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Gold Hills Posse 4×4 Club · Folsom, CA

Struts

  1. Guest former user
    #15 Mar 2008, 12:43 PM

    How do you tell if the struts on a car need to be replaced? Is there something more definitive than just shaking it and watching it wiggle?



    I drove Kelly's car yesterday and the ride felt soft. She's having some other work done on the car today and I asked them to take a look at the struts. They say that all four need to be replaced. I'm not sure how much I trust them.



    Anyone have a spring compression tool that they'd be willing to loan me?



    The car is an 01 Corolla with about 100k miles. The struts have never been touched.

  2. JohnDF Subscriber
    #25 Mar 2008, 2:09 PM

    Push down on a corner. It should return to the start position quickly without any jiggling. Compare it to another car with good struts.



    OMG...this forum is acting so slow, I don't even want to read it any more...



    Dump Dot 5...



    Dump Dot 5...



    Dump Dot 5...

    I used to wheel a lot. . .
  3. Guest former user
    #35 Mar 2008, 3:10 PM

    That's the wiggle test. I need something more high tech. 😀



    I keep having to log in everytime I come back. What's up with that?

  4. JohnDF Subscriber
    #45 Mar 2008, 3:23 PM

    I was having to log in a few times today too.



    It's funny how it's fast then slow again. Frustrating.



    Sorry. I can't help much more with the struts 😂

    I used to wheel a lot. . .
  5. Justin Subscriber
    #55 Mar 2008, 4:05 PM

    There are 2 good ways to check for bad struts. One, do what John said and push down on each corner of the vehicle individually, and it should bounce no more than 2 times and then return to normal sitting position. The second way is to look for leaks. Usually a bad strut will leave a wet spot around the cylinder of the strut.



    You can rent a spring compressor from most rental yards or True Value in Auburn. I have used ratchet straps before to do it but it was terrifying. 😲

  6. Guest former user
    #65 Mar 2008, 4:39 PM
    "Justin" wrote: You can rent a spring compressor from most rental yards or True Value in Auburn. I have used ratchet straps before to do it but it was terrifying. 😲



    Renting the compressor shoulds like money well spent. 😀



    Wanna guess how much they quoted to replace all 4 struts?

  7. RobD Subscriber
    #75 Mar 2008, 5:42 PM
    "Bender" wrote: [quote="Justin"]You can rent a spring compressor from most rental yards or True Value in Auburn. I have used ratchet straps before to do it but it was terrifying. 😲



    Renting the compressor shoulds like money well spent. 😀



    Wanna guess how much they quoted to replace all 4 struts?



    I am betting about $1200.00 to 1500..3 to 400 per strut including installation.

    __________________ 'If we ever forget that we're one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under."- Ronald Reagan
  8. Justin Subscriber
    #85 Mar 2008, 5:57 PM

    It's crazy how much flat rate pays for struts. I used to love those jobs. They payed about 2 to 3 hours but took me 45 minuted to do all 4. 😀



    You can almost count on most shops (dishonest shops), will see a car with over 50K miles and stock struts, and they will tell you they need replaced. Easy money! I know the drill. It's one of the reasons I quit working at a well known chain. I ended up working at a small shop and making more money the honest way. 😎

  9. Guest former user
    #95 Mar 2008, 8:07 PM
    "RobD" wrote: I am betting about $1200.00 to 1500..3 to 400 per strut including installation.



    Well done...$1350 for all 4! 😲



    I gave it the bounce test and I'm not convinced. Maybe I'll bring it to the next meeting for a second (or third) opinion.

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