Leaking strut.

[hawkman71]

I was changing the oil this winter, when I noticed my RF wheelwell was covered in an oil. I deemed it was the strut leaking as it was coated, including the part inside the spring. I noticed small amounts leaking up in the engine compartment around the 3 bolts for the strut.

So...I was told by the guy at Advance that that part is about 100 bucks, including spring etc. I figured my old spring is fine, so I'm not sure about where to go there.

I've seen full struts/springs for ~50 on ebay...

I could use advice on:

1. Brand/quality. (Go with minimum? My budget is low, but I would like it to ride good).
2. Full kit, or just the strut. I can borrow a spring compressor if needed...
3. Replace both sides for sure, or only if problem in both?

Thanks!

[speedy25]

At a minimum chage BOTH struts. They should be sold in pairs! If you have a high mileage car new springs will help ride quality further. KYB are nicely priced and good quality.

-SP

[hawkman71]

I swear I checked the 'bounce' in the front of the car just a few months ago - back when I really noticed the thing leaking. Today I checked, and holy cow - I need both front struts replaced. I'm seeing this as a 200 dollar job if I buy from advance. Unless I buy just the strut, w/o spring. But I might need to replace the spring if it's bad right? Or are those chances low?

[96coroll]

Hey i just had this problem with my rear struts. I wanted to Kyb;s but they were like 160 for the strut along i believe. And i didn't wanna have to go thru the work of changing the spring. So i ended up buying it from http://www.primechoiceautoparts.ca/. I paid 84 each for complete strut and free shipping. To me in canada at least from ottawa warehouse. But i believe they have some in the states too.

Well i installed them on my car. My only issue was on one side. When i went to slide up the strut into the three holes at the top. It didn't go write away. One bolt was off by like 1mm. So i just had to pry it over and then it all went in. Tightened it and up and that was it.

Last little thing. Even though i tighten them down to spec i still sometimes get a squeek from them when driving. Know it can be annoying. I think it happens because the top plate may not be Exactly the same as the stock ones. But i'm not to concerned any more because i'm talked to a couple people who have changed there struts with not stock and they have the squeek. Once though that i could lower the strut and maybe put some greese on top plate and then reinstall. Never on to it.

Well that's my input. If i cud afford the OEM ones i wud have. Or i'm still in the hunt for a parts car. To get parts that way.

Oh and if your changing them yourself he front struts are easier to change than the rear ones.