Monroe quick struts are around $100 each and work well on the rear. The main issue is going to be if your lower bolt is seized into the strut. If the bolt is not seized, it is a 1-2 hour job. If it is seized, add a couple hours. KYB is coming out with replacement struts that may be better than the Monroe units but I am not sure of the pricing.

 

A pro will finish this job on a lift in 2hrs or less no matter what is seized. Been there, done that. Cut, drill out& tap through any captured fasteners quickly& efffeciently, then move on w/the install. All of this stuff is right out in the open guys.
B sure 2use antiseize lubricant on all lower, potientially salt exposed fastners 2prevent a repeat corrosive performance.

 

Whew! Those are some hefty prices! What are they replacing the old stuff with exactly?

The rear shocks are not all that hard to do....provided you don't have to fight any rust. However, If you aren't mechanically inclined (and thus lacking in tools) and have rust on the car, take it to your mechanic. But you should find out what they are replacing with exactly. It's probably a $500 job at most with "loaded shocks" including parts but your mechanic may be overestimating time because of possible rust/corrosion issues or maybe he's thinking of replacing just the shocks and thus having to put together the shock/spring assemblies.

 

I need my rear struts replaced on my 2005 ex.
I'm not a mechanic and don't have tons of money but do have a discount tire card which I can use at pepboys. We'll they want $1500 for the two rear struts. The guy told me it was like $400 in labor alone. I talked to my machanic and he told me that he could replace the rear struts for $600. Now I know that the struts probably won't be top notch but considering I drive less than 5000 miles a year it shouldn't be that big a deal. What do you guys think?

I would give them an hour per rear strut max.

 

Not if you have to cut the lower bolt out, which is almost more common than not now.

 

I'm so tired of waiting, researching &looking 4answers 2my SC's super harsh ride. So:

1. I wanna know what happens if I simply replace the rear struts w/some non SC style struts from Monroe or others?
2. I wanna know what happens if I use similar springs w/a lower rate fom other Honda's or Acura's.
3. I wanna know if any1 here has ever replaced their rear struts w/an air strut?

 

I need my rear struts replaced on my 2005 ex.
I'm not a mechanic and don't have tons of money but do have a discount tire card which I can use at pepboys. We'll they want $1500 for the two rear struts. The guy told me it was like $400 in labor alone. I talked to my machanic and he told me that he could replace the rear struts for $600. Now I know that the struts probably won't be top notch but considering I drive less than 5000 miles a year it shouldn't be that big a deal. What do you guys think?

Pep Boys is a ripoff. I looked at a set of tires online for my 2008. The price per tire looked good, but after I read the fine print, and added installation and "shop supplies", the price was no longer competitive. I got a better deal from a local independent shop on 4 new Generals.

Strut-wise, I installed these 3 1/2 years ago. I don't baby the vehicle and they still feel tight:

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The bolts came out fine, and I was able to do the job in an hour or so with the vehicle on the ground. If you're concerned about bolts possibly being rusted-in, you can go under the rear of the Element with a breaker bar and/or impact gun and figure it out before proceeding.