Suspension hlelp - 200k miles

[jdlamoreaux]

Thank you for the useful information! I've never worked on cars and don't have any area or tools to do so. I wish I did, especially if a new suspension DIY is only $500.

Here is what the shop quoted me under "future needs":
Front struts leaking -- $1,112.95 w/ alignment
Front lower control arm bushings & end links torn-- $1,291.36 w/alignment
Rear shocks -- $495.12

So it's actually more like $3,000! Are these repairs pretty much a replacement of the whole suspension? I've never even been quoted repairs this expensive before.

[tmontague]

Originally Posted by jdlamoreaux

Thank you for the useful information! I've never worked on cars and don't have any area or tools to do so. I wish I did, especially if a new suspension DIY is only $500.

Here is what the shop quoted me under "future needs":
Front struts leaking -- $1,112.95 w/ alignment
Front lower control arm bushings & end links torn-- $1,291.36 w/alignment
Rear shocks -- $495.12

So it's actually more like $3,000! Are these repairs pretty much a replacement of the whole suspension? I've never even been quoted repairs this expensive before.

Wow, that seems like an insanely expensive cost for the repairs. They are either expecting your car to be a rust bucket and everything be completely seized which makes no sense, or they are charging complete full book time like a dealer typically does. Hell, that makes a dealers prices sound competitive.

I would get other quotes. Cheapest isn't always the best but in this case this is just grunt work and easy money (especially with the lack of salt in AZ). The rear shocks can be purchased for around $140 for both and should be less than an hour to replace (literally 2 bolts each).

Not sure if they are marking up the costs of parts or what is going on. I wouldn't be surprised if you could find a small shop to do it all for just over a grand.

Your shocks may be leaking but may still ride ok, eventually they will start to fail completely and you will bounce down the road.