Thread: Strut Job

Hey there, I plan to replace the front struts on my GP as the front right one is bent and they have 157k on them and are pretty bouncy, not to mention the steering is kind of crazy on uneven road.

I want to order KYB GR-2s from RockAuto. I just have a couple of questions.

Will I need strut mounts to go with them? What's the benefit/drawback etc?

If so, should I order the KYB strut mounts or can you cut corners and order a cheaper strut mount?

Thank you!

so just so i have this straight, i NEED to buy (Rock Auto):

1). 2 KYB GR-2 #339015
2). 2 KYB Strut Mounts #SM5143

Upper and lower insulators?
Dust boot?
Where are these on Rock Auto? Are they 100% necessary? I'm already at $195.16, and that's without the labor to put them on!

Double check performancepeddler.com prices for the GR2's. They might just be cheaper.

Originally Posted by 7801MonteMan

Double check performancepeddler.com prices for the GR2's. They might just be cheaper.

I found the struts, just a couple dollars cheapter tho

Yeah they do...It must only be the KYB AGX (adjustable) struts that they carry. I know they do carry KYB.

idk. ill just buy the strut and the mounts and a long time family friend should be the one putting them on so if he needs anything else i'll let him figure it out.

my only thing is, i've been told i need an alignment after getting the struts on, however i don't think he can do that at his house (where his shop is), so i'm guessing i'm supposed to drive it to the alignment shop?? is that safe, it won't hurt my new struts or anything?

not to jack the thread but Random question, you said that you strut is bent? is you wheel backed off? Im asking you that because my LF Wheel it about .5 to 1 inch more behind then my right one.

Would that also be my problem?

Originally Posted by biggt

not to jack the thread but Random question, you said that you strut is bent? is you wheel backed off? Im asking you that because my LF Wheel it about .5 to 1 inch more behind then my right one.

Would that also be my problem?

well what do you mean by your wheel is backed off? as far as i know my wheels are fine. i haven't measured or anything, but the only thing i can tell is because the steering wheel is off center to the right a bit (went right back after an alignment) and if you get on uneven road it steers all over the place ya know it gets hard to handle.
so i'm not sure if that's your issue or not; my alignment shop told me my strut was bent. and they're trusted and been around for ages, soo.

well i went to get the car aligned when i bought the car in july and the allignement guy told me that my LF wheel is closer to the bottom of the fender. but i dont got any steering problems,i didnt see the problem before i buy the car because the guy before me had some 205/55/16's on so it didnt show but i had my 17'' on it showed and rubbed a bit on a full steering turn, so right now i wanna figure out whats the problem to be able to put my 18's on

hm. idk what to say, maybe your right front strut is newer than the one on the left.
who would replace just one strut idk but its possible.

be glad u dont have steering issues. i need new struts and PS pump. the previous owner's son ran over a post sign sooo go figure lol.

lolll

Originally Posted by brandonl2000

idk. ill just buy the strut and the mounts and a long time family friend should be the one putting them on so if he needs anything else i'll let him figure it out.

my only thing is, i've been told i need an alignment after getting the struts on, however i don't think he can do that at his house (where his shop is), so i'm guessing i'm supposed to drive it to the alignment shop?? is that safe, it won't hurt my new struts or anything?

You're definitely safe to drive to the alignment shop, some people would even tell you you don't need an alignement, especially if you aren't changing your ride height. Others would even tell you to drive a number of miles to let things settle before you go for an alignement..
Not going to hurt anything not getting directly to the alignment shop, I wouldn't wait all year though.

Dust boots and upper/lower isolators definitely aren't a requirement. The aftermarket dust boots are actually thinner than the stock ones and more likely to wear out/get holes in them, and not protect the strut, so if they're in good condition(dirty don't matter, aside from looks) then I'd just leave them.

After I did mine, I did not get an alignment...I was planning to, but never got around to it, and have not noticed any uneven tire wear. Still rides perfectly straight....I might not advise that because I'm sure it wont be that way for most people, and generally after you do suspension work it is a good idea to get it aligned, but in my case everything was OK without it

well when you did yours, what all did you replace? i'm just kinda unsure what all I need to have on my grocery list.
I have to buy struts, strut mounts, and what else?

I purchased the Quick strut assembly, that way you don't have to deal with compressing the springs and it is a very easy install....they come with the mount and everything, its all new, you don't re-use anything if you go that route. On ebay you can pick up a monroe quick strut for like $130-$145 each, very good deal...Jack it up, throw it on the stands, remove the wheel, open the hood remove the 3 strut mounting bolts, then using an impact gun or a breaker bar you remove the two bolts that mount the strut, right above the rotor you will see them...You may need a punch to get them all the way out, i had to hammer mine out a little after I got the nut off, but it is very simple, took me about a half hour for each side on the fronts.

hm. but idk if i wanna pay that much. sounds like my best option if money wasn't an object.
thank you. i haven't heard good things about monroe. plus dad wants kybs on the prix.

I found some KYB Strut-Plus Complete Assembly $140 each. Sounds great but damn that's a lot of money..

Yeah, they aren't the greatest but it's better than worn out stock ones.....It's actually not that much if you think about how much you will save in labor if you buy the quick strut, and do it yourself....I havent heard much about KYB's version so I can't help there, I'd go with whatever you can find a better price on. Check on rockauto and ebay though, stuff is usually pretty darn cheap up there if you catch it at the right time.

Another option is to do 2 at a time if you don't have all the money right now...That's what I did, I started with my front 2, then did the back ones later on

oh yea! i'm doing the front 2 only.
that's true though, i could do it myself with the Strut-Plus assembly. RockAuto is where I found them for $140 each. $280 total. if I didn't have to buy a catalytic converter it'd be all gravy lol.
then again i'm not even sure if my cat is bad and idk how to verify that it is. ughhh