effects of Old Springs

[fe519]

Hey everyone... I got a 98 Camry with about 120,000 mi on it right now. the car does not feel as "comfy" as it used to and takes bumps quite hard now. I know the shocks are pretty much done but my questions is what about the springs? I know the shocks needs to be replaced because it takes the bumps but does the springs really need to be replaced? Lastly, do you think the KYB GR-2 compares to the stock shock feeling? THanks for the advice.

[Eye8Pussies]

if the car isn't sagging, then the springs are probably fine....but yeah, osunds like your struts are shot

the kyb's are noticeably stiffer than the stock struts, if that's what you're asking....if you want comfy, you'll want to stay w/ stock

[cam2Xrunner]

monroe sensa tracs are pretty much the same stiffness as stock. They're cheap and have a lifetime warranty. If you want a stiffer strut go with the kyb.

[Stealth]

err the shocks/struts dont really take the bumps... the springs do... the struts just make sure the springs dont twist and over compress or stretch too much

[ryuji16]

Originally posted by trdcamry2003
monroe sensa tracs are pretty much the same stiffness as stock. They're cheap and have a lifetime warranty. If you want a stiffer strut go with the kyb.

i did not know this... is the warranty voided if i throw eibachs on my sensatracs?

[cam2Xrunner]

Originally posted by Stealth
err the shocks/struts dont really take the bumps... the springs do... the struts just make sure the springs dont twist and over compress or stretch too much

Actually the strut/shock do absorb the bumps(thats why they're called shock absorbers). The springs job is to keep the height of the car and compress when a load is put on them. The struts/shocks job is to slow down the process of compress/depress in the spring.

[cam2Xrunner]

Originally posted by ryuji16
i did not know this... is the warranty voided if i throw eibachs on my sensatracs?

It won't void the warranty but if you're going to go with eibachs or any lowering spring for that matter the sensa tracs aren't going to last very long, they were designed for a stock spring with stock height. They are about as strong as the oe strut. And it will prob. be bouncy. Plan on getting at the least kyb gr2's if you're going to lower it. Tokico's would be a step up.

[ryuji16]

hmm... but if it wont void the warranty... wouldnt that mean free struts for life? or would they catch on that something fishy is going down...

btw i still cant figure out if my struts are inserts or not. looks nothing like the serviceable struts, but also looks nothing like the sealed struts.

anyway back on topic

[Eye8Pussies]

if you really have no idea, then just get full strut replacements....

it'kll just be cheaper if you get inserts, is all...but this way, if there is anything wrong w/ your old strut, it doesn't matter anyway

[Adam H]

I just got all of my struts replaced without thinking of getting performance ones, and now my springs need replacing. . . I'm hoping lowering springs won't make much of a difference in durability of the struts because my stock springs are sagging like hell.

[cam2Xrunner]

Originally posted by Adam H
I just got all of my struts replaced without thinking of getting performance ones, and now my springs need replacing. . . I'm hoping lowering springs won't make much of a difference in durability of the struts because my stock springs are sagging like hell.

What brand and what model are your struts?

[Adam H]

I'm not sure where the receipt is. . . I'm guessing Monroe.

[cam2Xrunner]

If they are the monroe reflex's you should be ok. The sensa-tracs are just like oe struts. They'll work for a while, but after having the springs on for a while you're struts will prob. start to leak and lose their stiffness.

[Eye8Pussies]

ahhhh.....the bad sides of using stock struts w/ lowered springs are over stated....

if your struts are in good condition (should be, since theyr'e new), you don't drive like a maniac or plan to track the car, and you're planning on using eibachs, then you'll be fine

it just could be a bit bouncy, you could bottom out occasionally, and you may get a floating feeling if you hit a large hole/dip while going fast

[Stealth]

is there a way to get stiffer suspension without lowering the car (and not have to worry about anything breaking?)