Quick Strut, or just the strut?

[artificialist]

Don't reuse all the components. Buy new upper strut mounts when replacing struts.

Anyway, I used KYB in my 2003 Saturn ION and they were a perfect replacement. I recommend them to you because the Chevy Cobalt shares most of its suspension parts with the ION. KYB struts are stiffer in some applications, but not the ION.

Also, use loctite on the rear shock bolts. Even though I tightened them properly when installing rear shocks, they backed out. I recommend this when installing shocks on any car.

 

[DBMaster]

Originally Posted By: artificialist
Don't reuse all the components. Buy new upper strut mounts when replacing struts.


I agree for the most part. I used to do strut replacements on my dad's Renault back in the 80's. The upper mounts came apart so you could clean and re-grease the bearings. Those were no problem to reuse. Otherwise, yes, I would replace them.

 

[Oldmoparguy1]

A few years ago I replaced the struts, using the original springs and hardware on a 94 Plymouth acclaim. With over 50k miles on them they are still good. In 2013 it installed Raybestos quick struts on a 2000 Dodge GC. They now have 20k on them and are still working fine, although they seem to have sagged a little, maybe an inch.

Anyway, I just ordered a set of Monroe Quick struts for a 2006 Chrysler T&C that I am repairing for my oldest son. Although I have a spring compressor, it's not worth my time to do the whole repair myself.

YMMV..

 

[zzyzzx]

This is why you should always replace the strut mount (if you live in places where cars rust):

 

[daves87rs]

Originally Posted By: zzyzzx
This is why you should always replace the strut mount (if you live in places where cars rust):

Ow....

 

[zzyzzx]

Originally Posted By: daves87rs
Ow....


Yes, I have had this happen. If I had used a quick strut instead, I would not have nearly as much rust on my strut tower either. So if you live someplace where cars rust, just use a quick strut since the spring and strut mount are potentially going to rust through if you reuse.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Originally Posted By: Bottom_Feeder
The idea of quick struts is great, replacing all the wear items in one shot, but the end result varies from vehicle to vehicle. Some people love them, but the Monroes I installed on my wife's Corolla were too softly sprung and dampened like I hadn't replaced anything at all. So was that a Monroe problem or a quick strut 'one size fits all' problem? Hard to say. I just know I wished I put something else on there. I also wish I didn't recycle the original (apparently higher-rate) springs.


KYB made the OE struts on your Corolla, and KYB is the OE supplier to most Japanese cars. KYB quick struts would;ve been fine on the Corolla.

There's also a difference between a Corolla and an Impreza RS, which is more of a sporty performance thing in mind.

Monroe greatly improved their shocks a few years ago, when they released the OESpectrum line, which is much better than the older Sensa-trac. Quick struts use the OESpectrum struts now, and they used the Sensa-trac before.

Quick struts are the way to go unless they don't make them for your car, or if you want high performance (Bilstein, Koni, etc)

 

[pbm]

When I replaced the struts on a 2005 Ion a few years ago I used KYB and had nothing but problems (noise) with the KYB bearings (made in Thailand). I kept the new KYB struts but replaced the KYB mount bearings with Monroe's (made in Taiwan) and had no further issues...I was surprised at the poor quality of the KYB mount bearing...

 

[Bottom_Feeder]

Originally Posted By: slacktide_bitog
KYB made the OE struts on your Corolla, and KYB is the OE supplier to most Japanese cars. KYB quick struts would;ve been fine on the Corolla.

There's also a difference between a Corolla and an Impreza RS, which is more of a sporty performance thing in mind.

Yes, I'm aware of all that. My point as that there was barely any difference between worn KYB OEM Corolla struts and the new Monroe OESpectrum-based Quick Strut replacements, and a huge difference between the worn KYB OEM Impreza struts and the new KYB replacements. Readers can draw whatever conclusions they want from that comparison.

 

[CBR.worm]

I did my struts recently - at about 140k due to a strut mount making noise. I looked at the OE and aftermarket parts and ended up using KYB struts and OE mounts, spring perches, rubber bits, strut bearings, etc. ended up spending over $1k in parts, but the OE parts lasted 10 years, if I get 5 more I will be happy.

It feels so much better, I didn't realize how much the OE stuff had degraded until it started making noise. It feels like a new car now.

 

[MinamiKotaro]

Thinking back to the last time I did my struts, the quick struts would have been well worth the extra $$$ to get a new spring and bearing, plus not having to disassemble the old struts.

