Expensive Struts?

[Ross]

I talked to the local dealer about new shocks and struts. He said new front struts were about $350 each installed! Two shocks, two struts, tax, close to a thousand bucks. Can this be right?

[wchain]

Dude, will you stop using the dealer and give me your money instead?

[rvaldez1]

Struts, I thought that we had seperate shocks, springs.

[cruzer]

Had my front struts changed, 4 wheel brake job, tranny pan-drop change and flush and sparkplugs replaced--total bill just over $800--John Eagle L/M--Dallas (now closed) :bigcry: Find someone else.

[rayjay]

I talked to the local dealer about new shocks and struts. He said new front struts were about $350 each installed! Two shocks, two struts, tax, close to a thousand bucks. Can this be right?
I have this land that is only a little wet for sale... Run, don't walk away. NO struts on a MM.

[Peace2Peep]

If you're gonna do all that...why not buy an adjustable suspension UPGRADE! The coilover adjustable Naake setup is $890 and if you add Addco sways your looking at around $1200 for a rebuilt suspension with nasty Marauder parts that kick boo boo! Not to mention if you did control arms too!

[RoyLPita]

Trust the man in post #2.

[O's Fan Rich]

I talked to the local dealer about new shocks and struts. He said new front struts were about $350 each installed! Two shocks, two struts, tax, close to a thousand bucks. Can this be right?

Get another estimate... heck even I did this myself... and will soon again.... unless you really like this dealer.

[magindat]

The front ARE struts. They are not MCPHERSON struts, but are struts. Strut being defined as a shock with a perch that hold the spring captive with a cap at the top of the shock travel. Shock and spring come out of the car as a unit. That unit is a strut.

In any event. Monroe front shock are about $125 each. Rear are about 80 or so each. It took me, about 4 hours to change the front shocks, cut the springs, remove rear (trip to FLAPS), trade in, and replace rear. I had a little help from Edwin at DR's, but I was also taking my time.

The above suggestion about naake is a good one, however, you probly have to figure labor into that as well.

BTW, I'm SUPER HAPPY with my cut springs and new Monroe shocks all around. I've driven and adjusted Naake cars and I think the Monroes are a very good choice for the budget minded who don't need to 'fine tune'. If a Naake car was a 10 out of 10, I'd rate the Monroe with cut springs setup at a solid 8.

If you can do the labor, call DR for the shocks. You can do 'em with basic hand tools (sockets, open/box ends, hammer). You can borrow a spring compressor from AutoZone. You'll save yourself a BOATLOAD of money.

[O's Fan Rich]

The front ARE struts. They are not MCPHERSON struts, but are struts. Strut being defined as a shock with a perch that hold the spring captive with a cap at the top of the shock travel. Shock and spring come out of the car as a unit. That unit is a strut.

In any event. Monroe front shock are about $125 each. Rear are about 80 or so each. It took me, about 4 hours to change the front shocks, cut the springs, remove rear (trip to FLAPS), trade in, and replace rear. I had a little help from Edwin at DR's, but I was also taking my time.

The above suggestion about naake is a good one, however, you probly have to figure labor into that as well.

BTW, I'm SUPER HAPPY with my cut springs and new Monroe shocks all around. I've driven and adjusted Naake cars and I think the Monroes are a very good choice for the budget minded who don't need to 'fine tune'. If a Naake car was a 10 out of 10, I'd rate the Monroe with cut springs setup at a solid 8.

If you can do the labor, call DR for the shocks. You can do 'em with basic hand tools (sockets, open/box ends, hammer). You can borrow a spring compressor from AutoZone. You'll save yourself a BOATLOAD of money.

I just cut the springs a full coil also.
I am awaiting my QA-1 dbl/dbl kit to be returned to me.
Tomorrow the car gets aligned with the cut springs, I'll drive it awhile then, hopefully, the QA-1 stuff will be back to me and I'll be able to see the difference for myself.
I LOVE doing things twice!!!

[Stranger in the Black Sedan]

I LOVE doing things twice!!!

