My son has a 1992 Lexus ES 300. He needs new struts and strut mounts. Obviously that is expensive, especially since its Christmas. I have found used on EBAY the whole...I believe its referred to as the strut arm...it has the strut and large spring etc..I have found both of those including the mount for a really good price.
Can some of you mechanics out there tell me if theres any way to visually know if the used strut arm is "ok" BEFORE I buy it..or does it have to be on the car first? Also if you were me would you use the used mounts or would you at least put new mounts? Is there a way of visually knowing if the mounts are ok?
Any suggestions would be appreciated. He wants $120 for it all which to me seems reasonable??
2006-11-28 12:59:25 · 8 answers · asked by melinda 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
For new struts (just struts not the whole arm piece) and mounts I was told would cost $160 A PIECE and mounts $64 a piece, labor $95 a side for a grand total of $639.90...which I thought seemed a bit excessive. But the quote was from Merlin and they have a tendancy to be high.
2006-11-28 13:55:15 · update #1
There is no shipping on these parts because they are local pickup.
2006-11-28 13:57:27 · update #2
It would be hard to tell with it put together. But to take it apart, you'd need a tool called a spring compressor, made for struts. Then you'd be able to tell if the strut itself is still good or not when the spring is removed.
2006-11-28 13:04:54 · answer #1 · answered by Silverstang 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sometimes a good deal is just that a good deal. It is very hard to tell visually just how used a strut is. Soap water and a lil paint can do wonders and be very decieving. Look for any clinging dust to the assembly this could be a sign of oil leaking. Another thing to think about is, Does the seller own the vehicle. did he replace the struts because they were bad?? but if the struts in your sons car must be raplace due too damage then take a chance i am sure a new strut assembly for that car is 200+ The mounts are much like a bearing in the front when the vehicle is turned the mount allows smooth turning check for rust and wheather checking in any rubber
2006-11-28 13:17:18 · answer #2 · answered by Rich K 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You always get what you pay for :) I am not fully familiar with the strut mounts are that exact model but ,almost all of them are made relatively the same . (urethane bushing inside of a metal sleeve with a urethane or foam type cushion for the spring to rest on)
If these used mounts are the same age as yours they will most likely have or will develop the same problem very quickly ,(squeak,pop and crack when you turn or hit bumps) so I would very much suggest new parts , I have had 10+ years experience of alignments and front end frustrations to know you can get buy with used on anything solid metal but never a bushing or joint , it will come back soon and labor rates are the same each time :) Hope that helps a little , Chris
2006-11-28 13:14:43 · answer #3 · answered by chris78corvette 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it's always buyer beware when you are buying used parts. doubly so when you cannot see them before buying. look at the seller's feedback rating on ebay. see what others are saying about his honesty, etc. might help out a bit. a mount really has to be installed and loaded to truly see if it's noisy or worn. if it's a good enough deal(gotta take shipping costs into consideration as a purchase price), then take a chance. might shop around at a local salvage yard to see if there is a reasonably good deal to be had there. at least there, if there is a fit problem, or after you get it togetther, and something is bad, you have a 30/60 day warranty to fall back on.buying off of ebay can be good, or can be a nitemare. shipping on these will kill you if there is a problem.just keep that in mind.
2006-11-28 13:40:23 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
keep in mind used parts are just that, used. could be bad already could go bad in a day. personally i would never put used struts on one of my vehicles. i know they're expensive but how many times will you have to replace the used ones compared to putting in new struts one time and being done with it. the only way to tell if the strut is any good is to install it on the car or get the spring off of it. i would go new.
2006-11-28 15:17:08 · answer #5 · answered by whatup 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
5 2d answer: with 50k miles, it particularly is in all hazard a ripoff. there have been a large variety of Buicks and different GMs in my family individuals and those struts tend to do enormously plenty until eventually at last around a hundred,000. long answer: it would take an inspection. try #a million: attempt to bounce each and each corner of the automobile. be careful to no longer dent any physique panels. once you permit bypass, the automobile could settle to its regular top and stop, no repeated bounced. try #2: verify out each and each strut. it could help to jack that corner of the automobile up, and it help to tug the boot around the strut as much as income extra get entry to. seek for any oily streaks working down the realm of the strut, indicating a blown strut. try #3: this one's harder yet a solid one. Get a chum to bypass out utilising with you. p.c.. a highway that has some bumps in it. watch each and each wheel for a minute or so. whilst the wheel hits a bump, it is going to right this moment stabilize. in case you notice any bouncing, undesirable strut. very final notice: Struts could get replaced in pairs, front 2 wheels or decrease back 2 wheels. in no way only one.
2016-10-04 12:02:10 · answer #6 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
its a lexus but better yet its your son youre putting used parts on his car. if you can afford a lexus you should be able to afford the struts for it.
2006-11-28 14:07:19 · answer #7 · answered by duc602 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
that's a good deal but make him warnety the parts for at least a week
2006-11-28 13:09:29 · answer #8 · answered by roy40372 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