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.
Found another way around this?
Share your steps and trade-offs so fellow engineers don't have to reinvent the wheel. No account required.
- 1calling around to find a different shop willing to rebuild strutsDid this help you?
- 2replacing the entire unit with a quick strut assemblyDid this help you?
- 3Asking online communities if the repair quote and diagnosis are reasonable.Did this help you?
- 4Using ACDELCO quick strut assemblies instead of separate cartridgesDid this help you?
In their words
Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, 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 ↗
“I am apprehensive about using a spring compressor and just getting a new cartridge. I have read a lot of poor reviews of quickstruts..so im torn.”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
- 10Rebuild original vintage part or buy cheap reproduction?
- 5Do I have to buy the whole assembly for one broken part?
- 10Can you replace just the bushings on a sway bar link?
- 2Should I replace both struts or just one?
- 6Finding individual brake parts for an older car
- 3What extra parts do I need to replace during an engine teardown?