I'm in Montreal and the underside of the car is solid, no rust on the car, 200,000 km automatic, motor and transmission run amazing, but the car is bouncy in the front, one mechanic wants to put a strut assembly, another wants to keep the old springs? What to do?
Thanks
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Jim Smith
That's an interesting question. If the springs aren't sagging, you probably don't need to replace them. A lot of mechanics buy the pre-assembled springs/shocks - faster, fewer tools, fresh springs aren't a bad thing. What's the difference in price (it's kind of cost of parts vs cost of labor). Probably more important is the brand/quality of the shocks. The OEM ones on my Matrix seem pretty good, probably KYB is the supplier.
Springs seem good, the car isn't sagging in the front. I agree price does make a difference, but I also want a nice ride, so I'm just wondering if it's better to keep the Toyota springs, but they are 16 years old, how long can they last?
Get OEM or at least KYB (as an aftermarket) struts. You do not need springs.
Thanks, that's what I'm thinking as well.
The complete assembly is a much quicker job, because the unit is complete. Remove the old, install the new, bada-bing-bada-boom. The other way, once your remove the old strut, then they have to disassemble it and have to mess with the spring removal (can be dangerous). So it takes a little longer doing the latter.
Thanks, I agree it's easier with the assembly but will it ride as well as keeping the old Toyota springs?
I replaced all 4 in an AWD Highlander with the complete struts, and it rode every bit as good as with the oem springs. But I did it myself and wasn't about to mess with the springs. Only thing I did after was bring it to my mechanic to do the alignment.
But you're bringing it to a shop so if they're not sagging, the strut only should be 1/2 the price of the complete unit times 2. Your call.
Thanks for sharing that, so the assemblies can be good. I think the springs are still good so I'll probably keep the original springs and like you say, save money lol.