Suspension questions 93 XLE

[DarkSideMoon]

Well, unfortunately my front suspension is pretty shot- Both springs are broken and at least one strut is bad. I'm driving a 93 XLE with the 3VZ-FE with ABS. I have a couple questions- Do I need anything special besides a spring compressor and torque wrench? Is everyone pretty unanimous on the monroe quickstruts? and finally I don't have a ton of money, and as painful as it is to drive like this would I cause anything long-term damage if I kept driving on them? I have to replace the passenger side CV joint as well, and I've noticed there are different ones for with ABS and without ABS. Is there any difference between one that says for cars with ABS and one that says it will work with either? it looks like I'm looking at around 500 in parts. Does that sound reasonable?

Thanks everyone!

[JohnGD]

Yeah, go with Monroe QuickStruts, especially from what I hear about the newer OESpectrum struts that's phasing out the older SensaTracs with the "grooved" piston rods .

Is the CV joint bad or was it just a ripped boot? IMO the best is still to re-boot an undamaged OEM halfshaft. That said, aftermarket halfshafts (new or rebuilt) are all around $50 and carry lifetime warranty. The ABS one can work on non-ABS cars, it's just an extra tone ring and for some manufacturers it's just easier to make the same outer joints on all assembly lines.

Does anyone know if Gen-4 QuickStruts n Gen-3 will maintain the same ride height? If so this is cheaper than buying the components, and you won't need a strut spring compressor. $125 x2 + $50 halfshaft = $300 (+shipping).

Check the lower control arm bushings, especially the rear bushing. It will be cheaper to swap in Dorman aftermarket LCAs if needed. So that's another $50 each side.

Originally Posted by DarkSideMoon

Well, unfortunately my front suspension is pretty shot- Both springs are broken and at least one strut is bad. I'm driving a 93 XLE with the 3VZ-FE with ABS. I have a couple questions- Do I need anything special besides a spring compressor and torque wrench? Is everyone pretty unanimous on the monroe quickstruts? and finally I don't have a ton of money, and as painful as it is to drive like this would I cause anything long-term damage if I kept driving on them? I have to replace the passenger side CV joint as well, and I've noticed there are different ones for with ABS and without ABS. Is there any difference between one that says for cars with ABS and one that says it will work with either? it looks like I'm looking at around 500 in parts. Does that sound reasonable?

Thanks everyone!

[DarkSideMoon]

Thanks for the reply! That sounds significantly better than what I'd hoped. As for as the CV joint the boot has been torn for a few months, but besides that I haven't noticed much. There is a slight grind when the wheels are turned out far.

Does this look right to you?

Amazon

Amazon

They have an identical one for the other side.

[JohnGD]

The Amazon part number you had was for Gen 4 rear left. I'd use Monroe's e-catalog: http://www.monroe.com

The fronts struts for Gen 3/3.5 are: 71979/71980. And the corresponding Quickstruts are 171979/171980, Amazon $144.99 each w/shipping. (The price I quoted in mistake was for I4: from rockauto $123 each assembly + $36 shipping to Indianapolis for the pair).

Gen 4 V6 front Quickstruts are 271678/271679, Amazon $138.41 each w/shipping.

In comparison, a Gen 4 V6 Monroe OESpectrum strut (71678) costs $75.79, upper spring seat (904950) $12.99, lower spring seat (904951) $12.98, front mount/bearing (903903) $54.79, strut bellow/bumper (63619) $12.89, a pair of springs $80.79. This means if you assemble your own, each assembly will cost $210 + shipping.

However, other members need to confirm the usability of Gen 4 QuickStruts on your Gen 3. And if this is confirmed just get Gen 4 V6 QuickStruts.

As far as the CV joint goes, if it's not clicking or popping then it may still be ok. However, since you're hearing some noise it may be on the line. I don't see a "universal" repair boot kit, and there are 3 different ones for the 93 V6.The proper way to re-boot is to disassemble and clean the joint (outer race, inner race, cage, and balls).

But it's always easier for people without needed tools to swap in a $50 (rockauto) new/rebuilt halfshaft and get the lifetime warranty (it's best to get it from a local parts store even if it costs more in case of warranty claims). O'reilly's new halfshaft is about $70 and rebuilt $60. The next time you hear noise or see grease just take it back and swap it out under warranty.

So if Gen 4 is usable, then 2 front V6 QuickStruts plus a locally bought halfshaft will be about $350 (rebuilt OEM shaft) or about $360 (new aftermarket shaft).