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I only take it to the dealer as the first 3 years or 36k miles even wear items (wiper blades) are covered.
Here is why I don't trust them: they told me my cabin pollen filter needs to be replaced. I just replaced it 4 weeks ago. I doubt they even looked. I'm going to inspect it tomorrow and take a picture if its clean and send to them.
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Originally Posted by woodworkingmenace
Ive had the same struts on my 89 ford escort, and never had a problem.
Two years? Baloney!! Nothing beats the pot holes I deal with in my car, so, road you drive on is pure nonesense...
I 'never' take anything to a Dealership as a Rule, unless its something that 'only' a Dealer can replace, (like a door mechanism-->strange, how 'only they' can get them). A backyard Mechanic can do a better job at the mechanical aspect of the car and tell you if its leaking or not, (ok, they cant diagnose computers, but you can go to a 'reputable service center' for that, that a good friend would recommend to you, not anyone else ).
Its extremely rare that struts would go bad just out of warranty, but, get it checked out...or, better yet, put a used sheet or some thing, maybe cardboard to 'catch' the leaking oil under the struts and see if they leak all weekend...That would be the clear indication or not. Also, if they did leak, you would already have a stain on the concrete or ashphault, where you park your car!
The newer struts have some oil seepage as a normal "feature". I agree with getting a second opinion. I will do it at the dealer that you have the car serviced. I have a Camry and once in a while a mechanic would suggest new struts, some say the front some say the back, some say they see a leak, some rely on the mileage being over 50K. I have tested them and they are fine, the economy is bad and some mechanics are creative.
This was the first time I tried this dealership. Only went there as they sent me a $10 dollar coupon off an oil change (22 bucks for an oil change).
I normally go to another dealer (where I bought the car) or to an independent Subaru shop. Will go back to the independent,.
I only take it to the dealer as the first 3 years or 36k miles even wear items (wiper blades) are covered.
Here is why I don't trust them: they told me my cabin pollen filter needs to be replaced. I just replaced it 4 weeks ago. I doubt they even looked. I'm going to inspect it tomorrow and take a picture if its clean and send to them.
Though I wouldn't disagree that it's a good idea to check out a different repair facility given the situation, I wouldn't hod their "You have to replace the cabin air filter" against them.
SoA recommends replacing the cabin air filter on every service, they were probably going off of that.
If you're 09 (what model is it, I saw you wrote GT, but is it a 2.5i, WRX or STi?) has any resemblance to my 06, it would probably not be cost efficient for them nor the owner to do a visual inspection of the filter, considering the time it would take. (On the 06 at least, you have to remove the glove box, which includes some 10 bolts and 1-2 wiring harnesses.)
Though I wouldn't disagree that it's a good idea to check out a different repair facility given the situation, I wouldn't hod their "You have to replace the cabin air filter" against them.
SoA recommends replacing the cabin air filter on every service, they were probably going off of that.
If you're 09 (what model is it, I saw you wrote GT, but is it a 2.5i, WRX or STi?) has any resemblance to my 06, it would probably not be cost efficient for them nor the owner to do a visual inspection of the filter, considering the time it would take. (On the 06 at least, you have to remove the glove box, which includes some 10 bolts and 1-2 wiring harnesses.)
Replacement of cabin air filter is every 7,500 miles or yearly. I replace it every 3 months or 7,500. On the 09 its very easy to get to, takes a minute or so to remove the dash and pop it out. I checked and it was still fairly clean being only 4 weeks in the car. I'm taking it to a reputable independent shop Thursday. He said they can look and see if it needs immediate replacement, if it needs it at all. He did say they should be replaced every 50,000 miles, not after 2 years and 36k.. possible, but they won't know til its on the lift. Car is a GT so its basically the same turbo engine as the 2008 wrx with an auto tranny (blech)
Shocks don't wear by the mile like a tire does. Totally depends on the original quality of the shock, and how rough or not your roads are. A good quality shock like a Bilstien or Koni will last over 100K if you are on decent roads. Which, being in New England, I would hazard a guess you are not.
Shocks don't wear by the mile like a tire does. Totally depends on the original quality of the shock, and how rough or not your roads are. A good quality shock like a Bilstien or Koni will last over 100K if you are on decent roads. Which, being in New England, I would hazard a guess you are not.
Understood. But I've never had to replace struts so soon on my other cars that are driven on the same roads: Volvo, Subaru, MINI. Even when I hit a bad pothole in the MINI and needed new wheel/tire the struts were fine. I've had 4 other Subarus with no worries on the same roads as I drive this one. Road quality isn't getting worse, if anything seems to be improving. I do drive in Manhattan on occassion (low speed) but have never driven to the other boroughs or Long Island.
You know, first thing I would do is take a look at the oil leakage, second thing would be to check car-specific forums and see if the stock shocks typically don't last, and see what's recommended.
Dealers have been known to suggest service work that is not, strictly speaking, necessary or at least not necessary at the time they suggest it. Stuff like leaking oil pan gaskets that can probably be made to quit leaking or at least make the leak tolerable by torquing the bolts, and/or the leak is so small that it would never leak enough oil to justify the cost of having the dealer do the job.
Sad to say very few cars or trucks come "out of the box" with first-rate shocks.
You know, first thing I would do is take a look at the oil leakage, second thing would be to check car-specific forums and see if the stock shocks typically don't last, and see what's recommended.
Dealers have been known to suggest service work that is not, strictly speaking, necessary or at least not necessary at the time they suggest it. Stuff like leaking oil pan gaskets that can probably be made to quit leaking or at least make the leak tolerable by torquing the bolts, and/or the leak is so small that it would never leak enough oil to justify the cost of having the dealer do the job.
Sad to say very few cars or trucks come "out of the box" with first-rate shocks.
I checked. No known issues with the 09, general consensus is stock oem struts are garbage and several have replaced theirs. I'm taking it to an independent shop tomorrow.
I had a bad oil pan leak, mechanic at dealer over torqued bolt after oil change and cracked the pan. When they fixed it, they forgot to install the oil filler cap. Geez.
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