I am not car savvy but I was told I need a right rear strut, I looked up parts online and all I find is shocks for that , please fill me in

 

S2000s do not utilize McPherson struts. They feature short/long a-arms front and rear. The dampers used with a-arm suspension systems are commonly referred to as "shocks".

A "strut" has an integral "shock", but "strut" really refers to the suspension design.

 

Our S2000's use a double wishbone suspension set up at all 4 corners, and do not have struts. On our cars, the upper and lower a-arms work in conjunction with the shock/spring combo to locate the suspension. On a MacPherson strut car, the shock performs this functions.

 

Well the dealership said the strut part would cost me $500 plus does that sound right

 

No that sounds like a rip off, did they quote you for both shocks? For this kind of job, you should be able to find a competent suspension garage or general garage - this is pretty basic and I wouldn't trust a Honda mechanic knows any more about an S2000 - they are typically working on Civics and Accords.

OEM is $220 give or take - depends on your year but for reference - http://www.hondaautomotiveparts.com/...SHOCK+ABSORBER

Plus the labor to get it on. I'd replace both rears at the same time.

 

I don't trust the dealerships at all to know anything about S2000s. So much of what they do is geared toward all the boring Hondas, that they get nonsense in their heads like "All Hondas use the same oil filter, so this Civic filter will work fine on your S2000"

Find a Honda specialist mechanic that's well-recommended by other S2000 owners. These mechanics *know* your car inside and out. Their purpose isn't simply to get you into a new car however they can, but to maintain your existing one and keep you happy with the results.

 

Thanks guys

 

You can change just one shock but it's not a good idea because you'll have un-even valving since one is more worn than the other, this can cause unpredictable handling. Make sure you get a shock for your specific model year because different years use different spring rates and are valved accordingly. Replacing the shock takes about an hour for a basic tech with 5 thumbs for fingers, removing the driver's side is a bit more complicated but is really only 4 extra bolts that have to be removed to get the gas tank tube out of the way. After that, you take the shock on the spring compressor remove the top hat and lower spring mount from the old shock and transfer it to the new one and again on the spring compressor to tighten everything back up. There's a specific angle that the top hat must be in relation to the lower shock mounting point, I believe it's roughly 36 degrees. Once back on the car, you should loosen the upper control arm bolts and leave them lightly tightened along with all the shock bolts, then pre-load the suspension with a jack placed on the lower control arm until the car comes off the jack stand or lift, then tighten everything to specs.

Afterwards you should check the alignment and adjust it if necessary.

so $450 for the pair of shocks, plus 2h labor at $50-75/hr + a 4 wheel alignment if necessary @$60-$80 depending who you see. That's about $620 fixed and out the door. Dealerships charge $130-180/hr

 

Thanks slowcrash will replace both bro is a pleasure getting the info will apply and reply after they are done, have a great fourth bro

 

For about $1200 or less you can fit good coil-overs to all four corners and gain adjustability. Can be a DIY project with a couple of buddies and an afternoon.

-- Chuck