beachglass

The front struts are leaking. The mechanic recommends replacing the entire assembly ($900) instead of replacing just the struts ($650) because "when we get inside there might be other things wrong at that mileage, and it will be more expensive to replace piece by piece"
Any thoughts?

Reverb2005

What else do they want to replace?

As a 2003, but only 100k on it, you may not need to replace everything under there, depends on the amount of wear.

If I were doing my struts, I would likely do the strut, coil, tie-rod, control arm bushings and ball joint, but that's just me. It depends on whether or not other things are actually in need or repair.

The mechanic is correct that there MAY be more things needed to be replaced but he won't really know until he physically sees it.

If they are referring to having the coils already on the strut, that's probably a good call. I would change the coils with the shock absorber. Again, personal preference though.

First of all, don't put the money up before they do the work and secondly, if you are unsure they are being truthful, make them show you the worn parts so you can make your own decision before they do any replacing.

GolNat

iTrader: (7)

Are the struts leaking? Is the car bouncy? Is he just saying they are bad because of the mileage or did you bring it for a complaint?

I personally would just replace the struts for $650. The assembly will contain a new coil which unless broken is fine and new strut mounts and bearings which he can check.

He can test the ball joints, LCA bushings, end links and tie rods when the car is in the air, not sure what "else" he may find as far as suspension goes.

beachglass

Welllll, when I went to pick up my car (just got an estimate, no work done) the mechanic said, "by the way, I noticed that the cover for your air filter is cracked". The part where the (?) air flow tube attaches to the cover is sheared off. You can't see it in this photo because I didn't want to displace it again, but the break is just to the right of the clamp. He said it shouldn't be a problem at all. I don't know when this happened, but I do know that he checked the air filter (even though what I had requested was an estimate on the struts/bushings), so would have had to lift the cover off. Maybe he did it, maybe the last person to check under there did it, but that isn't something I would have seen until after I picked up a new air filter. D'oh. So, is this a problem or simply cosmetic? It looks like a new housing will run around $90 plus shipping.

ezone

I've seen several of those nipples snapped out of the breather box over the years.

I think it probably happens when someone gets aggressive and doesn't remove the hose before opening up the box to check the air filter.

Anyone could have done it, so don't immediately blame the one that reported it.

beachglass

Do I need to replace the housing? Can I "gorilla-glue" or duct-tape it back in place? Can I leave it as is? (it's butted up pretty tightly)

ezone

At the very least I'd want to seal it up somehow so it can't leak unfiltered air.

Silicone RTV gasket goo is usually the handiest stuff on the workbench LOL

Plasti-weld?