Struts and Shocks

[Heywood]

How many of you replace these as preventative maintenance as a wear item. I have a Furd Escape w/ 110k on the odo. They don't leak and appear fine. It's my son's car and in a few months he's moving to CO to start his life/career. Should I just PM these? Can't say I've ever done it that way before. :dunno

 

[danix]

The rears are super easy as I recall, the fronts a bit more difficult. If you are OK with the handling, they could last a month or 10 years, hard to predict. It's also not super expensive to have done on a car like that, should he ever need it.

 

[Heywood]

The rears are super easy as I recall, the fronts a bit more difficult. If you are OK with the handling, they could last a month or 10 years, hard to predict. It's also not super expensive to have done on a car like that, should he ever need it.

Yeah I do all my own work so it's not an issue. For the struts I would just replace the entire assembly with the spring, it's a pretty easy drop out / install procedure. There's probably better access up front than crawling under for the shocks. I just hate throwing money at something that isn't broken, I was quoted $300 in labor for the struts by shop. I can get both complete Moog assm for $250. Rear KYB shocks are $75/pair.

 

[doc4216]

I only replace when they feel "soft," even if they aren't leaking or signs of damage. I personally like a little stiffer ride so on my cars and trucks.

 

[scootergmc]

How many of you replace these as preventative maintenance as a wear item. I have a Furd Escape w/ 110k on the odo. They don't leak and appear fine. It's my son's car and in a few months he's moving to CO to start his life/career. Should I just PM these? Can't say I've ever done it that way before. :dunno

I have a Civic with 400k miles plus on the original suspension. That's not saying they don't need replaced, but it's only a detriment at Thunderhill.

 

[Hank Wong]

If it ain't broke ...
It is not a timing belt.

 

[Map8]

Moved thread to The Garage for better visibility.

 

[lgyee4]

Never needed on my Tacoma. Original TRD Tokiko blue shocks. They still work fine after 200k

 

[JimE]

I tend to replace items like this. Degradation is gradual you don't notice until you replace them.

That said you have to consider the mission statement of the vehicle. If it's my work truck (I make money with) it gets done no matter what. My back up car not so much.

 

[onto1wheel]

I never even thought about struts until I was about to sell my daughters mazda3 (with 150,000 miles) and discovered a front strut was leaking a few weeks ago. Then I test drove it, and yikes it handled bad. Took probably less than 3 hours to replace both (1st timer here). Car def handles better/safer.

Now i'm going to do it as preventative maint on my sienna with 180,000 miles (it does ride a little bit rough at the front wheels).
This time though, I will buy good quality struts, not the cheap crap.

cheap parts are hardly worth the time to put in. :2cents (but sounds like you already know that)

 

[DannoXYZ]

Stay away from Gabriel or Monroe struts. They are known to start leaking even before you get car off lift.

KYB is OEM manufacturer for lots of Toyota models, can't go wrong with that.

Bilstein, Tokico, Koni are nice upgrade.

 

[nakedape]

I tend to replace items like this. Degradation is gradual you don't notice until you replace them.

That said you have to consider the mission statement of the vehicle. If it's my work truck (I make money with) it gets done no matter what. My back up car not so much.

Oh this is me. My mom's 1986 Camry had blown suspension for years. She also never checked the tires, but I would do that for her. One time we loaded up the whole family bound for SFO and the chassis bottomed out at the base of Waldo grade. At 65mph. They sold me the car for $1200 and I replaced all four coil over struts with KYB, fresh tires, one new half axle.

I drove her somewhere months later in it and she said "this things feels like the day I bought it." Peppy little car with 5 spd. I still see the occasional one on the road and it's a fond memory.

Replaced the Rav4 struts and tires (2006) and the previous owner said the same thing. Gradual degradation indeed. Any car I plan to keep more than a few years gets a refresh. I bought new this year and it was a relief to think about all the shit I won't be fixing.

 

[ST Guy]

The only aftermarket struts/shocks for our Murano were either Monroe or KYB. I went with the later and haven't regretted it.