Just Did The Struts On My '04 XLS...

[Boston Fireguy]

This is just my 2 cents worth on a subject that's been posted on before.

My '04 XLS, bought new, just turned 120K miles and long overdue for struts. I did the rears first, using KYBs with KYB mounts to see how firmer the ride got.
My wife usually drives so I wanted to gauge her reaction before doing the fronts. She liked the KYBs so on went the fronts, using new mounts also. The ride is a little firmer but very comfortable. I've also used them on my BMW and KYB shocks on my Dad's Grand Marquis.

For DIYers the strut assemblies can be removed in your driveway with a floor jack and a couple of jackstands. You can then bring the assemblies to a garage for the strut/mount changeover and reinstall them at home. I was fortunate to have access to a strut changing machine which reduced the cost to parts only.

[KoG506]

Originally Posted by Boston Fireguy

This is just my 2 cents worth on a subject that's been posted on before.

My '04 XLS, bought new, just turned 120K miles and long overdue for struts. I did the rears first, using KYBs with KYB mounts to see how firmer the ride got.
My wife usually drives so I wanted to gauge her reaction before doing the fronts. She liked the KYBs so on went the fronts, using new mounts also. The ride is a little firmer but very comfortable. I've also used them on my BMW and KYB shocks on my Dad's Grand Marquis.

For DIYers the strut assemblies can be removed in your driveway with a floor jack and a couple of jackstands. You can then bring the assemblies to a garage for the strut/mount changeover and reinstall them at home. I was fortunate to have access to a strut changing machine which reduced the cost to parts only.

Congrats! Your and your wife must be happy now that the struts are out of the way.

My car is also needed. ASAP. (fishtail when curving over bump & knocking when going over bump)

What parts should I change when I change the struts? Do I reuse the springs?

Thanks!

[Boston Fireguy]

When changing the struts, change the upper mounts also, as the rubber in the mounts will pull away from the metal portion of the mount with age, causing the common banging noise.

The original spring can be used unless you detect a corner sagging which then means changing both springs at that end of the car. I also used the original rubber isolators at each end of the spring as they were in good condition.

Gabriel makes a loaded strut assembly with the spring, mount, strut, etc already assembled. Just take out the old strut and bolt in the new one. There's about a $75.00 premium for each unit over the cost of the KYB strut and mount alone. I don't like Gabriels or Monroes but that's personal preference.

[CraZySteve]

Originally Posted by Boston Fireguy

This is just my 2 cents worth on a subject that's been posted on before.

My '04 XLS, bought new, just turned 120K miles and long overdue for struts. I did the rears first, using KYBs with KYB mounts to see how firmer the ride got.
My wife usually drives so I wanted to gauge her reaction before doing the fronts. She liked the KYBs so on went the fronts, using new mounts also. The ride is a little firmer but very comfortable. I've also used them on my BMW and KYB shocks on my Dad's Grand Marquis.

For DIYers the strut assemblies can be removed in your driveway with a floor jack and a couple of jackstands. You can then bring the assemblies to a garage for the strut/mount changeover and reinstall them at home. I was fortunate to have access to a strut changing machine which reduced the cost to parts only.

I did the struts on my wifes '03 Ava @ 89,000 they where junk! I went with Monroe Sensa-tracs with new mounts. The car rides much better. It has 110k on it now and still rides fine. I do regret not getting the KYB's but I think when these go, since they have limited lifetime warranty... I will swap them out, get the new ones from the parts store - sell them on Ebay or whereever... and buy the KYB's - At that point I will also think about putting in new springs...

I had access to a strut compresser which made life VERY Easy

[Budabear]

Replaced my factories on my '03 XLS when I first purchased the car back in 2007. I placed KYB's and have always used them on all my cars. The struts on the car at time of purchase, just under 100K, were absolutely pathetic. The ride has improved 100% however my right front bottoms out when I hit bumps too hard. This is probably because I'm using 225-55-16's on my factory rims. Three of the wheels ride without fault but the one keeps bottoming out. I know that the mechanic that put them in didn't mount them properly but I'm planning to replace the one front again anyway. I've also replaced the front springs but haven't got to the rear yet.

[Boston Fireguy]

Just completed a 2400 mile round trip to Myrtle Beach SC and the KYBs rode great. We also averaged 28 MPG on the highway doing 70-75, slightly less than on previous trips. But no complaints. 3 different GPSs confirm our speedo is a little slow; an indicated 70 is actually 71-72.

Is the right front strut bottoming out or are you running out of tire due to the lower profile? I ask because I've never bottomed out the front end.

My rears bottom with just 2 people in the rear seat. I'm going to try the old school rubber blocks between the coils. If that doesn't work I may take the coils to a spring shop and have them do something with them.

[Budabear]

I'm sure that the strut was put in wrong. When it was first put it was bottoming out really badly on every bump. I had to go back several times for them to play with the strut and they made it a little better. Once I replace it it will be put in correctly and hopefully that will be the end of it. Lol

If you can I'd just replace the springs instead of going with the rubber spacers. They used to be considered pretty dangerous. I put Moog springs on the car and it looks great. I still have to do the rear.

[Boston Fireguy]

Budabear, just a thought; were the strut mounts and bearings changed when the struts were? I once did struts on the front of my Dodge Intrepid and didn't change the mounts. Bad idea. The right front corner banged with every bump. I now change mounts with the struts.

I did the Avalon struts myself and I'm trying to think how they could be put in wrong unless the left mount was put on the right side. The mounts are side specific. After greasing the original bearings I used them as they were smoother than the KYB bearings.

[Budabear]

Unfortunately I was unaware that the mounts also needed to be changed at the same time. The struts were changed without the mounts but I corrected the error with new KYB mounts and the car did drive much better but I still had the bottoming out on the right front.