Replacing Struts - Do I need New Mounts?

[The_Dude_1991]

Hello Camry fans,

I am replacing all four struts on my 1997 Camry LE 4-cylinder. I am thinking of going with Monroe Quick Struts because they are priced reasonably and for a few extra bucks, I don't have to gather all of the individual parts and buy a spring compressor. But I am open to other opinions or recommendations.

I have a few questions:

1. Do the quick-struts come with new mounting gear? The Monroe website description says that it has everything you need to swap out your struts, but it doesn't specifically mention the mounts.

2. Is it always necessary to replace the mounts? The car has 160,000 miles on it, almost all of which were acquired in Illinois (i.e. rough weather).


3. I've seen strut boots for sale - are these necessary? I can't believe it's almost $100 for four of little rubber boots! e.g. These guys: http://c2c.activant.com/ctoc/index.j...NGVRpwBFIIXj0A

Thanks for any help or advice!

-The Dude

[ASG14]

It;s not 100% necessary, but it's 100% recommended.

The Monroe quickstruts will come with them. Mount, bearing (for front mounts), struts, and rubber parts. It's a complete bolt in unit.

[Default User]

Originally Posted by ASG14

It;s not 100% necessary, but it's 100% recommended.

The Monroe quickstruts will come with them. Mount, bearing (for front mounts), struts, and rubber parts. It's a complete bolt in unit.

I always recommend people change the strut bearings when replacing there struts.
It's relatively inexpensive and saves you a lot of hassle in the long run.

Same goes with buying New sliders when doing a brake job

[ghettosled]

man, if the monroe quick struts already come with the mounts, not only is it easier to replace, but probably cheaper. here is what i was quoted at napa

each front strut $77
" "mount $89
" rear strut $67.50
" " mount $41.47

grand total of $550. i have no idea why the mounts are more than the struts themselves.

[The_Dude_1991]

Originally Posted by ghettosled

man, if the monroe quick struts already come with the mounts, not only is it easier to replace, but probably cheaper. here is what i was quoted at napa

each front strut $77
" "mount $89
" rear strut $67.50
" " mount $41.47

grand total of $550. i have no idea why the mounts are more than the struts themselves.

ha - yeah, the pricing on this equipment doesn't make a lot of sense. How can a complete quick strut go for $150, but a cheap little mount kit costs over $50? (at the store I visited)

Thanks for the advice everyone. I've never done shocks/struts before, but I enjoy working on my cars so I will give the quick struts a shot.

[Mike Gerber]

Yes, on the 97-99 Camrys always replace the upper strut mounts when changing the struts. They were a known trouble area on these year Camrys that can cause a rattle when going over bumps. I have been a strong supporter of the Monroe Quick Struts as an all inclusive replacement, especially to eliminate a rattle in the suspension when going over bumps. No guess work on what to replace to eliminate the rattle. Everything that can cause the rattle in the strut assembly is now new. Where did you find them for $150? That's pretty cheap. I used the Quick Struts to replace the rears on my 98 about 3 years ago and the cheapest I could fine them for back then was $179 at Pep Boys.

Mike

[flyeri]

Quick struts come with mounts.

The front ones have a set of bearings and they do wear out. The rear does not have bearings and probably does not need replacing.

Where are quick struts for $150? Best price I've seen is in the $200 range. for Monroe Sensatracs.

[ASG14]

Prices below are form Rock Auto, and they have a 5% discount code for TN users.

MONROE Part # 171681 {Quick-Strut; Incl. New Sensa-Trac Strut; Coil Spring; Bearing Plate; Insulator; Boot Kit}
Rear Left
$161.79 $0.00 $161.79

MONROE Part # 171680 {Quick-Strut; Incl. New Sensa-Trac Strut; Coil Spring; Bearing Plate; Insulator; Boot Kit}
Rear Right
$161.79 $0.00 $161.79

MONROE Part # 171679 {Quick-Strut; Incl. New Sensa-Trac Strut; Coil Spring; Bearing Plate; Insulator; Boot Kit}
Front Left
$167.89 $0.00 $167.89

MONROE Part # 171678 {Quick-Strut; Incl. New Sensa-Trac Strut; Coil Spring; Bearing Plate; Insulator; Boot Kit}
Front Right
$167.89 $0.00 $167.89

[JohnGD]

Yeah, buy parts can cost more than getting a complete assembly. A Monroe mount plus a Monroe strut cost just about the price of a Monroe QuickStrut.

Originally Posted by The_Dude_1991

ha - yeah, the pricing on this equipment doesn't make a lot of sense. How can a complete quick strut go for $150, but a cheap little mount kit costs over $50? (at the store I visited)

Thanks for the advice everyone. I've never done shocks/struts before, but I enjoy working on my cars so I will give the quick struts a shot.