Finding a mechanic to rebuild struts instead of quick struts
Most shops prefer to swap in pre-assembled quick struts rather than using a compressor machine to rebuild existing components. This makes it hard to keep original OEM struts and forces car owners to call around just to find a mechanic willing to do the rebuild work.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
- 1calling around to find a different shop willing to rebuild struts
- 2replacing the entire unit with a quick strut assembly
- 3Asking online communities if the repair quote and diagnosis are reasonable.
In their words
Unedited, most upvoted first, each linked to the thread it came from.
“I'm hesitant to go to my usual mechanic because I know that he leans towards just replacing everything using the quick strut assembly.”source ↗
“Is it worth looking at a different shop that would rebuild the strut assembly on the compressor machine to try to keep the OEM struts, or should I bite the bullet and go with a strut assembly.”source ↗
“Finding a shop willing to rebuild instead of just slapping quick struts in is getting harder, but worth a call around.”source ↗
“They said they cannot simply change the bushings and need to replace the whole arm, they did not say the arm was broken or anything though.”source ↗
“They quoted me $800 for the part and labor to replace the control arm. Does this sound reasonable ?”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
- 3Rebuild original vintage part or buy cheap reproduction?
- 3Finding individual brake parts for an older car
- 2Mechanic refused to fix rusted control arm and subframe
- 12Why am I paying for broken bolts during a car repair?
- 2Engine replacement vs head gasket repair cost
- 2Fixing lawn equipment with missing or mismatched parts