Strut Replacement Time?

[Propflux01]

About what mileage do you replace your front strut assys?

2014 Elantra, almost 100k. no abnormal tire wear,

yank 'em or keep driving it?

 

[Vern_in_IL]

Never, unless it fails the "bounce" test, or you are involved in a near rear end collision and had to swerve at 55 mph onto the shoulder and back into lane. That took out my struts which already had 100k on them.

 

[Danno]

I would replace on a as needed basis, not mileage.

Making noises over bumps, loss of body motion control, etc.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

They are probably just fine. No need to replace them unless you suspect something wrong, like if the ride quality feels harsher than it used to be, or when you have uneven tire wear.

There is no set mileage interval that you need to replace shocks and struts.

 

[Lolvoguy]

Originally Posted by slacktide_bitog
They are probably just fine. No need to replace them unless you suspect something wrong, like if the ride quality feels harsher than it used to be, or when you have uneven tire wear.

+1
Also, whatever you replace them with (probably some Monroe garbage) will be of significantly lower quality.
I say hold out and keep on truckin'

 

[Wolf359]

Standard numbers always mentioned seem to range anywhere from 50-80k. But as others said, do the bounce test. If you don't get any bouncing, then keep driving them.

 

[14Accent]

Struts are a personal preference. For me, unless they're leaking externally I leave them alone.

I quickly pulled up some prices, it looks like Hyundai want between $85-$100 per strut. Monroe wants $70 per on RA. Assuming you can at least R&R the strut assembly yourself and are bringing it to a shop for disassembly and assembly, you're looking at ~$425. If you rent a spring compressor and do it yourself, shave $225 off that, give or take depending on labor rates.

Only you can decide if a marginal, yet likely noticable improvement in ride quality is worth the money.

 

[maxdustington]

If you can do everything yourself and get OEM or better shocks then yes.

Springs and shocks will make it feel like a brand new car.

 

[dishdude]

Unless leaking, keep driving.

 

[das_peikko]

You'll know when it's time. The car will start floating on the freeway as if it's a boat. The pavement will feel like waves of water.

 

[anndel]

Drive it until it leaks oil. I just checked the struts on our 05 Toyota Avalon with 105,000 miles and no leaks, still clean so not changing them. I'll keep an eye on them and check them every year when I do an oil change.

 

[atikovi]

Originally Posted by slacktide_bitog
or when you have uneven tire wear.


What do struts have to do with uneven tire wear? I thought that was due to alignment or balance issues.

 

[GenesisGuy70]

I have to disagree. When you drive a car every day you fail to notice the slow degradation over time of ride quality, handling, braking etc. Throw a new set on, after 100,000 miles, they are certainly worn enough to warrant replacement. Especially if you live in a snowy state that has less than stellar roads. I had a 2010 Taurus that I replaced the shocks/struts on all 4 corners at 120,000ish miles and man, what a difference. Drove like a new car.

 

[Oily_Thing]

Originally Posted by atikovi
Originally Posted by slacktide_bitog
or when you have uneven tire wear.


What do struts have to do with uneven tire wear? I thought that was due to alignment or balance issues.


Worn struts can cause cupping of the tread.

 

[mclasser]

Another vote for leave 'em alone until you notice a problem with the ride, noise, etc. Unless the replacements are OEM, most aftermarket shocks/struts won't ride as nice.