Are these suspension components as bad as the repair shop says they are? (pictures included)

[ClassFAirspace]

Recently returned from the repair shop and they sent me a courtesy report from their inspection. The repair shop states that the front suspension components are severely in need of immediate replacement. I'm not sure if I'm seeing what they're seeing though. They stated the front strut and rear shocks are bound up and leaking. The lower control arm and sway bar links need replacement as well. The only thing I am seeing that probably needs immediate replacement is the rear air shocks since there's obvious cracking of the membrane, but even with that the SUV rides fine for now. I looked around for magnetic fluid and couldn't find any and went under the car today and there wasn't any play in the suspension components.

Are these as bad as they are saying? Obviously the quote for them to do these repairs is significant, as the parts alone are a few thousand.

 

[Doubeleive]

rear shocks are shot, end links are worn but could be replaced if so desired,
front strut looks like it has a leak.
I don't know why you would be looking for "magnetic fluid" the strut is not serviceable, cannot be re-filled or etc.
your looking at around $1500 or less in parts total if you are looking to DIY
shops always have a parts markup and lots of labor, you could do all of it yourself in half a saturday, you would just need to rent the spring compressor or take the struts to a shop with one and that would probably cost $50 and then you just R&R.
a few tools and a jack and you are good to go.

 

[ClassFAirspace]

rear shocks are shot, end links are worn but could be replaced if so desired,
front strut looks like it has a leak.
I don't know why you would be looking for "magnetic fluid" the strut is not serviceable, cannot be re-filled or etc.
your looking at around $1500 or less in parts total if you are looking to DIY
shops always have a parts markup and lots of labor, you could do all of it yourself in half a saturday, you would just need to rent the spring compressor or take the struts to a shop with one and that would probably cost $50 and then you just R&R.
a few tools and a jack and you are good to go.

Ah, I've seen some pictures of cheap struts in the past that were leaking fluid bad (Dorman brand).

I'll get ordering from Rock Auto and set side some time this weekend! Do you think it's a good idea to replace the rear shock air compressor while I am back there? I've heard those can help smooth out the ride when brand new as well.

I'm going to order a set of springs as well for price for mind. Might as well since I'll have it all taken apart.

Thank you for the insight.

 

[Jimmyy]

303223614215915197

June 27

Discount code for Rockauto.com

 

[Doubeleive]

Ah, I've seen some pictures of cheap struts in the past that were leaking fluid bad (Dorman brand).

I'll get ordering from Rock Auto and set side some time this weekend! Do you think it's a good idea to replace the rear shock air compressor while I am back there? I've heard those can help smooth out the ride when brand new as well.

I'm going to order a set of springs as well for price for mind. Might as well since I'll have it all taken apart.

Thank you for the insight.

if the pump is still working you might be ok, just depends on how long it has been like that

 

[ClassFAirspace]

Discount code for Rockauto.com

Saved me on the Sales Tax, thank you.

 

[OR VietVet]

Can you not order the struts and springs as a unit?

 

[Doubeleive]

Can you not order the struts and springs as a unit?

I don't think they have a complete oem strut available anymore, the springs have been oop for a while now

 

[ReaperHWK]

Can you not order the struts and springs as a unit?

OEM you can not. Only aftermarket.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Correct. Complete strut assembles are not available through GM. Strut springs may or may not be available for your model year (no longer available for my 07, but Moog makes a compatible spring). If you hear the compressor turn on in the first minute of starting the truck after an overnight sit, then your compressor may be OK. If you don't hear the compressor turn on, then its probably shot, due to overheating, trying to inflate a shock air bladder that is torn.

And, as @Doubeleive stated, if you do any wrenching, you can perform the removal and reinstallation yourself with a jack and jack stands and a few simple wrenches.

 

[ReaperHWK]

Correct. Complete strut assembles are not available through GM. Strut springs may or may not be available for your model year (no longer available for my 07, but Moog makes a compatible spring). If you hear the compressor turn on in the first minute of starting the truck after an overnight sit, then your compressor may be OK. If you don't hear the compressor turn on, then its probably shot, due to overheating, trying to inflate a shock air bladder that is torn.

And, as @Doubeleive stated, if you do any wrenching, you can perform the removal and reinstallation yourself with a jack and jack stands and a few simple wrenches.

Honestly replacing the rear shocks is such an easy job. It’s literally remove and replace.

The fronts are much harder.

 

[ClassFAirspace]

Correct. Complete strut assembles are not available through GM. Strut springs may or may not be available for your model year (no longer available for my 07, but Moog makes a compatible spring). If you hear the compressor turn on in the first minute of starting the truck after an overnight sit, then your compressor may be OK. If you don't hear the compressor turn on, then its probably shot, due to overheating, trying to inflate a shock air bladder that is torn.

And, as @Doubeleive stated, if you do any wrenching, you can perform the removal and reinstallation yourself with a jack and jack stands and a few simple wrenches.

Definitely plan doing it myself on a weekend. Wrenching is therapeutic to me, saves me money, and gains me some knowledge I can pass on to the kids some day. There's an auto hobby shop on base that only charges a few bucks an hour to use their lift, so I'll likely take it there instead of tackling this on my sloped driveway.

Total damage for front, rear, and some other suspension components is around $2,500 on Rock Auto. Paying a shop would easily be over $5,000, so this is money well saved in my book and nobody will ever care more about a job getting done the right way here than me.

Thank you guys again for all the advice.