Isn't this a rip off?

[Garth Libre]

I have a 2010 Ford Ranger with a 4 cylinder and manual transmission. My tires are probably due for another replacement in this coming year( 6/32 and 5/32 and 4/32 at groove and 1/32 ABOVE wear bar at the worst spot). I went to Tire Discounters in Chattanooga for an estimate. Instead of getting an estimate for tires, they gave me an estimate for tires, shocks and springs. ($1,595 total). I actually have a certification in brakes and front end, and I bounce tested my shocks don't appear to need it). Other than a tear in one of the boots they seem fine. There is no tendency to bounce and no double bounce movement when I press down on any corner. Is it normal to recommend shock replacement at 120,000 miles even if they seem to be functional? How common are these kinds of recommendations at tire shops even for shocks that seem to have more life?

 

[Curious Hound]

Before calling it a ripoff, I would just talk to them and say " Thank you for your recommendations. I'm only interested in tires, balancing and mounting." If they hard sell the upgrades and don't want to follow your desires, then I would go elsewhere and consider that store to be full of scam artists.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Before calling it a ripoff, I would just talk to them and say " Thank you for your recommendations. I'm only interested in tires, balancing and mounting." If they hard sell the upgrades and don't want to follow your desires, then I would go elsewhere and consider that store to be full of scam artists.

Agreed.

Most these places are pushed by management to upsell this kind of shit because its high profit margin and its a wear item, so the average non car-guy consumer will take them at their word because they are "experts" and fork over a bunch of money to have it done.

 

[Uncle Gump]

120K on a pair of shocks... I'd say it's time for replacement. Have you looked at them? Bushings good?
Shaft on ripped open boot pitted?
Any oil leakage?

Springs are a bit different... have you inspected those? Again... bushings...isolaters... broken.

 

[scotts90ranger]

Upselling is what makes them money, unless it's unsafe you can refuse it like said above... Shocks are easy to DIY, just did mine on the '97 Friday... Springs is different and sure it's probably sagging but whatever, I'm sure my '97 is...

 

[JoshT]

Upselling is what makes them money, unless it's unsafe you can refuse it like said above... Shocks are easy to DIY, just did mine on the '97 Friday... Springs is different and sure it's probably sagging but whatever, I'm sure my '97 is...

Correct me if I'm wrong, but even if it is unsafe you can refuse the service. The shop may insist on signing a release waiver and/or it being towed from their property, but it can be refused.

 

[AHenry014]

Bad shocks CAN cause funny tire wear (imbalance plus lack of dampening and cause cupping/scalloping), so perhaps they were looking at your current tires condition and making a recommendation. Yes, 120k is a lot for any shock and it would be in your best interest to swap them for new from a preventative maintenance perspective. They are very cheap (rockauto) if you dont want anything fancy, and very easy to install. Springs can wear, but are less likely to need replacement unless they are broken, the truck is sitting crooked, etc. If they didn't offer it to you as a a recommendation and it felt more like a requirement, shop elsewhere. Bad/worn shocks wont cause an issue when it comes to an alignment either, but a broken/sagging spring may.

Heck, I just removed Napa branded shocks on my '98 when installing the lowering kit (180k miles on it now, dont know when they were installed). One of the front shocks was straight up dead with no resistance in/out, and the truck drove just fine.

 

[Garth Libre]

120K on a pair of shocks... I'd say it's time for replacement. Have you looked at them? Bushings good?
Shaft on ripped open boot pitted?
Any oil leakage?

Springs are a bit different... have you inspected those? Again... bushings...isolaters... broken.

I don't believe these shocks are bad. Perhaps they are not original as I am a second owner. However, I did the standard shock test of registering how long the truck takes to settle in after a bump and it is almost immediate. They sure look original but that's just a guess. The new sway bar bushings have made a huge difference and they truly were shot to non existent in spots. Now I'm faced with finding a good deal on tires and I am "shocked" (ha) to find out that 225/70/15 tires could be $150. I'm sort of feeling that the Kenda Kenetic tires at Walmart are best deal at $88 from Walmart.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

"Best" is kinda relative.

A Kenda isn't the same as a Michelin...

 

[Garth Libre]

"Best" is kinda relative.

A Kenda isn't the same as a Michelin...

My expectations for a Ranger tire is just that it be safe when driven at 55 on a highway and predictable when driven on country roads at a cautious 30 mph. I want the tires to last more than 20,000 or even 30,000 miles. I have a 200 mph classic sports car that I use if I want to drive in a "hasty fashion". I have a family sedan, a Mazda 3, when I want to run an errand or transport a few people.

 

[AHenry014]

Head to simpletire.com and plug in your tire size. Sort by lowest price first and start reading reviews. I've been all over the spectrum when it comes to tire brands and I really cant name one that I "hated". Some ride a little harsher than others, some wear funny depending on the car they are on, some wear like iron but have mediocre wet traction, etc. I have BFG KO2's on my daily driver (love this tire, but its $$$), Mickey Thompson mud terrains on the work truck (it doesnt see many miles and needs the off road traction), and cheapie lexani's on the ranger (it doesnt see many miles, wont be driven in the snow, etc. They were less than half the money over a name-brand equivalent). I have used Westlake brand tires with great success as well. Its all about what you want the tire to do and what you are comfortable paying, with well known name brand stuff being more money. Its best to read reviews on simple tire, tire rack, etc. and go from there.

 

[superj]

i have used kenda and westlake and they have been fine for a normal daily driver car or truck.

 

[Blmpkn]

"Best" is kinda relative.

A Kenda isn't the same as a Michelin...

Kendas are just as good, for less. I'd say that makes them better

 

[SenorNoob]

Kendas are just as good, for less. I'd say that makes them better

Never had a Michelin, but my Kendas have never made me feel the need to shop higher up either.

 

[Brain75]

one thing I figured out on my 4 door can and I have stuck with solidly since is figure out WHERE the tires are made... Toyo's are made in japan, great tire... there is not a single tire made in the USA thanks to the EPA restrictions, it just isn't cost effective (the exception I think Coker makes classic white wall but they don't actually make make them, they just bond a whitewall on someone else's tires).

Anyhow, South Korea tires are pretty good, Japanese tires are really good, Chinese tires are CRAP, Mexican tires are ok, Canadian tires (if there is any left) aren't bad either. - just stay away from China and southeast asian (malay, singapoor, etc) tires from places that you wouldn't want to go on vacation.

edit: I had to reconsider such a bold statement, so googled... apparently they are bringing tire mfg back to the USA, akron ohio, tyler texas, etc - there are actually us plants again. (there were none for several years)