Getting the shocks changed

[Yousuf Khan]

I noticed that my ride quality has not been quite as
confidence-inspiring over the rough roads recently (i.e. just about all
of the potholed city streets of Montreal). So I did the standard shock
absorber test: sat on each corner of the car and got off and watched if
it bounced up and down, or just came up and stopped. Every side was
fine, other than the driver's side front which bounced. So it looks like
that one might be going. I called up the dealership and they're
estimating about $400 (Canadian) per side to replace the shocks. Wanted
to know if this is something that I should even bother to get done at
the dealership, or should I go elsewhere? How much can I save? Should I
get both sides of the front done at the same time, even though one side
is fine?

Also it's going to end up with a different brand of shock absorber than
the original equipment stuff in there now, will this make much
difference to ride characteristics?

Yousuf Khan

 

[Jim Stewart]

I noticed that my ride quality has not been quite as
confidence-inspiring over the rough roads recently (i.e. just about all
of the potholed city streets of Montreal). So I did the standard shock
absorber test: sat on each corner of the car and got off and watched if
it bounced up and down, or just came up and stopped. Every side was
fine, other than the driver's side front which bounced. So it looks like
that one might be going. I called up the dealership and they're
estimating about $400 (Canadian) per side to replace the shocks. Wanted
to know if this is something that I should even bother to get done at
the dealership, or should I go elsewhere? How much can I save? Should I
get both sides of the front done at the same time, even though one side
is fine?

Also it's going to end up with a different brand of shock absorber than
the original equipment stuff in there now, will this make much
difference to ride characteristics?

Yousuf Khan

I reached the conclusion long ago that
if you want to restore a car's ride to
like-new condition, you have to change
the shocks and springs.

 

[johninKY]

Huge mistake if you don't change all 4. $800 for all 4 seems steep to me.
Shop around and you'll find someone that will do it for much less. Doesn't
have to be a Subaru mechanic/dealership. Replacing struts is about as
generic as replacing tires.

 

[Pete]

I've had it done for $100 per wheel at a reputable front end/suspension
shop. Monroe shocks.

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

I noticed that my ride quality has not been quite as
confidence-inspiring over the rough roads recently (i.e. just about all
of the potholed city streets of Montreal). So I did the standard shock
absorber test: sat on each corner of the car and got off and watched if
it bounced up and down, or just came up and stopped. Every side was
fine, other than the driver's side front which bounced. So it looks like
that one might be going. I called up the dealership and they're
estimating about $400 (Canadian) per side to replace the shocks. Wanted
to know if this is something that I should even bother to get done at
the dealership, or should I go elsewhere? How much can I save? Should I
get both sides of the front done at the same time, even though one side
is fine?

Also it's going to end up with a different brand of shock absorber than
the original equipment stuff in there now, will this make much
difference to ride characteristics?

Yousuf Khan

A good indie mech should be able to do this. It may save you a little.
If you have time and put out some effort, its possible to get 'take
offs' from someone upgrading their suspension. You may have to list in
the WTB (want to buy) section of www.nasioc.com . And wait. I believe
the stock struts are made by KYB so there should be no problem with them
as aftermarket. www.subarureview.com has a suspension section with a
little info on springs/struts . www.boxer4racing has a service where
they take your struts and upgrade them with Koni Yellow inserts. You
would need to email them to confirm - its tricky to find at there rather
poor on-lline catalog. Great folks though - I bought my axle-back from them.

just some fyi stuff. let us know how you car turns out after the fix!

Carl

 

[Clifford Heath]

Replacing struts is about as
generic as replacing tires.

What after-market alternatives are there? Someone mentioned Monroe...

I have Koni oils in the Alfa (there's nothing like proper progressive
dampers!), but our Suby still has the original gear.