Struts replacement

[jells]

Just how much would you expect to pay to replace the struts, typically at a tire store or such? I was told $1,000 but that seems to be excessive.

Thanks

[robo_geek]

A grand is waaaay too much. The parts cost less than $100 per wheel, you can buy KYB struts for like $65 a strut, and a shop would use something cheaper, their cost being $50 a strut. A good tech could swap four struts in an hour, it's not that hard. Even if there are extra parts needed, like some cars need strut bearings in front, it should not cost more than around $600.

[tigersharkdude]

a shop is going to charge you ~$100 for each strut, so thats $400. Then they will tell you there is other stuff that needs to be replaced, just say an additional $150. So now we are at $550. You will need an alignment afterwards, so thats another $100, and now you are at $650. and a shop will charge you labor of ~3-4 hours (even it takes 2 hours) and most tire shops have labor prices ~$75/hr, so that puts you ~$250 for labor. So now you are at $900+tax ~$990. Or you can do it your self and save a butt load of cash. There are plenty of write-ups and many of us can help you with this. If you would like I can dig up a price list of some of quality parts for you

@robo_geek, 4 struts in an hour isnt happening.

[jells]

Thanks for the offer. I have the shop manual (on the computer) that does spell out the process pretty well. I'm selling the car, and the $1000 was put on the table as a neotiating point. I have no problems working this myself, but the wife said to just get rid it it. I can't do this type of repair in the driveway, anal HOA.

One last question, is the "test" like days of old for shocks? Bounce it and see how quickly it recovers/stops? I was surprised when talking to him, I guess driving the car since it was almost new the deterioring situation was not noticed.

Thanks again.

[MTZI30]

Well how did you figure it needs new struts? My car you could see the strut covers were torn and one was leaking. Replaced them with tokico blues and made a huge difference...

[jells]

Funny you should mention.

This morning I had an appointment to have the tires rotated, balanced and aligned (bought alifetime service agreement when I bought 4 new tires and asked that they check the struts. Did the work, inspected the struts and road tested. They were fine, no leakes and responded well. Only issue was the boots were in poor condition. Service manager said he ran to 200,000 before he changed his.

Battery was dead this morning so that was changed out.

Bottom line, compromise off the table now. Anyone want to buy an 03 Maxima for $7500? Merritt Island, Fl. (South of the Kennedy Space Center).

[tigersharkdude]

i would love to if I had the money. By boots, do you mean; strut mounts or what?

[jells]

They are plastic or rubber corregated sleves that cover the actuator part of the strut. Typically to keep out dust and dirt. I see some examples from $15 to $ 35 each, but the strut needs to be removed to install them. Old style shock absorbers had an exposed rod and they had no fancy protection.

[tigersharkdude]

IMHO, drive the car. You said yourself that older struts didnt have them and didnt have a problem. Thats my opinion on them. My front two boots arent in the best shape but Im not dropping $250 for new parts and an alignment

[MTZI30]

Ya a lot of struts that fail early seemed to have that rubber cover all ripped open. I relpaced all of the supporting components when i did my struts. Mounts, boots...

[tigersharkdude]

Also if you are serious about selling your max. Im sure I know someone close to you that may be interested

[jells]

I'm as serious as a heart attack. My wife and I were at a local mall on Merritt Island. There was a tent sale out front. Walked in just looking and drove out with an '08 Kia Amanti. That means 2 cars and a truck, the Nissan is excess. The car is posted on Cars.com with the info and telephone number.
Thanks