of the suspension. A shock just mounts to the suspension. Most cars use a strut front suspension with shocks in the rear. There are some cars with struts all around and there are some vehicles with shocks all around though. Any car with upper and lower control arm suspensions would have shocks instead of struts. A car with only a lower control arm would have a strut in place of the upper control arm. Basically, it allows for a smaller package and it's probably cheaper to manufacture although upper and lower control arm suspensions are generally better for a true performance car.

 

[Demon-Xanth]

Strut suspension:
http://www.procarcare.com/imag...yclopedia/8852MG23.gif

Shock equivalent:
http://www.procarcare.com/imag...yclopedia/8852MG25.gif

 

[Mayfriday0529]

I'm finally going to get the work done as soon as I get my goverment stimulus check. Because I don't think I will pass NY state vehicle inspection without it.
Anyways I got a quote from Mavis Discount Tire, maybe some of you can comment on it.
Its for front and rear struts.
Front $214.99
Rear $ 259.99
Alighment $69.99
Total $544.97

 

[daveymark]

is that quote for the work, as well as the parts? if so, it's not too bad

 

[radioouman]

Sounds reasonable to me.

 

[Vette73]

Seems high to me but i have not done auto work for a while.


See if you can bring your own parts. Right now monroe has buy 3 strurts get the 4th free. So that is $150 for all 4 struts with a lifetime warranty at Advance Auto.

You can get them cheaper at Rockauto and they have a 5% coupon floating around as well.

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: JDMnAR1
If you are the least bit mechanically inclined, shocks and struts are generally a pretty straight forward swap. If you don't have all of the necessary tools, I know Autozone has a 'loan a tool' program where you pay a deposit to use the tools and get refunded when you return them. They don't have everything, but I was able to get spring compressors to use from them when I changed out struts on my wife's car.

Installing strut inserts (which I assume you are referring to, since you mentioned a spring compressor) isn't what I would call easy. It's not incredibly hard, but it's a pretty solid time commitment and should only be undertaken by someone who has some wrenching experience. Installing struts as a unit is simpler, but still not a walk in the park.

I still have nightmares about those $&%&@# gland nuts.

 

[Mayfriday0529]

Originally posted by: daveymark
is that quote for the work, as well as the parts? if so, it's not too bad

quote for both parts and labor. Mavis also has a coupon online for 25% coupon off plus up to $40 instant rebate for shocks and struts. I hope they can honor it.