What kind of Struts do I need? ?

I acquired a 07 Dodge Caliber for really really cheap that has less than 50k miles on it and in overall amazing condition, and I went to Firestone to get a complete check up (probably not the best place to go, but it was like $10 for a special, and the local places around me were much more expensive, and Im a broke college student) and they said that the struts needed to be replaced. Im not really a car guy and not really sure of parts and such but to save money, I was going to just buy the parts myself and go somewhere else together them put on because its so much cheaper. The paper I got from the check up had a description of the parts and cost of labor. I noticed that both the front struts needed to be replaced but it had 2 different types on the paper, said I needed a SR4217 STRUT-PLUS and a SR4216 STRUT-PLUS, Im guessing that this is Driver and Passenger side.

Forgot to mention that they are charging $388 bucks for each. When I looked online (autozone) I saw both for 150 each, which is great since getting both is less than the price of one that they are giving me (KYB and Sensen seem to be the two big brands). I also saw this set on eBay thats compatible with my car but not sure if its the same thing or something different, its labeled as CST100286 and CST100287 from a store/brand called Autoshack, its a set of both front struts for $105.

Any suggestions, advice, recommendations? 

Also sorry for it being so long, felt I needed to get the entire story out. 

Thanks

2021-03-06T00:10:09Z

I guess I should add that the car has less than 50k miles on it only because its car a family friend bought off an auction (then sold it to me for what they spent), apparently its a car that was repossessed and then just sat for years and years, until they decided to auction it off. I learned that apparently movement and non-movement are bad for cars so im not sure if that changes how much I actually need to change the struts or not since it seems that under 50k, I really don't need to. 

Robert M2021-03-06T17:00:57Z

Favorite Answer

Go to ROCK AUTO! They have OPTIONS and GREAT SHOCKS like KYB and SACHS and even BILSTEINS from Germany!  SGRUT s are usually LESS than $100 each! GO SHOPPING! And REMBBER to use ONLY PENNZOIL ULTRA PLATINUM OIL in there to get a WERRANTY out to 500,000 MILESS! 50kmiels is NOT even broken in yet! I WOUDL GO ESLEWHERE fror ANOTHER EXAM! Perhaps they are ROBI+BING YOU! It is NOT normal for STRUTS to go bad in 50k MILES! SOMETHING does NOT add up here!>>>TEST them yoursl]elf! PUCH on the FRONT BUMPER a few times UP and DOWN! The STRUT that is BAD wil continue to BOUNCE! A GOOD STRUT cartridge wil go UP and DOWN once and then STOP! PERHPAS they are BLEEDING YOU! GO ELSEWHERE for ao nother TEST or EXAM! Youc an get struts from the DEALERSHIP for less $$ than ThAT and $388 EACH SIDE is RIDCULOOUS! The PAERT NUIMBERS are most likely CHRYSLER numbers! KEEP LOOKING AROUND do NOT trust these people!

13

Billy2021-03-07T19:28:01Z

For not knowing much, you got a lot to say.  Any good auto shop will inspect your car for nothing.  Brakes, struts, shocks, exhaust, cooling, belts, tires, battery, alternator, air filter, tie rods, drive shafts and fluids all checked for free.  Suggest you go do that and say nothing about needing any struts.  You will be told what you need and how much it cost.  Do you have a title to this thing?  If not, thing expect to get yanked from behind the wheel, put on the ground and cuffed  at the point of a cop's gun.

21

The Devil2021-03-07T02:46:26Z

My gut says they tell everybody who comes to a "special" that they need struts and the kitchen sink as well. I drove my '98 Corolla to hell and back and the struts are still fine today. The only car I ever heard of suffering shock failure was Pontiac GTO/ rebadged Holden that had bad struts when shipped to the states. Tons of them were recalled and no parts were available for a loooong time. Tell Firestone, "Thanks but no thanks". 

50

Jim2021-03-06T02:35:26Z

You went to Firestone for an check-up and they recommended an expensive repair 
Are you really surprised?? 

100

?2021-03-06T00:18:34Z

I have NEVER replaced a strut and I drive cars for 100-150k miles.  Fugetaboutit they are just trying to milk you for money.

61
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