Sport Bilstiens, how do I know if there shot?

RC76 · 08-07-2003, 10:16 AM

Took the 82SC to the shop last week for some preventive maintenance, mech comes back saying my front right strut is stuck and the left front is shot. How do I verify this? The suspension was rebuit about four years, 20,000 miles ago, new sport bilsteins all the way around, previous owner spent about $1600.00. Now I may be looking at a $2200.00 repair, including the ball joints.

Also, if they are shot, am I doing permanent damage by continuing to drive on them? $2200.00 is not in the foreseeable future!! Thanks

masraum · 08-07-2003, 10:51 AM

you can replace the cartridges for about $250 for both fronts. It would be unusual for the rest of the strut to be bad. Replacing the inserts is pretty easy. The way an insert normally wears it just stops damping, and that can cause some weird tire wear, but mostly it will just degrade your handling.

$2200 for new struts sounds kind of off to me.

What part of Houston are you in? There are members all over maybe you could get some help in working on them yourself, or working on them at someone elses garage if you don't have much to work with.

911 · 08-07-2003, 10:57 AM

That seems awfully high ($2200). For my '86 Carrera, I think I paid around $800 for 4 Bilsteins (HD & Sports) and this included installation. I hope you can find a better deal.

1fastredsc · 08-07-2003, 11:03 AM

Yeah dude, for 2200 bucks those better be coil overs or something of that magnitude. The previous owner might have spent that much because he got them all around, not just the front, plus he probably bought the whole assembly. Then you add on an alignment and other small things that usually get done and you get 2k. But since you already have them you can just do what masraum says. And why would you need ball joint, i thought they rarely to never went bad on our cars?

CHILI · CHILI's Garage

Agreed, that's way out of line. Either we're missing some info, or the mechanic has been sniffin' too many exhaust fumes! Just get the inserts and do it yourself. Easy job. I think it took me about 2 hours and I changed from Bogi's to Bil's.

CHILI · CHILI's Garage

Oh, I guess nobody answered the question, though. Just press down on the front of the car and see if it pops back up too quickly or bounces. That's the sign if they're shot. Although, mine didn't seem bad, but when I did all 4, and had the old Bogi's out, I could litterally compress the shock with just my arms pressing it together. You shouldn't be able to do that with a good shock. You should have to sit on it to make it compress. Hope that helps.

RC76 · 08-07-2003, 11:10 AM

The mech said that it would be better to replace the whole assembly, new struts and shocks. I'm just wondering if it was a mis-diagnosis?!! How hard is it to replace the shocks and not the struts, the tech article regarding replacing the struts seems pretty involved, I don't have a place to work right now, or a back up mode of transportation.

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

Installing rears on an SC can be tougher than on a Carrera due to the CIS. But no exaggeration - I did rears on my Carrera faster than I can do an oil change. Very easy job. You can find those shocks for under $150 a piece, DIY the job on a Sat. morning, still have time for a spirited drive and save enough money to buy lots of beer and maybe do a few more mods.

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by RC76
The mech said that it would be better to replace the whole assembly, new struts and shocks. I'm just wondering if it was a mis-diagnosis?!! How hard is it to replace the shocks and not the struts, the tech article regarding replacing the struts seems pretty involved, I don't have a place to work right now, or a back up mode of transportation.

You mean strut housings. Shock inserts just go right in and that's probably what you need. Your housings should be fine unless they were damaged in an accident.

McDaniel · 08-07-2003, 11:32 AM

for the front from our host. Under $250 for sport version, not
a hard install as others have mentioned.

RC76 · 08-07-2003, 12:10 PM

Thanks for the replies, I'll check out the shocks after work.

masraum · 08-07-2003, 12:21 PM

Replace the whole thing, not unless it's bad. That's just crazy talk. These things are designed to last. Unless he can show you where they are bad, broken, or severly worn then he's full of crud.

It's very hard to tell if they are bad on our cars because the suspension is so stiff. Before I changed mine I could bounce up and down on my bumpers and the car would come right back, but when I got the old parts back they were extremely bad.

Amac · Amac's Garage

I think that mechanic's on drugs. If one strut is stuck and the
other shot plus bad ball joints, you would have a hard time
just controlling your car. I think it's time to find another
mechanic.
I'm sure some of the Houston guys can help you find another
shop.
You can put bilstein sports on your car yourself for about $500
front and back.
Good luck

Superman · 08-07-2003, 01:04 PM

Besides the inserts and rubber parts, your struts are not even "wear parts." What I mean is that replacing the housing would be like replacing the gas tank just because it's an empty one, and you need a full one. The housing is a cup, into which the insert is, well....inserted.

Bouncing a bumper is not a good way to get information. My shocks are pretty darned worn (218K miles, I believe), and the bumper does not "bounce." Stiffened cars don't even budge, let alone bounce.

I'd say get a second opinion. I suspect your shocks are just fine.

Elfer · 08-07-2003, 01:50 PM

With regard to your mechanic, I can give you one piece of advice:
RUN!
This guy is trying to gouge a lot of money from you. Best thing to do is search this forum and read, read, read. Then buy the parts yourself and attempt to install. Its not that hard, and youll get satisfaction of the good job that you did. Dont forget the alignment after the install. Good luck!

masraum · 08-07-2003, 01:58 PM

What shop/mechanic is it? Being in Houston I can tell you who I have either had good luck with or heard good things about. Where you go will depend upon where you live since this place is so friggin big.

Callas in Seally comes very highly recommended. I haven't used him because it's at least a 1.5 hour drive from my house.

Momo in Clear lake is honest and does good work, but is sometimes pretty full so may take a while. I have used Juan a couple of times.

I have heard mixed things about Protechnik in Sugarland. Most is good, but not all. I haven't tried this guy.

Viking is good and is the shop of Viking Sjoval who is very very active in the local PCA, nothing but good things about him. I haven't tried this one personally either.

There are some others. If you do a search here for Houston shops you'll probably get a few hits.

Bones · Bones's Garage

I second Elfer tell the 'mechanic' (read , pimp , wrenching m**********r) to find another mug you are not one of them . As has been said above the housing is like a gas tank unless it's accident damaged it's fine . There must be a Pelican here who would help you fit them it's not rocket science and it's not THAT expensive .