Posted: 12/22/2006 8:26:58 AM EDT
|
My 01 civic is approaching 110,000 miles and I'm wondering if I should have the shocks/struts (whatever they are) replaced when I take it in for the timing belt and accessory belts. I'll be doing all the other stuff, fluid flushes, plugs, valve clearance check, but have no experience with suspension work. I also think you need a spring compressor to work on them. How do you know when they need replaced, how long do they normally last? I don't notice much ride difference over the car vs when it was new, but over time I'm sure the difference isn't as noticeable since I'm guessing they degrade over a long period of time. Should I wait until a valve on them blows and my tire's hopping up and down the road or just swap them all out while it's in the shop? |
|
Had these and never needed replacement (and I always asked my mechanic if he thought I ought to replace them, on each car). 1984 Honda Accord w/ 186,000 miles 1990 Acura Legend w/ 243,000 miles 1999 Honda CR-V w/ 183,000 miles (current daily driver) I asked the local Honda dealer about struts for the Accord and was told by both the service managers and parts counter guys that they've never sold any! And the car was nine years old at the time. Of course, YMMV, but I've never changed them. If your tires are wearing okay (no flat spots), and if your car passes the "bounce" test and handles alright, I would not worry about it. |
| Usually Hondas are pretty reliable whether they are cars, motorcycles or ATVs. That being said, there is a simple way to check to see if you shocks or struts need replacement. Push down on the front (or rear) of the car. Notice how many times the suspension cycles. If the suspension compresses, then rebounds and settles back to it's original position, the struts / shocks are fine. If the suspension keeps bouncing more than once (i.e. compress, rebound, compress, rebound) you need new struts / shocks. |
|
Bounce test, if feels so soft and bounce, worn. You can usually get a feel for the ride being bouncy, car bouncing up-down when hiting bumps, ride not very firm, struts have oil all over them. Buy you a good set of struts, I bought 2 Monroe Gas for front of my Celica, never done anything to rear, car has 266,00o mile now. When you do replace, get new misc parts like the spring seat rubbers, cushions, and other aged stuff to assemble a new strut, I hate it to have to recylce aged parts with a new strut. |