Price Check on Aisle Three

[2002 Maxima SE]

I'm looking to get the front struts along with the bearings, mounting plates, dust boots and isolators replaced on my 2002 Maxima. Pretty much everything except the springs. So far I have three prices:

Independent Garage 1: $1000
Independent Garage 2: $950
Nissan Dealer: $930 - $50 coupon = $880

Are these fair prices? I've added up all the parts listed above and it comes out to be about $540.00 in parts if I bought them myself from the internet store of a dealership in Texas (Courtesy Nissan).

 

[Johnny]

Sounds about right. If the dealer is a good one, I would use them and you should be assured of getting genuine Nissan parts.

 

[Scienceman]

The dealer price don't sound to bad, but still a bit high IMO.

 

[kcfx4]

Originally Posted By: Johnny
Sounds about right. If the dealer is a good one, I would use them and you should be assured of getting genuine Nissan parts.

+1, seems odd to me that the dealer is cheaper

 

[lairdwd]

Just get two monroe quick struts. Check the promotions forum for $40 off at Advanced auto parts. Should be around $120 each. If you are lucky, there may be a monroe rebate on the quickstruts too.

I had a mechanic put them on for $40 a side, and got my quickstruts for around $90 each (after rebate) - for a total of $260 installed. Once you get into the whole spring compression, assembly and disassmbly - labor goes way up. Quick struts - no need for all that.

You'll need an alignment too - my advice - do all the suspension parts that are shot, or soon to be shot while you are at it (i.e. tie rods, ball joints, sway links, etc.)

 

[PhillyJoe]

Another vote for the Monroe quick struts. No markup on the parts and the Monroes include new springs. Check ebay. You've also made the installers' job easier as it is now three bolts up top and two below and they are in. Save on parts and labor. Don't forget the alignment.

 

[lairdwd]

You should know though that the monroe quick strut is not a high quality ride by any stretch. Maybe others can comment on the tradeoffs (cost vs. quality)

 

[2002 Maxima SE]

Originally Posted By: lairdwd
Just get two monroe quick struts. Check the promotions forum for $40 off at Advanced auto parts. Should be around $120 each. If you are lucky, there may be a monroe rebate on the quickstruts too.

I had a mechanic put them on for $40 a side, and got my quickstruts for around $90 each (after rebate) - for a total of $260 installed. Once you get into the whole spring compression, assembly and disassmbly - labor goes way up. Quick struts - no need for all that.

You'll need an alignment too - my advice - do all the suspension parts that are shot, or soon to be shot while you are at it (i.e. tie rods, ball joints, sway links, etc.)


The Maxima does not require an alignment with strut replacement. The quickstrut is the absolute best solution I've seen for the DIYer...unfortunately, they don't make one for the 2002 Maxima.

 

[tommygunn]

sounds about right. I paid 450-ish for my front struts replacement + alignment. Alignment alone is ~$80 in my neck of the woods....seems odd that the dealer is cheaper though.

 

[daves87rs]

What about the KYB quick strut?