You're way ahead of me if you only do things twice. I do them at least 8 times to get something right.

[Ross]

Well, I've never replaced struts, and I don't want to experiment on this car which has already cost me more than it should. So I will need to have some mechanic, whether the dealer or not, do the job. And of course, shops don't allow you to buy your own parts and bring them in. At least not any shops that I know of. So it looks like I'm stuck. However, I'm always open to suggestions to keep from spending more money than I need to.

[2ndMDRebel]

I just looked it up for a 2003 Marauder in the estimate utility we have on our computers here at work. To replace the fronts should cost $543.69 and tack on a $79.95 alignment, rears should be $309.67 . Don't be afraid to ask for a detailed estimate including where they get their labor times (motors, chilton, alldata, etc...) and a breakdown on part prices.

[rayjay]

I just looked it up for a 2003 Marauder in the estimate utility we have on our computers here at work. To replace the fronts should cost $543.69 and tack on a $79.95 alignment, rears should be $309.67 . Don't be afraid to ask for a detailed estimate including where they get their labor times (motors, chilton, alldata, etc...) and a breakdown on part prices.
Is that price for replacing the shocks -or- the entire assembly?

[O's Fan Rich]

Is that price for replacing the shocks -or- the entire assembly?

Remember, the shocks fit inside the springs. You remove the shock and spring unit as an assembly, disassemble the unit by compressing the spring, replace the shock and whatever else, re-install the spring and put the entire assembly back in the car.
Re-align.
Rather simplified, but I hope this helps.

Oh... it's a basic "coil over shock" arrangement. Without the adjustability of a true coil over set up.

[BLACKMARAUDER04]

Updated numbers:

Front: 3U2Z-18124-BH List $140.87

Rear: 3U2Z-18125-AC List $99.85<!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

LABOR:3.2 HOURS COMBINED AT $100/HR

THAT IS ABOUT $800

ADD $70-$80 FOR AN ALIGNMENT AFTERWARDS.

[Ross]

****zle! Looks like I ain't getting this done this paycheck!

[rvaldez1]

The front ARE struts. They are not MCPHERSON struts, but are struts. Strut being defined as a shock with a perch that hold the spring captive with a cap at the top of the shock travel. Shock and spring come out of the car as a unit. That unit is a strut.

In any event. Monroe front shock are about $125 each. Rear are about 80 or so each. It took me, about 4 hours to change the front shocks, cut the springs, remove rear (trip to FLAPS), trade in, and replace rear. I had a little help from Edwin at DR's, but I was also taking my time.

The above suggestion about naake is a good one, however, you probly have to figure labor into that as well.

BTW, I'm SUPER HAPPY with my cut springs and new Monroe shocks all around. I've driven and adjusted Naake cars and I think the Monroes are a very good choice for the budget minded who don't need to 'fine tune'. If a Naake car was a 10 out of 10, I'd rate the Monroe with cut springs setup at a solid 8.

If you can do the labor, call DR for the shocks. You can do 'em with basic hand tools (sockets, open/box ends, hammer). You can borrow a spring compressor from AutoZone. You'll save yourself a BOATLOAD of money.

Thanks for the clarification, makes sense now.

[fastblackmerc]

Remember, the shocks fit inside the springs. You remove the shock and spring unit as an assembly, disassemble the unit by compressing the spring, replace the shock and whatever else, re-install the spring and put the entire assembly back in the car.
Re-align.
Rather simplified, but I hope this helps.

Oh... it's a basic "coil over shock" arrangement. Without the adjustability of a true coil over set up.

You can pull out the front spring assemblies and take them to your local FLAPS to get the spring compressed and the shock replaced.

[Sharky]

My shop replaced the front shocks with Monroe SensaTracs for $160 parts and $70 labor. They said an alignment was not necessary after replacement and they were correct (I had it checked a couple of months later after hitting an armadillo and it was still within specs). I doubt that the Marauders would be any different, correct me if I'm wrong.

