Shock/Strut Replace?

[bear1906]

Hey I have an 05 Avy Ltd with 107K miles...I have only had the car since 90K. How can I tell if I need new struts or shocks? I dont know how the car should ride when its newer but it seems to ride a little hard when going over bumps. Dealer says all Avalons ride hard but I am not good with the bounce test thing, never seems to tell me anything. I got new tires (the new Goodyear Comfortred Touring) and it feels a little more cushy, but I don't know. I am probably thrown off a bit since I compare the ride to my wife's Lexus ES350...

If so, what aftermarket struts/shocks can I use...

[Tom in Tacoma]

Originally Posted by bear1906

Dealer says all Avalons ride hard...

That man's an idiot.

If the car gives a 'floaty' feeling over bumpy roads (versus absorbing the bumps), if you feel what might be construed as tire hop over bumps, if you hear something making contact (thump, bump, rub - more than you'd reasonably expect) then you might have need for shocks/struts replacement.

Try taking it to a trusted independant service shop and ask them for their opinion. Not sure what shops there are in South Jersey but a Midas, Mineke, Firestone, Goodyear or something like that should be able to help.

But that guy at the dealer really is an idiot.

[PhatRoyale]

Avalons are some of the softest riding cars out there.

Dunno what the guy in the dealer is referring to, sounded like he was just trying to get rid of you.

[Ground-FX]

Originally Posted by bear1906

Hey I have an 05 Avy Ltd with 107K miles...I have only had the car since 90K. How can I tell if I need new struts or shocks? I dont know how the car should ride when its newer but it seems to ride a little hard when going over bumps. Dealer says all Avalons ride hard but I am not good with the bounce test thing, never seems to tell me anything. I got new tires (the new Goodyear Comfortred Touring) and it feels a little more cushy, but I don't know. I am probably thrown off a bit since I compare the ride to my wife's Lexus ES350...

If so, what aftermarket struts/shocks can I use...

If you can, check if you have moisture or any sign of fluid around the shocks.most shocks leak out fluids and thats a big sign they are shot and you need to change em.In some situations the fluid will reach the inside part of he wheels.If you decide to check it yourself, its also the best time to check your brake pads.

on a side note its best to change shocks by pairs or all 4 corners same time.Good luck.

[boosted-fc3s]

Compared to my last car, the avalon limited is practically a sports car. I had a hyundai azera limited, that was probably the worst handling car I ever owned. It was fine on a smooth road, but even the smallest imperfection unsettled the whole car. Hit a bump during a corner?... Good luck.

[00avxls]

I have a 06 avalon with 102k miles on it and recently replaced the struts. I knew I needed to replace them for a while by the way the car rode. It felt like it just didn't absorb bumps in the road. I replaced all 4 with the kyb's. Most places I looked at only showed a part number for the rear struts, but I found out that the struts on the 05-06 avalons are the same as on the v6 04-06 camrys. I ordered them and they went right on. Rides much better now.

[bear1906]

Originally Posted by 00avxls

I have a 06 avalon with 102k miles on it and recently replaced the struts. I knew I needed to replace them for a while by the way the car rode. It felt like it just didn't absorb bumps in the road. I replaced all 4 with the kyb's. Most places I looked at only showed a part number for the rear struts, but I found out that the struts on the 05-06 avalons are the same as on the v6 04-06 camrys. I ordered them and they went right on. Rides much better now.

How much did it cost you?? Did you have to replace anything else like the mounts or assemblies?

[00avxls]

I think I spent around $420 for the struts and I put them on myself, then just took it to a shop to get an alignment. The strut mounts and bearings seemed to still be good so I reused them.