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Author Topic: Car repairs  (Read 3757 times)

JaWiB

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Car repairs
« on: November 17, 2013, 01:33:11 PM »
Just curious if you guys have any words of wisdom here. I got a tire patched up at Les Schwab yesterday, and they tell me I should replace the struts on my car (2002 Mazda protege). They quote me at $107.33 plus $42 in labor per strut, plus $83.50 for an alignment.

Now, I'm pretty sure I do need new struts as the car has over 100,000 miles on it and I doubt the previous owner replaced them. But I looked up the struts on Amazon and it's $50/strut! However, the quote also lists "strut assembly install package" as a $0 part, so I'm wondering if the price includes some other part that somehow gets bundled with the strut?

I'm gonna call some other places this week for quotes, but I thought I'd ask here in the meantime.
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ober

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Re: Car repairs
« Reply #1 on: November 17, 2013, 04:27:42 PM »
They always jack up the prices. Ask if you can buy them and just have them do the install. Not all shops will do that but some will. I have done that with brakes successfully.
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JaWiB

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Re: Car repairs
« Reply #2 on: November 17, 2013, 05:00:12 PM »
I was thinking about trying that. There must be at least one shop in town that will do it
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KnuckleBuckett

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Re: Car repairs
« Reply #3 on: November 17, 2013, 05:16:15 PM »
Seems way early for struts in most cases.  Not always, as there are exceptions, but not typical.  We checked our 11 year old Olds Aurora with 160K and the dealer said they would put them on but they weren't needed.

Check forums and YT for advice on your year and model.
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Perspective

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Re: Car repairs
« Reply #4 on: November 17, 2013, 06:45:43 PM »
If you don't see oil leaking from the strut then you're probably ok not to replace.
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JaWiB

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Re: Car repairs
« Reply #5 on: November 17, 2013, 11:34:11 PM »
Hm, I kind of took their word for it that there was cupping on my tires and it was probably due to the struts. I have driven a fair amount on dirt roads, so I figure the suspension has taken more abuse than most sedans. Guess I need to do some more research
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Perspective

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Re: Car repairs
« Reply #6 on: November 18, 2013, 11:02:27 AM »
Oh yeah. If your tires are not wearing evenly that can be a sign of bad struts.
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Betazep

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Re: Car repairs
« Reply #7 on: November 18, 2013, 12:38:48 PM »
My 2007 mazda has shot struts too.  They make a popping/whining sound as I go down the road and over bumps.  (like the sound of a rusty door closing)  I just haven't been looking forward to the added cost.  The radio is still loud enough to make the sound disappear, so I think I am in good shape.
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KnuckleBuckett

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Re: Car repairs
« Reply #8 on: November 18, 2013, 01:04:42 PM »
Failed or failing suspension takes serious mileage off of tires and wear to the rest of the car is significantly increased.  Further it screws with handling and safety.

Turning up the radio may make ya feel better about it, but typically you get to buy extra tires along with replacing the struts eventually.  Get that shit take care of!!
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Betazep

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Re: Car repairs
« Reply #9 on: November 18, 2013, 08:15:55 PM »
Yeah... I just wish I had the time / ability to do it myself.  It is so expensive to get somebody else to do it.
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JaWiB

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Re: Car repairs
« Reply #10 on: November 18, 2013, 11:38:29 PM »
Being an adult sucks
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ober

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Re: Car repairs
« Reply #11 on: November 19, 2013, 09:13:11 AM »
Quote from: JaWiB on November 18, 2013, 11:38:29 PM
Being an adult sucks
+100000000000000000000000000000000
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Betazep

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Re: Car repairs
« Reply #12 on: November 19, 2013, 03:23:16 PM »
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Rob

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Re: Car repairs
« Reply #13 on: December 15, 2013, 01:28:33 PM »
Quote from: Betazep on November 18, 2013, 12:38:48 PM
The radio is still loud enough to make the sound disappear, so I think I am in good shape.

:lol:
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kermi3

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Re: Car repairs
« Reply #14 on: December 15, 2013, 02:13:24 PM »
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