I have a question? Do I have to have an alignment after having either the front or rear struts changed? The reason I ask is I am going to have the cv shaft and rear struts changed but monroe has a $75 credit if you buy 4 struts. I figure save on labor too since the front is going to be worked on.

I was thinking of having the rear struts changed and use the $75 toward the cv shaft and front strut labor when I get the credit, but I am told i have to have an alignment done immediately after struts are changed and you can't drive the car w/o it.

This is all costing me over $700 so I am trying to find some way to save money.

 

If you skimp on the alignment you'll be paying for tires...

I suggest you get it done. It isn't a driveability issue but your tires may wear badly on one side.

 

I don't mind getting the alignment, I was hoping I could wait it out for about 2 months. I will probably bite the bullet and just get everything done at once since I have stock struts and the car is a '95 with only 78k.

 

the fronts are needed ASAP (unless you have new springs getting installed), the rear are OK not to get an alignment but not recommanded. It just like checking tire pressure, never know something might happen.

Edit: I saw you gonna repair the rear, so $700 seems right.

 

This is what I am being quoted for: 4 monroe sensa-trac struts, and 2 cv shafts (torn cv boots), $966 for parts, labor and 4 wheel alignment.

 

Thats a bit steep. Figure the 4 struts should run ya about 300. Install is only 1.5 hours @ 65/hr realistically labor for the struts should only be 100 maybe 150. The CV shaft is only one bolt away at that point so changing them is easy now too. I think rebuild shaft are about 100 each side, then labor should be no more then 75 additional for that install being the front end is apart for the struts in the first place. Alignment is 50 bucks.

Lets add it up...

300 struts + 150 install + 200 for CV's + 100 to install + 50 for alignment... Caching Caching = about 800 bucks.

You can get Gr2's all around for 280 bucks, install by an org member is 100. Toss in the CV's for 200 add 50 for labor, get an alignment some place for 50 and that way it'll run ya about 600 bucks.

I say shop around, the price of 966 is high. Don't pay full labor for the CV's being your front end is basically apart for the strut install.

 

A local Nissan dealer quoted me $54.45 for just a front end alignment..does this price seem right?

Also is it true to wait a few weeks if you get lowering springs for them to settle and then get it aligned?

 

$55 is a bit steep. Most alignment shops charge $30-$40 bucks for just a front end alignment.

You can wait a week or so if you want to make sure everything is riding okay and there are no strange noises or anything. However don't wait too long....

 

Man I love being able to to my own labor. I just did the struts on my mom's 95 gxe and it costed me a total $200. Then $60 for front alignment with rear thrust angle. I did drive the car before the alignment and what I noticed was that the camber was on the positive side. You could look at the front wheels and see that the bottom of the wheels were pointing inward. When driving at 70 mph this way wasn't bad. It was a little twitchy (form the obvious positive camber) and it slightly pulled to the right. If you don't get an alignment you will definetly wear out your tires unevenly.