2012 Four question...have you replaced the shocks and at how many miles and what did it cost/where?

Not sure on warranties but how did they know it needed new shocks? How old or how many miles were on the tires at their retirement ? What was the expected life on the tires (what was the tread wear rating)? Do you have DIY abilities or need the shop to do it?

I have 155 k miles on our 2010 II and it's shocks are doing well and original. The boots are torn, but other than that they function well. On the 3rd set of tires and these have a warranty that will last until 200 k miles on the car.

When I need to have the front shocks replaced, my plan was to buy new front shocks and take them to a shop to remove the old shock as the spring is under extreme tension. They make spring clamps, but it's a ticking time bomb. Any shop should be able to swap the shock and give you back the assembly, then it is a matter of bolting it back together.

To do the front shocks, you have to remove the windshield wiper cowling, so it takes some work to get at the shock tower bolts. But manageable.

If near San Jose, going up to San Francisco gets you to Luscious garage, which is a great option if not doing it yourself.

Hope that helps.

 

Good advice on seeking other quotes if DIYing is not an option.

It appears that based on the tire life that they are not being retired early and might be a case of upselling knowing they would have a captive audience IMO. I bought the second set of tires for our Prius at Sears and every time I would take it in for the "free rotation ", they would always try to say it needed an alignment.

When we retired the OEM ecopias, there were no signs of uneven wear and no noticeable drivability issues. I had a free oil change at the local dealer, and asked what their thought was on the alignment. They said there were no issues (this was 100 k miles ago). So I never went back to Sears and rotated myself.

If your son is ever curious to learn how to do some of the maintenance items, we have a good group of folks out here that are more than willing to teach and swap stories:

Possible Monthly install meets. Bay Area-Fremont

Last one was in Fremont. The one next month is in Lafayette.

Hope it works out for them

 

Two visible traits of bad shocks are:
1) Oil leaking or pooling on the shocks...not just a film.
2) Cupped tires...internet search should show pictures of cupping.

Is the car "pogo"ing when going over bumps while driving?
The standard test is to push down on the cars corner and watch the jounce.
But I have never found that accurate.
IMO to accurately test shocks in my opinion is to remove them, get them warm/ hot and then test their dampening on a shop bench. When cold shocks usually bench test okay...they need to be warm.

110 miles, yes odds are the shocks are worn and could be replaced.
But many never change shocks and never complain.
Over time, gas in the shocks leaks, oil wear out and seals and bushing wear out.
Springs also loose their stiffness and the car sags/ ride height becomes lower.

If tire shop is upselling for the sake of it...education by the OP could be a great suggestion.
If tire shop saw cupping, then the recommendation could be valid.
2nd opinion in this case seems prudent.

Good luck.

 

Sounds like a good plan.

If your out this way and want to meet some of the Bay Area owners, let us know and we might be able to swing a meetup in.

If that sometime soon is June 24th, the venue has changed to Fremont.