I took my 98 Buick (~50,000 miles) in to the shop because the service engine light was on. The computer said it was the catalytic converters. I had those changed for a reasonable price, but the guy said that the struts need to be changed as well. I don't think the struts have been changed before (my grandparents had the car for the first 30,000 miles). The quote was $289.95, which is a lot of money for me, so if I don't really need to pay that, I'd rather not. It kind of seemed like the mechanic was just trying to find more stuff to charge me for.
I took the car in to the dealer not too long ago and they found some other stuff wrong (at even higher prices), but they didn't say anything about the shocks/struts. So, what's the deal? Are they just trying to rip me off because I don't know anything about cars?
2007-03-02 02:56:28 · 8 answers · asked by Nels W 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
I assume $289 was per axle, not for all four. That is stupid dirt cheap.
MAP (Motorist Assurance Program) guidelines recommend replacing struts and shocks after 50,000 miles due to the reduced performance of those parts over time. Studies have shown for example that worn struts/shocks can increase stopping distances by as much as 23% compared to new. They don't need to be blown out (cracked, leaking or broken) to evidence this reduced performance. The funny thing about struts and shocks is that they don't wear out over night. They gradually degrade over thousands of miles as they wear - so your not going to notice that your car drives differently now than when brand new.
A couple of years ago I went to a "ride and drive" sponsored by a major strut and shock manufacturer. We took two identical cars out on a handling track - well, not quite identical. One had brand new struts installed for the demonstration, the other had the original struts. Both cars had nearly identical mileage - about 45,000. The difference in handling and braking between the car with new and the car with old struts was (no pun intended) shocking! But I will admit, the car with the OE struts seemed fine, until you drove the car with new struts.
Now, your shop may have recommended the struts because a visible fault was found, such as a leak, but as long as the car has more than 50k miles this would have been a routine recommendation by any shop that is following good industry standards.
PS
The "bounce test" recommended by the poster above has no basis in science and can not be used as a method to recommend struts. No reputable shop would do it.
2007-03-02 07:36:13 · answer #1 · answered by Naughtums 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
5 second answer: with 50k miles, it's probably a ripoff. There have been plenty of Buicks and other GMs in my family and those struts tend to do pretty well till around 100,000.
Long answer: it would take an inspection. Test #1: try to bounce each corner of the car. Be careful not to dent any body panels. When you let go, the car should settle to its normal height and stop, no repeated bounced.
Test #2: look at each strut. It may help to jack that corner of the car up, and it help to pull the boot around the strut up to gain more access. Look for any oily streaks running down the side of the strut, indicating a blown strut.
Test #3: this one's tougher but a good one. Get a friend to go out driving with you. pick a road that has some bumps in it. watch each wheel for a minute or so. when the wheel hits a bump, it should immediately stabilize. if you see any bouncing, bad strut.
Final note: Struts should be replaced in pairs, front two wheels or back two wheels. Never just one.
2007-03-02 03:03:17 · answer #2 · answered by Brian D 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like your mechanic is trying to make some money. I'm more skeptical of the catalytic converter change myself.
Get a second opinion. 50K miles seems a little early for a strut change to me- especially if it is riding ok. The cost is probably accurate.
2007-03-02 08:37:25 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
go down the road and hit a bump at a good speed if the car continues to bounce after hitting the bump then the struts are bad when you hit that bump it should be tight and a quick bounce then it should stop that means your struts are good hope this helps good luck
2007-03-02 03:03:43 · answer #4 · answered by tom j 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
when you drive and hit a bump does the car bounce alot, if not dont worry,your struts are still good. Just keep an eye on them.
2007-03-02 03:21:56 · answer #5 · answered by nathalie b 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it's a possibility that you might need strut and shocks.your best bet is to go to midas muffler or firestone to have them checked.yes dealers are more expensive then repair shops.if you are going to keep the car,you should have the front suspension checked because it can wear your tires out as well as putting more wear on your ball joints and other things.shop around for prices on your repairs.
2007-03-02 03:03:39 · answer #6 · answered by stormy 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i own a repair shop,and they are probably bad on it,because there supposed to be checked and replaced every 5 years ,so there's a good chance they may be bad ,but the mechanic probably wasn't trying to rip you off he quoted you a good price for putting all of them on ,he done his job by inspecting the car real good,the dealer didn't look it over real good,but if you don't think you need them don't have them put on,but if your car starts handling badly,and bouncing after hitting bumps,you need them good luck,i hope this help,s.
2007-03-02 03:14:24 · answer #7 · answered by dodge man 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
THE PRICE ON THE STRUT SOUNDS FAIR . THE DEALER IS TRYING TO GET YOU FOR MONEY. DID YOU BRING THE CAR TO THE DEALER FOR THE STRUT PROBLEM
2007-03-02 03:02:06 · answer #8 · answered by tator4202002 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