 

[daves87rs]

Originally Posted By: zzyzzx
Originally Posted By: daves87rs
Ow....


Yes, I have had this happen. If I had used a quick strut instead, I would not have nearly as much rust on my strut tower either. So if you live someplace where cars rust, just use a quick strut since the spring and strut mount are potentially going to rust through if you reuse.



Yep, live in the rust belt....we love salt here! No matter how much I wash, still get a bit of rust...

Would be a very valid point for a 10 year old car....

 

[daves87rs]

Originally Posted By: slacktide_bitog
Originally Posted By: Bottom_Feeder
The idea of quick struts is great, replacing all the wear items in one shot, but the end result varies from vehicle to vehicle. Some people love them, but the Monroes I installed on my wife's Corolla were too softly sprung and dampened like I hadn't replaced anything at all. So was that a Monroe problem or a quick strut 'one size fits all' problem? Hard to say. I just know I wished I put something else on there. I also wish I didn't recycle the original (apparently higher-rate) springs.


KYB made the OE struts on your Corolla, and KYB is the OE supplier to most Japanese cars. KYB quick struts would;ve been fine on the Corolla.

There's also a difference between a Corolla and an Impreza RS, which is more of a sporty performance thing in mind.

Monroe greatly improved their shocks a few years ago, when they released the OESpectrum line, which is much better than the older Sensa-trac. Quick struts use the OESpectrum struts now, and they used the Sensa-trac before.

Quick struts are the way to go unless they don't make them for your car, or if you want high performance (Bilstein, Koni, etc)



Have used the old Sensa tracs, and was not impressed. Have not tried the OESpectrum ones though....

 

[Merkava_4]

I prefer to change the struts and keep the stock springs; that way I get to use my S832 to turn the bolts on the spring compressor. I don't get to use my S832 often enough and look for any excuse I can to use it.

 

[Fsharp]

Originally Posted By: Bottom_Feeder
Originally Posted By: Fsharp
Compressing the springs won't kill you! I took the top nut off a strut one time without compressing the spring first. The strut shot apart and the upper mount flew past my head and hit the roof lol Stung my hands a bit but otherwise okay.

Darwin is going to pay you a visit someday.


Hopefully I'm a little older, wiser, and more aware of my own mortality these days. The incident I mentioned happened when I had made a mistake reassembling the strut and was going to have to take it apart again so I was frustrated and in a hurry. That's when accidents happen!

I maintain that springs can be compressed easily and safely. It's not something to worry about if you take your time and be careful.

 

[daves87rs]

Originally Posted By: Merkava_4
I prefer to change the struts and keep the stock springs; that way I get to use my S832 to turn the bolts on the spring compressor. I don't get to use my S832 often enough and look for any excuse I can to use it.


A good point....

 

[artificialist]

Originally Posted By: pbm
When I replaced the struts on a 2005 Ion a few years ago I used KYB and had nothing but problems (noise) with the KYB bearings (made in Thailand). I kept the new KYB struts but replaced the KYB mount bearings with Monroe's (made in Taiwan) and had no further issues...I was surprised at the poor quality of the KYB mount bearing...

I used Monroe on my 2003 ION and never had a problem.

 

[WillsYoda]

Originally Posted By: Wolf359
Quick struts have a lifetime warranty. On my 3rd set, just had to pay for labor for the last 2. They only last 50-75k a set which is to be expected in my area with all the potholes around. Plus I just drive, I'm not slowing down to avoid potholes.

As for the springs, they do wear out also. I guess it depends on the manufacturer, my quickstruts had thicker looking springs than OEM.


I only kept my receipt for two of the 4 quickstruts I bought. Is there any way to get the lifetime warranty on all four?

 

[babyivan]

I love quickstruts and have used them many times.... that being said, I have had some issues with them:

The first time was when one of my strut mounts started making a squishy rubber noise after 2 months on my 87 (Ordered via Amazon).

Recently, I ordered a complete set for a Solara I had briefly. One strut in the back clearly had a different spring. And I snapped a post on the strut mount when bolting it on the other back one.... I torqued it to spec. I bought them from Rockauto and they honored my exchange.

Point is... they are good, but be careful as they have some quality control issues.

 

[tomcat27]

I would always use quick struts to save time - but I am too cheap - so I always use a spring compressor and do it myself. with care, there should be little risk of injury. this same statement applies to many car repair tasks...