Was told by Jiffy Lube tech that my front struts are quite rusted and worn and should be replaced. Quoted me $925 for the job. ($300- each for strut assembly and $125- each for labor) Took car to local garage and they said the suspension rides well, but indeed the front struts and rear shocks were rusted but not leaking. They quoted to replace both front struts with toyota parts would cost $1460- , including 4 wheel alignment. $421- each for modular strut assembly and $350- FOR LABOR) To replace the rear shock absorber and assembly would be $606- (not toyota parts), suspension shock absorbers $98- each and shock assembly labor $366-.. My question is at this point (car has 160,000 miles on it), does it need toyota parts for either replacement and would Jiffy Lube be just as good? Any input would be appreciated.
Do not go to Jiffy Lube for anything, they have a very bad reputation. If your struts are original from 2014, they should be replaced. You already got 10 years out of them. Changing out complete strut units is not a difficult job. Maybe you can buy your parts online (you can get KYB complete struts assemblies on rockauto.com for about $200 or less each side) and ask a shop to install them. The complete strut assemblies are great, it includes new springs, struts, strut mounts....everything will be new.
This shop is being honest, if it rides ok and especially if they don't leak you don't need new struts. Unless you just want them. I have 320,000 on my original struts, front suspension, brakes and axles and everything is fine. Usually a wheel bearing or the sway bar bushings go first. If it's not broke don't fix it.
What are his credentials? He has none clearly. That's why he's there. Would you go to an unlicensed doctor?
45 min a corner for a 70 yr old like me on any given day with pretty basic tooling that should be on any country property generally speaking.
HOW does the car drive? If it feel solid, you are likely fine. when you go over small bumps, do you hear a knocking noise? Drive over the reflectors they have between lanes, if you hear and feel the struts bottoming out, you need new struts and possible shocks. 160,000 is "about" the lifetime of the shocks/struts, depending on your driving. If you do mostly highway driving, they will last longer, city driving with bumpy roads, they won't last as long. Don't waste time and money with rock auto. They offer "lifetime" warranty, but only once. Then they just refund your money. Check autozone. They have kyb struts and offer a real lifetime warranty. And won't have to wait a week to get a replacement. I just went through this with roak auto. They are certainly NOT what they used to be. I paid the extra money to autozone so when these wear out, I call them, they get them in a day, I pick them up, install them, return the used up ones. That simple. It took me about an hour to replac both on Sunday, by myself. Pretty simple. Many youtube videos on how to do them.
Keep your oem struts which last a very long time and you don't need to worry about warranties on a 160k mile car driven by a 73 year old lady. The reality is your repair fund should be accumulating for the $2400 hybrid battery or the $2500 brake booster which will wear out sooner.
Struts do wear out before they start leaking. This will effect stopping distance and body sway. For the $265 it cost to replace struts and rear shocks I find it a wise decision once the car passes 100k. To each there own tho....
Once you see the dust boot being compromised, the lifespan of your Front Strut is limited. Now you have small rocks hitting the shock piston making things worse. Even to the extent where part of the dust boot is buried into the bump stop making even more noise
For many many years, the front shocks on cars had no dust boots. My 2012 Prius v has only 34k miles on the odometer. The thin rubber of the dust boots I often shred with age from ozone exposure. While the piston rods may be more subject to damage, I'd only replace the struts, if and when they start leaking.
Got to go old school and remove the springs and compress the shock by hand. If the piston goes up slowly you are good. If the piston stays down then you know the answer. From my experience, any Prius with over 150k the front strut is toast. Especially if the car has 300k miles……cough
To prevent any of the degraded rubber from the bellows from entering the space between the piston rod and the seal, the debris needs to be removed,.
