8:43 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.
10:09 pm
Club Member
July 10, 2003
Offline 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. . .
11:10 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?
11:23 pm
Club Member
July 10, 2003
Offline 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. . .
12:05 am
January 12, 2007
Offline 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. 😯
12:39 am
"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?
1:42 am
July 15, 2005
Offline "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.
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1:57 am
January 12, 2007
Offline 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. 8)
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