2002 Avalon XLS Strut Replacement - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

CitadelBlue · 10-01-2011, 12:49 PM

My 02 has 135000 miles and the tires are wearing and "cupping". The local shop says the struts need replacing. They are quoting parts as:
Strut Cartridge Monroe Matic Plus Strut
Boot Kit
Mounting Kit
Labor
Alignment
Total: $1172 for all 4
I'm not sure if I should upgrade to the Monroe OESpectrum Strut or what the mounting Kit is or if their price is with-in reason .....

What do you think?

buchaja · 10-01-2011, 05:35 PM

Hi, I was quoted $1600 for all 4 struts on my '03 by a local Toyota dealer. So, you're probably about right for a private shop.

For what it's worth, I did the work myself and put in KYB struts. I saved a lot of money, but it was challenging so if that isn't an option you're best bet would just to get several quotes from competing shops.

Some people like the monroe's, they are most like the oem's and the KYB's are stiffer.

At that mileage, you are probably overdue.

CitadelBlue · 10-01-2011, 09:21 PM

I was thinking the dealer would be higher ..... I should buy and install them myself ... Eric the car guy made it look pretty easy too .....

You Tube

You Tube

Too bad they don't list a Quick Strut for the Avalon ..... http://www.monroe.com/products/Quick-Strut

CitadelBlue · 10-02-2011, 05:18 PM

My search for a Quick-Strut Complete strut assembly for my Avalon resulted in a Monroe Part Number 171680.

Amazon

When you dig down into this struts application you get the Camry and Solara but not the Avalon.

Part number 71680 OESpectrum Strut Assembly applies. Since these numbers are really close was wonder if anyone new this Quick Strut would fit?.

Was going to head out to the local auto parts this afternoon .. but they were already closed when I got there ....

Thoughts?

buchaja · 10-02-2011, 08:27 PM

Did Amazon render that part number for you? I bought my struts through them and would take a chance that they would fit if Amazon said they were the right ones. I trust Jeff Bezos (sp?), ha!

The Haynes manual for my Avalon is the Camry edition with only a few changes for my car. Those ready struts sure would have made the job much easier for me.

CitadelBlue · 10-02-2011, 09:47 PM

Yep ... Amazon came up with the Monroe Quick Strut number after I did a search on the Avalon then struts and shocks. This number, however, is NOT listed on the Monroe web site .... but I'll call Monroe Monday AM and ask one of their techs .....

BiXLL · 10-03-2011, 05:51 AM

I have all ready talked to Monroe about this some time ago, in fact if you do a search on Quick Struts you will find a thread on it. Monroe states that while they will bolt up on the Avalon, the spring rating is too low for the heavier Avalon and they do not have a quick strut for us.

Here is athat other thread I was talking about

Monroe Quick-Strut warning

CitadelBlue · 10-03-2011, 06:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BiXLL

I have all ready talked to Monroe about this some time ago, in fact if you do a search on Quick Struts you will find a thread on it. Monroe states that while they will bolt up on the Avalon, the spring rating is too low for the heavier Avalon and they do not have a quick strut for us.

Here is a that other thread I was talking about

Monroe Quick-Strut warning

Thanks for the note ... I was planning on calling Monroe this AM .... OBTW Amazon now lists a Quick Strut that begins with "2" (in addition to the "1" mentioned in the above thread) followed by the regular strut assembly part numbers ... maybe heavy duty ....

On a positive note, I did find a Gabriel Ready Mount Complete Strut (Part # G56930 to G56933) Need to call them to confirm fit as well.

BiXLL · 10-03-2011, 06:33 AM

Keep us informed, I would love to find a complete assembly for our cars as I feel I need new springs in addition to struts and its just too expensive to do it by ordering everything seperate.

CitadelBlue · 10-03-2011, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CitadelBlue

Thanks for the note ... I was planning on calling Monroe this AM .... OBTW Amazon now lists a Quick Strut that begins with "2" (in addition to the "1" mentioned in the above thread) followed by the regular strut assembly part numbers ... maybe heavy duty ....

On a positive note, I did find a Gabriel Ready Mount Complete Strut (Part # G56930 to G56933) Need to call them to confirm fit as well.

CONFIRMED...CONFIRMED.....via phoncon

Monroe does NOT have a Quick Strut that is made for the weight of our Avalons .... the Monroe part numbers listed in the above posts beginning with the 1 or 2 are for the Camry and Solara.

Gabriel does in fact have what they call the Gabriel Ready Mount Complete Strut (Part #'s G56930 to G56933) that are made for the Avalon ...

BiXLL · 10-09-2011, 05:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CitadelBlue

CONFIRMED...CONFIRMED.....via phoncon

Monroe does NOT have a Quick Strut that is made for the weight of our Avalons .... the Monroe part numbers listed in the above posts beginning with the 1 or 2 are for the Camry and Solara.

Gabriel does in fact have what they call the Gabriel Ready Mount Complete Strut (Part #'s G56930 to G56933) that are made for the Avalon ...

I had Gabriel Air Shocks back in the early 70s, and back then they were king, but I have not heard much about gabriel since then. Does anybody have any experiance with them lately? What is their quality and reputation with todays technoligy?

BiXLL · 10-09-2011, 06:05 AM

In further research, I found this site called "Complete struts". Prices look very good with 1 year warranty. Problem I see is that they list the "complete strut as fitting the 4 cyl Camry as well as our Avalons. That tells me they could care less that the spring rate is different, hey bolts up don't it! (sarcassim)

http://www.completestruts.com/cart.cgi

BiXLL · 10-10-2011, 08:34 PM

I sent this message to complete struts

Quote:

I was researching complete struts for my 2002 Toyota avalon. The strut you recommend is the same strut as you recommend for the 4 cyl Toyota Camry. I know for a fact that the spring rates are different on these 2 cars. Do you care that you are selling a complete strut product to Avalon owners that does not meet OEM specs for the car?

I got a reply from them today

Quote:

We contacted our engineer regarding your question. The units for the V6 and the V4 do in fact haven’t different specs for the springs being used. All other components are identical. The specs for the V6 spring are being used in both units as the heavier duty spring falls within the tolerance for the V4. I respect your question – and I assure you that the units used are to OE spec. If you have any further questions – please do not hesitate to contact us.

I may just end up getting all 4 from them

csaxon · 10-11-2011, 04:23 PM

The difference in weight between the Avalon and the 4 cyl Camry is only about 350 pounds and I would expect at least 150 of that to be in the front with the bigger engine and the rest spread throughout the cars 4 corners. There's a schematic somewhere showing weight distribution.

BiXLL · 10-12-2011, 10:23 PM

Well, I have been in contact with the companies operation manager, Marc Ross. In the 4 emails with questions I had he replied with an answer the next day. In my last email I expressed my concern with the unit being listed for the 4cyl Camry as well as ours and the fact I would not be happy if my heavier Avalon experienced any sag or overly soft ride. Here is his reply.

Quote:

I want to give you a 100% guarantee that if your struts don’t fit and ride exactly like you want them to I will give you back a 100% money back refund. If you have any other questions let me know. I also want to remind you that you will be receiving free shipping if your order is over 150$. Thank you very much

I feel like with all his timely responses and personal attention he has given me I needed to pull the trigger and give them a try, so I did. Will let all know what I think of them once they get here.

Also, all 4 with free shipping came to $349.00