Shock/strut help for my 2002 Subaru Legacy GT Limited

[Alexgt]

I bought this car about 5 months ago and I love it. Its a very easy car to drive and i feel so in control.  It feels so odd to drive my moms 2014 Mazda CX5. I feel like the cars driving not me.

 

The one thing im having an issue with is the very bumpy ride. The steering wheel is also much harder to turn. I feel every imperfection in the road. My car has 134,000 miles on it so i thought maybe the suspension is wearing out. my moms car glides over bumps and pot holes like there not even there but in my car there bone jarring. So i went to have the suspension and steering checked out and he said the power steering fluid is dirty and needs to be flushed and put synthetic stuff in. he said my shocks are not leaking at all but could just be warn out.  he gave me a price for 4 new ones. the Monroe shocks he said are good quality comparable to the KYB GR-2 struts but i read they give an even more stiff ride then the oem struts.. Is there anything i can get that could give me a slightly more comfortable ride? 

 

Any help would be greatly appreciated,

Thanks in advance  

 

[heartless]

I have used both the Monroes and KYBs over the years - I like the KYBs better, but that is kind of a personal choice.

 

the Monroes tend to offer a plusher ride, but also seem to wear out faster

the KYBs are a little stiffer (not overly so), but seem to last longer and offer better handling imho.

 

I think you should get a second opinion on the power steering, tho - sounds to me like the shop is fishing for dollars...

[idosubaru]

most Subaru people get KYB's but i doubt you'll really notice a compelling difference and Monroe would be fine, i wouldn't hesitate to run them.

 

97% of the improvement is going to come from just replacing them, the other 3% will come from how the job is done, whether mounts/springs are replaced, and what brand. 

i would think more about the 97% not the 3%.

 

the stiff steering is usually the steering ujoint/coupler, often times rusty.  replace with a used one, they're super easy to replace (it's like one bolt - slihtly hard to get to but easy). being easy to replace and that they don't fail terribly often, used makes sense here.

 

you're unlikely to notice any difference with power steering fluid change, Subaru's are rather robust when it comes to power steering and brake fluids, but new fluid is a good thing.

Edited August 21, 2014 by grossgary

[Alexgt]

thanks for the helpful info

 

 

the shop i went to gave my a price of $900 for the Monroe to be installed   he has to order them. the price seams a bit high to me. I went to Monro Muffler 

[idosubaru]

That's probably about right and will seem high in many ways.

 

$100 per strut and $120 per strut labor. 

 

Struts are $100 - with a $40 coupon (TRT41 online code) the struts are $60 from advance auto parts:

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/monroe-oespectrum-strut-71448/19711192-p?cm_mmc=ACQ-_-Google-_-GPLA-_-19711192&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=19711192&ci_gpa=pla_with_promotion&ci_kw=&iv_=__iv_p_1_n_g_a_pla_with_promotion_d_6201684_f_online_s__o_19711192-145219_z_US_j_71042597542_i_en_d_c_v___vi&gclid=COPilNK7pMACFShp7AodJEcAnw#utm_source=acq&utm_medium=google&utm_campaign=gpla&utm_content=19711192

 

Can get the struts for $250. 

But that's not what a shop will charge you for them.  They have to maintain relationships with suppliers, have them delivered, look up parts, etc. 

[Alexgt]

Thats what i was thinking thanks

 

Im going to take my car to a few more places

[heartless]

something to check in regards to the stiff steering issue - have the front strut top mounts checked out - there is a bearing in there that allows the fronts to turn - they can & do get bad.