Rear struts?

The rear struts on a car are fairly important, especially when wanting to maintain a smooth ride and the handling of the car. Basically, there are two major parts of an Escort's (and many other cars), rear suspension. You have the "struts", and you have the "coil springs". The struts are, basically, the shocks. That is where most of the impact is absorbed, while the coil springs, which are located on the outside of the struts, apply stability and stiffness. For the time being, as long as the springs are in good condition, the worst that you're looking at is a slightly rough ride, but it shouldn't be dangerous to drive on. In fact, on my 1997 Escort, the rear struts and coil springs are both bad (extremely bad), but I haven't had the time or money to fix them. I've put about 6,000 miles on them since I first figured out they were bad. And I've had no problems, other than squeaking. However, they are something you want to get replaced, because they will dramatically effect the way the car handles. Now, talking about the price. Just under $1,000 seems pretty ridiculous to me. I had my entire suspension quoted, and I was told just under $500. Still not cheap, but far better than what you were quoted. If I were you, I would do some shopping around, gather up some prices. Heck, even use the internet, and then make a decision. Like I said, while it's not dangerous (right now), it will, in time, dramatically effect the handling of the car, and it is something you want to take care as soon as possible!

To drive without your struts its not really dangurous at all. Its just going to be hiting hard at every bump and the strut my come up and peirce through the back body of your car everyever it is hiting when you run over bumps.

But yeah 1000 is way to much. I have my struts springs and some others fixed for 500.