Was quoted $550 for two front struts, installed. - Page 2

ragtoplvr · 11-15-2012, 04:04 PM

I am another that is no longer a Monroe fan, I fear they may be living off the reputation. Gabriel another old brand was worse. Bilstein did good for me the last time. For GM, actually AC delco is pretty decent. But brands change all the time, depending on who bought who. so it is kind of a crap shoot. Ask the counter people.

A cheap strut spring compressor is not a good idea. Many auto parts stores rent professional quality compressors if you buy the parts there, a deposit refunded when the tool is returned.

Rod

Ducky 149 · 11-15-2012, 06:39 PM

Yes you are in the ballpark for 550.00. I am a Volvo tech and know that our strut jobs are ALOT more than that. I also sell them all the time. I also take out crappy parts that other shops have put in. Really sad to see the custy get the news that their new parts are the problem.... Ohwell...just another day at the office.

Ducky

tvpierce · 11-16-2012, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by troidus

Thanks. I've been hearing and feeling a thump on low-speed bumps, so I know I've got some slop somewhere. Cradle bolts are tight, as is the exhaust, and I can feel some wander like my old Chevelles would get when the steering linkage was worn.

The low speed thump is likely the sway bar mount bushings. VERY common on Toyotas. I just replaced them on the aforementioned Sienna, and my BIL's Rav4. While you're in there, try to squirt some grease inside the rubber boots of the sway bar link ends and work it around in there. They get dry and the ball joints in them fail... and they're $90 EACH to replace.

Good luck.

Cogswell · 11-16-2012, 09:49 AM

Probably need to add this to this thread too...

I put some KYB's on the back of my Element a few months ago. Borrowed spring compressors, no alignment needed. Probably took me a good 4 hours total time, I have previous auto repair experience.

FYI on parts purchase. I shop online a lot at Advance Auto parts website. Log in/create an account for email specials. I typically get a 20% off email, and see a 20% off web bought parts banner when shopping. Research and buy online, pick up at your local store. Saves me quite a bit of cash.

Mike

fast4d · 11-16-2012, 09:53 AM

fair price.

FWIW, if they are using strut cartridges instead of a complete replacement strut w/body then it requires even more labor to install.

4 wheel alignment is $140 around here

troidus · 11-16-2012, 10:16 AM

With the need to replace the upper strut mount, I'll probably buy everything, including new springs, and preassemble the new struts so that the strut swap becomes a simple six-bolt R&R.

When I had it aligned (5600 miles ago), the shop replaced the upper of the two strut-to-knuckle bolts with an eccentric, so I'll definitely have to have it aligned after reassembly. What I don't get is how the leaking strut was missed. It's wet clear down to the spindle, so it seems likely that it was already at least weeping when they were in there. No one said a thing.

troidus · 11-16-2012, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cogswell

FYI on parts purchase. I shop online a lot at Advance Auto parts website. Log in/create an account for email specials. I typically get a 20% off email, and see a 20% off web bought parts banner when shopping. Research and buy online, pick up at your local store. Saves me quite a bit of cash.

I did some shopping around. Rockauto seems to have the best prices for my parts.

tvpierce · 11-16-2012, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by troidus

I did some shopping around. Rockauto seems to have the best prices for my parts.

Watch out for Rock Auto's "shipping and handling" charges.

They're rediculous!

Cogswell · 11-16-2012, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tvpierce

Watch out for Rock Auto's "shipping and handling" charges.

They're rediculous!

You do have to watch for those shipping charges, some are worse than others.

That's why I buy online with the discount, and pick up at my local store.

Mike

troidus · 11-16-2012, 02:08 PM

Good point on S&H. I'll keep my eyes open.

Desert Scoundrel · 11-16-2012, 11:18 PM

$550 sounds right inline. By the time you buythe struts, buy the spring compressor, buy a jack, buy a set of stands, buy all the hand tools needed to do the job and then do all the work, THEN have it aligned........

$550 is cheap the way I see it

troidus · 11-16-2012, 11:24 PM

I already own everything except the spring compressor. I even have a couple of pickle forks sitting around here somewhere.

Desert Scoundrel · 11-17-2012, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by troidus

I already own everything except the spring compressor. I even have a couple of pickle forks sitting around here somewhere.

