The Automotive Thread
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Road Guy
Well-known member
Yeah if only it came off that easy on mine..
Watched several of these on stuck
Ones and seems the only method that worked to get them off was hitting with a block of wood and using an impact gun...
I think I sold mine when I moved. But it’s crazy I’ve done my own oil changes since 1989 and have never not been able to get one off.
Watched several of these on stuck
Ones and seems the only method that worked to get them off was hitting with a block of wood and using an impact gun...
I think I sold mine when I moved. But it’s crazy I’ve done my own oil changes since 1989 and have never not been able to get one off.
Ranger1316
Well-known member
Definitely this. Sounds like it's just been on there forever so if an impact doesn't do it, then resort to hacking and hoping.
Master slacker
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Guys. Another n00b vehicle owner question.
Corolla 2016. 47k miles. Getting yearly NYS inspection. Guys said that one of my struts was leaking and that I should replace all 4 of them. Quoted me $675+tax for replacement of all 4. I haven't really felt anything while driving, but I don't know if I should go for this? Does the price seem reasonable?
PLEASE HELP. My dad will tell me to get it done at a dealership, which costs so much more! T_T
Corolla 2016. 47k miles. Getting yearly NYS inspection. Guys said that one of my struts was leaking and that I should replace all 4 of them. Quoted me $675+tax for replacement of all 4. I haven't really felt anything while driving, but I don't know if I should go for this? Does the price seem reasonable?
PLEASE HELP. My dad will tell me to get it done at a dealership, which costs so much more! T_T
Master slacker
Something awesome.
I'm at 150k on my '09 'rolla - original struts. Wife's '02 Rav has 180k - struts replaced at 170k.
At 47k, I'd doubt your struts are an issue. Look under the dust boot of your struts to see if you really have any leaks if you're concerned. Personally, I'd save my $675 and keep rollin'.
At 47k, I'd doubt your struts are an issue. Look under the dust boot of your struts to see if you really have any leaks if you're concerned. Personally, I'd save my $675 and keep rollin'.
I will say this - when it comes to shocks, struts, and suspension wear and tear, where you drive has a HUGE influence. My sister lives in the DC area, and her suspension was beat to shit at < 60K miles, whereas I could triple that where I live in NC.
That said, if you are not hearing or feeling any clunking and the car doesn't feel "floaty", you're not hurting anything by waiting. An easy test is to push on the 4 corners of the car one at a time. If the car settles completely in 2 bounces or less, your struts are probably fine. If it bounces more than twice before settling, they are probably worn or on their way there.
That said, if you are not hearing or feeling any clunking and the car doesn't feel "floaty", you're not hurting anything by waiting. An easy test is to push on the 4 corners of the car one at a time. If the car settles completely in 2 bounces or less, your struts are probably fine. If it bounces more than twice before settling, they are probably worn or on their way there.
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Thanks for the info! Yeah, I drive around 100-miles a day on crappy Long Island/NY roads that do have a ton of potholes, but it's not feeling clunky and my car doesn't seem to be shifting a lot (well, more than usual, since it's a sport model it does tend to 'feel' the road a little bit more than like, my mom's Avalon tank). I'm getting my 50k oil change/maintenance in a few months. If someone who is doing that says your struts are wonky, then I'll think about it more. Always wait until 2 guys are like "somethings off". Worse comes to worse, I can go to this really good auto guy nearby who often takes looks at things like this.
Will def do the 'bounce test' this weekend.
...also. @Master slacker...how do I check under my dust boot of my strut? Do I need to do anything dramatic? Again, I am a total car idiot and I'm always scared of messing something up.
Will def do the 'bounce test' this weekend.
...also. @Master slacker...how do I check under my dust boot of my strut? Do I need to do anything dramatic? Again, I am a total car idiot and I'm always scared of messing something up.
Master slacker
Something awesome.
The dust boot is just some rubber bellows inside the spring. Depending on their condition, you may not even have to lift them up or smush them down. Mine are split so I have easy visuals. My wife's, before the change out, were mostly gone. Just don't act like the Hulk and you can get dirty doing a decent visual.
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Yeah; I got it back and pushed on my corners and my car barely moved/bounced even when I went to town. It's a Corolla, so it's not heavy at all, so I am assuming my struts are okay for now. If I bring it in at 50k and someone else mentions it, then I'll take it to my 'real' guy and have him take a look. Nice, old school, auto shop guy that has amazing reviews and is really helpful.
Also: opinions on aftermarket remote starters? Yay or nay?
Also: opinions on aftermarket remote starters? Yay or nay?
Ranger1316
Well-known member
Not really needed in Florida
But akwooly is right, you can find quality aftermarket ones. Just make sure you have a reputable shop install it with a warranty if you don't put it in yourself.
jeb6294
Well-known member
Yay...I get to do brakes. Again.
Took the minivan in for service the other day. When we got it, new Toyotas were still coming with lifetime oil changes, so it goes to the dealer. Guy came out with their usual line about all the things that need fixed besides the free oil change...air filter, cabin filter, brakes, etc...told him to give me my free oil and nothing else. Stopped at Wally World on the way home and got new filters and ordered brakes and rotors at Advance cause I had a 25% coupon.
Cabin filter needed changed. Air filter looked like it was barely used. Makes me wonder if they even look at them or if they tell everyone to see who's dumb enough to pay $90 for a new air filter. Hoping the weather is good enough to do the brakes this weekend. They may actually need to be replaced because they said they were starting to get a little low when I took it to a different place for tires a while ago.
Took the minivan in for service the other day. When we got it, new Toyotas were still coming with lifetime oil changes, so it goes to the dealer. Guy came out with their usual line about all the things that need fixed besides the free oil change...air filter, cabin filter, brakes, etc...told him to give me my free oil and nothing else. Stopped at Wally World on the way home and got new filters and ordered brakes and rotors at Advance cause I had a 25% coupon.
Cabin filter needed changed. Air filter looked like it was barely used. Makes me wonder if they even look at them or if they tell everyone to see who's dumb enough to pay $90 for a new air filter. Hoping the weather is good enough to do the brakes this weekend. They may actually need to be replaced because they said they were starting to get a little low when I took it to a different place for tires a while ago.
yeah i stopped going to the dealer for this reason. I had my 30k mile tune up early which was supposed to come with all the filters etc. then i went in for an oil change and they told me my x and x and x were due. i was like do you even look at them? do you even look at my vehicle history? how can you tell me my stuff is due when it's clearly and visibly and documentatedly not... then i went to the oil change place the next time i was due and he's like bro your cabin filter.... it was growing mold. i like that they show me the status. and they're way faster.
jeb6294
Well-known member
The only reason we still go is because oil changes are free. I can't even do it myself for that... 
They wanted $89.95 for the air & cabin filters. I bought new ones for $40 and even sprung for the nicer cabin filter. Changing the air filter on a Sienna takes, literally, 30 seconds. It honesty took me longer to get the hood open than it did to change the filter. The cabin filter took me about 5 minutes...and that includes the time it took to look it up on YouTube to remember how to do it.
They wanted $89.95 for the air & cabin filters. I bought new ones for $40 and even sprung for the nicer cabin filter. Changing the air filter on a Sienna takes, literally, 30 seconds. It honesty took me longer to get the hood open than it did to change the filter. The cabin filter took me about 5 minutes...and that includes the time it took to look it up on YouTube to remember how to do it.
