Strut replacement interval

[rangtong]

I have a '99 Camry XLE with 90K. It needs tires, and possibly an alignment, so i am thinking about the struts. Some people say 50 - 60K, others say only if they leak. Mine look fine, but performance feels degraded (slightly). If I am going to get a benefit, I don't mind the expense and work, but I don't want to waste my effort. I would like to ask those of you who replaced struts that have not failed, did you feel a big improvement, or were you disapointed? Thanks.

P.S. I also have a '97 with 212K and originals!! No leaks yet.

[JohnGD]

Depending on the road condition, the struts may last longer or shorter. But in general most struts are pretty much gone by 50K miles. At first I was skeptical of strut manufacturers' claims, but now I agree.

You can use them longer if you can tolerate more body sways for example. But even after 50K miles I'd say the change is not a whole lot but noticeable. Unless you hit potholes all the time and not too long you hear them banging against the chassis and leaking.

So yes you'll have a feel of how the struts have degraded over the years, like during fast lane changes or braking, for example. The degradation is very slow most cases. I'd get entire assemblies and just swap then in. Many carry lifetime warranty, including normal wear and tear (some don't). For DIY'er its great.

If your experience tells you the current struts only have slight degradation, the the new struts will probably just give you that "slight" improvement back. It depends on how much that "slight" change means to you. I'll swap them out. Do you?

Originally Posted by rangtong

I have a '99 Camry XLE with 90K. It needs tires, and possibly an alignment, so i am thinking about the struts. Some people say 50 - 60K, others say only if they leak. Mine look fine, but performance feels degraded (slightly). If I am going to get a benefit, I don't mind the expense and work, but I don't want to waste my effort. I would like to ask those of you who replaced struts that have not failed, did you feel a big improvement, or were you disapointed? Thanks.

P.S. I also have a '97 with 212K and originals!! No leaks yet.

[rangtong]

Its not that the ride becomes soft, but that it becomes hard. Originally, the car has a smooth, supple ride. But as time goes on, you feel the potholes more and more. Its the stiffening action I don't like. I had an Audi once where the strut cartridge acted like a solid pipe.

[Nervous]

Mine are still original (147K miles) and I don't feel they need to be replaced still....

[SnoFox4]

Mine are originals @ 198K.

They were pretty squishy though.

[JohnGD]

Some struts fail soft, some firm. I guess in the latter the hydraulic fluid oxidized over the years and turned thicker?

[fenixus]

yeah tell me about it... front struts fail (getting hard) for me at less then 40k miles. i still have 74k miles on rear struts and they are actually softer (it impacts handling on highways).

so right now i have harder than normal front and softer than normal rear.

[Nervous]

Hmm.... Maybe I already need to replace them but just don't feel this?

[fenixus]

I would say that if you guys keep struts for as long as 140k or 170k miles then you have a nice piece of decoration on your cars

[Nervous]

Sorry man, didn't get the joke

[fenixus]

Originally Posted by Nervous

Sorry man, didn't get the joke

just saying that very old struts are not doing their job right ... so at like 200k miles they are there for decoration only.
though they wear depending on driving style and roads conditions so YMMV.

[Nervous]

Got it now
Well.... Maybe you are right, it is time to replace them. My wagon already has updated struts, but my sedan still has original ones. I recall there was a good deal on OEM KYB struts on ebay, right? Which strut assemblies are better - KYB, Monroe, ....?

[peshwa]

I am in the same boat. Original struts 168K!! I can easily win a boat riding competition on land..lol
BTW KYB Vs Monroe Vs Gabriel is a no brainer. Going cheap Go Gabriel.
If you have confidence that your car will last greater than 50K miles go for KYB. Then its worth the extra money. Otherwise I have only read GOOD things about KYB, only complaint is harsher ride. On other hand Monroe/Gabriel is hit or miss...The complaint is strut going bad and thats not worth putting your money on.
I am currently looking at Gabriels as I am not sure if my camry will last 50K without a major engine+transmission overhaul....

[ajkalian]

Originally Posted by fenixus

just saying that very old struts are not doing their job right ... so at like 200k miles they are there for decoration only.
though they wear depending on driving style and roads conditions so YMMV.

I've got a 2000 Camry LE, 1MZ-FE, and was thinking about replacing my shocks and struts at 150,000. But they weren't leaking and the ride didn't seem too bad. Then I was thinking of replacing them at 180,000 miles, then at 200,000 and now I have 215,000 miles on the car. Still no leaks, the ride isn't that bad, so I'll just keep thinking about changing them.

Maybe one day I just might do it.

But thinking about it is much easier, and less costly.

[fenixus]

Originally Posted by ajkalian

I've got a 2000 Camry LE, 1MZ-FE, and was thinking about replacing my shocks and struts at 150,000. But they weren't leaking and the ride didn't seem too bad. Then I was thinking of replacing them at 180,000 miles, then at 200,000 and now I have 215,000 miles on the car. Still no leaks, the ride isn't that bad, so I'll just keep thinking about changing them.

Maybe one day I just might do it.

But thinking about it is much easier, and less costly.

LOL, true