With 208k miles on my 2003, it was time for new front struts. The hydraulic dampers were no longer doing the job, and everything rattled and shook with every bump. I had replaced the front lower control arms, all the sway bar bushings, and all the sway bar links last year, so it was time to replace the struts.
I decided on KYB Struts Plus. I did price the option of reusing the old springs, but by the time you buy new mounts with bearings, you aren't saving much. I didn't want to play with coil spring compressors, either.
Parts were about $325 from Rock Auto, including tax and shipping.
Just installed the new struts today. The KYB's appear to be perfect replacements for my worn out original struts. Job took me about 5 hours, including a side trip to O'Riellys for another sway bar link--the passenger side, only a year old, had already failed. This was from Amazon, brand was Detroit Axle, and I was buying the cheapest parts available...
On a test drive, everything is great. No rattles on a bumpy road, and no more wallowing in the dips.
So, what has worked out for you? If you used KYB's, did they hold up? How about cheap generics? You can go cheaper than KYB. What has worked for you?
I decided on KYB Struts Plus. I did price the option of reusing the old springs, but by the time you buy new mounts with bearings, you aren't saving much. I didn't want to play with coil spring compressors, either.
Parts were about $325 from Rock Auto, including tax and shipping.
Just installed the new struts today. The KYB's appear to be perfect replacements for my worn out original struts. Job took me about 5 hours, including a side trip to O'Riellys for another sway bar link--the passenger side, only a year old, had already failed. This was from Amazon, brand was Detroit Axle, and I was buying the cheapest parts available...
On a test drive, everything is great. No rattles on a bumpy road, and no more wallowing in the dips.
So, what has worked out for you? If you used KYB's, did they hold up? How about cheap generics? You can go cheaper than KYB. What has worked for you?