worth buying struts for my clunker?

[jeff5177]

Hi, hav'nt been on this site since in a few years since I sold my 2000 SS convertible a while back, (to help pay for school etc etc) but I remember everyone on this site being awesome for providing help on just about any car problems, so here I go... I just had the brakes and rotors replaced on my 94 Cutlass, and the guy mentioned I should look to get the rear struts replaced (front ones were fine) as one of the rears were leaking oil(?) out of them. He quoted me a price of almost $400...seems kind of high, but I've never replaced them on any vehicle I've owned in the past. The car seems to drive fine, now that the brakes are fixed. My question is, should I replace them or not? Is it dangerous to let them go? I'm usually not this cheap, but since I plan on selling the car about 18 months from now, I don't really want to poor any more money into this beast than I need to. Thanks for any help on this!

[Smittro]

Hi, hav'nt been on this site since in a few years since I sold my 2000 SS convertible a while back, (to help pay for school etc etc) but I remember everyone on this site being awesome for providing help on just about any car problems, so here I go... I just had the brakes and rotors replaced on my 94 Cutlass, and the guy mentioned I should look to get the rear struts replaced (front ones were fine) as one of the rears were leaking oil(?) out of them. He quoted me a price of almost $400...seems kind of high, but I've never replaced them on any vehicle I've owned in the past. The car seems to drive fine, now that the brakes are fixed. My question is, should I replace them or not? Is it dangerous to let them go? I'm usually not this cheap, but since I plan on selling the car about 18 months from now, I don't really want to poor any more money into this beast than I need to. Thanks for any help on this!

You can do w-body rear struts yourself. They are easy to replace. You'll just have to get a rear wheel alignment when you finish.. If that $400 includes an alignment I'd say it's about right. But if it's $200 per side just to change them I'd say look elsewhere... Your cars rear suspension has a horizontal leaf spring so strut removel is pretty simple. Just need a jack, 2 jack stands and some time..