What's in a strut job?

[NMBurb02]

I am thinking of replacing all four struts on the GP (I think they are all originals and there are now 143k miles on the odo), but am not sure what all I need to/should replace. I would go with strut/coil spring/mount assemblies, but they are not available for my particular setup (17" wheels). So looking on Rockauto, here are the available components:

-Strut
-Strut mount
-Strut bellow
-Coil spring
-Coil spring insulator
-Coil spring seat

Do I need to replace all of those components? If so, I am looking at a $692 bill to get Monroe struts and mounts, Moog springs, and Moog, Raybestos, and KYB coil spring insulators and seats delivered to my door. Ouch!

 

[SuzukiGoat]

I replace all the major suspension components on every used car I buy...whether it needs it or not.

Personallyy, do all the struts, and spring cushions if you're bored. If the vehicle has been tortured with high loads or jumps, ID do springs, but otherwise its very unlikely you have spring sag at 140k.

Check Amazon...sometimes they destroy rockauto on pricing.

While you're under there check the tie rods and sway bars.

The strut mounts should be FINE, takes a lot to destroy them, but check and see.


If its any consolation my 2000$ DD has a 1k suspension...not including tierods and bushings and what not.

Clean everything well when reassemmbling.

 

[bvance554]

I've never heard of anyone changing springs as a maintenance item.

 

[SuzukiGoat]

I have a small confession.. I always change springs too lol

But I typically do the occasional jump, high speed offroad run, and carry heavy loads.

 

[Merkava_4]

You better order the struts pre-loaded with springs unless you
have a strut spring compressor to transfer the old springs over.

 

[NMBurb02]

Originally Posted By: Merkava_4
You better order the struts pre-loaded with springs unless you
have a strut spring compressor to transfer the old springs over.

They don't sell them for my GP, but AZ has coil spring compressors in their loan-a-tool program.

 

[The_Jeff]

Do the struts and maybe mounts. Everything else should still be in peachy shape.

 

[doitmyself]

Don't forget to add the cost of an alignment.

I guess it's a judgement call, depending on how well rubber components last in your environment. At that mileage and age, I have the mentality to replace everything (except springs) to alleviate the chance of having to re-do the job a year later. There are no guarantees either way.

Good luck!

 

[tommygunn]

Why wouldn't the quick struts work on your 17-inch-wheel car? Are the struts and mounts actually physically different? If not, then just get the quick struts if they bolt right in.

 

[threeputtpar]

Assuming that the car was from CA, I see no reason to replace the springs, bellows, or the seats becasue rust won't be a problem. The lower seats may even be a fixed part of the strut to begin with.

I did the front struts in the Audi a year ago and only replaced the struts and upper mounts. I wish I'd have sprung for the lower insulator, as now it's making noise. Compressing coil springs from a heavy car is only something you'll want to do once in your garage as it's very dangerous. I was nervous the whole time the springs were under tension and I was working on them.

 

[NMBurb02]

Originally Posted By: tommygunn
Why wouldn't the quick struts work on your 17-inch-wheel car? Are the struts and mounts actually physically different? If not, then just get the quick struts if they bolt right in.

There are two different part numbers: one for models with 15" or 16" wheels and one for 17" or 18" wheels. I think only the GT and GXP models came with 17" or 18" wheels and have different suspension packages than the base model.

 

[NMBurb02]

Originally Posted By: threeputtpar
Assuming that the car was from CA, I see no reason to replace the springs, bellows, or the seats becasue rust won't be a problem. The lower seats may even be a fixed part of the strut to begin with.

It started life in IA and I believe spent some time also in another Midwest state before being brought to CA in about 2010 or 2011. I'll get under the car and check everything out real well before ordering and will probably skip the springs.

 

[zzyzzx]

Originally Posted By: SuzukiGoat
The strut mounts should be FINE, takes a lot to destroy them, but check and see.


Obligatory:

 

[SuzukiGoat]

Look at your location vs ours...

Salt much?

The body seems to have failed more than the strut mount.

Give them a once over and move on.

 

[artificialist]

JCwhitney seems to sell Monroe quick struts and their Gabriel equivalents for the rear suspension, so I would get that from JCW, and then get new struts and mounts for the front. I would get the other items only if you can see paint falling off the springs or cracks in the rubber insulators.