Struts bad? Cost? Worth having it done? Do myself? - DodgeIntrepid.Net Forums - Dodge Intrepid, Concorde, 300m and Eagle Vision chat

michaelrj9 · 12-13-2012, 03:52 PM

2000 Intrepid 3.2 140k miles.

Never replaced them (had care since new)
I assume they are shot but how do you know for sure? Car does not bounce but seems more of a rough ride than before. The boots are all torn but they have been that way for 80k miles or so (even when the dealer was still servicing it).

I am some what mechanically inclined done head gasket, water pump & timing belt etc.

How hard are they to replace in the driveway?
Any special tools?

I saw the stickey about the struts how much should mopar struts cost? Any place to get them online or only from the dealer?

Any other brand that is good?

I had it at a local tire place it was quoted just under 1000.00

Thanks

Firemnted · 12-13-2012, 06:22 PM

You will need a strut spring compressor and a pickle fork set to separate the ball joint and tie rod's! I would take it somewhere the springs are extremely dangerous and if they slip out of the compressor they can kill someone or you! I have Monroe sensa-trac's in mine with no problems I see most of the problems are with the quick struts. Autozone by me warranties there Gabriel struts for life unlimited replacements! I do not have any experience with them thou maybe someone else does!

300maximilien · 12-13-2012, 08:07 PM

The spring compressors are not all that dangerous IF USED CORRECTLY.

Fronts can be done with hand tools usually. I had to cut off sway bar links on my car just a few weeks ago when doing mine. Rears are another story. The pinch bolt that secures the bottom of the strut is a PIA almost always.

FYI the ball joint is not involved with strut R&R (unless FIREMNTED was talking about the outer tie rod or sway link balls)

I installed the Monroe Economy Quick Struts (Blue) and have had zero issues in the 1500 miles they have been on.

**paintballdude05** · 12-13-2012, 08:36 PM

The front is a cake walk, the rears is a different story. I just did all 4 corners on my '02 Intrepid and the rears took me over 8 hours a side. I used Moog quick struts for the front with new factory strut mounts and bearings. The rears I went with Monroe quick struts since I had them already, I would of rather went with the Moog though.

Firemnted · 12-13-2012, 08:53 PM

When did Moog start making struts?

**paintballdude05** · 12-14-2012, 10:36 PM

I think the Intrepid ones came out about a year ago.