Should I spend the $$? - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

Braddale · 07-24-2011, 11:49 AM

I have a 2000 VE and I am the original owner. The car is in mint shape and does not use any oil. It now has 230000 kms on it and has never had the struts replaced.
Noticing now that the ride is getting rough and the handling has gotten a lot worse.
New struts front and back will run me approx. $1300 installed.
I could easily drive the car another 4 years, anyone else had to make this decision??

Thanks.

Kyle Hamelin · 07-24-2011, 02:01 PM

How much do you value your life and the life of others on the road?

If it involves safety it's no question, you spend the money.

If you're only keeping the car for another four years buy those cheap "quick strut" assemblies and they should last to that point. I've seen them for 135$ for the whole assembly. You can check prices out at www.Rockauto.com. They have decent prices on that site.

If you have never done your suspension you will also be needing a new sway bar and end links because the sway bar won't be able to handle the new corner speeds you can reach with the new stuts/springs/mounts.

asiandude · 07-25-2011, 02:51 PM

that is actually very good considering that I pay extra and I think i was rip by the auto part guy.

All 4 strut install and new outter or inner tie rod ..forgot which one and some other part I forgot about...

All of it for $1700....took my saving out just to have it repair... that was a hell alot of money for me...

But ya...i an not going to that repair shop again.

pdq · 07-25-2011, 04:26 PM

You will probably also need new sway bar end links, which are about $20 x 4.

If your car looks like it's sagging in the rear, you need new rear springs as well as struts. If you don't replace the springs, the new struts will bottom out and get destroyed within about 6 months.

If you want to learn to do the job yourself, you can replace the strut assemblies yourself in about a half day, for less than $400.

***PhatRoyale*** · 07-25-2011, 05:04 PM

You should spend the money, but not that much money.

Buy online from ebay, go aftermarket. KYB-GR2 or Tokico HP struts are cheaply priced but quality struts.

gold94corolla · 07-25-2011, 06:21 PM

jeez, yeah don't pay that price. It is a lot of work to do your own suspension, but way worth it in the end (you'll spend $1000 less).

MacktasticSlick · 08-15-2011, 01:13 AM

Just bought struts today for 300 bucks, granted, they are the cheap Gabriel's not the KYBs or Tokicos but still... 1400? That seems a bit steep.

Kyle Hamelin · 08-15-2011, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MacktasticSlick

Just bought struts today for 300 bucks, granted, they are the cheap Gabriel's not the KYBs or Tokicos but still... 1400? That seems a bit steep.

You get what you pay for.... just saying.

Bennie · 08-15-2011, 07:23 AM

If you maintain it like it's going to last forever......it just might.

MacktasticSlick · 08-15-2011, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kyle Hamelin

You get what you pay for.... just saying.

Yes I know I'm not new to the game, I bought these because I only need something for a few months before I get ksports. My struts had 86K miles on them, and they are blown beyond all comprehension... there's no need for me to get the Tokico HPs when they wouldn't get used for very long. So for my needs, my money was very well spent. just saying.