Struts, complete assembly or bare strut?

[urchin]

bdcardinal:

I have a 1996 VW Golf with the 4cyl 2L .....My model has an early strut bearing set up (1993-96) compared to the late heavy duty set up (97-99).

Do you know if the Monroe QS offers a solution for both...I checked out the website and it didn't make it clear which application they were offering for my model.

 

[bdcardinal]

I just checked the website from a jobber we use and the description is ambiguous. It says under the quick strut "GL - GTI (EXC GTI VR6)". It shows a picture that is the Activant one on any parts page. Looks like it may be the double mount thing where there are 2 center nuts on the top. On a side note I hated those because I never remembered if that was the right way or not so I would have to make a fort of shop carts in case the whole thing decided to launch out of the car.

 

[artificialist]

The quick strut is best. If you put a new strut on old hardware, you might end up having to pay twice to do the same job.

 

[GMBoy]

I noticed that a lot of applications are not yet supported by quick struts. Hopefully that will change soon.

 

[The Critic]

Originally Posted By: 951Indy
Bare strut = $60. Mount with bearing = $60. Bellows/bumper = $15 Spring seat = $15 Coil spring = $35

Total = $185 each plus the pleasure of taking it all apart and putting back together. If you choose to take it apart to see which parts are needed, the local prices, tax, and running around will make the price go up quickly.

Quick strut = $122 no tax, and shipped for free. No checking any parts, no running around for anything, and predictable "down time". 15-20 minutes per side to install, most of which is getting the jack and stands under the car.

You may not NEED a new bearing, spring, bellows, seat, etc but with high miles, why debate. This assumes a quick strut is available for the car, which in the OP's case, it is.


Of course, your are assuming that the rest of the Monroe hardware is of a high quality. That isn't always the case with aftermarket stuff.

 

[mechanicx]

That's just it though. Not all of the original parts in the strut assembly are necessarily bad and there's no quarantee that the quick strut assembly will hold up longer. Someone who is considering a Monroe quick strut is probably going to use Monroe or aftermarket parts by piece meal anyway with the OEM parts being so expensive. The other thing is a given car model might have two or more different spring codes and struts used depending on sub-model. The aftermarket is probably a generic tune. It might work OK as matched assembly but may not ride and handle exactly like the originals when they were in good working order.

 

[Pop_Rivit]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Wow, Im seeing young cars needing struts. 2000? 2006?


Is there another criteria Im missing?


Yes, the fact that one of mine was leaking, so I decided to replace all four so I'd never need to do it again.

 

[Pop_Rivit]

Originally Posted By: 951Indy
.

Quick strut = $122 no tax, and shipped for free. No checking any parts, no running around for anything, and predictable "down time". 15-20 minutes per side to install, most of which is getting the jack and stands under the car.



In my case-the struts were about $55 each, and the mounts/bearings $20 each, shipped for about $15 and no tax. Either way I would have needed to replace the sway bar links at $20 each. For $350 and a couple hours time I changed all 4, and saved about $150 over your complete strut assembly, and it took very little additional time. It took me a few extra minutes per side because I also replaced the brake pads while I had the wheels off.

And you're right, I didn't need the spring or bellows, so it would have been stupid to change out parts that I didn't need and pay more for the pleasure of doing it.

 

[wtd]

Monroe doesn't make quick struts for my car(92 Cavalier) so I had to buy the stuff individually. I'm only going to replace the struts, shocks, strut and shock mounts. I saved quite a bit by buying online. I will have about $180 in parts with the $50 rebate from Monroe for the sensatracs I bought.

I have never replaced struts before so this will be a learning experience. I have a strut compressor and air tools so hopefully the job will go pretty smooth.

Wayne

 

[Dakota1820]

Wayne: off topic for a second where are you at in mo? I'm in Franklin county. Back on topic its not hard to do but can be dangerous becareful with the spring that is something you do not want to slip up on. It's easy but is one of the more dangerous jobs of auto repair

 

[GMBoy]

Originally Posted By: chevyboy14
its not hard to do but can be dangerous becareful with the spring that is something you do not want to slip up on. It's easy but is one of the more dangerous jobs of auto repair


That is correct and why I cringe at strut replacment. The amount of energy stored in a compressed spring is enough to seriously injure or kill you.

 

[artificialist]

Originally Posted By: GMBoy
Originally Posted By: chevyboy14
its not hard to do but can be dangerous becareful with the spring that is something you do not want to slip up on. It's easy but is one of the more dangerous jobs of auto repair


That is correct and why I cringe at strut replacment. The amount of energy stored in a compressed spring is enough to seriously injure or kill you.

1. This is why when I replace the strut, I compare it to defusing a bomb.
2. This is why when I do the job at home, I take the unit to an auto repair shop with a high quality spring compressor, and pay a mechanic there $25 to compress it for me, rather than buy that cheap tool for DIYers.

 

[surfstar]

On my FWD car I replaced all four struts, new front mounts at ~177k miles. Didn't really make a drastic ride/handling difference. Used Harbor Freight spring compressors - slow and a good forearm workout.

Now I'm doing sister's 4runner. Two quickstruts and two rear sensa-trac shocks, should be tons easier to DIY. (fingers crossed)
Advance auto coupons came out to $65.75 for both rear shocks, $103.43 ea for front QS. $75 Monroe rebate (had to purchase by 10/31 - sorry guys - keep an eye out for the next one) all four corners for under $200 and hopefully quicker with less headache then my FWD car. Bonus is no alignment needed after, too!

 

[IndyIan]

Originally Posted By: artificialist
Originally Posted By: GMBoy
Originally Posted By: chevyboy14
its not hard to do but can be dangerous becareful with the spring that is something you do not want to slip up on. It's easy but is one of the more dangerous jobs of auto repair


That is correct and why I cringe at strut replacment. The amount of energy stored in a compressed spring is enough to seriously injure or kill you.

1. This is why when I replace the strut, I compare it to defusing a bomb.
2. This is why when I do the job at home, I take the unit to an auto repair shop with a high quality spring compressor, and pay a mechanic there $25 to compress it for me, rather than buy that cheap tool for DIYers.

You can get a compressor that use U-bolts that trap the coils of the spring so it can't escape. I bought one and it takes an extra minute or two to set up but once the compressor is bolted to the spring its not going anywhere even if I drop the whole thing on the floor... It was $80 but now I can buy quality struts and components for any car I end up with.

 

[wtd]

I live about 30 miles west of Springfield in Aurora. I'm pretty mechanically inclined but working with a spring under pressure does make me a little nervous and has made me go back a forth a few times on whether I want to try this myself or have the guy who ususally does my suspension stuff to do it. All the parts have come in so I just need to find the time to do it if I'm going to do the work.

Wayne

 

[Quest]

Just like doing the garage door opener spring: doing strut springs are no different to that: still requires good tools and care to get them done(compressed) safely.

I have many different spring compressors so far: from some rather crudely made (but seriously forged, just poor chrome plating that flakes off after several uses) chinese stuff to HF ones (haven't use them yet: will see when my wifey's camry struts arrive).

All works carry some form of risks: from brake drum jobs where a spring launching off may poke your eyeball out to gawd knows what.... you have to be careful when taking the risk in doing so and go with the program with all the necessary cautions and care. If you can't take that then quick strut package or having someone to do the spring compression for you makes good sense.

My 2c's worth.

Like I said before: I've been doing struts myself since the early 90s and still doing them on a regular basis. Hexk! 3 strut jobs aligned for this upcoming winter!

Q.