How long before replacing struts?

[2civics]

I have 75k miles on my 2009 Civic and want to know if the time is about right for me to change out my struts. The mechanic at CarX claims it's about that time. Replacements will run $1030.00 with labor. Not something I want to do unless I am close to having to do it anyway. They told me that worn struts will wear my tires, cause stress on the transmission, etc. Going through the symptoms list, I have only uneven tire wear.
This could be explained though. I had a bent rim and rotations (26k on tires) were not possible. Tires Plus told me to go without the rotations and leave the rim on. I foolishly obliged. The rim is now replaced and the tires rotated but it's too late. Tires are choppy.
So chances are it's due to lack of rotations and riding on a bent rim.
Still, it's brought to my attention to replace struts. No symptoms but is it time anyway? If I wait another year or two it will just be more expensive. This is my thought process anyway. Any advice?

 

[Pop_Rivit]

I would not replace shocks or struts unless there were a problem with them. When I have replaced them in the past, they're not very hard to do and you can save yourself over half of that estimate by doing them yourself.

 

[ET16]

Maybe you need an alignment?

 

[DBMaster]

At 75,000 I would say no. Honda's dampening devices are pretty long-lasting. I wouldn't be thinking about replacing until 100-150K unless you have any leakage.

 

[Hokiefyd]

I would consult a good alignment shop for the cause of the tire wear. Both of our vehicles still sport the original springs and dampers; the MDX has 140k miles and the Ridgeline has 110k miles. If you can't do it yourself, I would have your alignment shop closely inspect each damper (strut or shock) for signs of fluid leakage. If there is external leakage, that's a sign of a mechanical seal failure, and that's certainly cause for replacement.

 

[Leo99]

My Rav4 with over 300k miles still has original struts. $1000 is a lot of money just to get your tires to wear more evenly.

 

[edwardh1]

Originally Posted By: DBMaster
At 75,000 I would say no. Honda's dampening devices are pretty long-lasting. I wouldn't be thinking about replacing until 100-150K unless you have any leakage.


agree

 

[supton]

The price to replace later won't be that much more expensive--labor does not go up that fast, and that is the bulk of the bill, most likely.

Some cars have long lasting struts. Unless if it's leaking or known to be bad, I'd err towards waiting.

 

[Bgallagher]

Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
I would consult a good alignment shop for the cause of the tire wear. Both of our vehicles still sport the original springs and dampers; the MDX has 140k miles and the Ridgeline has 110k miles. If you can't do it yourself, I would have your alignment shop closely inspect each damper (strut or shock) for signs of fluid leakage. If there is external leakage, that's a sign of a mechanical seal failure, and that's certainly cause for replacement.


+1

 

[IndyIan]

Usually I wait until one is clearly bad(bounces like a basket ball on broken pavement, loses road contact and grip) then I replace both at that end of the car.
CRV is still on original struts with no issues yet. The Focus has the right rear one starting to become at little bouncy, so it may be time to replace the rears soon.

 

[SHOZ]

I put new front struts in my Accent at 135k. They really didn't need changing. But the rear shocks did. I did all the work myself except alignment (which was not off by much) for under $390.

 

[cpayne5]

205k on my stock Acura TSX struts. No issues.

 

[beechcraftted]

I have seen cars in the junkyard with their original struts on them. However I change mine every 50-75K. 100K if I used really premium units on last install.

 

[JC1]

That price is nuts. You can get a complete set of set of 4 from APX Auto for under $300.

My 97 civic has original shocks and struts. I ordered the sensens from APX, but haven't installed them yet.

 

[LotI]

My '12 Accord needed replacement at 60k. My '03 ZX2 needed them at 120k.

Have a third party drive your car and give their opinion. You get used to the gradual decline in handling so they may be worn out now.

The aftermarket industry says 50k miles. The question I have for them is: Do I have to replace yours after another 50k, or is that covered under the lifetime warranty?

Hmmmmm.

 

[Panzerman]

Way over thinking this and believing the commercials. I wouldn't replace them unless there was a issue. It's not a regular maintenance item like they like you to believe. Most cars have the original from factory to the grave.

 

[JTK]

Is CarX a local shop? $1030 seems extremely high. I would have guessed half of that.

 

[DeepFriar]

As others have said these struts are usually very long lived (we have a 2006 Si in the family closing in on 160k). Assuming yours are still good you can often recapture that "new car feel" by replacing as many compliance bushings as economically feasible for you. Specifically I would recommend the sway bar end links and, of course, the outer tie rod ends and ball joints if feasible (I haven't looked at it on the Civic but sometimes it makes sense to replace the control arms on some cars). At any rate consider changing the easiest-to-change rubber pieces. You'll be amazed at the difference. These things degrade at such a low rate that we don't "usually" notice them until they're replaced.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

If the car rides good, you don't need new struts. You'll know when they go bad, when the ride isn't any good, too bumpy, but if you don't feel anything wrong with them, then there probably isn't. Like others said, the shocks and struts in these cars last a very long time.

But when it is time to replace them, Monroe makes quick struts for your Civic, and KYB will be making them by the time you'll need to replace them.

 

[Wylie6G72]

Swap them if they're leaking, if the car wallows from side-to-side over bumps (have someone else judge that for you....it's something that progresses slowly and you can get used to it) or if they're noisy. And definitely get a couple more estimates. That price is out of line.