[O's Fan Rich]

My shop replaced the front shocks with Monroe SensaTracs for $160 parts and $70 labor. They said an alignment was not necessary after replacement and they were correct (I had it checked a couple of months later after hitting an armadillo and it was still within specs). I doubt that the Marauders would be any different, correct me if I'm wrong.

With the cost of tires I'm not chancing it. besides it's been awhile. And I cut a coil!

[TheDonk]

There are SensaTracs for the front? I've only found
Severe Service model listed for the fronts (SensaTracs
for the rear). If you have a number for the fronts
please post it.

[Sharky]

With the cost of tires I'm not chancing it. besides it's been awhile. And I cut a coil!Since the Marauders seem to have a problem with abnormal tire wear, it probably would be a good idea to at least check the alignment after shock/strut replacement to be on the safe side, especially considering how expensive you guys' tires are. And definitely after cutting a coil. But my alignment guy said that removing/replacing the strut assembly does not affect the alignment settings/adjustment, if I recall correctly. :cool:


There are SensaTracs for the front? I've only found
Severe Service model listed for the fronts (SensaTracs
for the rear). If you have a number for the fronts
please post it.They have them for the Grand Marquis, but I checked Advance Auto Parts (http://www.partsamerica.com/) and they only list KYB CV Police Duty shocks for the Marauder (at $173 each). :dunno:

[RCSignals]

Well, I've never replaced struts, and I don't want to experiment on this car which has already cost me more than it should. So I will need to have some mechanic, whether the dealer or not, do the job. And of course, shops don't allow you to buy your own parts and bring them in. At least not any shops that I know of. So it looks like I'm stuck. However, I'm always open to suggestions to keep from spending more money than I need to.

Ross, talk to Wes

[O's Fan Rich]

Since the Marauders seem to have a problem with abnormal tire wear, it probably would be a good idea to at least check the alignment after shock/strut replacement to be on the safe side, especially considering how expensive you guys' tires are. And definitely after cutting a coil. But my alignment guy said that removing/replacing the strut assembly does not affect the alignment settings/adjustment, if I recall correctly. :cool:

They have them for the Grand Marquis, but I checked Advance Auto Parts (http://www.partsamerica.com/) and they only list KYB CV Police Duty shocks for the Marauder (at $173 each). :dunno:

Agreed! I can see how it should not drastically affect alignment. In fact when I took the MM out for a quick 4 mile fillup trip it seemed to track very nicely yet.
But... I'm anal.

[magindat]

There are SensaTracs for the front? I've only found
Severe Service model listed for the fronts (SensaTracs
for the rear). If you have a number for the fronts
please post it.

Mike, the severe service ones ride just fine. I have sensa-tracs in the rear and sever service up front. Rich

[magindat]

Agreed! I can see how it should not drastically affect alignment. In fact when I took the MM out for a quick 4 mile fillup trip it seemed to track very nicely yet.
But... I'm anal.

Get it done. You'll end up with a bit of neg camber which can be compensated (wear wise) by a bit of toe.

[O's Fan Rich]

Get it done. You'll end up with a bit of neg camber which can be compensated (wear wise) by a bit of toe.

Done! It was off..... yep it was.

Now to await my Naake's:mad:

[carfixer]

Just to set the record straight. We have a non strut suspension. We have upper and lower control arms with coil over shocks. A lot of the confusion comes directly from Ford. They use the same basic part number for shocks and struts.

Copy and paste from Monroe's site:

Q: What is the difference between shock absorbers and struts?
A. Struts and shocks are very similar in function, but very different in design. The job of both is to control excessive spring motion; however, struts are also a structural component of the suspension. Struts can take the place of two or three conventional suspension components and are often used as a pivot point for steering and to adjust the position of the wheels for alignment purposes

[TheDonk]

Mike, the severe service ones ride just fine. I have sensa-tracs in the rear and sever service up front. Rich
I thought maybe Monroe had finally come up with a SensaTrac
for the Marauder fronts. I should have read his sig info closer -
he has a GM, it does have struts and there is a Monroe replacement
for them.