Best pricing on strut mounts???

[ImDisaster]

The local dealer wants $95 for the front mounts and $140 for the rear. The best web price I could find, on Toyota OEM parts is $60 and $95.

http://www.partswebsite.com/pagetoyo...999&type=parts

Anyone know a less expensive place for parts?

Anyone use aftermarket parts, like KYB? I saw one place offering a brand I never heard of (Mevotech) for $38 for the front. I'd hate to have to redo the job with cr_ppy parts but if they are adequate I'd rather keep the money in my wallet.

http://www..com/search/?N=0&Ntt=Toyota+Avalon+Strut+Mount&Ntk=Main&No=15& Npp=15

[TMack409]

Originally Posted by ImDisaster

The local dealer wants $95 for the front mounts and $140 for the rear. The best web price I could find, on Toyota OEM parts is $60 and $95.

http://www.partswebsite.com/pagetoyo...999&type=parts

Anyone know a less expensive place for parts?

Anyone use aftermarket parts, like KYB? I saw one place offering a brand I never heard of (Mevotech) for $38 for the front. I'd hate to have to redo the job with cr_ppy parts but if they are adequate I'd rather keep the money in my wallet.

http://www..com/search/?N=0&Ntt=Toyota+Avalon+Strut+Mount&Ntk=Main&No=15& Npp=15

I put KYB struts on my rear about a year ago. I am only moderately pleased.
I honestly don't think the OEMs were totally shot in hindsight. My problems were more related to swaybar bushies [that I replaced two years ago] - the new ones got loose after a year or so and I mistakenly blamed struts and mounts. I put new OEM mounts, OEM insulators, and KYB struts on it and it didn't really improve. Sheesh. I then tore back into the swaybar bushies and shored them up with some rubber from an inner tube. Perfect now. But as I mentioned I'm only moderately pleased with ride quality of KYBs compared to OEM struts. KYBs are a bit too aggressive - nice for handling, a tad rough for comfort. Take your pick.

I would only use OEM parts for mounts.

[ImDisaster]

Originally Posted by TMack409

I put KYB struts on my rear about a year ago. I am only moderately pleased.
I honestly don't think the OEMs were totally shot in hindsight. My problems were more related to swaybar bushies [that I replaced two years ago] - the new ones got loose after a year or so and I mistakenly blamed struts and mounts. I put new OEM mounts, OEM insulators, and KYB struts on it and it didn't really improve. Sheesh. I then tore back into the swaybar bushies and shored them up with some rubber from an inner tube. Perfect now. But as I mentioned I'm only moderately pleased with ride quality of KYBs compared to OEM struts. KYBs are a bit too aggressive - nice for handling, a tad rough for comfort. Take your pick.

I would only use OEM parts for mounts.

Thanks. I already replaced the sway bar bushings which were causing quite a knocking sound, as well as other bushings.

I know the current shocks are shot...at least the back ones because it bottoms over bumps. Also, it is wayyyy too soft and floats around after hitting bumps in the road. It is a personal choice but I prefer a little stiffer shocks and better handling over a soft ride. I went with Tokico Blue's which are actually even stiffer than the KYB's. Someone posted a problem with their KYB's failing after 20K. I hope the Tokico's do better.

I will probably go with OEM mounts. I'd hate to spend the time and money on new shocks and then have the mounts go bad.

[TMack409]

Konica? I thought that was a camera company or copiers?

[ImDisaster]

Originally Posted by TMack409

Konica? I thought that was a camera company or copiers?

Woops...fixed it to Tokico...but I wouldn't be surprised if Konica made shocks. Some of those Japanese companies make everything...like Hitachi, which makes everything from sintered metal auto parts to camcorders.