Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Thanks everyone! I will do the bounce test and post the results. Also, thanks for letting me know. I knew the mechanic was charging insane amount of money.
Step 1: check or have someone else check if struts ARE indeed leaking. Leaking strut needs to be replaced, period.
Step 2: Worst case scenario it needs to be replaced. Buy Quick Strut from Monroe or its equivalent from KYB. Yes, they are more expensive but you have entire assembly.
Step 3: find a mobile mechanic. Any local parts store will hook you up. They are very reasonably priced and come to YOU.
You know why I recommended Quick Strut? Because say on front end to replace it takes 20 minutes. Or less. 20 minutes is like with beer in one hand and cigarette, no rush. So you pay more for the part, but save A LOT on time and that's what costs most - time. Labor.
yes, but there will be some physical evidence of the leak. It will be slow, and you can probably drive for a long time before the strut is completely junk.
But, there will still be an apparent wet spot somewhere on the body.
If it looks something like that, you've got time. Another thing to check is the bounce test. Put your weight on one corner of the car and release. The car should come back up and instantly stop. If it bounces up and down a few times, the strut is gone and you need to replace it.
I did price out a few struts from rockauto.com
Cheapest Sensen was $28, most expensive KYB was $72 each. A few brands in between like Monroe and Gabriel around $50. I'd imagine you could get it done for much cheaper than $1K.
Certainly $1k is absurd! On the other hand, you can't expect a professional shop top sell you parts at internet bargain prices.
Certainly $1k is absurd! On the other hand, you can't expect a professional shop top sell you parts at internet bargain prices.
Don in Austiin
Not at all. A shop has to make money somehow. Had the OP said the quote was $500-600 or so, I'd figure that would be reasonably inline with expected markup on the part and the appropriate amount of labor involved.
But $1K+ sounds like a dealer quote, and I bet the cost of OEM struts is something like $300-400 each or so.
I will go to one mechanic which I trust and I will tell him to do a complete inspection. Let's see what he comes out with.
Did you have a Honda dealer look at them. I also had to get them on a crv one was bad but you need to buy 2. I had a choice between the oem or a different one. Also they had to do an alignment if I recall.
As one who pulls wrenches for a living, this I say: ALWAYS get a second opinion. If you have any doubt or question whatsoever, get a second opinion. Rear struts could very easily run $1100. I doubt they do, but they could, depending on the price of a strut, labor rate, the alignment after replacement. Lots of factors. I think $1100 is high, but the GM dealer wanted $1330 to put front shocks on my Suburban. I did it myself for less than $400. Shop around!
Not at all. A shop has to make money somehow. Had the OP said the quote was $500-600 or so, I'd figure that would be reasonably inline with expected markup on the part and the appropriate amount of labor involved.
But $1K+ sounds like a dealer quote, and I bet the cost of OEM struts is something like $300-400 each or so.
then add on labor and fees the Honda has one unit the other choice was more work. I made the choice oem why I plan on keeping this honda
Technically, a strut can't leak because it is a metal structural part of the suspension. What leaks is the shock absorber. And it leaks at the piston 'O' ring.
I have done a few struts and it is really easy work. Three bolts on top and 2 below. A quick strut replacement takes about on hour. To replace the strut and reuse the coil spring, it takes a bit longer and the clamps to retract the spring, but even at that, it goes quickly. Would love to get that kind of money for replacing struts.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
