The front struts on my 2007 RAV4 base went out on me. My mechanic is saying it will cost between $800-$900 to replace the front struts. This seems way too expensive but I'm not sure. Has anyone else had them changed at a local mechanic? This is not a dealer or a chain repair shop. Thanks
Front struts cost
EarlMantis
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There is one brand I know of that is a quick strut and it is available at Rockauto. Brand is FCS but one member said he does not recommend it from his experience.
The front are called struts and the rear are shocks. That dealer is over charging if it cost $1800 to replace the front struts. Shop around for estimates. It takes 1 hour to replace the struts on each side. So two hours labour plus the cost of the struts. You can get KYB struts for $65 each at Rockauto. Buy those and bring it to your mechanic to install.
Yes I know because some shops are not honest and over charge. With the pandemic some shops are very busy and booked up for weeks. If the shops are not friendly and helpful look some place else. You don't want to deal with shops with poor customer service.
Mine is a 2008 base Rav4 and I just got quoted about the same--$845 USD.
I agree with the poster that the complete kit is easiest for a diy install. I was considering buying it and having my cousin do the work since there's no danger of the spring going wonky like the old style piece-by-piece assembly.
Nearly $900 for struts seems insane to me. My estimate broke it own to about $300 per strut(parts) and another $200 for labor. I don't know about you but I'm going to shop around for a better deal.
Replaced the front struts and rear shocks on our 2007 some time ago. Rockauto used to sell the KYB complete units (with coil spring, boot, etc.), but I don't see them there now. The complete units was what I brought and used. The struts are a piece of cake to install compared to the rear shocks - not difficult but the top bolt is a PITA access-wise.
I just looked up my order from Sept last year, and the part numbers for the complete KYB units are:
SR4460 and SR4459. Total for 2 struts assemblies, 2 shock absorbers, tax, and delivery came out to be a little over $300. Installation, if I remember correctly took about 5-6hrs for all 4 corners.
I just looked up my order from Sept last year, and the part numbers for the complete KYB units are:
SR4460 and SR4459. Total for 2 struts assemblies, 2 shock absorbers, tax, and delivery came out to be a little over $300. Installation, if I remember correctly took about 5-6hrs for all 4 corners.
Spaceman_Spiff is spot on. I just did exactly like that on my 2007 Rav4. The struts/shocks were way over due(Rav4 has 193k on it with original one). I got the KYB 4460/4459 and 2 shock absorbers from Rockauto for $344 (included tax/shipping). It was pretty easy on replaced the strut and a bit of a challenge on shock absorbers on the upper bolt. The KYB 4460 seems to be sold out most of the time at Rockauto (you need to sign up for notification when it becomes available again if you could wait for it). Two new struts/shock absorbers, 2 stabilizer links, and 4 wheels alignments cost about $500. The ride is fantastic with the new struts/shocks. It's well worth the money.
I recommend you get the KYB Strut Plus (Strut, coil, strut mount, and strut boots) for the front and KYB shocks for the rear at Rockauto. Currently only the right side is in stock from Rock Auto so you may have to wait until they can get the right side. Shipping to Canada is expensive so I suggest you use Shippsy (location in Markham). The cost is $8 I think but you need to pick the item from their warehouse. Alternative for the shock is to go with Toyota rear shocks from Scarborough Toyota.
As for shops I can recommend two but I have only used them a few times with excellent results: 6ix Speed Auto and LGT Auto. (both in Scarborough)
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Parts prices in Canada have been absolutely stupid for decades but it’s gotten much worse in the last two years (hm, wonder why?) as our supply cones over the land border… +1 on RockAuto but I found better shipping prices when ordering in the morning. CFedEx capacity fills up mid-day so they switch to a more expensive cross-border service.
$300 per side for the rear shocks? I hope that included springs, but I fear not. If you are doing rear springs, consider the 3rd row units (Moog 71747, $57 pair, RockAuto) but if doing springs consider getting the sway bar links - they should be ready to rust apart by now.
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Ok, I’m new here on the forum but let’s not compare apples to rocks. I just ordered oem strut mounts, bearings, and bellows which were over $300. We won’t discuss whether my Bilstein B6 are appropriate for my 4.3 but KYB are nearly as expensive and shops aren’t going to wait for discount parts stores to ship. I’ll do the work myself but labor rates in my area are over $120 an hour. So before throwing these mechanics under the bus take a closer look at their quotes.
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That’s handy to know, especially as I’m going to be in need soon too. But looking at the $1287 he was quoted for the fronts alone, at your $300 plus labour (which is reasonable BTW) that makes a big case for savings. I too will do the work myself, and if an owner can’t, they can still buy the parts and take them in-hand to a local shop for installation. Each front unit would work out to about an hour (per side) so $240 for labour plus taxes is painful but much better - I’d rather spend $600 for the fronts than almost 1300..
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