Hi-

So I'm totally new to all suspension related issues, but I want to learn. I just had the front end aligned and the guy told me my struts and tires are shot, the struts from having +50K miles and the tires from absorbing all the shock that the struts were no longer absorbing. The tread on the tires is fine but he said the belts inside were all beat up.

Anyway, looking at struts online I see all kinds of different things - just struts, strut assemblies, strut mounts - and I don't know which ones I need. Anyone have a link to what I should be looking for? Do new struts have new shocks inside of them?

thanks

 

where did the 50k number come from? does your 98 car have 50k total miles? struts will usually last much longer than 50k miles. thats a line of crap usually from shops. many struts go 100k with no loss in performance. yes, a strut assy on your car has a strut body which is technically the shock. you reuse the original spring but get a new strut. sometimes the strut mount on the top of the assy is worn/loose so that is sometimes changed. 99% of all FWD cars use this strut assy design. but yes, a weak strut can cause the tire to bounce excessively and you get funny uneven wear patterns on the tread.

 

Ha, no, the Hornet has 180K+ on her...and actually I only know that the tires have 50K miles on them, I'm not sure if/when the struts were ever replaced, so they could have 180K on them too for all I know.

But, to my original question, could you help me out with what I should actually buy? I was told its cheaper to get things online, but how can I find what I need?

 

ever changed a strut? a bit of work and somewhat intimidating for the first timer. you need a floor jack, jack stands, and some tools. removing the strut is fairly easy. but than it needs to be compressed so the spring can be separated from the shock body. you need a compressor tool for that. struts are 60-80 each at most parts stores. pepboys, oriellys, napa, might save 10-20$ each if you get them online. but if you don't feel like doing it, a shop will charge 100 or so each and install is usually 150 for a total bill of 300? not a huge savings. usually the swaybar end links need to be removed and are rusty so sometimes that adds another 100 or so.

 

Ha, no I'm not planning on doing it. None of those numbers seem to add up though...how can 4 struts at $100/ea plus $150 for labor add up to $300?

But my real question is, how do I get them online?

 

oh that was for just a pair of struts. 2. not 4. lots of parts places online. rockauto is good. does your garage care if you supply parts? some do. or having a friend/relative do it? just looked it up at rockauto. $61 each. pictures too.