Just an fyi, pickle forks are not the proper was to remove tie rod ends or ball joints. Use one of these instead. These will not damage the boot or the ball/socket:

Mambo Dave · 11-17-2012, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnnyLightning!

Just an fyi, pickle forks are not the proper was to remove tie rod ends or ball joints. Use one of these instead. These will not damage the boot or the ball/socket:

That's fucking cool. Thanks - the next time I'll look for one.

I"ve got to imagine they are like pickle forks in that they come in sizes for different rod ends?

11-15-2012, 06:39 PM	#17
Ducky 149 Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Oct 2006 Location: Roswell Jawja Oddometer: 213	Yes you are in the ballpark for 550.00. I am a Volvo tech and know that our strut jobs are ALOT more than that. I also sell them all the time. I also take out crappy parts that other shops have put in. Really sad to see the custy get the news that their new parts are the problem.... Ohwell...just another day at the office. Ducky __________________ "I can't believe I threw up in front of Dean Wormer!!!! Kent, You threw up on Dean Wormer"

11-16-2012, 09:49 AM	#19
Cogswell Spudly Adventurer Joined: Jan 2005 Location: Riding with my pal Richard Cranium Oddometer: 3,272	Probably need to add this to this thread too... I put some KYB's on the back of my Element a few months ago. Borrowed spring compressors, no alignment needed. Probably took me a good 4 hours total time, I have previous auto repair experience. FYI on parts purchase. I shop online a lot at Advance Auto parts website. Log in/create an account for email specials. I typically get a 20% off email, and see a 20% off web bought parts banner when shopping. Research and buy online, pick up at your local store. Saves me quite a bit of cash. Mike __________________ Cogswell Rides To Big Bend See my airhead project here Time Warp Vintage Motorcycle Club The good thing is, your damn motor can't read. If it says oil on the container, it's pretty much OK to dump in there.... ED.

11-16-2012, 09:53 AM	#20
fast4d Beastly Adventurer Joined: Jul 2007 Location: Los Angeles, CA Oddometer: 1,573	fair price. FWIW, if they are using strut cartridges instead of a complete replacement strut w/body then it requires even more labor to install. 4 wheel alignment is $140 around here __________________ Alan 2011 KTM RC8R 2012 BMW S1000RR 2000 Kawasaki ZRX1100

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11-15-2012, 04:04 PM	#16
ragtoplvr Beastly Adventurer Joined: Oct 2007 Location: S. W. Mssouri Oddometer: 4,602	I am another that is no longer a Monroe fan, I fear they may be living off the reputation. Gabriel another old brand was worse. Bilstein did good for me the last time. For GM, actually AC delco is pretty decent. But brands change all the time, depending on who bought who. so it is kind of a crap shoot. Ask the counter people. A cheap strut spring compressor is not a good idea. Many auto parts stores rent professional quality compressors if you buy the parts there, a deposit refunded when the tool is returned. Rod

11-16-2012, 10:16 AM	#21
troidus ^OP Beastly Adventurer Joined: Sep 2010 Oddometer: 7,200	With the need to replace the upper strut mount, I'll probably buy everything, including new springs, and preassemble the new struts so that the strut swap becomes a simple six-bolt R&R. When I had it aligned (5600 miles ago), the shop replaced the upper of the two strut-to-knuckle bolts with an eccentric, so I'll definitely have to have it aligned after reassembly. What I don't get is how the leaking strut was missed. It's wet clear down to the spindle, so it seems likely that it was already at least weeping when they were in there. No one said a thing.

11-16-2012, 02:08 PM	#25
troidus ^OP Beastly Adventurer Joined: Sep 2010 Oddometer: 7,200	Good point on S&H. I'll keep my eyes open.

11-16-2012, 11:18 PM	#26
Desert Scoundrel Banned Joined: Oct 2012 Location: Lakewood Co Oddometer: 133	$550 sounds right inline. By the time you buythe struts, buy the spring compressor, buy a jack, buy a set of stands, buy all the hand tools needed to do the job and then do all the work, THEN have it aligned........ $550 is cheap the way I see it

11-16-2012, 11:24 PM	#27
troidus ^OP Beastly Adventurer Joined: Sep 2010 Oddometer: 7,200	I already own everything except the spring compressor. I even have a couple of pickle forks sitting around here somewhere.